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MALE VOICE: Could your car suddenly accelerate on its own? Concerns tonight about a defect with certain vehicles that could have dangerous consequences.
FEMALE VOICE: Accidents happen every day on our streets and highways, but what if it wasn't your fault and had nothing to do with any of driver's error? Your car or truck accelerates on its own without warning. Bill Menish [phonetic] tells us there are new questions tonight about a possible high tech defect on cars and trucks.
BILL MENISH: Press the gas pedal to go, the brake to stop. You take it for granted behind the wheel. But what if your car suddenly took off on its own? It's called unintended acceleration, an elusive problem that's a nightmare for auto makers.
CRAIG MCCLELLAN: Modern vehicles have tremendous technology improving all the time. But the technology is not infallible.
BILL MENISH: Attorney Craig McClellan says defective air bags, tires and roof supports are a bigger safety problem, but sudden acceleration can cause crashes, injuries, even death. Federal auto safety experts have been studying the issue for 15 years.
[GRAPHIC: Toyota]
BILL MENISH: Their latest focus is 2002, 2003 Toyota Camrys and Solaris. The cars have electronic throttle controls that might cause engines to surge unexpectedly. And Subaru recalled 120,000 vehicles to check for possible defects in their cruise control systems.
CRAIG MCCLELLAN: The crashes in vehicles can occur in a particular system like an accelerator system or they can occur in several systems. When they do occur, unfortunately, collisions usually follow.
BILL MENISH: Many new vehicles have electronic throttles. There are no cables connecting the gas pedal to the throttle. Instead, the pedal is connected to a computer that opens and closes the throttle.
JIM CUSTEAU: It will close automatically just on screen tension.
BILL MENISH: Mechanic and auto tech instructor Jim Custeau says these new systems are very safe. Custeau says electronic sensors can stop a surge before the car accelerates.
JIM CUSTEAU: Then it will shut down fuel or shut down ignition to prevent the vehicle from going out of control.
BILL MENISH: Sudden acceleration is possible. But Custeau says driver error is the more likely problem and the real cause of most accidents.
JIM CUSTEAU: I've had cars where the idle will flair momentarily and as long as you hit the brake you're okay. Hit the gas, you're in trouble.
BILL MENISH: Bill Menish, NBC 7, 39.
FEMALE VOICE: A Toyota spokesman says the company takes all complaints seriously but does not believe there are any defects with its electronic throttle controls. We also called several local dealers who say they have not had any complaints about unexpected acceleration. Audi A6 sedans built in 1998 and '99 have also been the subject of some complaints. Audi says it is cooperating fully with investigators but does not believe there are any defects.