A massive voluntary recall was issued by Toyota Motor Corp. last week, the latest recall in a string of recent quality issues that has plagued the automaker.
The recall affects 2.3 million vehicles, including the 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2008-2010 Sequoia, and 2007-2010 Tundra models.
The recalls seek to fix accelerators that could become stuck, just months after Toyota recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to an accelerator issue that could be stuck under the floor mat, causing sudden and uncontrollable acceleration. In the latest recall, the accelerators could become stuck even without the presence of a floor mat.
“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” Toyota said in a statement.
Toyota’s recall lawyer Michael Ehline, has suggested that the recent accelerator defect recall in the U.S. and subsequently Europe and possibly Japan could occur. Despite the Corolla and RAV4 models in Japan being sold out, a report in Mainchi Shumbun said that the potential number of Toyota vehicles affected is unclear.
Notice about the fault was first announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in September 2009 and both Lexus and Toyota owners were notified about the issue advising “owners to remove all driver-side floor mats from the models listed below immediately as an interim safety measure in advance of the recall.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement, “This is an urgent matter … for everyone’s sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”
The Japan-based automaker states that the current recall 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 vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.
Despite the warning alert being issued for the widespread recall, there has been no reported solution to the problem. Owners were instructed to bring their cars to dealerships if they have experienced trouble with their gas pedals.
In an announcement, Toyota claims it is working promptly to “prepare the correction remedy” and provided the following instructions: “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.”
Despite a reputation for building reliable cars, Toyota has been subject to massive recalls in recent years. In September 2007, Toyota recalled an all-weather floor mat sold for use in some 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry vehicles. In 2008 over 600,000 Corollas and Matrix cars were recalled due to “the bolts in the power window system [becoming] loose and ultimately cause a window to shatter,” said the NHTSA.
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