The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Toyota" ...
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Brian Ross Investigates: Taking Toyota
The investigative team reveals how Toyota had for years ignored complaints from hundreds of its owners about serious safety defects in cars that that were marketed around the world as among the safest on the road.
Tags: Toyota; cars; safety defect; driving; vehicle
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Unintended Acceleration
After the unintended acceleration found in Toyota cars made the news, NPR chose to do a broader investigation of all car manufacturers. The research proved that all manufacturers had experienced some degree of acceleration issues in their cars as well.
Tags: Toyota; cars; car manufacturer; unintended acceleration; sudden acceleration
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Runaway Toyotas
Toyota has recently been in the news following “hundreds of owners having their vehicles suddenly accelerating out of control”. The investigation revealed “over two thousand cases of runaway Toyotas and Lexus cars, including reports of 200 accidents and 16 deaths”. Toyota blamed many of these accidents on the floor mat becoming stuck under the gas pedal and this was the cause of the acceleration.
Tags: automobiles; electronic computer system; safety; highway; drivers; manufacturers; transportation
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"Wild Rides"
When the Toyota Prius broke onto the automobile scene, it quickly became wildly popular and well-known for being environmentally friendly. But the zippy, "green" car had a dark side. Owners complained of "unintended acceleration" that often caused wrecks. Despite complaints, Toyota ignored its customers and suggested the problem was caused by an unwieldy floor mat. Paul Knight investigates.
Tags: Toyota; Prius; unintended acceleration; floor mat; hybrid; green vehicle
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Slaves in Amazon Forced to Make Material Used in Cars
In Brazil, Peru and Bolivia hundreds of thousands of unemployed men and women are being recruited for slavery. The workers for the slave-camps make charcoal, while being forced to live without housing, electricity or plumbing, and without pay.
Tags: slave labor; Amazon; South America; labor camps; malaria; tuberculosis; Whirlpool; Nucor; Latin America; Ford; General Motors; Nissan; Toyota; car companies
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The Sonic Deal
This series of reports uncovers deceptive sale tactics and incomplete refund settlements given by America's third largest car retailer: Sonic Automotive. Evidence reveals that lenders falsified loan applications and gave out loans that borrowers couldn't afford. Even after being ordered to distribute refunds to slighted customers, Sonic Automotive avoided paying up to almost 7000 victims because of a flawed process.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; Sonic Automotive; Clearwater Mitsubishi; Clearwater Toyota; refund; settlement; deceit; loan; financing; bank fraud; Tom Gallagher; department of financial services; payback
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Taken for a Ride
When your car breaks down, how do you know whom to trust? How can you tell if a mechanic is being honest? The news team went to 50 auto repair shops across the Valley in Phoenix to find honest mechanics and the ones who want to take you for a ride. This turned out to be the largest consumer investigation in the market. They used a 2002 Toyota Corolla as a test car and went to all the shops to have it checked to make sure it did not need any repairs. The car had three cameras hidden under the hood and beneath the car to show the engine and other areas that would be inspected. The researcher wore a hidden camera and as she visited big name chains and small independent shops. Shops recommended unnecessary repairs ranging from $30 to $800. After the three-month investigation, some shops corrected their mistakes when confronted, other just would not offer explanations and some did not correct their mistakes.
Tags: TAPE; car; car repair; car repair shop; mechanic; certified mechanic; dishonest mechanic; auto repair shop; vehicle inspection; scam; hidden camera; undercover; auto repair industry; consumer; consumer investigation; auto dealer.