Toyota Recall Affects 3.8M Prius, Lexus Cars
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The Federal Department of Transportation has issued an "urgent" warning to owners of several Toyota and Lexus models, strongly advising them to remove the floor mats on the driver's side to prevent the accelerator pedal from sticking.
Issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the advisory notice urges that drivers not replace the mats with anything else. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the recall “an urgent matter.”
Two weeks ago, the company ordered dealers to inspect all cars for mismatched floor mats after a fatal crash in late August, in which an occupant of a runaway 2009 Lexus ES called 911 to report a stuck accelerator pedal and non-functioning brakes.
Four occupants died when that car subsequently crashed, rolled over, and burned. The cause of that crash was suspected to be an accessory floor mats fitted at the dealership that were too large for the vehicle.
Toyota has reportedly agreed to recall up to 3.8 million vehicles to check for the problem; it will be the biggest recall in the company's history. The vehicles affected are:
- 2007-2010 Toyota Camry (sedan)
- 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon (sedan)
- 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (hatchback)
- 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma (pickup truck)
- 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra (pickup truck)
- 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 (sedan)
- 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350 (sedan)