Investigations
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA85045 — closed, opened 1985-08-30 and involving the TOYOTA CRESSIDA.
NHTSA investigation EA85045 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1985-08-30 and currently closed. The subject of record is TOYOTA CRESSIDA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for TOYOTA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1988-02-18 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA85045 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 5,000 1982 CRESSIDA, CELICA, ANDSUPRA MODELS TO REPLACE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTERSIN SEPTEMBER 1986. THEY REPORT THAT NO OTHER DEFECT OR PROBLEM HAS BEENFOUND TH..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related TOYOTA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 5,000 1982 CRESSIDA, CELICA, ANDSUPRA MODELS TO REPLACE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTERSIN SEPTEMBER 1986. THEY REPORT THAT NO OTHER DEFECT OR PROBLEM HAS BEENFOUND THAT WOULD CAUSE SUDDEN ACCELERATION.ANALYSIS: THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVEPROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE DEFECT FOR WHICH TOYOTA RECALLED. HUMAN ERRORIS ALSO CONSIDERED TO BE A PRIMARY CAUSE IN MANY OF THESE INCIDENTS.STATUS: INVESTIGATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMSCONTINUES AMONG THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED.PEDAL GEOMETRY AND OTHER HUMAN FACTORS FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BEINGCOMPARED TO PEER GROUP VEHICLES. CLOSED 2/18/88. RECALL 86V-132.===
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other TOYOTA Investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Electrical problems / No-start
Joyson Passenger Side Air Bag Cushion
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.