Toyota Dealers Nationwide Have Begun Fixing Accelerator Pedals On Recalled Vehicles
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS)
U.S.A., Inc., announced that Toyota dealers nationwide have
received the parts, information and training they need to fix
accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles, and that
repairs on involved vehicles have begun. The actual repair requires
about 30 minutes of work.
The company also announced that it has begun mailing letters to
owners of recalled vehicles to let them know when to bring their
vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their
vehicle is involved in the recall. Upon receipt of a notification
letter, owners will be asked to contact a local Toyota dealership to
schedule an appointment to have their vehicle fixed.
of the vehicles our customers drive, and we are determined to live up
to the high standards people have come to expect from Toyota over the
past 50 years,” said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer,
TMS. “Everyone at Toyota is focused on making this recall simple and
trouble-free for our customers,” he said.
and support they need to make sure our customers get their cars fixed
quickly,” Lentz added. “The parts have been shipped, the dealers are
trained, and they are already making the repairs. Many of our dealers
are working extended hours, some 24/7, and adding service technicians
and other staff to complete the recall campaign as conveniently as
possible. I appreciate the efforts that our dealers are making to take
care of Toyota owners.”
address the potential for sticking accelerator pedals that is both
effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be
installed into the accelerator pedal assembly on affected vehicles,
thereby eliminating the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick
in rare instances.
are planning to stay open 24 hours a day until all customer vehicles
have been fixed. Others are adding greeters to their service drives,
dedicating body shop capacity to expedite repairs, providing free car
washes and oil changes, increasing owner communication and providing
complimentary maintenance service, among other customer-focused
activities.
$7,500 and $75,000 to its dealers in acknowledgement of the additional
costs they are assuming to make it easier for customers to have the
necessary repairs done quickly and conveniently.
approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with
certain accelerator pedal mechanisms that may, in rare instances,
mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly
to the idle position. Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
* Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
* Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
* 2009-2010 Matrix
* 2005-2010 Avalon
* Certain 2007-2010 Camry
* Certain 2010 Highlander
* 2007-2010 Tundra
* 2008-2010 Sequoia
No
Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are involved in these actions. Also
not involved are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris,
4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry
models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.
Further,
Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle
Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with “J” are not affected by
the accelerator pedal recall.
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.
is in the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in
which floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota
and Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already
notifying customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of
vehicles covered by both recalls, it is Toyota’s intention to remedy
both at the same time.
Credit: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
