Case Study toyota acceleration
Case Study: Toyota Acceleration Problem
1) For the case study, our group, The Socratic Triads, we have chosen to analysis the ethical issues that are related to the Toyota acceleration problem. The Toyota acceleration problem first came to the light in the media around late 2009. The acceleration pedal of certain models of Toyotas and Lexus were unintendedly accelerating without the driver’s foot on the pedal. It has been reported that the acceleration pedal has been malfunctioning as early as 2003. Toyota has ignored those cases until a horrific accident that occurred in San Diego that killed a family of four. Ever since then, there has been a rising case of the ‘run away Toyota’, and deaths that occurs because of it. Toyota has issued recalls on millions of vehicles around the world, and have spent billions of dollars to correct the issue. Because of this situation, Toyota sales has plummet and so has their reputation.
2) There are a few moral issues that plays into the situation. First, Toyota did not take corrective action quick enough. The first problem with the acceleration first occurred in 2003, but it was ignored. It took nearly 6 years till finally an investigation took place. Many of the issues could have been prevented if proper precautions were taken. Toyota has a strict business culture and for that, it gives the sense that whatever they produce is a hundred percent quality. The first sign of poor quality, Toyota ignored the fact because they themselves didn’t believe it. Second, should have Toyota try to cover up the situation and blame it on the floor mats? Sure there may have been a few case where the floor mats can cause the gas pedal to stick, but a few testimonies say didn’t even have floor mats. Was it ethical to push the blame back at the consumers so the company can save face? 3.) The faults of the company as a whole all caused the problem with Toyota’s acceleration system. One could even look at it as a step in trial and error. The
1) For the case study, our group, The Socratic Triads, we have chosen to analysis the ethical issues that are related to the Toyota acceleration problem. The Toyota acceleration problem first came to the light in the media around late 2009. The acceleration pedal of certain models of Toyotas and Lexus were unintendedly accelerating without the driver’s foot on the pedal. It has been reported that the acceleration pedal has been malfunctioning as early as 2003. Toyota has ignored those cases until a horrific accident that occurred in San Diego that killed a family of four. Ever since then, there has been a rising case of the ‘run away Toyota’, and deaths that occurs because of it. Toyota has issued recalls on millions of vehicles around the world, and have spent billions of dollars to correct the issue. Because of this situation, Toyota sales has plummet and so has their reputation.
2) There are a few moral issues that plays into the situation. First, Toyota did not take corrective action quick enough. The first problem with the acceleration first occurred in 2003, but it was ignored. It took nearly 6 years till finally an investigation took place. Many of the issues could have been prevented if proper precautions were taken. Toyota has a strict business culture and for that, it gives the sense that whatever they produce is a hundred percent quality. The first sign of poor quality, Toyota ignored the fact because they themselves didn’t believe it. Second, should have Toyota try to cover up the situation and blame it on the floor mats? Sure there may have been a few case where the floor mats can cause the gas pedal to stick, but a few testimonies say didn’t even have floor mats. Was it ethical to push the blame back at the consumers so the company can save face? 3.) The faults of the company as a whole all caused the problem with Toyota’s acceleration system. One could even look at it as a step in trial and error. The