World-wide Toyota car recall
p2pnet view Off Topic:- “Sudden, unintended acceleration is a phrase all automakers and car owners fear,” says ‘consumer author’ Phil Edmonston, quoted by the Canwest News Service.
“For drivers it means one’s car can turn into an unguided deadly missile,” he says, going on, “For automakers, it means that millions of dollars will be spent for corrective repairs, lawsuits and PR campaigns. Some models may not survive the bad publicity.”
The quotes come in a story which says 19 deaths are linked to Toyota vehicles surging out of control because their accelerators became stuck.
Toyota said the problem “is only found in accelerator assemblies manufactured by CTS Corp., a parts maker based in Elkhart, Indiana,” says the post.
“Similar parts manufactured by Japan’s Denso Corp., a competitor to CTS Corp., are not believed to be defective.”
The company has issued a global recall, and suspended sales, of affected cars.
Car sales site edmonds.com says, “some Toyota vehicles (as well as the Pontiac Vibe) have accelerated unexpectedly or did not return to idle when the driver released the gas pedal. At first it appeared that this was caused by improperly placed floor mats that held the gas pedal down, for which a recall was issued on November 25, 2009.
“On January 21, 2010, a second recall was issued, related to a faulty accelerator pedal mechanism in some Toyota models. This recall then led Toyota to suspend the manufacturing and sale of eight of its most popular models on January 26, 2010, which constitute 65 percent of its U.S. sales mix.”
It goes on >>>
At first it appeared that this was caused by improperly placed floor mats that held the gas pedal down, for which a recall was issued on November 25, 2009.
On January 21, 2010, a second recall was issued, related to a faulty accelerator pedal mechanism in some Toyota models. This recall then led Toyota to suspend the manufacturing and sale of eight of its most popular models on January 26, 2010, which constitute 65 percent of its U.S. sales mix. No Scion or Lexus vehicles are affected by this just-announced accelerator pedal mechanism recall.
Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales will affect the following Toyota vehicles:
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry (certain models, excluding Camry Hybrid)
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia
2009-2010 RAV4
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
According to Toyota, “cars with problematic accelerator assemblies will have gas pedals that are slower to return or feel rough while depressing,” says Canwest, adding:
“The problem may be compounded when the vehicle has been parked for long periods of time in hot temperatures.
Owners of affected vehicles can call 1-888-869-6828 for more information.
..… and identi.ca
Canwest News Service – Auto critics tell Toyota drivers to be careful, January 27, 2010
edmonds.com – 2010 Toyota Recall: Is My Toyota Safe To Drive?, January 27, 2010
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January 28th, 2010 at 10:45 am
What do you know! I have owned a 2003 Matrix ever since it first came out in 2002.
I experienced a few times this very issue with the accelerator pedal being stuck pressed down. I was able to pry it up with the tip of my shoe and all would be OK again, but very scary whenever it happened, though in time I’d become pretty agile at freeing it with my foot.
I mentioned it to the dealer’s mechanic after the first few times it happened, when I went for some regular maintenance and he pointed out to me that I was using 3 sets of floor mats (the original ones, a second cheap set I’d put on top to protect the original ones plus a pant-saver type on top, as it was winter). Those mats wouldn’t all stay together properly and would slide a bit over time and occasionally would bunch up and interfere with the pedal mechanism. I sheepishly agreed that I had overdone it with the extra floor mats, and got rid of all but the pant-saver set. I don’t believe I experienced that issue again after that, but I was a lot more careful to check the mats before starting out, in an automatic subconscious way. Mats do tend to shift around a lot especially in winter when I, for one, don’t get to take the car in for regular washing and interior cleaning until the spring – when everything is put back in place properly after vacuuming.
Interesting that finally this would be found to be an actual fault in recent models of this car. Perhaps it happens even without people piling up multiple layers of floor mats like I’d done.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
“Toyota said the problem “is only found in accelerator assemblies manufactured by CTS Corp., a parts maker based in Elkhart, Indiana,” says the post.”
Hmm problem with the US-made ones but not the Japanese made ones… I wonder, what is the UAW doing right now? Could they be in cohoots with the “big 3″ to try to sabotage Toyota, out of jealousy because Toyota has quality first instead of profit? Could it be because Toyota doesn’t “need” to have unions because they treat their employees properly?
Nah.. that ain’t possible at all.
*end sarcasm*
Proof of above suggestion:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100128/AUTO01/1280451/Report–Ford-halts-Transit-Classic-production-in-China-for-gas-pedals
“There have been no reports in China of Ford drivers experiencing the same type of uncontrolled acceleration problems that promoted Toyota to issue a massive recall and halt sales of most of its popular models in the U.S.”
Hmm Ford, no problems, Toyota, problems for the same manufacturer and the same pedal (yes same one!).
January 28th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
In addition…
http://industry.bnet.com/auto/10003468/toyota-issues-dramatic-shutdown-with-striking-parallels-to-jj-tylenol-recall/
“It’s a specific pedal assembly from a specific supplier [reportedly CTS Corp. of Elkhart, Indiana, with the actual part being made in Canada].”
Hmm.. now we all know what the CAW is like, much worse than the UAW (just research how many times and tricks they’ve pulled trying to get into the Toyota plants in Ontario).
January 28th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Goodbye Toyota!! I don’t give them middle of the year to survive this. They are dead meat!
January 28th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@RW ^^^
If Ford can survive with their history (10 years worth of fires with cruise control switches, exploding tires, exploding cars in the ’80′s), Toyota will be fine.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
“out of jealousy because Toyota has quality first instead of profit?”
Given the high number of defects with Toyota’s Tundra, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, and various Scion models, I’d hesitate on drinking that pro-yota Kool Aid.
The problem with any company that reaches the top of the heap, for any amount of time, is customers soon expect them to be infallible. They aren’t.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
The Toyota are gorgeous car incredibly well built and reliable and the finishing is perfect.
This type of problem is very uncommon with Toyota.
I love my lexus!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Help! every time i apply the brakes on my 03 Corolla, a raging fire consumes all the passengers and my pet dog fluffy! It seems to emanate from under the dash. Also, the car randomly explodes into flames as i drive to work each day. This is getting expensive and i am tired of subjecting myself and everyone else to this dangerous machine of death. Could this be somehow linked to the brake issue? Any help will be appreciated as I am covered in nasty burn marks. thx..Pete