And some people question whether the automaker tried to hide the problem, including the former head of the federal auto safety agency.

"Toyota has said that they've been giving information to the government over a period of years, but it really has come out very, very slowly, little pieces ? drip, drip, drip," said Nicole Nason, former administrator of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Toyota USA President Jim Lentz insisted the company has been honest.

"There is no cover-up," he told ABC News' Brian Ross. Ross asked how long Lentz had known about not just sticky gas pedals but runaway Toyotas.

"It's a lot of detail that goes into all this," Lentz responded. "We've been upfront. We are taking care of customers right now."

Toyota dealerships said that any of the new cars currently being sold are safe because sales workers have removed all of the recalled vehicles from showrooms and sales lots.