Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement today after learning of reports of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyotas that received the recommended mechanical fix.  Braley is vice chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  

"Multiple sources have reported this afternoon as many as seven Toyota vehicles that received the recommended mechanical fix have reported possible incidents of sudden unintended acceleration," Braley said. "Throughout the Congressional hearings that have been held in the past two weeks, Toyota's leadership has shown reluctance to admit the possibility that these problems are anything other than mechanical and user error.

"I'm deeply concerned that NHTSA has received this many reports of possible sudden unintended acceleration after these vehicles have received Toyota's recommended fix and it is critical that we get to the bottom of this problem as quickly as possible. If these reports prove to be true, it is completely unacceptable that America's families are once again being put at risk.

"As Vice Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I've sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland today asking for more information on these reports. It is critical that we do everything we can to ensure the cars on America's roads are safe.  I won't be satisfied until we have been able to ensure that every possible measure has been taken by Toyota and NHTSA to ensure all affected vehicles are safe."

Read Braley's letter here.

Last week, Braley questioned Toyota USA President and Chief Operating Officer James E. Lentz about Toyota's recent recalls.  Since 2000, NHTSA has received 2,600 complaints of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, as well as six defect petitions requesting investigations.