Toyota Safety Recall of 4 million cars - SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Toyota recalls 3.8 million cars to modify gas pedals, carpets, and software Today, Toyota announced a more definitive recall on eight models to address what has been reported as sudden acceleration.

Beginning next month, the company will begin modifying the accelerator pedals of certain Toyota Avalon, Camry, Prius, Tundra and Tacoma, and certain Lexus ES 350, IS 250, and IS 350 models to reduce the likelihood that they can become trapped under floor mats. Dealers will cut 3/4 inches off the bottom of the gas pedals. Starting in April, replacement pedals will become available to all owners of these models, whether they have had the modification performed or not. This was the recall forecast in Japan last week. (See “Toyota may shorten gas pedals in acceleration recall.”) On the Avalon, Camry, and Lexus models, Toyota will also modify the engine software to include a brake override system that will cut the throttle if the brakes and throttle are applied simultaneously. The brake override system will be standard on all Toyota products for the 2011 model year, but spokesman Brian Lyons says it will take several months to develop and calibrate the system for all the models. The Avalon, Camry, and ES 350 make up about half the models being recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration applauded Toyota for including the brake override, saying, “NHTSA is particularly pleased that Toyota is taking this additional step.” On the Camry, Avalon, and ES350, the company will also modify the carpet padding underneath the pedal to increase the distance between the pedal and the floor to allow more room for floor mats. And company Toyota will also replace any old all-weather front floor mats with redesigned ones. This follows an earlier recall last month when Toyota asked owners of these models to simply remove any drivers floor mats. Recall notices will be sent to owners by the end of the year, starting with the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350. Some owners may have to take their vehicles in to the dealer twice, once for the pedal modification, and again for the brake override software or pedal replacement. The models affected are: 2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon 2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry 2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius 2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma 2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra 2007 - 2010 Lexus ES 350 2006 - 2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 For customer service questions, contact: Toyota – 800-331-4331 Lexus – 800-255-3987 Or, the NHTSA hotline - 888-327-4236. —Eric Evarts

Recall: 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra pickups Toyota has announced a recall on 110,000 2000-2003 model year Tundra pickups due to excessive corrosion from high road salt use. The corrosion could cause the rear cross-member frame to fail and could lead to the spare tire falling out. The corrosion could also cause damage to the rear brakes and possibly lead to brake failure. The recall affects Tundras registered in states that use a high amount of road salt in winter weather conditions. The states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Until the vehicle can be fixed, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recommending that owners first remove the spare tire. Toyota will send notification to customers to bring the vehicle into a dealer to inspect and repair the problem. Depending on the extent of the issue either a corrosion-resistant compound will be applied or the frame will be replaced. For owners with extensive corrosion that cannot be fixed, Toyota will develop a remedy. For more information, owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331. For more on car safety, see our safety section. Also, see our Toyota Tundra model overview. —Liza Barth