Today, Toyota announced a more definitive recall on eight models to address what has been reported as sudden acceleration.

Beginning next month, the company will begin modifying the accelerator pedals of certain Toyota Avalon, Camry, Prius, Tundra and Tacoma, and certain Lexus ES 350, IS 250, and IS 350 models to reduce the likelihood that they can become trapped under floor mats. Dealers will cut 3/4 inches off the bottom of the gas pedals. Starting in April, replacement pedals will become available to all owners of these models, whether they have had the modification performed or not. 

This was the recall forecast in Japan last week. (See “Toyota may shorten gas pedals in acceleration recall.”)

On the Avalon, Camry, and Lexus models, Toyota will also modify the engine software to include a brake override system that will cut the throttle if the brakes and throttle are applied simultaneously. The brake override system will be standard on all Toyota products for the 2011 model year, but spokesman Brian Lyons says it will take several months to develop and calibrate the system for all the models.

The Avalon, Camry, and ES 350 make up about half the models being recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration applauded Toyota for including the brake override, saying, “NHTSA is particularly pleased that Toyota is taking this additional step.”

On the Camry, Avalon, and ES350, the company will also modify the carpet padding underneath the pedal to increase the distance between the pedal and the floor to allow more room for floor mats. And company Toyota will also replace any old all-weather front floor mats with redesigned ones.

This follows an earlier recall last month when Toyota asked owners of these models to simply remove any drivers floor mats.

Recall notices will be sent to owners by the end of the year, starting with the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350. Some owners may have to take their vehicles in to the dealer twice, once for the pedal modification, and again for the brake override software or pedal replacement.

The models affected are:
2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon
2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry
2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius
2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
2007 - 2010 Lexus ES 350
2006 - 2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350

For customer service questions, contact:
Toyota – 800-331-4331
Lexus – 800-255-3987

Or, the NHTSA hotline - 888-327-4236.

—Eric Evarts

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