Toyota to recall 3.8 million vehicles

[froggman]

Consumer Safety Advisory Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal

Froggman - CleanMPG - Sept. 29, 2009

2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius - Just one of the vehicles effected by the recall.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. takes public safety very seriously. It believes its vehicles to be among the safest on the road today.

Recent events have prompted Toyota to take a closer look at the potential for an accelerator pedal to get stuck in the full open position due to an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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. The following models are affected:

• 2007 – 2010 Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Tundra
• 2007 – 2010 ES350
• 2006 – 2010 IS250 and IS350

Example of properly installed floor mat - Proper Pin Arrangment

Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:

First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

- If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

- If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

In the event owners choose not to remove their floor mat, Toyota strongly recommends that they ensure that the correct floor mat is being used, that it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another. Information on proper floor mat installation can be found on Toyota.

Owners with questions or concerns, are asked to please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center (1 800 331-4331) or consult the information posted at Toyota.

Toyota and Lexus Carpeted / All-Weather Floor Mat Inspection, Application and Installation Instructions

General Floor Mat Warnings

• Only install floor mats designed specifically for that model and model year. Check for correct model name and part number on the packaging label to confirm vehicle application.
  
  o Never install a floor mat if you are uncertain of the model application.
  o Never install the floor mat upside down or turned over for any reason.
  o Only install the driver’s floor mat in the driver’s foot area.
  
  
  
• Always properly secure the driver’s floor mat using the retaining hooks (clips) supplied in the bag with the floor mats (in the case of Lexus with the carpet floor mats). Follow the floor mat retention clip installation instruction supplied with the clips. If the mat is properly secured and you have confirmed vehicle applicability, it will not interfere with the accelerator pedal.
  
  o Never install the front driver’s floor mat without all retaining hooks (clips) securing the mat firmly in place.
  
  
  
• The retaining hooks (clips) are designed to accommodate only one floor mat at a time.
  
  o Do not install another floor mat(s) on top of an existing driver’s floor mat.
  
  
  
• After installation, always check the operation of the accelerator, brake and clutch (if applicable) pedals to assure the floor mat does not interfere with them.
  
  
  
• Carefully read the warning tag attached to the driver’s floor mat regarding installation.

Floor Mat Inspection Instructions and Application Information

• Before placing a floor mat in a vehicle be familiar with the procedure outlined below.
  
  o Identify the correct driver’s floor mat for the specific vehicle application.
  o Correctly install the driver’s floor mat.
  
  
• Regularly verify the correct floor mat is securely installed in the appropriate model using the retaining hooks (clips).
  
  NOTE: Use the Application Information Chart provided or the Accessory Parts Catalog to verify mat-to vehicle application.

1. Make sure the AWFM is properly secured by the retaining hooks (clips). Confirm that the
   retaining hooks (clips) are secured into the grommet holes in the vehicle’s floor (carpet).
   
   Warning: Do not stack the floor mats in any vehicle. The retaining hooks (clips) are designed to accommodate only one floor mat at a time.
   
   
2. Check the following pedal operation (fully depress the pedal) to assure the floor mat does not interfere with it. Make sure the vehicle is turned off and in the “Park” position when testing:\
   
   - Accelerator Pedal
   - Brake Pedal
   - Clutch Pedal (if equipped)
   
   
3. Verify the driver’s floor mat involved in SSC 70F & 7LB has been removed from your vehicle.

DO NOT USE THESE MATS

SSC 70F Part Number: SSC 7LB Part Number:
PT908-32070-02 (Blk)
PT908-32070-14 (Brn)
PT908-33070-02 OR PT908-33071-02 (Blk)
PT908-33070-11 OR PT908-33071-11 (Gr)
PT908-33070-14 OR PT908-33071-14 (Brn)

[PaleMelanesian]

There was a recall on 1996-2000 Honda Civics over this same issue. I would have thought everyone had handled the issue long before now.

My brother's Mazda3 has a pin - came that way from the factory.
My Odyssey has a pin.

It's an easy fix that should have been done on first release, not as an afterthought.

[Earthling]

There was that story a week or so ago from California, where of all people, a CHP officer in his private car had a stuck accelerator pedal from an unsecured floor mat. He and his three passengers were killed.

That same morning, I drove a pool car at work: floor mat unsecured, and up against the gas pedal. I reported it to our safety officer. I secured the floormat properly before driving the car.

This is not just a Toyota issue.

Harry

[Elixer]

There's another article with a bit more explanation: HERE

What I find very encouraging is that Toyota issued the recall without having proof that any accidents were caused by the floor mats, merely that there were 102 reported incidents and one accident which is yet undetermined. This is far better than the issues with tires that Ford went through several years ago where there were hundreds of deaths clearly caused by the tires. This is very responsible for Toyota.

[Shiba3420]

One of the recomendations was shifting into neutral. I would think that would be very bad for the engine even with a rev limiter.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Shiba3420

One of the recomendations was shifting into neutral. I would think that would be very bad for the engine even with a rev limiter.

Yup, but it's better than crashing.

[raveneon]

People are so ridiculous... we need a recall becuase of floormats? That's almost as ridiculous as warning "coffee is hot."

[xcel]

Hi All:

___ Although you can always hit the Power Button and brakes should have brought a stuck accelerator vehicle to a halt, if the worst happens, I wish they all had a key.

___The CHP officer, Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe, both 45, their 13-year-old daughter, Mahala, and 38-year-old brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, were killed Aug. 28 after Lastrella called 911 and said the accelerator was stuck in their 2009 Lexus ES 350.

Warning - Graphic verbal description of the impending and then fatal crash.

Graphic last few seconds of a stuck accelerator

___The Lexus was a loaner from Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon while their vehicle was being serviced, authorities said.

___Witnesses said the vehicle was going more than 100 mph on state Route 125 shortly before it collided with an SUV, crashed through a fence and ended up on fire in the bed of the San Diego River.

___A preliminary investigation revealed the Lexus was equipped with "all-weather" floor mats, designed for Lexus vehicles made between 2004 and 2009, lead sheriff's investigator Sgt. Scott Hills

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Chuck]

I don't drive a Toyota, but I could definitely use some floormat anchors

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by Shiba3420

One of the recomendations was shifting into neutral. I would think that would be very bad for the engine even with a rev limiter.

I have to agree with Sean. I rather risk toasting an engine over losing my life. On a Prius, I don't think the engine will go over 1280 rpms in N. On a side note, I'm not going to worry too much about this recall. Think about it, how likely is it that my gas pedal will ever see WOT in the first place?