Toyota Recall Timeline
To date, Toyota has issued three separate recalls covering millions of vehicles.
First Recall (September 29, 2009): Gas Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mats
Drivers should immediately take out the driver-side floor mat of the following Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac vehicles:
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2004-2009 Prius
- 2005-2010 Tacoma
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2007-2010 ES 350
- 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
Recall expanded in January 27, 2010 to include:
- 2008-2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Venza
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
Response by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (November 4, 2009)
NHTSA calls the floor mat removal an interim measure and points to a very serious underlying defect.
“NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design.”
Toyota Announces a Fix for the “Accelerator Entrapment Problem” (November 25, 2009)
Toyota announces plans to reconfigure the accelerator pedal, and, in some cases, the shape of the floor surface under the pedal in the models affected by the first recall. Toyota also announces that it will make replacement pedals that will be available in April 2010.
The manufacturer also says that it will provide redesigned driver and front passenger side all-weather mats and will install a brake override system on the involved Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as an “extra measure of confidence.” The brake override system would essentially allow the brake to work even if the accelerator is in the wide-open position.
Second Recall (January 21, 2010): Sticky Gas Pedals
The following vehicles have been recalled for problems involving sticking gas pedals:
- 2007-2008 Tundra
- 2008-2010 Sequoia
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2009-2010 RAV4
- 2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
Third Recall (February 8, 2010): Brake Issues involving Prius, Lexus HS 250h and Camry Vehicles
Toyota announces a recall of 2010 Prius and Lexus HS 250h vehicles to update software in their anti-lock brake (ABS) systems after owners reported braking problems and NHTSA launched an investigation into the vehicles. At the same time, Toyota announced a recall of its 2010 Camry model to repair possible brake problems.
