WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL
Toyota says some accelerator pedal mechanisms may become worn, and combined with moisture or humidity, the friction in the mechanism may increase and make the accelerator pedal stick or become hard to depress. CTS Corp., which makes the pedal mechanisms, says it’s aware of fewer than a dozen instances where that’s occurred, “and in no instance did the accelerator actually become stuck in a partially depressed condition.”
How many times has the problem occurred? Toyota says the number of incidents is still under investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database shows nearly five dozen complaints on one model in one year alone.
CTS says it has no knowledge of any accidents or injuries that have resulted from the problem, but Sean Kane, president of the Massachusetts-based car safety investigation and advocacy group Safety Research and Strategies, said his firm has identified 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles leading to at least 275 crashes and 18 deaths since 1999.
What is the likelihood that my vehicle will experience this condition? Toyota says the incidence of this condition is rare. It can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.
What symptoms should I look for? If you notice your gas pedal is hard to depress, slow to return or particularly rough, you may have a problem. If that happens, you should drive it to the nearest safe location, shut it off and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
What should I do if I experience a sticking gas pedal while driving? If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal; that would deplete the vacuum use for the power brake assist. Then shift the car into neutral and use the brakes to make a controlled stop. Turn off the engine after the car is no longer moving.
If I own an affected Toyota, what action do I need to take? Toyota says no action is required at this time unless you feel you are experiencing symptoms related to this condition. If that’s the case, you should take it to a dealer immediately.
If everything seems fine, should I bring my car to the dealership? There may not be much a dealership can do because Toyota says it is still working to determine how it will correct the problem.
Is this related to the previous announcement that accelerator pedals were getting stuck under the floor mats in some Toyota vehicles? The mechanical problem follows a larger U.S. recall months earlier of 4.2 million vehicles because of problems with gas pedals becoming trapped under floor mats, causing sudden acceleration. That problem was the cause of several crashes, including some fatalities. About 1.7 million vehicles fall under both recalls.
What should I do if I still have questions or concerns? If you still have questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, call Toyota’s customer service center at 800-331-4331.
Milford, Del. —
