NHTSA Investigates Toyota

WASHINGTON - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was quickly investigating hundreds of new complaints about recalled Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles, as the automaker sought to contain the fallout on several fronts, The Detroit News reported.

NHTSA reported that it has now received complaints alleging 34 deaths linked to sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000.

Government records also show nearly 1,000 new braking complaints about the recalled Toyota Prius in recent weeks.

At a meeting with dealers in Florida on Monday, Toyota tried to calm fears as it reported that more than 500,000 recalled vehicles have been repaired.

The automaker also said it is considering increasing incentives or extending warranties as part of its response to the recalls, which have made some consumers wary of Toyota products.

Last week, Toyota recalled 437,000 Priuses and other hybrids worldwide over concerns the brakes could lose power over bumpy or icy terrain. The automaker has announced a software upgrade to address that problem.

Toyota also has recalled 2.3 million vehicles in the United States to fix sticky gas pedals and 5.4 million because the pedal can be trapped by a floor mat. About 8,000 Tacoma pickups were called back because of a possible propeller shaft crack that could cause a driver to lose control.