The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:
- The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. For the ES350, Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.
- Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.
Toyota Announces Details of Remedy to Address Potential Accelerator Pedal Entrapment
Torrance, Calif., November 25, 2009 - - Toyota Motor Sales,
U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) announced today details of the vehicle-based remedy
to address the root cause of the potential risk for floor mat
entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models.
Toyota issued a consumer safety advisory on September 29 on this issue
and has, as an interim measure, commenced the mailing of safety notices
to certain Toyota and Lexus owners on October 30.
The models involved are: 2007 to 2010 MY (model year) Camry, 2005
to 2010 MY Avalon, 2004 to 2009 MY Prius, 2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma, 2007
to 2010 MY Tundra, 2007 to 2010 MY ES350, 2006 to 2010 MY IS250, and
2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.
The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:
1. The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to
address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design
all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly
attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. For the ES350,
Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface
underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the
accelerator pedal and the floor.
2. Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather
floor mat will be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and
front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.
In addition, as a separate measure independent of the
vehicle-based remedy, Toyota will install a brake override system onto
the involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS350 and IS 250 models
as an extra measure of confidence. This system cuts engine power in
case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake
pedals.
Toyota is in the process of completing development of these
actions and for the ES350, Camry, and Avalon will start notifying
owners of the involved vehicles via first-class mail by the end of this
year. The remedy process regarding the other five models will occur on
a rolling schedule during 2010.
Dealers will be trained and equipped to make the necessary
modifications to these models starting at the beginning of 2010.
Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator
pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the
modified pedal become available, they will be made available to dealers
for the repair, beginning around April 2010. Customers who have had
the remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal
if they desire.
In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take
out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it with any other
floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as
notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.
The brake override system will be made standard equipment
throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines starting with January
2010 production of ES350 and Camry and is scheduled to be incorporated
into new production of most models by the end of 2010.
The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and
Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take
appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified.
Owners who have further questions are asked to visit www.toyota.com or www.lexus.com or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-295-3987.
###
The latest news about Toyota's consumer
safety advisory for potential floor mat interference with the
accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles:
Unintended Acceleration: Toyota Addresses the Issues (Nov. 6, 2009)
Toyota's Statement Regarding NHTSA News Release (Nov. 4, 2009)
Toyota USA Update on Safety Advisory - Video (Nov. 2, 2009/Updated Nov. 5, 2009)
Toyota Begins Interim Notification to Owners Regarding Future Voluntary Safety Recall Related to Floor Mats (Nov. 2, 2009)
NHTSA report (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota owner letter (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota Consumer Safety Advisory: Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota/Carpeted/All-Weather Floor Mat Inspection, Application & Installation Instructions (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota Carpet Floor Mat Application Information Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota All-Weather Floor Mat Quick Reference Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)
