Lexus: Wall Street Journal ES300 Article

In yesterday's WSJ, an article says that the NHTSA is discontinuing for now
its investigation into the lag problem. More specifically, it was
investigating "sudden acceleration" associated with the ES300's
transmissions in '02 and '03 vehicles. It is now taking a wait and see
attitude on the subject. Looks like they were on the case, at least
nominally, anyway.

Mark

MRS wrote: 

FAIR USE
UPDATE: US Govt Ends Safety Probe Of Toyota, Lexus Sedans
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
July 27, 2004 7:19 p.m.

(Updates with NHTSA continuing to monitor vehicles; adds details)

DETROIT (AP)--The federal government said Tuesday it was closing a
safety investigation into the Toyota (TM) Camry, Camry Solara and Lexus
ES300 but would continue to monitor the vehicles because of allegations
they can surge ahead without warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating
in March after receiving reports of 30 crashes due to a possible defect.
At least one pedestrian was injured in one of the crashes. The
investigation looked at vehicles from the 2002 and 2003 model years.

NHTSA said its investigation focused on whether electronic throttle
control was causing the alleged surges. Vehicles with electronic
throttle control send signals from the accelerator pedal to the engine
electronically instead of mechanically.

NHTSA had many of the complainants' vehicles analyzed and found nothing
abnormal with the electronic throttle control or the control pedals.
Sometimes, sudden acceleration happens when drivers are unfamiliar with
new vehicles.

NHTSA said it was closing its investigation for now but would be
monitoring the vehicles. NHTSA investigations can lead to vehicle
recalls.