Archive for the ‘Lexus floor mat recall’ Category

Toyota announced today that it would recall 3.8 million of its vehicles to replace the accelerator pedals, to alleviate once and for all any chance of uncontrolled acceleration from the pedal being trapped by ill-fitting floor mats.

While it develops new pedal designs, Toyota will have its dealers shorten the pedals on affected vehicles, starting in January.

The replacement pedals will start to reach dealers in April, and will ultimately be fitted to all vehicles, even those whose pedals have already been shortened.

Toyota also plans to install an override system on several models--including the Toyota Avalon and Camry, and the Lexus ES350,...

What do you do if your accelerator pedal does become stuck?

That's what a tragic California accident in August and the ensuing massive ongoing Toyota recall—of floor mats that can wedge the pedal at or near the floor—has people wondering. Enter Consumer Reports, which tested some potential exit strategies at the track and explained them today in a post.

On a number of models, several automakers are phasing in so-called smart-throttle technology, which allows the brake to take precedence over the throttle. CU tested a Mercedes-Benz E350 and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen and found their smart-throttle technology, which automatically ignores the...

In a move almost too strange to be fiction, Toyota is apparently advising its Toyota and Lexus brand dealers to zip tie loose floor mats to the seats in the 3.8 million vehicles affected by the recent safety recall. Of course, it's phrased much more eloquently than that.

"We have reviewed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration what we’re calling a semipermanent floor mat installation process, and we’re providing these instructions to our dealers," Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told Automotive News.

The "plastic wire ties" obviate the need to turn out a whole new fastening system for the mats and vehicles, allowing Toyota and...