Toyota is scrambling to fix 4.2 million vehicles recalled worldwide for unintended acceleration and potentially 5 million more for a design flaw that trapped gas pedals under the floor mat. It is also mulling the recall of its 2010 Prius for brake problems.

What lessons should Toyota have learned from the recall fiascoes of American carmakers in decades past? How damaging is this to Toyota's image -- and what will it take to recover?

Check out the observations of five auto experts that were printed in today's New York Times:

Maryann Keller, financial analyst
Jamie Kitman, Automobile Magazine
Michael Smitka, professor of economics
Peter M. De Lorenzo, publisher of AutoExtremist.com
Sean P. McAlinden, Center for Automotive Research