The time is now. Right now.  Toyota must come clean about any quality control problems or manufacturing issues it's had over the past few years.  Toyota shouldn't wait for a Congressional inquiry or a Transportation Safety Board Review, it has to tell the public of its shortcomings right now.  Otherwise, it faces a huge problem recapturing its place as the nation's most popular car company. 

It's not easy to make this move.  In fact, it's painful.  Yet, it's better if the bad news comes from Toyota execs.  The public is wondering and waiting.  As each day passes, public confidence in the company slips.  It's better to get the bad news out there before anyone else does it for them.  This is a basic public relations principle that is too often ignored by politicians, companies, and media personalities.  Speak before you are spoken for!  It's that simple.