Sticking Accelerator Pedal Leads to Toyota Recall of 2.3M Vehicles
Toyota has announced another recall involving 2.3 million vehicles after discovering that the accelerator pedals can stick on several popular models, including the Camry, Corolla, Tundra and Avalon. The Toyota recall is separate from an on-going floor mat recall involving 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles, which was issued because of problems where accelerator pedals were getting caught under the floor mat.
According to a Toyota press release, this latest recall sprung out of investigations of cases where drivers said their gas pedals got stuck in the open position with no floor mats present. Approximately 600,000 vehicles included in this latest recall were not subject to the prior floor mat recall, with about 1.7 million Toyota vehicles subject to both recalls.
“Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position,” said Irv Miller, vice president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
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Learn MoreToyota models affected by this latest recall include:
- 2009-2010 Toyota Rav4
- 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla
- 2009-2010 Toyota Matrix
- 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon
- 2007-2010 Toyota Camry
- 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra
- 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia
- 2010 Toyota Highlander
The prior Toyota recall issued in September 2009 was blamed on thick all-weather floor mats that were causing the accelerator pedal to become physically jammed. In November, Toyota announced plans to address the problem by shortening the gas pedals on some models, and reconfiguring the floor surface beneath the pedals on others.
Problems with Toyota and Lexus vehicles accelerating out of control gained national attention following a fatal accident in California in August, where an off-duty state trooper and three family members were killed while driving a Lexus ES 350 on loan from a San Diego dealership. Minutes before the fatal Lexus crash, passengers called police and reported that the Lexus had accelerated to 120 m.p.h. Witnesses reported that the car’s tires were on fire, which was likely due to the driver slamming on the brakes before slamming into an SUV, falling off an embankment, rolling over multiple times and bursting into flames.
Federal regulators have received more than 100 incident reports from Toyota owners regarding the problem.
Toyota officials indicate that the latest recall was issued to address a different problem. Defective gas pedals in models affected by this week’s recall seem to start developing problems when the pedal mechanism becomes worn. The pedal may become hard to press down, slow to return to the closed position or may become stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate out of control.
The company has said that it is still working on a solution for the problem. In the meantime, Toyota advises drivers of vehicles whose accelerator gets stuck to stop the vehicle using firm and steady application of the brakes. The company recommends against pumping the brakes, which could deplete the vacuum-assist feature. Once the vehicle is slowed, it should be driven to the nearest safe location, shut off, and a Toyota dealer should be contacted for assistance.
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6 Comments
MichaelFebruary 2, 2010 at 1:32 am
I own a Toyota Tundra, A Toyota Camry and a Toyota Avalon. At this point I do not feel safe for me or my family to be driving these vehicles. Am I expected to put the lives of my family at risk while I wait for Toyota to call and say they are ready to fix these vehicles? I feel I should rent or lease three vehicles for my family to drive untill my vehicles are fixed, and I feel that Toyota should[Show More]I own a Toyota Tundra, A Toyota Camry and a Toyota Avalon. At this point I do not feel safe for me or my family to be driving these vehicles. Am I expected to put the lives of my family at risk while I wait for Toyota to call and say they are ready to fix these vehicles? I feel I should rent or lease three vehicles for my family to drive untill my vehicles are fixed, and I feel that Toyota should cover that cost. Maybe my vehicles will not experience the problem with unintended acceleration...maybe they will. Why should I be expected to take that risk??
MichaelFebruary 2, 2010 at 1:26 am
I own a Toyota Avalon, A Toyota Camry and a Toyota Avalon. At this point I do not feel safe for me or my family to be driving these vehicles. Am I expected to the lives of my family at risk while I wait for Toyota to call and say they are ready to fix these vehicles? I feel I should rent or lease three vehicles for my family to drive untill my vehicles are fixed, and I feel that Toyota should cov[Show More]I own a Toyota Avalon, A Toyota Camry and a Toyota Avalon. At this point I do not feel safe for me or my family to be driving these vehicles. Am I expected to the lives of my family at risk while I wait for Toyota to call and say they are ready to fix these vehicles? I feel I should rent or lease three vehicles for my family to drive untill my vehicles are fixed, and I feel that Toyota should cover that cost. Maybe my vehicles will not experience the problem with unintended acceleration...maybe they will. Why should I be expected to take that risk??
jeannineJanuary 30, 2010 at 2:10 pm
A few months ago, I decided to purchase a vehicle for my 17 year old kids to drive. After doing extensive research about the safety ratings of numerous car manufacturers, I decided to go with the Toyota Camry. There was some question at the time of spontaneous acceleration, so I asked my dealer prior to purchase what that was about. He assured me that it was all due to the car owner flipping the [Show More]A few months ago, I decided to purchase a vehicle for my 17 year old kids to drive. After doing extensive research about the safety ratings of numerous car manufacturers, I decided to go with the Toyota Camry. There was some question at the time of spontaneous acceleration, so I asked my dealer prior to purchase what that was about. He assured me that it was all due to the car owner flipping the mats so the rubber side would face up. In doing so, the mat would slowly creep up and eventually cause the pedal to stick. He warned me not to flip the mats over. I took this as a sincere, valid explaination. I have since come to find that he KNEW of the gas pedal sticking in some cases. This man has no concience!! He was told that this car was being purchased for 17 year old kids. Toyota should be ashamed of themselves. I am beside myself in how to handle this situation.
SanJanuary 29, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I purchased a 2008 Camry 16 months ago. Now with halt of production, I attempted to trade in my camry at savannah. I put $5000 down on the purchase of my 2008 Camry and now they are attempted to get another $7000 from me! Then they attempted to sell me a 2007 Sequoia with 69,900 miles for $31,000. Then they attempted to tell me that my car is not on the recall list, despite the letter I rece[Show More]I purchased a 2008 Camry 16 months ago. Now with halt of production, I attempted to trade in my camry at savannah. I put $5000 down on the purchase of my 2008 Camry and now they are attempted to get another $7000 from me! Then they attempted to sell me a 2007 Sequoia with 69,900 miles for $31,000. Then they attempted to tell me that my car is not on the recall list, despite the letter I received from Toyota or the reports on CNN. Toyota needs to address this issue and the consumer does not need to continue to suffer.
AngelaJanuary 28, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I purchased my 2010 Rav4 on sunday at Toyota of Glendora and I was not made aware of any of these issues, I feel mislead and very worried about this situation this is a huge problem and im not comfortable driveing this car, unfortunetly cant afford to buy another car or rent a car in the mean time, so i feel stuck, I went to Toyota of Glendora on Wed. to discuss possibly returning the car or trade[Show More]I purchased my 2010 Rav4 on sunday at Toyota of Glendora and I was not made aware of any of these issues, I feel mislead and very worried about this situation this is a huge problem and im not comfortable driveing this car, unfortunetly cant afford to buy another car or rent a car in the mean time, so i feel stuck, I went to Toyota of Glendora on Wed. to discuss possibly returning the car or tradeing it in for another car (one that hasnt been recalled) and they refused ,, they refused to help me or even listen to what I was saying i told them multiple time that i dotn feel safe, and all they kept saying is that its a "Voluntary recall" and that theres nothing to worry about, he also said there have ONLY been 60 instances reguarding the accelerater issue. My father and I argued with him and we ended up walking out because we were not being heard and nothing this man said made me feel better it actually made me feel worse.
DanJanuary 28, 2010 at 1:29 am
have 2 2004 Prius that have not had the accelerator problem but did have the riding up floor mat. Neither car had the mat retaining clips when purchased new or certified used. I wonder how many others were sold w/o the clips. But then if it is not the mats, then what?