Toyota Announces Gas Pedal Fix, Investigators Skeptical

Feb 02 2010 UPDATE – Toyota has announced that it has a fix for the gas pedal problem that prompted the recall of millions of vehicles. Federal investigators, however, remain skeptical.

Toyota dealers say they will stay open around the clock starting Thursday to repair what they were told was a tiny flaw inside the gas pedal assembly. According to the company, excessive wear on the gear teeth, caused by moisture, made them stick and kept the pedal from returning to normal when the driver’s foot was off the pedal. Toyota said that its solution – adding a small metal plate to give the pedal more spring – has been rigorously tested and is effective.

According to a Department of Transportation official, however, investigators aren’t completely satisfied with this explanation. They continue to pursue reports from Toyota owners that some kind of electronic malfunction or computer glitch may also be involved.

Toyota Expands Defective Gas Pedal Recall

Jan 28 2010 UPDATE – Toyota has announced the expansion of a vehicle recall it issued in November.

The models involved in the most recent recall are:

The automaker previously recalled over vehicles to correct pedal "entrapment" caused by floor mats, and said that it had corrected the problem with a proposed gas pedal redesign. Since that time, however, Toyota has received reports of sticking accelerator pedals in cars without floor mats, including a car that landed upside down in a lake the day after Christmas, killing four people. Investigators found the car’s floor mats in its trunk, which was where Toyota advised consumers to store them.

Toyota Recalls Cars and Trucks to Fix Gas Pedals

Nov 30 2009 ORIGINAL ALERT – Toyota has recalled millions of cars and light trucks to fix a gas pedal defect that the company says can cause runaway acceleration. Toyota announced that the vehicles will receive reshaped and/or replacement pedals.

Also in the past week, Toyota recalled more than 100,000 Tundra pickup trucks due to excessive rust on the frames. This can cause the spare tire to fall onto the road, creating a hazard for other vehicles.