The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that unintended acceleration in certain 2009 and 2010 Toyota vehicles was caused by sticking gas pedals, but many are still convinced that the issue was electronic. A recent report by the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) reveals that the NHTSA may not be properly equipped to fully assess the safety of new automotive electronics.

"It's unrealistic to expect NHTSA to hire and maintain personnel who have all the specialized technical and design knowledge relevant to this constantly evolving field," said Louis Lanzerotti, a lead researcher and professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

According to the New York Daily News, the safety administration, with the support of the NRC, is considering installing event data recorders similar to black boxes on airplanes in all automobiles. This way, the NHTSA would more easily be able to determine is a safety issue can be connected to onboard electronic devices.

These devices could make it easier to find a problem, but this will not necessarily mean that repairs will be any less expensive. An extended auto warranty can cover the cost of repairs and replacements for certain parts.