A Toyota recall was issued in late January due to reports of the cars’ accelerator pedals sticking, increasing the risk of a car accident. In the initial Toyota recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota had not yet proposed a plan of action to fix the 2.3 million vehicles with the potentially sticky accelerator pedals.
Toyota then announced Monday that it would immediately begin to repair existing pedals and also manufacture new ones, which will be available in April and which consumers can have installed even if they’ve already had the initial repair. According to the New York Times:
“The solution involves installing a steel reinforcement bar in the pedal assemblies…Toyota told customers Monday that parts were on the way to dealers, whose staffs were being trained. The repair takes about 30 minutes…”
The NHTSA also released a statement Monday clarifying the difference between this recall and an earlier Toyota recall involving accelerator pedals becoming stuck on floormats. That recall involved 3.8 million recalled vehicles and was later expanded to another million. According to the NHTSA:
“Until consumers receive the remedy, it is imperative that they take out all removable floor mats on the driver’s side or ensure that any mats are properly secured. The agency has confirmed that 5 individuals, in 2 incidents, have died as a result of pedal entrapment in the recalled vehicles.”
The Toyota gas pedal floor mat recall includes the following Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles:
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2004-2009 Prius
- 2005-2010 Tacoma
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2007-2010 ES 350
- 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
- 2008-2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Venza
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
The Toyota stuck accelerator recall includes the following Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles:
- 2007-2008 Tundra
- 2008-2010 Sequoia
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2009-2010 RAV4
- 2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Vibe
Some vehicles are affected by both recalls.
Consumer Reports senior director for automotive testing David Champion appeared Monday, Feb. 21 on the CBS Early Show to discuss the recalled vehicles:
