Two Toyota Recalls Explained

After last night’s news that Toyota is adding another 1.1 million vehicles to an October 2009 recall involving floormats getting stuck under accelerators, we think it's a good time to explain the two recalls and the vehicles included in each one.  In all, 13 models are included in both recalls, totaling nearly 6 million cars, and 1.7 million of those are involved in both recalls.

Last week, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles because of a faulty accelerator pedal that could become stuck and lead to unintended acceleration. This recall is for a completely separate issue than the floormat-related recall. However, both lead to the same end result — unintended acceleration. The vehicles in the accelerator pedal recall include:

  • 2009-10 RAV4
  • 2009-10 Corolla
  • 2009-10 Matrix
  • 2005-10 Avalon
  • Certain 2007-10 Camry models
  • 2010 Highlander
  • 2007-10 Tundra
  • 2008-10 Sequoia
  • 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe
According to CTS Automotive Products, the supplier of the faulty part, there have been no accidents or injuries due to the faulty pedal. No Camry Hybrid models are included in this recall, and some of the model year Camrys actually have a different pedal installed than the one affected by the recall; only a qualified technician will be able to tell the difference between the two pedals. All sales of these recalled models have been halted. New parts are on their way to assembly plants, but there has been no word on a fix for current owners.

The earlier floormat recall was announced after a fatal accident involving a Lexus sedan. This is a wider ranging recall involving more models and brands, including Lexus; it was just expanded by 1.1 million vehicles to 5.3 million vehicles. The vehicles in the floormat recall include:
  • 2007-10 Camry
  • 2005-10 Avalon
  • 2004-09 Prius
  • 2005-10 Tacoma
  • 2007-10 Tundra
  • 2008-10 Highlander
  • 2009-10 Corolla
  • 2009-10 Venza
  • 2009-10 Matrix
  • 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe
  • 2007-10 Lexus ES 350
  • 2006-10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350
A series of steps have been developed to fix the problem involving the floormats, including shortening the gas pedal. In some cars, a brake-override system will be installed to allow drivers of runaway vehicles to stop the car.

You can follow all of our coverage of the recall by using this link.

Comments 

sugarland

To those who feel American car makers can't do anything right and Japanese cars are made by Gods, read this.

Christopher Tinto , vice president of regulatory affairs in Toyota's Washington office, and Christopher Santucci, who works for Tinto helped persuade the NHTSA to end probes including those 2002-2003 Toyota Camrys and Solaras court documents show. Possible links between Toyota and NHTSA may fuel mounting criticism of their handling of defects in Toyota and Lexus models tied to 19 deaths between 2004 and 2009. Bloomberg News.

This is scary. It's good that I don't own any from these models. Toyota needs to improve their quality control procedure for people's safety.

Post a Comment 

Please remember a few rules before posting comments:

  • If you don't want people to see your email address, simply type in the URL of your favorite website or leave the field empty.
  • Do not mention specific car dealers by name. Feel free to mention your city, state and brand.
  • Try to be civil to your fellow blog readers. This blog is not a fan or enthusiast forum, it is meant to help people during the car-buying process and during the time between purchases, so shoppers can keep a pulse on the market.
  • Stay on topic. We want to hear your opinions and thoughts, but please only comment about the specified topic in the blog post.
view posting rules

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In

Close

Search Results

KickingTires Search Results for

Search Kicking Tires

KickingTires iPhone App
Ask.cars.com
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!