It is not something commonly taught in Driver’s Education classes: What do you do if your gas pedal sticks?

As one of the most popular vehicle manufactorers in the world, Japanese vehicle manufactorer Toyota is under recent scrutiny for this very vehicle malfunction that has caused recalls on millions of cars and the shutting down of many Toyota plants. But what was the popular manufactorer to do as they were going full speed to become the top vehicle manufactorer in the world?

They waited. And waited some more to tell consumers that a recall was necessary on many of their popular cars for an accelorator pedal malfunction. It could have been any other problem, but one that could mean life for death has put Toyota on the chopping block both in consumer and lawmakers’ eyes.

Case in point is that Toyota is in a bad situation due to poor communication, and poor parts but that is beside the point now. It is rumored that to fix the 5.6 million potentially malfunctioning vehicles would take Toyota dealerships across the nation staying open 24 hours a day for the next 2 months … thus more communication is needed now more than ever.

Toyota needs to shift into neutral and get information to consumers on what to do if their gas pedal sticks, what kind of rebate or incentive a consumer will receive for purchasing a poorly manufactored car, a more open communication policy, and most importantly, Toyota should consider more drastic financial possibilities. Personally, I am not about to purchase a Corolla anymore as I was say a month ago, and with plants shut across the world, Toyota could be facing a monetary plunge, which they had managed to stay out of in the recent turmoil of the economy.

When it comes down to it, there is a learning experience hidden beneath the pounds of malfunctioning metal: the communication any business or corporation should have with its public needs to be honest, upfront and immediate. Toyota encountered a fatal flaw in their cars, and by not letting consumers know or by not creating a contingency plan for repairs, the standards that Toyota vehicles are some of the safest is shattered. Consumers will now face months of uncertainty and months waiting for a part. Although the unforseen malfunction has now been addressed, a plan needs to go into place to help the consumer. Not everyone may see a problem, and not everyone may get their car fixed, but when liabilities and lawsuits appear on Toyota’s doorstep, they can only look to themselves for not taking action sooner.

And what should you do if your gas pedal sticks? As Toyota is finding out, shift into neutral and shut the engine off. Your car is done.