Toyota Files Voluntary Safety Recall
Toyota Motor Corp. built its reputation in the U.S. as a maker of safe and dependable vehicles, but the quality of the Japanese automaker's fleet continues to be tarnished by serious safety recalls.
Toyota said Thursday it is recalling 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix accelerator pedals with mechanical problems that could cause them to become stuck. The announcement comes just months after it recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to gas pedals that could become trapped under floor mats, causing sudden acceleration. That problem was the cause of several crashes, including some fatalities.
Toyota said Thursday's recall is due to potential problems with the gas pedal mechanism that can cause the accelerator to become stuck - regardless of whether the vehicle contains a floor mat. Toyota said in certain rare cases, the gas pedal mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return or, in some cases, stuck.
In a letter to federal safety officials dated Thursday, Toyota said the problem appeared to be related to the potential build-up of condensation on sliding surfaces in the accelerator system that helps drivers push down or release the gas pedal.
Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the automaker does not yet have a solution to the latest problem but is working to develop one. Toyota will soon be contacting owners directly about the recall, he said.
The recall affects the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia. Of these, the Avalon, Camry and Tundra models - encompassing about 1.7 million vehicles - also were included in the previous gas pedal recall. Their accelerator pedals could be at risk both of becoming trapped under floor mats and becoming stuck due to mechanical problems.
Hanson said the company is unaware of any accidents or injuries due to the gas pedal problems associated with Thursday's recall, but could not rule it out for sure. He said the recall "came together very quickly."
He added that all of the vehicles involved in the latest recall contain a gas pedal system that comes from a single supplier. He declined, however, to identify the supplier or say whether Toyota would continue doing business with the supplier.
"Responsibility for this in the end is ours," he said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that the problem is "a serious safety issue and we are pleased Toyota is taking immediate action to address it."
Toyota said drivers in the recalled vehicles whose gas pedals become stuck should firmly apply their brakes, drive the car to a safe location, shut off the engine and contact the nearest Toyota dealer. Drivers who experience the problem should not pump their brakes, Toyota said.
Toyota's last recall, announced in November, was blamed for several crashes, including an accident involving a Lexus that accelerated to more than 120 mph before crashing in San Diego, killing four people. It was the sixth-largest recall ever in the U.S. |
|
Monday May 24, 2010
• This Week In Petroleum. Why Gas Prices Are Moving |
Friday Apr 23, 2010
• Satellites to issue speeding tickets from space |
Monday Mar 15, 2010
• What do the sidewall markings on my tire mean? |
Friday Mar 05, 2010
• Pain at the Pump Returning as Gas Prices Head for $3 |
Wednesday Mar 03, 2010
• NISSAN ISSUES VOLUNTARY RECALLS On Selected Vehicles To CHECK BRAKE PINS and CORRECT FUEL GAUGE INACCURACIES |
Thursday Feb 25, 2010
• Drivers Beware! The Peril of Potholes Are Upon Us |
Tuesday Feb 23, 2010
• Toyota's Lentz to say electronics not to blame for acceleration problems |
Monday Feb 22, 2010
• THE TOYOTA RECALL CRISIS |
Tuesday Feb 16, 2010
• Saturn owners get $2,000 incentive to stick with GM |
Thursday Feb 11, 2010
• Picture Of Toyota's Flawed Gas Pedal |
Wednesday Feb 10, 2010
• Honda airbag recall |
Monday Feb 01, 2010
• Toyota to dealers: Parts to fix pedals on way |
Monday Feb 01, 2010
• Advice For Buying A Used Car |
Sunday Jan 31, 2010
• America's Most Stolen Cars |
Thursday Jan 28, 2010
• F.A.Q. For Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall and Suspension of Sales |
Wednesday Jan 27, 2010
• The Saab-Spyker Deal Explained |
Friday Jan 01, 2010
• Why Buy Winter Tires? |
Tuesday Dec 29, 2009
• GM Plans Pontiac Fire Sale |
Tuesday Nov 17, 2009
• Nissan Turning Over a New Leaf |
Sunday Oct 11, 2009
• Chevy's Revived Muscle Car |
Thursday Oct 01, 2009
• The Long Goodbye for Dying Brands |
Friday Sep 25, 2009
• Auto Accident? Here’s What You Should Do |
Monday Aug 10, 2009
• The Tire Pressure Warning Light/System |
Sunday Aug 09, 2009
• Fiat Models to Drive Chrysler |
Friday Jan 22, 2010
• Toyota Files Voluntary Safety Recall |
|
