Checkered Flag
2010 Toyota Recall | Sticky Acceleration Pedal
Checkered Flag is committed to your safety and will keep you informed of all updates we receive on these recalls as they come to us. In the meantime, you can call our Toyota Recall Hotline at 757-481-8888 or drop us a digital line by checking to see if your Toyota has a recall.
Toyota Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix Accelerator Pedals on Recalled Vehicles and Ensure Customer Safety Rigorously Tested Reinforced Pedals Will Eliminate the Excess Friction that Caused Sticking Toyota Will Make Concerted Effort to Repair Recalled Vehicles as Quickly and Conveniently as Possible
TORRANCE, Calif., February 1, 2010 - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles this week. Toyota's engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances. In addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in production.
Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for use by dealers, and dealer training is under way. Many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day. The company has also taken the unprecedented action of stopping production of affected vehicles for the week of February 1.
"Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive," said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. "We deeply regret the concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing everything we can - as fast as we can - to make things right. Stopping production is never an easy decision, but we are 100% confident it was the right decision. We know what's causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it. We also know it is most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road."
Lentz added: "We are focused on making this recall as simple and trouble-free as possible, and will work day and night with our dealers to fix recalled vehicles quickly. We want to demonstrate that our commitment to safety is as high as ever and that our commitment to our customers is unwavering."
On January 21, Toyota announced its intention to recall approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with a specific pedal assembly and suspended sales of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26.
Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
- Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
- Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- Certain 2007-2010 Camry
- Certain 2010 Highlander
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2008-2010 Sequoia
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.
Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with "J" are not affected by the accelerator pedal recall.
In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles
Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a partially open position. The issue involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper "feel" by adding resistance and making the pedal steady and stable. The device includes a shoe that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position or, in rare cases, the pedal sticks, leaving the throttle partially open.
Toyota's solution for current owners is both effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals through rigorous testing on pedal assemblies that had previously shown a tendency to stick.
Separately from the recall for sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota is in the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in which floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already notifying customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of vehicles covered by both recalls, it is Toyota's intention to remedy both at the same time.
- Lexus and Scion Models Not Affected
- Filing Addresses Isolated Customer Complaints
- Separate From On-Going Recall Involving Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment Issue
TORRANCE, Calif., January 21, 2010 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. This action is separate from the on-going recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota Division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.
"In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of
sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the
presence of floor mats," said TMS Group Vice President Irv Miller.
"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. Consistent with our commitment to the safety of our cars and
our customers, we have initiated this voluntary recall action."
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
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall
action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza,
Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry
models, including all Camry hybrids.
The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism
becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may
become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck
in a partially depressed position. Toyota is working quickly to
prepare the correction remedy.
In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that
sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle
position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady
application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly
because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal
pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location,
the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
Toyota will continue to investigate incidents of unwanted
acceleration and take appropriate measures to address any trends that
are identified.
Toyota owners who have questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.