Toyota Car On The List 2010 Recall Report

By: Bill Waters
01/29/2010 08:09 AM ET

The Toyota car list occurred just a few months after the last Toyota recall where about 4 millions cars were returned to fix really serious problems with gas pedals. Due to improperly placed floor mats, the gas pedals have a chance to get stuck and cause the driver to lose control of the car.

January 2010 concerns the following vehicles:

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

Toyota Motor Corp. built its reputation as a maker of safe and dependable vehicles. However, the quality of the Japanese automaker’s fleet continues to be tarnished by serious safety recalls. Toyota is recalling 2.3 million vehicles to fix accelerator pedals with mechanical problems that could cause them to become stuck.

This announcement comes just months after it recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to gas pedals that could become trapped under floor mats. This problem can cause sudden acceleration if not fixed. Unfortunately, the problem has already been the cause of several crashes, including some fatalities.

Toyota said the recall is due to potential problems with the gas pedal mechanism that can cause the accelerator to become stuck. This is a different problem that the floor mat. Toyota said in certain rare cases, the gas pedal mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return or, in some cases, stuck.

The problem appeared to be related to the potential build-up of condensation on sliding surfaces in the accelerator system that helps drivers push down or release the gas pedal. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the automaker does not yet have a solution to the latest problem but is working to develop one. Toyota will soon be contacting owners directly about the recall, he said.

Hanson said Toyota is unaware of any accidents or injuries due to gas pedal problems associated with Thursday’s recall, but could not rule it out for sure. He said the recall “came together very quickly.” He added that all vehicles involved in the latest recall contain a gas pedal system that comes from a single supplier.

“Responsibility for this in the end is ours,” he said.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that the problem is “a serious safety issue, and we are pleased Toyota is taking immediate action to address it.” Drivers in the recalled vehicles whose gas pedals become stuck should firmly apply their brakes, drive the car to a safe location, shut off the engine and contact a Toyota dealer. Drivers who experience this problem should not pump their brakes.

Toyota’s last recall, announced in November, was blamed for several crashes, including an accident involving a Lexus that accelerated to more than 120 mph before crashing in San Diego, killing four people. It was the sixth-largest recall.

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