Toyota Motor Sales recalled 3,800,000 cars in Nov. 2009 to modify accelerator pedals, carpets and software to treat what was described as sudden quickening troubles. Car dealers were making adjustments to the gasoline pedals by getting rid of inches from the bottom so the gas pedals wouldnt be trapped by the floor mattes.
Toyota has accompanied that recall with another one encompassing explosive and unbeatable acceleration on Jan. 21, 2010. Toyota Motor Sales proclaimed a recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles which included
2005-2010 Avalon
‘07-’10 Camry
‘09-’10 Corolla
‘10 Highlander
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 RAV4
‘08-’10 Sequoia
‘07-’10 Tundra
According to a USA item titled “100 Toyota drivers filed complaints before recall”, “she would become one of more than 100 drivers, according to a USA TODAY search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints database, who over the past few years have had their Toyota vehicles take off when they weren’t expected to.”
If drivers think this acceleration issue is isolated to Toyota vehicles, they are mistaken. According to the USA article, “Jake Fisher, senior engineer at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center, says unintended acceleration is not a problem unique to Toyota. He pored through NHTSA’s database of complaints for 2008 and noted that every manufacturer faced similar complaints. Sometimes, the issue is driver error, he says. But sometimes, there are defects. Toyota accounted for about 40% of the 2008 unintended acceleration complaints, Fisher says. “This could happen to anybody, but Toyota was over-represented,” he says. “But the underlying message of this whole thing is that, while there are instances of this in Toyotas, it’s still very rare.” The sudden acceleration issues are not solely a Toyota Motor Sales worry, but they hold the greatest share.
Toyota Motor Sales has discharged the following notice, “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. They also provided instructions on how to handle the situation if the acceleration issue occurs If your car begins to accelerate uncontrollably, immediately move the shift lever to neutral and firmly apply the brakes. Do not pump the brakes. And dont worry about the engine on modern vehicles, they have rev limiters to prevent damage. Once you have brought the car to a safe stop, turn off the engine.”
Toyota Motor Sales doesnt have a fix to deploy, and more notifications are awaited. It has been reported that Toyota and the manufacturer of the gas pedal, CTS, are working on a solution, but nothing of substance has been released as yet.
To read a detailed piece on this problem by a 3rd agency see Consumer Reports notice regarding the Toyota recall.
You can also remain educated on Toyota proclamations at Toyotas recall page.
For researching new cars see CarLocate.com.
