What is wrong with the gas pedal that caused Toyota to recall so many vehicles?
Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in certain vehicles as part of a huge recall linked to sudden acceleration, a problem suspected in crashes that killed five people, the company and the U.S. government said on Wednesday. The largest-ever recall for the Japanese manufacturer involves about 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The action aims to address a problem the company and U.S. safety regulators initially thought was related solely to loose, all-weather floormats that could trap the accelerator pedal. Toyota took the extra step after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The company will change the shape of the accelerator pedal and replace original floormats in vehicles affected, including certain late model Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma and Tundra brands. Specific Lexus models are also included. Toyota will also reshape the floor in some of the vehicles to allow more room between the pedal and the floor, and
Toyota / Lexus and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are warning drivers about the potential for drivers-side floor mats to cause the accelerator (gas pedal) to stick. This recall affects 3.8 million vehicles. If you own any of the Toyota or Lexus vehicles below, the NHTSA advises you to remove the driver’s side floor mat immediately. NHTSA cites reports of accelerator pedal clearance issues which provide the potential for an accelerator (gas) pedal to get stuck in the full open position. A stuck gas pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and serious crashes. Toyota and Lexus vehicles affected: * 2005-2010 Avalon * 2007-2010 Camry * 2007-2010 ES 350 * 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350 * 2005-2010 Tacoma * 2007-2010 Tundra * 2004-2009 Prius Toyota has announced that it will soon launch a safety recall of various model year vehicles to redress the problem. In the meantime, however, the NHTSA is warning owners to remove all driver-side floor mats. Toyota recalled a
Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in certain vehicles as part of a huge recall linked to sudden acceleration, a problem suspected in crashes that killed five people, the company and the U.S. government said on Wednesday. The largest-ever recall for the Japanese manufacturer involves about 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The action aims to address a problem the company and U.S. safety regulators initially thought was related solely to loose, all-weather floormats that could trap the accelerator pedal. Toyota took the extra step after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Sources: http://www.reuters.
