More than floor mats: Toyota recalls 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerators

Jan 22, 2010 11:05 AM

In the ongoing saga of Toyota recalls, the company last night recalled another 2.3 million vehicles for potentially sticking accelerators. This recall is separate from, but in addition to, the company’s recall of 3.8 million vehicles last fall for issues that could result in uncontrolled acceleration.

Notably, this recall adds models not included in the original advisory, including the Highlander, RAV4, and Sequoia. No Lexus or Scion models are included with this recall. (There are approximately 1.7 million vehicles that are impacted by both recalls.)

Toyota Motor Sales Group Vice President Irv Miller has stated in a company release, “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.”

Toyota does not yet have a remedy to deploy, and further notification is expected.

Models involved in this new action include:

2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2009-2010 Corolla
2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 RAV4
2008-2010 Sequoia
2007-2010 Tundra

While these cases are rare, unintended acceleration is a real problem that drivers need to know how to address. If your car begins to accelerate uncontrollably, immediately move the shift lever to neutral and firmly apply the brakes. Do not pump the brakes. And don’t worry about the engine—modern vehicles have rev limiters to prevent damage. Once you have brought the car to a safe stop, turn off the engine. (Read: “Putting a car in Neutral might save your life.”)

The previous safety advisory/recall declared that “No defect exists in vehicles with properly installed floor mats.”

However, Consumer Reports analysis of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety complaints database showed that Toyota and Lexus models for 2008 had a much greater incidence of sudden, unintended acceleration than other brands. (That analysis was limited to that single calendar year.)

We concluded that:
“Toyota has announced several steps it is taking to mitigate the risks of floor-mat entrapment and provide ’smart throttle‘technology (allowing the brake pedal to override the accelerator), but our analysis indicates other problems likely exist.”
Read: "Analysis shows over 40 percent of sudden-acceleration complaints involve Toyotas."

This latest recall confirms that the unintended acceleration issues extend beyond floor mats.

Corrective measures previously announced for the original recalled models included 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 about 3/4 of an inch 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.

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.

For more information on this recall, contact Toyota at 800-331-4331.

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