Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?

Throughout the acceleration problem fiasco, Toyota has insisted the problem is a mechanical one involving the gas pedal. Simultaneously Toyota categorically denied the problem involves the electronic systems. It doesn't appear they completely know the cause, but in public statements they have flatly eliminated electronics as the culprit.



I earned a BS in mechanical engineering and worked for about 10 years as a manufacturing / quality engineer. When tackling problems, we never eliminated possibilities until we considered everything until we found the root problem. Toyota seems to be doing the opposite: They've reflexively eliminated the electronics and are fishing around for cause among the remaining possibilities, however far-fetched (e.g. floor mats).



What's going on? Is there a liability issue in play? For instance, does Toyota share the same electronics among many of its vehicles, meaning millions more are at risk than Toyota would like to admit? Is the problem so intermittent that it is difficult to reproduce? (If so, I'd think electronics are at least a factor.) Or is something else going on?Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?It's called CYA, and denial.



Replacing the computer in an auto is very expensive. To do this on many millions of autos could break the company. And you are correct, the same problem could be in many more of their autos, and could extend to other manufacturers.



.Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?
Toyota sucks. I hope that company burns to the ground.Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?Hardly matters. It is plain to anyone outside the USA that Toyota is being attacked by a conglomerate made up of car makers and unions, with the purpose of reducing Toyotas presence in North America. The rate of failures is well within industry standards.Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?
My father works on cars and we have had multiple discussions about it. To us, it sounds like a software problem perhaps in the cruise control... but it's hard to determine. What really gets me is that they've known about this problem for years and are just now deciding to correct it because legal authority made them. I really hate toyota for many reasons and this is just the icing on top. To everyone who reads this, save a job and by American!!!Why is Toyota so insistent their acceleration problems are mechanical rather than electronic?The way I see it is that Toyota is saying the electronics in the car are not to blame so they look for other issues. I would conclude that even if the electronics are not to blame It should be obvious by now that they are inadequate or as some would say "cheap".