Administrators stand behind David Gilbert’s Toyota research, even as the world’s largest automotive company says human error, not electronics, have caused sudden unintended acceleration, a problem that has forced the recall of millions of vehicles.

Gilbert, a professor in automotive technology at Southern Illinois U., testified at a congressional hearing in February that he might have identified a glitch that would cause Toyota vehicle’s computer systems to prevent diagnosis of SUA. Toyota has said oversized floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals are the causes of SUA in its recalled models.

Toyota has taken more than eight million vehicles off the road in two separate recalls since October because 11 different models have experienced the problem.

Gilbert could not be reached for comments Wednesday, but told the Associated Press he never wanted to go after Toyota.

“I didn’t really set out to take on Toyota. I set out to tell the truth, and I felt very strongly about that,” Gilbert said.

But Toyota, who held its own investigation into the accidents, said Wednesday its investigation revealed the true problem to be human.

A Toyota representative told BusinessWeek Wednesday the company’s investigation of accidents revealed the drivers — not the car’s electronics — caused “virtually all” accidents.

“There are a variety of causes — pedal entrapment, sticky pedal, other foreign objects in the car,” said Mike Michels, a spokesman at the Toyota U.S. sales unit in Torrance, Calif., in an interview with BusinessWeek.

A spokesperson from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told BusinessWeek its own investigation on SUA in the vehicles is ongoing.

Electronic messages obtained by The Associated Press July 11 showed some Toyota employees were frustrated by Gilbert’s research.

One message, from a SIU alum and Toyota Motors employee, asked then-chancellor Sam Goldman whether it was smart to keep Gilbert on staff at the university.

“I ask you why your organization allows such activities to be performed by one of your professors and most importantly allowed to be reported to the media in a false manner,” Thompson wrote. “I believe he should not be an employee of our fine university.”

Sievers said the university had little reaction to this and other messages.

“We just read it,” Sievers said. “There were people who did take issue with Gilbert’s research. We took that under advisement, but his research stood for itself. Research is really nothing more than one long argument.”

Toyota’s initial reaction to Gilbert’s research included the resignation of two Toyota employees from an advisory board of SIU’s automotive technology program, and the company withdrew offers to fund two spring-break internships.

Toyota representatives told The Associated Press the two resignations were only to avoid the appearance of influence over Gilbert’s testimony.

SIUC Interim Provost Don Rice said there was some communication from people who expressed issue with Gilbert’s research, but Gilbert’s job was never in jeopardy.

“There’s been absolutely no discussion about removing Dr. Gilbert from this university because of research,” Rice said. “That would be a very poor thing to do, and a conflict of academic freedom among other things.”

He said there is a committee set aside to investigate claims of research misconduct, but Gilbert’s research was “not one of these cases.”

“The case of the Toyota research was a difference of technique, outcome and opinion,” Rice said. “There’s been no charge of any research misconduct. The university supports all of its research… as long as they are ethically doing what they’re suppose to be doing.”

Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore told The Associated Press the relationship between SIU and her company remains strong.

“We have absolutely no issues with SIU and retain an excellent relationship. That won’t change,” Migliore said.

Sievers said he shared Migliore’s sentiment.

“Our relationship still remains strong. They didn’t pull back any of our funding,” Sievers said. “I really don’t think there is an issue anymore. Our partnership continues with them and we’re happy about that, and I believe they feel the same way too. It’s benefitted both sides.”