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Toyota US recalls another 2.3 million vehicles with sticking accelerators

By Tim Beissmann |

Toyota US is recalling another 2.3 million vehicles to correct its continued sticking acceleration issues.

Today’s recall (which applies only to vehicles sold in the US) is in addition to the 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles already recalled to correct floor mats that could slide and trap the accelerator if not properly secured to the floor with retaining hooks.

Up to 1.7 million vehicles will be subject to both the ongoing recall and today’s new one.

Toyota Motor Sales Group Vice President, Irv Miller, said Toyota is working quickly to amend the latest accelerator problem.

“In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats.

“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.”

Today’s accelerator pedal recall applies to 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’s official press release continues:

“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.

“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.”

CarAdvice earlier this week reported on the case of a 2007 Toyota Avalon which experienced sudden unintended acceleration, which fits into today’s recall batch.


 

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  • David T1

    … and it continues.

    Now they have admitted it is a mechanism fault, not just trying to cover it up with the floormat thing. I suspect that this was always the issue (reduced pedal return force/jamming), but those cars with floor mats made the situation worse and showed up first.
    Toyota have jumped into Damage Control before they were inevitably forced to. Image is starting to lose it’s shine pretty quick.

    • Jonno

      “the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes.” Common knowledge wouldn’t you think?
      Just lucky I don’t own a Toyota!!1

  • Frenchie

    The engineer who designed that pedal must have a high foot arch, just look at it. Look at the curve on it!

  • WTF

    It is funny how the vice president refers to the sticking accelerators as “rare instances”. I hardly think that 2.3 million in addition to the 4.2 million is rare.
    No such thing as a honest car salesman.

    • Devil’s Advocate

      WTF, they are not saying all of the 6.5 million cars made over that 6 year period (2005-2010) are getting the sticking throttle. There is a difference between the cars that have displayed the problem and the number of cars that are recalled. Going by your WTF logic then, 13000 Holden Captivas sold in Australia over 2 years have intermediate shaft malfunctions (I am only using another recent recall from this site as an example) when in reality only two cars actually had the shaft fail.

      Common sense would dictate that if you find a potential fault with a particular component, you recall the models that have that component fitted. The longer that component lasted in that specification unchanged, the more cars need to be recalled. However I guess common sense isn’t… ;-)

      I am not disagreeing about the honest car salesman thing and the seriousness of this recall, however it is not as simple as you were making it out to be.

  • Control Blade

    Well come on all you Toyota lovers who brag about so called Toyota quality and reliability….where are you? You would have been the first to hang it on Ford for the eight year old Explorer cruise control problem but these sre new cars Toyota is recalling so it is yet another problem for them.

    Oh what a feeling …..ANOTHER recall!! lol

    • The Other Brad

      It’s stupid to believe that a particular manufacturer (of anything, not just cars) will never slip up.

      That said, anyone who thinks that Japanese cars aren’t more reliable overall are equally stupid. Simply do some research and look at the countless reliability surveys done by insurance companies and the like. Note, I didn’t say they don’t have faults, just that they have less.

      “Blah blah, Toyota/Japanese car fanboi”. I don’t even own a car (yet) so yer ;)

  • Byron

    Agree with Control Blade. I’m sick of everyone paying out Holden & Ford because of their recalls. Toyota is plain s%it. Ok. Who cares if Holden & ford recalls their cars. At least they are finding the solution & it doesn’t affect millions of cars. I’d rather a Ford or Holden over a Toyota anyday regardless of their problems. Thought Toyota was the leader in reliabilty, quality etc… Appears not. I’d rather any other car maker to top Toyota. I hate them. They make boring, uninspiring cars that people seem to think are great. what a joke. Just waiting for the day till Holden, Ford, Mazda, Hyundai top them :D Go HOLDEN!

    • Baddass

      People think that Toyotas are great because they generally are. I wouldn’t trust anything other than a Toyota if I’m in a remote location, because Toyotas won’t let you down. The proof is with the customer sataisfaction levels, and overall worldwide sales. A company like this (wisely) doesn’t chase performance models or niche products, and because of this, they are able to save money and focus on what they do best: mass production of quality cars. Byron, If you wait for the day Holden will top Toyota in global sales, you’ll be wasting your time.

    • Devil’s Advocate

      First up I would like to say, I am NOT trying to defend Toyota about the seriousness of this recall etc, I am just pointing some facts that the “brand biased” posters can’t seem to see because they are so blinded by their love of their favourite marque. I am also not a “Toyota” lover/owner or Holden/Ford tragic so in other words I am not blinded by the Ford/Holden/Toyota school yard “mine is better than yours” battle that seems to run rife on this site!! :-)

      I loved the way you contradicted yourself in your post Byron. Saying how good it is that Ford and Holden recall their cars and find a solution for a problem, yet bag Toyota out for essentially doing the same thing. What the… Also, WRT the numbers, don’t forget something called scale, type of market and number of models affected. When there is a fault of a component made for the Commodore and Falcon, of course it is only going to effect a small number of cars as that part essentially only goes into one platform in a relatively small indigenous market. Don’t forget, some of the Holden recalls of late have been pretty serious as well. Or do you think a Commodore with a brake boost system that may not work or an intermediate shaft on a Captiva that causes the driver to completely loose steering as not being that serious?

      If you actually opened your eyes you would see that this recall of 6.5 million cars effects 8 different models of vehicles from large utes to 4WDs, SUVs and passenger cars of various sizes, over a manufacturing period of up to 6 years in a market that sold 10.43 million cars in 2009 alone. That number in itself was a 21% drop in sales over 2008. I am just trying to put some perspective into these numbers.

      As has been mentioned before somewhere else, shouldn’t we be saying that it is good that a manufacturer, regardless of “brand”, has admitted to a potential fault and is actually doing something about it? I guess double standards are a lot more fun though, aren’t they Byron??!! ;-)

  • UMWAHT

    i thought Toyotas were supposed to be reliable

    so they’re boring, ugly AND un-reliable??

  • My Cars Called T-Rex

    This is reaily starting to turn into a saga for the big T.

  • john

    Well this IS going to hurt them in some way so they are trying to do something about to try and save face and there reputation and also there customers lives as well. Lets hope they get it right this time.

  • Jack

    Well Done Toyota!!!! i will never consider Toyota again!!!!

  • Valet Dabess

    just throw the damn floor mat out

    • Good grief

      Step 1. Read the story
      Step 2. Try to comprehend it
      Step 3. THINK
      Step 4. Post something at least semi-intelligent

      It’s really not that hard, but it seems to be beyond soooo many.

  • Jon

    Another re-call… no need, just cut the mat in half….

  • Control Blade

    It is obviously more than a floor mat problem. A design fault is the problem, obviously.

    Ford have a higher quality rating than Toyota in the USA.

  • The Real Car Fanatic

    VW must be smiling at this news, wanting to be number one by 2018. Toyota keeps this up and Vag will reach their goal far sooner.

  • Golfschwein

    I think this is terriffic stuff. With any luck, there’ll be less drongoes on here banging on about Toyota reliability ad nauseum.

  • HyundaiSmoke

    Tim Beissmann, you’re wrong my friend. This as not a voluntary recall on Toyota’s part. US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood gave them a “Cease and Desist” Order.

  • HyundaiSmoke

    US Relaibility numbers:

    1. Lexus
    2. Cadillac
    3. Porsche
    4. Hyundai
    5. Mercedes
    6. Ford
    7. Honda
    8. Toyota
    9. KIA
    10. VW

  • milkyway

    A recall doesn’t mean the car is unreliable. It means there is a component that needs to be replaced/repaired to prevent a potential failure. A responsible action such as this should not be seen as a product failure. People to refrain from jumping into the bandwagon to condemn a marque being recalled. Loosen up, guys.

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