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Toyota hit with another massive recall: Is your car on the list? PDF Print E-mail
Written by GTD Editor   
Friday, 22 January 2010 15:29

01_22_10_toyota_cars.jpgAfter announcing the largest auto recall in US history last fall to fix sudden acceleration problems, Toyota late Thursday announced an additional recall of some 2.3 million vehicles. The announcement was made after ABC News told the Japanese automaker that it was going to air a report about more Toyota sudden-acceleration problems.

The problem: The accelerator can stick when it's pushed down. “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," Irv Miller, a group vice president for Toyota Motor Sales, said in a press release. (Click here for the full release.)

The issue of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles has been linked to 19 deaths and several hundred complaints to federal regulators. Last year, the Japanese automaker recalled 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus models over problems with stuck accelerator pedals, which Toyota has attributed to floor mats. Some 1.7 million Toyotas are subject to both recalls.

Is your Toyota at risk? Here's a list of models involved in the latest recall:

• 2009-10 RAV4
• 2009-10 Corolla
• 2009-10 Matrix
• 2005-10 Avalon
• 2007-10 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-10 Tundra
• 2008-10 Sequoia

If you own one of those vehicles, here's what Toyota suggests you do. First, don't panic.

"The possibility of this happening is very rare," says John Hanson, a Toyota spokesman. The problem involves a specific accelerator pedal assembly from a specific supplier. And it happens over time, not overnight.

"This is a wear issue," he says. "The owner will begin to feel that the accelerator is a little rough when they push it down. It doesn't operate as smoothly as it used to."

At that first sign of trouble, owners should call their dealer to get the problem looked at. They can also call Toyota's customer hot line at 800-331-4331 for more information.

If owners don't address the problem, it can get worse, the company warns. The accelerator may begin to come up more slowly after it has been depressed. And in rare instances, the company says, that situation will devolve into it sticking in that depressed condition.

(If ever the accelerator does stick, brake firmly and steadily -- no pumping -- and steer the car to the nearest safe location, Toyota says. Turn the engine off and contact a Toyota dealer.)

The recall is separate from the acceleration problems caused by floor mats jamming the accelerator, a problem for which Toyota issued a recall in November. The vehicles involved in that recall are the 2007-10 Camry, 2005-10 Avalon, 2004-09 Prius, 2005-10 Tacoma, 2007-10 Tundra, 2007-10 ES 350, 2006-10 IS 250, and 2006-10 IS 350. (To view more information about that recall, click here.)

Nevertheless, some 1.7 million of the 2.3 million Toyotas being recalled this month have both problems, the company says, and should be taken to a dealer.

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