Published Date: 2010-02-07
| Postmortem Analysis | |
|---|---|
| Timeline | 1. The software failure incident involving Toyota's Prius models occurred in May 2009 [Article 598]. 2. The software failure incident involving Toyota's 2010 hybrid models, including the Prius, happened in February 2010 [Article 851]. |
| System | 1. Anti-lock braking system software in Toyota's 2010 hybrid models, including the Prius and Sai, along with the Lexus HS250h [Article 851] 2. Brake system software in Toyota Prius models sold in the U.S. and Japan, affecting around 270,000 cars sold since May of the previous year [Article 598] |
| Responsible Organization | 1. Toyota - The software failure incident in the Toyota Prius models was caused by a fault in the anti-lock braking system software, leading to the global recall of over 400,000 vehicles, including the Prius [733, 851, 598]. |
| Impacted Organization | 1. Customers of Toyota - The software failure incident impacted customers who owned Toyota vehicles, particularly the Prius models, which were recalled due to brake problems ([733], [851], [598]). 2. Toyota Motor Corporation - The reputation and financial standing of Toyota Motor Corporation were significantly impacted by the software failure incident, leading to recalls, apologies from the company's president, and a decline in the company's share price ([733], [851], [598]). |
| Software Causes | 1. A software glitch in the braking system of the 2010 Toyota Prius models caused a time lag when braking on bumpy or icy roads, described as an 'inconsistent brake feel' [733]. 2. The braking problem in the 2010 Toyota Prius models was attributed to a software failure, specifically a problem with the software that controls the anti-lock braking system [851]. 3. The software issue in the Toyota Prius models was identified as a "fault in the software" by Toyota, leading to braking problems [598]. |
| Non-software Causes | 1. Brake problems in Toyota vehicles, including issues with the anti-lock braking system and a time lag when braking on bumpy or icy roads, leading to recalls and safety concerns [733, 851]. 2. Defects in the accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, leading to accidents and fatalities [733]. 3. Quality control issues in Toyota vehicles, such as the need for repairs to faulty accelerator pedals and software upgrades for Prius brakes [733]. 4. Problems with the braking system of the 2010 Toyota Prius, specifically related to a software glitch that caused a delay in the brakes engaging on poor road conditions [851]. 5. Safety concerns and complaints from drivers regarding the wandering behavior of 2009 and 2010 Corollas in America, making it hard to stay in lanes [733]. |
| Impacts | 1. The software failure incident led to the recall of over 400,000 Toyota hybrid models, including the Prius, due to problems in their anti-lock braking systems, affecting customers globally [Article 851]. 2. The reputation of Toyota was significantly damaged, with the company facing criticism for reacting slowly to the safety crisis and lacking consideration for customers [Article 733]. 3. The incident resulted in Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, publicly apologizing for the inconvenience and concerns caused to customers, emphasizing the importance of quality as the company's lifeline [Article 851]. 4. The software failure incident led to a halt in sales of certain Toyota models until a fix was implemented, impacting the company's revenue and market presence [Article 851]. 5. The incident had financial implications for Toyota, with estimates suggesting that the recall of vehicles with accelerator and brake problems could cost the company billions of dollars [Article 598]. |
| Preventions | 1. Implementing thorough software testing procedures before releasing the product to the market could have helped prevent the software failure incident [733, 851, 598]. 2. Conducting regular software quality assurance checks to identify and address any potential issues in the software could have prevented the incident [733, 851, 598]. 3. Ensuring prompt and effective communication channels between customers and the company to address any reported software issues promptly could have prevented the incident [733, 851, 598]. 4. Implementing a robust software update and maintenance process to quickly address any identified software glitches or faults could have helped prevent the incident [733, 851, 598]. 5. Enhancing the collaboration between different departments within the company, such as engineering, quality control, and customer service, to ensure a comprehensive approach to software quality and safety could have prevented the incident [733, 851, 598]. |
| Fixes | 1. The software failure incident in the Toyota Prius models could be fixed by repairing the brakes of the affected vehicles, as indicated by the recall announcements made by Toyota [733, 851, 598]. 2. Toyota mentioned that they had already corrected the software problem in the Prius models that started to roll off the assembly line in Japan last month [851]. 3. The company planned to repair the brakes of thousands of Prius vehicles to address the software failure issue [598]. | References | 1. Toyota President Akio Toyoda's announcement and apology [733, 851, 598] 2. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Japan [851] 3. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood [851] 4. U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [851] 5. Yomiuri, a major Japanese newspaper [598] |
| Category | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring | one_organization, multiple_organization | (a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization: - Toyota faced a software failure incident related to brake problems in its Prius models. The issue was attributed to a "phenomenon" described as an "inconsistent brake feel" due to a software glitch [733]. - The same incident occurred again with Toyota's Prius models, where a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system was acknowledged, causing a delay in the brakes engaging on poor road conditions [851]. (b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization: - The software failure incident related to brake problems in vehicles was not limited to Toyota. State Farm insurance reported an increase in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, leading to a recall [733]. - The issue of software-related braking problems extended beyond Toyota, as the U.S. Department of Transportation investigated braking problems in the 2010 Prius models [851]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) | design, operation | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to the development phases: - The software failure incident in the Toyota Prius models was attributed to a "braking problem" caused by a "phenomenon" described as an "inconsistent brake feel." Toyota insisted it was not a safety issue and mentioned it was a software glitch [733]. - Toyota acknowledged a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius, which caused a delay in the brakes taking hold when the car was on a road in poor condition [851]. - The issue with the Prius brakes was identified as a "fault in the software" by Toyota, and the company stated that it had already fixed the problem in cars produced after the issue was discovered [598]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to the operation phases: - The Toyota Prius brake problem was reported to cause a time lag when braking on bumpy or icy roads, affecting the operation of the vehicle [733]. - The braking issue in the 2010 Prius models was related to the operation of the vehicle, as it caused a delay in the brakes taking hold when the car was on a road in poor condition, such as potholes, snow, or rain [851]. - The Department of Transportation in the U.S. received complaints from drivers about the braking problems in the 2010 Prius models, indicating operational issues with the braking system [598]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) | within_system, outside_system | (a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius braking issue was primarily within the system. The articles mention that the problem was attributed to a "software glitch" [733], a "problem with the software that controls the anti-lock braking system" [851], and a "fault in the software" [598]. These references indicate that the root cause of the braking problem was internal to the software system of the Prius. (b) outside_system: The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius braking issue also had contributing factors that originated from outside the system. For example, the articles mention that the U.S. Department of Transportation was investigating the braking problems [598], indicating external oversight and involvement. Additionally, the articles highlight the impact on Toyota's reputation and financial losses due to the recalls, which can be considered external factors influencing the software failure incident. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) | non-human_actions | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions: - The software failure incident in the Toyota Prius models was attributed to a "software glitch" affecting the braking system [733]. - Toyota acknowledged a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius, causing a delay in the brakes engaging on poor road conditions like potholes, snow, or rain [851]. - The issue with the brakes was described as a "failure in the software" by Toyota, affecting around 270,000 Prius cars sold in the U.S. and Japan [598]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions: - The articles do not provide specific information about the software failure incident being directly caused by human actions. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) | software | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware: - The articles do not mention any specific hardware-related issues contributing to the software failure incident. Therefore, it is unknown if the software failure incident occurred due to hardware-related factors. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to software: - The software failure incident in the articles is primarily attributed to software issues. Specifically, the incidents involve problems with the anti-lock braking systems in Toyota's 2010 hybrid models, including the Prius, due to a software glitch [851]. Additionally, Toyota mentioned that the braking problem was a 'phenomenon' caused by an inconsistent brake feel, which was described as a software glitch [733]. The software failure incident is related to a fault in the software controlling the anti-lock braking system, leading to issues with braking performance on poor road conditions [851]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) | non-malicious | (a) The articles do not mention any indication of a malicious software failure incident where the failure was due to contributing factors introduced by humans with the intent to harm the system. (b) The software failure incidents mentioned in the articles are non-malicious. The failures were due to contributing factors introduced without the intent to harm the system. For example, in the case of Toyota's Prius recall, the failures were related to brake problems caused by a software glitch [733, 851, 598]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) | poor_decisions | (a) The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius braking issue can be attributed to poor_decisions. The incident involved a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius models, causing a delay in the brakes engaging on poor road conditions like potholes, snow, or rain [851]. This issue led to a global recall of over 400,000 hybrid models, including the Prius, due to problems in their anti-lock braking systems [851]. The company acknowledged a problem with the software and stated that it had already corrected the issue in cars produced after the discovery of the problem [851]. The delay in addressing the software issue and the subsequent recall indicate that the failure was a result of poor decisions made in the software development and testing processes. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) | development_incompetence | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to development incompetence: - The software failure incident involving Toyota's Prius models was attributed to a "phenomenon" described as an "inconsistent brake feel," which was not initially considered a safety issue by Toyota [733]. - Toyota acknowledged a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius, which caused a delay in the brakes engaging on poor road conditions like potholes, snow, or rain [851]. - The issue with the brakes of the Prius models was linked to a "fault in the software," and Toyota stated that they had already fixed the problem in cars produced after the issue was identified [598]. (b) The software failure incident occurring accidentally: - The software failure incident involving Toyota's Prius models was described as a "phenomenon" with an "inconsistent brake feel," initially not recognized as a safety issue by Toyota [733]. - Toyota admitted to a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius, causing a delay in the brakes engaging on certain road conditions, such as potholes, snow, or rain [851]. - The issue with the brakes of the Prius models was attributed to a "fault in the software," and Toyota mentioned that they had already rectified the problem in cars manufactured after the issue was identified [598]. |
| Duration | temporary | (a) The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius braking issue can be considered temporary. The issue was attributed to a "software glitch" [733] and a "problem with the software that controls the anti-lock braking system" [851]. Toyota acknowledged the problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system of the 2010 Prius and mentioned that they had already corrected the problem in cars that started to roll off the assembly line in Japan last month [851]. The problem caused a delay in the brakes taking hold when the car was on a road in poor condition, such as potholes, snow, or rain, triggering the glitch [851]. The fact that the problem was related to a software glitch indicates that it was a temporary issue that could be rectified through software updates or fixes. |
| Behaviour | crash, omission, timing, value | (a) crash: The articles mention a crash incident where a 77-year-old grandmother was killed after her Toyota Camry suddenly accelerated to 80mph, resulting in a fatal accident [733]. (b) omission: The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius involved a problem with the anti-lock braking system that caused a delay in the brakes engaging when the car was on a road in poor condition, such as potholes, snow, or rain. This omission of the braking function led to concerns about safety and prompted the global recall of over 400,000 hybrid models, including the Prius [851]. (c) timing: The articles describe a timing issue with the braking system of the 2010 Prius, where the brakes took about a second to engage when the car was on a road in poor condition. This delay in the braking response was attributed to a software problem in the anti-lock braking system [851]. (d) value: The software failure incident involving the Toyota Prius was due to a problem with the braking system that caused the brakes to not engage properly on bumpy or icy roads, leading to complaints about a time lag in braking. Toyota described this issue as an "inconsistent brake feel," indicating a failure in the system's performance [733]. (e) byzantine: There is no specific mention of the software failure incident exhibiting a byzantine behavior in the provided articles. (f) other: The software failure incident related to the Toyota Prius involved a problem with the software controlling the anti-lock braking system, leading to concerns about the system's reliability and safety. This issue resulted in a global recall of over 400,000 hybrid models, including the Prius, to address the braking problem [851]. |
| Layer | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Perception | None | None |
| Communication | None | None |
| Application | None | None |
| Category | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Consequence | death, harm, property, theoretical_consequence | (a) death: People lost their lives due to the software failure - A 77-year-old grandmother in Michigan was killed in 2008 after her Toyota Camry suddenly accelerated to 80mph, resulting in a fatal crash [733]. (b) harm: People were physically harmed due to the software failure - The article mentions that a 77-year-old grandmother was killed due to the sudden acceleration of her Toyota Camry, indicating physical harm [733]. (d) property: People's material goods, money, or data was impacted due to the software failure - The software failure incident led to the recall of over 400,000 Toyota vehicles, including the Prius, due to problems in their anti-lock braking systems, affecting the value and usability of the vehicles [851]. - The recalls and safety issues faced by Toyota resulted in a significant drop in the company's share price, wiping off £19 billion [733]. (h) theoretical_consequence: There were potential consequences discussed of the software failure that did not occur - The article mentions that the braking problem in the Prius was described as a 'phenomenon' and a 'software glitch,' indicating that there were potential safety risks associated with the software failure [733]. - The U.S. Department of Transportation stated that owners should contact their Toyota dealers if they were concerned about their car's braking performance, suggesting a potential safety risk [851]. |
| Domain | transportation, manufacturing | (a) The software failure incident related to the production and distribution of information is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (b) The software failure incident related to transportation, specifically in the automotive industry, is evident in the articles. Toyota faced issues with the braking systems in their vehicles, leading to recalls and safety concerns [733, 851, 598]. (c) The software failure incident related to natural resources is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (d) The software failure incident related to sales is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (e) The software failure incident related to construction is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (f) The software failure incident related to manufacturing is evident in the articles as Toyota, a major car manufacturer, faced issues with the braking systems in their vehicles, leading to recalls and safety concerns [733, 851, 598]. (g) The software failure incident related to utilities is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (h) The software failure incident related to finance is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (i) The software failure incident related to knowledge is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (j) The software failure incident related to health is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (k) The software failure incident related to entertainment is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (l) The software failure incident related to government is not directly mentioned in the provided articles. (m) The software failure incident is not directly related to any of the industries mentioned in options (a) to (l). |
Article ID: 733
Article ID: 851
Article ID: 598