The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced, after extensive lab and field testing that the electronics in Toyota's vehicle control systems were not at fault in a series of sudden acceleration incidents last year. 

The sudden acceleration situation was linked to two factors - mats, and defective gas pedals.  Millions of cars have been recalled to address these issues. However it was suspected that, and widely reported, that Toyota was hiding secret defects in its electronics.  Despite repeated denials, Toyota's repuation for quality took a big hit in the public mind.

Toyota his slipped substantially in the car sales rankings over this difficult period. Despite being vindicated, it will be awhile before the public accepts that Toyota's reputation, and sales, are fully restored.