I wasn't actually comparing companies... but I bet our 100 or so employees have a better quality output than the masses at Toyota, considering our main work over the years was specializing in internal seat belt locking mechanisms and you don't get a second chance on that product line!
What I was trying to convey, as an Electro-mechanical Engineer.... is what I've seen over the last 25 years (sitting in numerous end user and tier one "witch hunt" meetings).. watching issues being swept under carpets by ALL the big boys (GM, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Magna, etc.) that we've done business with directly and through tier one suppliers like TRW, Bendix, Window Motion, Etcha..etc.. . Watching issue resolution ideas from tier one and tier two suppliers that the big boys chose to ignore the advise on, because they were "smarter" and in charge, only to watch it backfire and have them come back to us asking "what was that idea again".
I can see that happening with the gas pedal. Some poor Toyota engineering team is under the gun.... 4 millon vehicles.. boss screaming we need a FAST.. CHEAP fix for this RIGHT NOW.. to show that we are doing something about it (to avoid the class action litigation that is growing in numbers). They have "ear muffs" on to any outside suggestions on a fix right now and to what is really happening, because they are so tied up in finding a quick fix they aren't thinking outside the box. I've seen it way too many times in person.. that I want to remember...and truly don't miss those suit and tie affairs at someone elses board room table! (We pay someone to take that s and abuse these days! lol )
I really hope I'm wrong.. but give it a few months to play thru.. and I bet the little square of aluminum under the return spring isn't the final fix !