Released: February 16, 2010

Toyota hit by new surge of reported fatalities

Source: Brady Dennis, Washington Post (Free Registration)

Federal officials have received a flurry of new complaints in recent weeks about deaths linked to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles, bringing the total number of alleged fatalities to 34 since 2000, according to government data.

Between 2000 and 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received complaints alleging 21 deaths attributable to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles. Since Jan. 27, federal officials have received complaints alleging an additional 13 fatalities linked to the same issue in Toyota vehicles between 2005 and 2010.

The agency also has received a wave of new complaints in recent days about the popular Toyota Prius hybrid, thousands of which were recalled last week because of potential problems in the braking system.

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