Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles due to faulty floor mats in the US
01 Oct 2009|6,874 views
The recall is the largest ever in the US for Toyota, and was brought to light when a San Diego man and three passengers were killed in a high-speed crash of a Lexus ES sedan. The man had called the 911 emergency services prior to the crash to report that the gas pedal was stuck and that the car was going at 193km/h. Investigators are trying to determine whether a floor mat played a role in the accident.
Toyota said that it has received complaints about the problem since 2004, and had issued a recall in September 2007 for a similar problem for the Lexus ES and Toyota Camry models, but after the San Diego accident and the publicity it received, Toyota’s reputation for quality has taken a huge hit as a result.
"Obviously the tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye-opener for us," said Irv Miller, a Toyota spokesman. "We're trying to raise floor mat awareness."
Toyota is now working with the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the matter, and both parties has advised existing owners of the affected vehicles to remove the floor mats for safety precautions, or at least confirm that they have the correct factory floor mats in the vehicle and that they are properly installed
"This is an urgent matter," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who oversees the highway safety agency. "For everyone's sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration."
Toyota has also given advice to drivers who find themselves affected by the floor mat causing unintended acceleration.
If possible, Toyota said, a driver who is experiencing unintended acceleration because of the mat should try to dislodge it from the gas pedal and then pull over and stop the vehicle. If the floor mat can't be dislodged, the driver should shift the car into neutral and press the brake pedal down firmly with both feet. Toyota said its brakes are designed to be able to bring vehicles to a full stop, even when the motor is at full throttle. If that doesn't work, the driver should shut off the engine by turning the key to the "ACC" position. The driver shouldn't remove the key because that action will lock the steering wheel.
In vehicles such as the Prius that are equipped with an engine start-stop button instead of an ignition key, the driver must depress the button continuously for three seconds to turn off the engine. Do not tap the button, the automaker warned.
The recall is the largest ever in the US for Toyota, and was brought to light when a San Diego man and three passengers were killed in a high-speed crash of a Lexus ES sedan. The man had called the 911 emergency services prior to the crash to report that the gas pedal was stuck and that the car was going at 193km/h. Investigators are trying to determine whether a floor mat played a role in the accident.
Toyota said that it has received complaints about the problem since 2004, and had issued a recall in September 2007 for a similar problem for the Lexus ES and Toyota Camry models, but after the San Diego accident and the publicity it received, Toyota’s reputation for quality has taken a huge hit as a result.
"Obviously the tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye-opener for us," said Irv Miller, a Toyota spokesman. "We're trying to raise floor mat awareness."
Toyota is now working with the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the matter, and both parties has advised existing owners of the affected vehicles to remove the floor mats for safety precautions, or at least confirm that they have the correct factory floor mats in the vehicle and that they are properly installed
"This is an urgent matter," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who oversees the highway safety agency. "For everyone's sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration."
Toyota has also given advice to drivers who find themselves affected by the floor mat causing unintended acceleration.
If possible, Toyota said, a driver who is experiencing unintended acceleration because of the mat should try to dislodge it from the gas pedal and then pull over and stop the vehicle. If the floor mat can't be dislodged, the driver should shift the car into neutral and press the brake pedal down firmly with both feet. Toyota said its brakes are designed to be able to bring vehicles to a full stop, even when the motor is at full throttle. If that doesn't work, the driver should shut off the engine by turning the key to the "ACC" position. The driver shouldn't remove the key because that action will lock the steering wheel.
In vehicles such as the Prius that are equipped with an engine start-stop button instead of an ignition key, the driver must depress the button continuously for three seconds to turn off the engine. Do not tap the button, the automaker warned.
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