Toyota files second voluntary safety recall on select Toyota division vehicles

[xcel]

Select Toyota division vehicle recalls for sticking accelerator pedals is about to begin.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Jan. 21, 2010

Toyota today announced yet another recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. This action is separate from the on-going recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota Division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.

“In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats,” said TMS Group Vice President Irv Miller. “Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Consistent with our commitment to the safety of our cars and our customers, we have initiated this voluntary recall action.”

• Lexus and Scion Models Not Affected
• Filing Addresses Isolated Customer Complaints
• Separate From On-Going Recall Involving Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment Issue

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids.

The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position. Toyota is working quickly to prepare the correction remedy.

In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

Toyota will continue to investigate incidents of unwanted acceleration and take appropriate measures to address any trends that are identified.

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by Toyota

In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes.

That's what I always thought until recently, but sounds like is often NOT the case.

I'm disappointed that Toyota doesn't at least recommend shifting to neutral as a secondary measure in the event that the brakes do not restrain the car. Modern rev limiters will keep the engine from shredding itself, and even if that weren't the case a blown engine sure beats a fiery high speed crash.

[moneysaver]

My cousin had bought 2010 Corolla about a month ago. Hopefully he will go and get it fixed under this recall and nothing happens. This just go to show me that all those people who blindly bought toyotas because they had a great reputation for reliability in 80's and 90's even without considering other makes, really need to do their homework before making vehicle purchase. I don't have anything against Toyota, but it irritates me that some people, including my uncle who bought the Corolla for my cousin, were unwilling to even consider other brands just becuse his friends said that Corolla was best car for the money.

Let's hope that no one gets injured because of this mess.

[St. Mushroom]

I don't think there was any homework left to do... there was a strong argument for buying Toyota for the reliability, if not safety, of its vehicles for decades, based on Consumer Reports and other publishers, right up to 2009.

If I were in the market, this situation would probably turn me off of the brand no matter what ratings publishers were giving Toyota... they haven't handled the PR on this very well.

Regardless of how complex the real threat is, and it seems to be VERY complex, you can't have your customers thinking you're slapping a bandaid on a bullet wound and sending them back into the field. You need to be able to relieve concerns with authority, and right now TM's actions aren't compelling at all.

[moneysaver]

Originally Posted by St. Mushroom

I don't think there was any homework left to do... there was a strong argument for buying Toyota for the reliability, if not safety, of its vehicles for decades, based on Consumer Reports and other publishers, right up to 2009.

That's what I am trying to point out. Just because Toyota had a great reputation for reliability for 80's and 90's, it does not necessarly means that they are still that reliable as they were in past. Those were 20 years ago. What has happened in 20 years is they wanted to chase GM for the bigest automaker title. So they started to churn out models left and right, that meant quality was not given priority over quantity.

And as far as consumer reports is concerned, I would take their advice with a grain of salt, after what happend in 2007. Here is the article about their method for reccomending Toyotas.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...liability.html

Here is the part that got me. Its from the same article.

Previously, new and redesigned Toyota models were recommended because of the automaker's excellent track record, even if CR didn't have sufficient reliability data on the new model.

So they were reccomending Camrys and other newly redesigned models because older camrys were reliable, even without testing or collecting data on the newer version.

[St. Mushroom]

indeed! I think I'm coming at it from a slightly different angle, though. I agree that Consumer Report's methodology is biased to automakers' histories. But other publishers, using different methodologies, have been giving the brand high marks as well, even up to last year. See 2009 J.D. Power Reliability List:

http://knol.google.com/k/thomas-rosq...rlftrlyr37f/2#

Toyota had the least problems reported out of any non-luxury make.

Right now I'm thinking anyone who was buying a car in the last several years didn't really have a reason to suspect Toyota had issues, even if they did due diligence with fresh research reports. In fact, they would be led by their research to view Toyota as one of the most trouble-free of all the non-luxury brands.

When I was looking for a car back in 2006, after doing A LOT of online research, I went to the Toyota dealer first, solely because of the reliability rankings available at the time, which was my primary concern after dealing with an unusually unreliable car.

In the end, though, I decided Honda was reliable enough, had better safety features, and I really liked how Civic handled.