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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The Fix is in... (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=243175)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Larry_s_Prius_II_Front.jpgMike Sirach - CleanMPG (CleanMPG.com) - Nov. 25, 2009

Toyota announced today details of the vehicle-based remedy to address the root cause of the potential risk for floor mat entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota issued a consumer safety advisory on September 29 on this issue and has, as an interim measure, commenced the mailing of safety notices to certain Toyota and Lexus owners on October 30.

The models involved are: 2007 to 2010 MY (model year) Camry, 2005 to 2010 MY Avalon, 2004 to 2009 MY Prius, 2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma, 2007 to 2010 MY Tundra, 2007 to 2010 MY ES350, 2006 to 2010 MY IS250, and 2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:

1. The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. For the ES350, Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.

2. Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.

In addition, as a separate measure independent of the vehicle-based remedy, Toyota will install a brake override system onto the involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS350 and IS 250 models as an extra measure of confidence. This system cuts engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedals.

Toyota is in the process of completing development of these actions and for the ES350, Camry, and Avalon will start notifying owners of the involved vehicles via first-class mail by the end of this year. The remedy process regarding the other five models will occur on a rolling schedule during 2010.

Dealers will be trained and equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models starting at the beginning of 2010. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to dealers for the repair, beginning around April 2010. Customers who have had the remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire.

In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.

The brake override system will be made standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines starting with January 2010 production of ES350 and Camry and is scheduled to be incorporated into new production of most models by the end of 2010.

The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified.

Owners who have further questions are asked to visit www.toyota.com or www.lexus.com or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-295-3987.

As befitting my outlaw image, I've left my floormat in place. It is the correct Prius floormat, properly fastened down, and there isn't a bit of problem with it.

Harry

**EDIT:
I went back to check on my friend's story. It was not her Corolla that did this; it was the car she owned prior to getting her Corolla; I believe it was a Neon.**

original post:[I remember a few years back a young friend of mine described an experience she had while stopped at a red light in her Toyota Corolla. She claims the car surged ahead into the intersection while she was sitting at the red light with her foot on the brake.]

I have doubts that all these incidents were caused by a floormat/gas pedal problem.

I've read about other makes of cars having cases of unexplained acceleration. It makes me wonder if it's a computer glitch.

Well, maybe they will update the software on the new Prius at the same time.

I think they are covering up the real problem to make the public less fearful of how dangerous these cars have shown themselves to be. I've heard on the news today that 5 fatalities have resulted from these cars over accelerating.

There have been many more than 5 fatalities and hundreds of cases of run away cars. I hope when they swap out the gas pedal they fix the real problem whatever that may be.

- Dale

Maybe a "kill switch" comparable to the ones on motorcycles would serve to calm people down. Flipping a toggle switch to "off" wouldn't take 3 seconds, which is what would be required for a Prius, if for some reason you forgot how to put it in neutral.

I'm quite sure a high percentage of the "runaway vehicles" you read about are the result of befuddled older drivers mashing down the gas pedal instead of the brakes. There is no shortage of those types of incidents. I remember one from Florida where an old guy put it in forward rather than reverse and crushed his wife while she was walking around to get in the car. There are also the numerous cases of people driving right into businesses at strip malls because they couldn't even manage to park a car without screwing up royally.

My Prius doesn't scare me. Even if the car went nuts, I could handle it. I know from experience I'm calm in a crisis, unlike some people who become completely unhinged at the slightest hint of adversity.

Harry

I have tested the Prius. I mashed on the throttle for several seconds then pushed the shifter into neutral. It went into neutral and the throttle dropped off. I tried this from a dead stop and at highway speeds.

I'm wondering if I should take mine in when the notice comes. I'd hate to have them do a software update and screw up my mileage. Thoughts on that anyone? BTW, that car and the buildings in the background look very familiar.;):D

It would be the responsible thing to do. Since you asked. (picturing a really fast Toyota heading towards me with a screaming driver) - Dale

Our son has the 08 750 miles away at college. I called him about the issue and warned him to watch the after market floor mats that are in it. I always buy the inexpensive all weather mats and put them on the factory carpet mats. We will get the work done when it's available.

Maybe a "kill switch" comparable to the ones on motorcycles would serve to calm people down. Flipping a toggle switch to "off" wouldn't take 3 seconds, which is what would be required for a Prius, if for some reason you forgot how to put it in neutral.

I'm quite sure a high percentage of the "runaway vehicles" you read about are the result of befuddled older drivers mashing down the gas pedal instead of the brakes. There is no shortage of those types of incidents. I remember one from Florida where an old guy put it in forward rather than reverse and crushed his wife while she was walking around to get in the car. There are also the numerous cases of people driving right into businesses at strip malls because they couldn't even manage to park a car without screwing up royally.

My Prius doesn't scare me. Even if the car went nuts, I could handle it. I know from experience I'm calm in a crisis, unlike some people who become completely unhinged at the slightest hint of adversity.

Harry
I agree with you there. A few years ago, the throttle stuck wide open (started out partially open and ended up all the way as I tried to knock it looses) on one of my Saturn's. I just calmly stuck the clutch in and turned off the key. Disaster averted. In fact, I was only about a mile from where I was going so I did a couple of bump starts and made it to my destination and fixed the problem.

I'm curious what anyone thinks of my concerns over software updates reducing FE or hypermiling ability? I've not had even a hint of a sticky throttle so that part doesn't worry me too much.

Larry, isn't the software update just supposed to add the throttle release on brake application functionality? If so, it shouldn't impact any aspect of your hypermiling.

Larry, isn't the software update just supposed to add the throttle release on brake application functionality? If so, it shouldn't impact any aspect of your hypermiling.
But it would take away my ability to force-charge.:p:D But seriously, if that's all it did, that wouldn't be so bad.

It doesn't even mention the programming for the Prius. It only list pedal mods for the Prius. I don't understand that. All cars should have the throttle over ride programming.

It may not even cause a loss of ability to force-charge. Many of the throttle override systems will not ignore the throttle if the brake pedal is pressed first.

Looks like I will be getting a new set of mats.