Toyota Image On The Mend After NASA ClearsThrottle System

Just two days after NASA engineers cleared Toyota of electronic flaws in its throttle control system, the company's battered image among consumers had already experienced a lift.

The 10-month investigation into causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles turned up no electronic problems. Instead, rocket scientists called in by the Department of Transportation said floormat interference and sticky gas pedals -- both subject to recalls in 2010 -- caused incidents of runaway vehicles.