The problem and the fix

We suspended our recommendations of the eight models in January after Toyota recalled them and issued a “stop sale.” Since then, we’ve monitored the recall and other developments and conducted our own analyses. Here’s what we found:

• New versions of the affected models have been built with a re-engineered accelerator-pedal assembly designed to prevent sticking problems.
• More than 1.8 million of the 2.3 million recalled vehicles have had the suspect part fixed, a higher compliance rate than average. (If you’re considering buying a vehicle subject to the recall, confirm with a Toyota dealer that recall work was performed.) A Consumer Reports survey found that almost all Toyota owners we contacted who had responded to the recall were highly satisfied with the process.
• All 2011 Toyotas include brake-override systems, which help stop unintended acceleration. Many of the recalled Toyotas have been retrofitted with the system. We tested it on our recalled Avalon and Camry and found it effective.
• Incidents of Toyotas that generated complaints about vehicle-speed control in the government’s consumer database have dropped significantly in recent months.

The government continues to investigate sudden unintended acceleration. We’ll follow that and related developments, report recalls and other auto safety issues, and monitor complaints to quickly identify problems. For the latest auto-safety news, go to our car safety section.