Which model car was it that was accused of accelerating without warning?

Question

I think it was around 15 years ago, and some people were killed when they were pinned between the car and a wall. 60 Minutes did a story on it.

Did they prove that it was caused or not caused by the transmission?

Answer 1

The vehicle was the Audi 5000, and it was accused of acceleration without warning. The vehicle nearly killed Audi in the USA when they said it couldn;t be the cause.

Audi developed a transmission/brake interlock system, to prevent acceleration when placed into gear. You had to step on the brake in order to shift out of park. The issue seemed to be acceleration when shifting out of park into either drive or reverse. Also, later, some Audi models were recalled for irratic idle (idle stablization motor or valve) and possible sticking throttle issues.

The idle control valve was suspected of being the cause; it could sometimes stick, however, it was later proven that the vehicle couldn't accelerate the way people said it could. Stuck fully open the idle control valve won't let the engine run more than 2,000 rpms, not nearly fast enough to be uncontrolable, nor cause rapid acceleration.

What was finally determined to (at least in theory) be the cause was that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal angles and height; people stepped on the accelerator pedal and not the brake pedal when attempting to stop.

The pedal angle and heights were changed, but not before Audi nearly went bankrupt in the USA. As it turns out, they were right. I don't recall that some people were killed being pinned between car and the wall, but, then that was 20+ years that this took place. Sales of Audi products fell below 12,000 units at the lowest point and it looked like that both VW and Audi might leave the US market.

Today, Audi has had a rebirth of sorts, engineering has become their hallmark and sales have increased or remained steady in a tough market.

Answer 2

Actually there were many cars and trucks reported with this..Most were proved to be driver error and some a ploy to make money from lawsuits. 60 minutes also did a story on exploding GMC fuel tanks that later was proved to be a staged explosion!!!! Now, because of stupid people we ALL are stick with the brake transmission interlock..Guess what..kill the battery on your car in a parking garage..you can't get the transmission in neutral to push it back for a jump start!!

Answer 3

No car will do that unless the driver causes it. A vehicle will only do what the driver tells it to do. And if the driver was a moron and didn't put the car in park or turn the vehicle off then its not the car's fault. Have never seen a vehicle move on its own unless it was not properly secured. I.E. parking brake set and in park, or left in gear with parking brake set on standard tranny.

Answer 4

I am not sure about that one but I know the 95-98 Mitsubishi Galants had many reports of the gas pedal getting stuck under the floormat.