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Dealers
John Voelcker
The Federal Department of Transportation has issued an "urgent" warning to owners of several Toyota and Lexus models, strongly advising them to remove the floor mats on the driver's side to prevent the accelerator pedal from sticking.
Issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the advisory notice urges that drivers not replace the mats with anything else. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the recall “an urgent matter.”
Two weeks ago, the company ordered dealers to inspect all cars for mismatched floor mats after a fatal crash in late August, in which an occupant of a runaway 2009 Lexus ES called 911 to report a stuck accelerator pedal and non-functioning brakes.
Four occupants died when that car subsequently crashed, rolled over, and burned. The cause of that crash was suspected to be an accessory floor mats fitted at the dealership that were too large for the vehicle.
Toyota has reportedly agreed to recall up to 3.8 million vehicles to check for the problem; it will be the biggest recall in the company's history. The vehicles affected are:
- 2007-2010 Toyota Camry (sedan)
- 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon (sedan)
- 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (hatchback)
- 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma (pickup truck)
- 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra (pickup truck)
- 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 (sedan)
- 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350 (sedan)
[UPDATE: On Wednesday, September 30, Toyota spokesperson Wade Hoyt distributed the following notice: Despite widespread reporting to the contrary, this is not yet a recall, but a safety advisory to owners of affected models. Our engineers are working with NHTSA on a potential fix beyond the retention hooks that are already in the vehicles.
A statement from the company added: Toyota considers this a critical matter and will soon launch a safety campaign on specific Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Throughout the process of developing the details of the action plan, it will advise the NHTSA. Until Toyota develops a remedy, it is asking owners of specific Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat.]
Toyota has already conducted one recall for a similar problem, but limited to an accessory all-weather floor mat fitted to the 2007 and 2008 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry. The new list of cars is far more comprehensive.
“For everyone’s sake," LaHood said, "we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Hotline is (888) 327-4236. Toyota owners can reach the company's Experience Center at (800) 331-4331; Lexus owners can contact the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at (800) 255-3987.
We'll bring you more information as we get it.
[Associated Press, Detroit News]
Toyota Camry floormats and carpetingEnlarge PhotoThe Federal Department of Transportation has issued an "urgent" warning to owners of several Toyota and Lexus models, strongly advising them to remove the floor mats on the driver's side to prevent the accelerator pedal from sticking. Issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the advisory notice urges that drivers not replace the mats with anything else. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the recall “an urgent matter.” Two weeks ago, the company ordered dealers to inspect all cars for mismatched floor mats after a fatal crash in late August, in which an occupant of a runaway 2009 Lexus ES called 911 to report a stuck accelerator pedal and non-functioning brakes. Four occupants died when that car subsequently crashed, rolled over, and burned. The cause of that crash was suspected to be an accessory floor mats fitted at the dealership that were too large for the vehicle. Toyota has reportedly agreed to recall up to 3.8 million vehicles to check for the problem; it will be the biggest recall in the company's history. The vehicles affected are: 2007-2010 Toyota Camry (sedan) 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon (sedan) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (hatchback) 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma (pickup truck) 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra (pickup truck) 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 (sedan) 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350 (sedan) [UPDATE: On Wednesday, September 30, Toyota spokesperson Wade Hoyt distributed the following notice: Despite widespread reporting to the contrary, this is not yet a recall, but a safety advisory to owners of affected models. Our engineers are working with NHTSA on a potential fix beyond the retention hooks that are already in the vehicles. A statement from the company added: Toyota considers this a critical matter and will soon launch a safety campaign on specific Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Throughout the process of developing the details of the action plan, it will advise the NHTSA. Until Toyota develops a remedy, it is asking owners of specific Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat.] Toyota has already conducted one recall for a similar problem, but limited to an accessory all-weather floor mat fitted to the 2007 and 2008 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry. The new list of cars is far more comprehensive. “For everyone’s sake," LaHood said, "we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Hotline is (888) 327-4236. Toyota owners can reach the company's Experience Center at (800) 331-4331; Lexus owners can contact the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at (800) 255-3987. We'll bring you more information as we get it. [Associated Press, Detroit News]
Responses (25 total)
By Ken #1, Posted: 9/29/2009
Is it just me or do people forget that they can turn off the key? I know cars have had steering locks for decades, but isn't there an ignition switch position that cuts power but isn't fully rotated to the lock position? Correct me if I'm wrong about this.
By kia fan #2, Posted: 9/29/2009
So much for thinking Toyotas are perfect. Their cars might have great engines but they cant cut a floor mat the right length?
By Wieczorek #3, Posted: 9/29/2009
Actually some of these cars don't HAVE keys, they have starter buttons. Don't know under conditions you can/can't turn off the engine.
This actually sounds like maybe dealers are fitting any old kind of mats they feel like, and Toyota has to take the rap ? ? ?
By PriusBlue #4, Posted: 9/29/2009
Guess it's time to pull up the Prius mats. Though, no one ever fairly accused it of unintended (or any) acceleration.
By greedo #5, Posted: 9/29/2009
Also, most modern cars cut power to some degree (many cut it totally) when the brake and accelerator are simultaneously depressed thanks to drive-by-wire technology. Sucks for left-foot braking, great for safety stuff like this.
Makes you wonder, anyway.
By Larry #6, Posted: 9/29/2009
There should be an automatic safety switch b/t the brake and the gas pedal. Sort of like when you use cruise control.
By carguy #7, Posted: 9/29/2009
Shocking story. I wonder how a matt can be so problematic that it gets caught in the gas peddle...
By R2Dad #8, Posted: 9/29/2009
Is this really a recall? Floor mats, really? The Pinto was a recall. The Exploder was a recall. This should fall under "Stern Warning to Oblivious Drivers".
By Chris #9, Posted: 9/29/2009
THREE YEARS AGO I REMOVED THE DRIVER SIDE MAT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T STAY IN PLACE. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE MAT GOT STUCK TO THE PEDAL AND ALMOST CAUSE A HEART ATTACK.
By Edward #10, Posted: 9/29/2009
Drive-by-wire + keyless ignition + stuck accelerator = nightmare
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