Toyota has announced a new voluntary recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct "sticking accelerator pedals" on eight specific Toyota models. The recall includes late model versions of the RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia (follow the jump for the list of vehicles including model years). This recall is entirely separate from the one Toyota announced last September, its largest ever at approximately 4.2 million vehicles, involving "pedal entrapment" by floor mats that could cause unintended acceleration. That said, about 1.7 million vehicles out there on the roads are involved in both recalls, though no Lexus or Scion models are involved in the one announced today.
This particular recall addresses complaints by Toyota customers who have experienced unintended acceleration not caused by floor mats jamming the accelerator pedal down. In these cases, which Toyota says are rare, the pedal mechanism could be worn and "become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position."
A class action law suit filed against the automaker last November alleges that Toyota has known about this problem for four years and received 2,000 complaints. It also alleges that sticking accelerator pedals have resulted in 16 deaths and 243 injuries.
Last week, Automotive News reported that Toyota will also begin installing brake override systems in its vehicles beginning with the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES350. These systems would force the engine into idle if they detected the driver was trying to apply the brakes unsuccessfully. With two large recalls and the introduction of brake override systems, Toyota may have finally covered all the bases when it comes to possible causes and solutions for its vehicles potentially taking off on their own. The court of public opinion, however, will decide if it could have moved more quickly doing so.
Toyota's accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:
• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• 2007-2010 Camry,
• 2010 Highlander,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
[Source: Toyota, Autoblog]
OOYYO's comment: It's good to see that Toyota is addressing these issues finally. As the worlds largest Automotive manufacturer they should be on the ball with safety issues and responsible anough to put public & safety first.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
