More than 4 Million Toyotas Recalled

Published: Mon 30 Nov 2009

Wendy Blair

Japanese automaker Toyota announced a massive recall of more than 4.25 million automobiles last week in response to 19 deaths linked to sudden vehicle acceleration. The automaker says it is committed to make "better cars" but meanwhile consumers and auto watchers alike are questioning the cause of the acceleration issues.

Toyota announced the recall to correct unexpected accelerating on both passenger cars and trucks. According to press releases issued by Toyota, floor mats are the cause of the acceleration when they slip under a car's accelerator and cause speeding without control by the driver. Toyota is installing an override system that will cause braking when both car's pedals are depressed.

Concerns linger

The recall comes after a rash of accidents for both Toyota and Lexus vehicles, in which drivers complained that they could not stop their vehicles. Perhaps the most notable accident was the August death of a California Highway Patrol officer and his family. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times reveals 19 deaths related to this issue going back to the 2002 Toyota/Lexus model year.

But Toyota's assessment that floor mats are causing the trouble isn't satisfying many experts, who instead point to throttle issues as the point of concern. Some longtime Toyota drivers have experienced trouble with unexpected acceleration and unreliable braking, even after they have removed floor mats. Another Times report states that one such driver was instructed by his Toyota dealer to remove the floor mats, yet he still experienced the problem and nearly avoided a head-on collision.

According to safety experts, the new electronic throttle systems that have replaced traditional mechanical systems are to blame. According to reports, consumer complaints of accelerations issues have increased 500 percent since Toyota instituted its "drive by wire" electronic acceleration system in 2002.

Toyota remains certain that the issue is floor-mat related, and cites several National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studies that could not replicate these accidents without floor mat-related issues.

Process to start in December

Most experts say this recall could cost Toyota more than $250 million in parts and labor. Consumers are being notified in December to schedule appointments to bring their vehicles into dealerships starting in January. Included in the recall are seven Toyota and Lexus models, the replacement of floor mats, the addition of software to create a braking override, and pedal reconfiguration. Owners will not be charged for any of these services. It is estimated that the recall includes approximately 3.86 million vehicles in the United States and 400,000 in Canada. While the vehicles are sold throughout the world, the recall is only being offered in those two countries.