Latest on the Toyota Recall From Edmunds!
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010NOTE: The “Toyota” Recall affects the Pontiac “Vibe” too!
If you’re a Toyota owner and you’ve heard the uproar about the recent recalls and problems, you’re probably wondering if your vehicle is affected or when and how the recalled models will be fixed. While repairs are now under way, this is still a rapidly changing situation, and we will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
At the core of the issue is a throttle (gas) pedal mechanism that is installed in some Toyota vehicles as well as in the Pontiac Vibe. A defect could cause the vehicle’s accelerator pedal (gas pedal) to stick unexpectedly or not return to idle when the driver releases it (lifts their foot). This is a separate issue from the improperly placed floor mats that can hold the gas pedal down, for which Toyota issued a recall on November 25, 2009 (an additional 1.1 million vehicles were added to this floor mat recall on January 27, 2010).
On January 21, 2010, a second recall was issued related to the 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. No Scion or Lexus vehicles are affected by this accelerator pedal mechanism recall.
Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales affects 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
Safety Concerns
Top of mind for most owners is this basic question: Is it safe to drive my Toyota? The answer is found by checking the model (Camry, Sienna, etc.) and model year of your car (2006, 2009, etc.) against the above list. If your vehicle is on the Toyota recall list, locate your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and check with a Toyota dealer to see if your vehicle is affected. The VIN is generally visible at the base of the windshield, and is also listed on your registration. Have your VIN ready when you call or visit the dealer.
If the dealer says that your car is affected and needs to be repaired, you should proceed carefully. According to Toyota spokespeople, unless you have observed anything unusual about the feel or behavior of the throttle pedal (friction seems to have increased over time; the throttle is mechanically sticking in a partially depressed position or returning slowly to the idle position; the pedal is slow to return after you depress it), your car should be safe to operate during the recall.
While, statistically speaking, it should be safe to make the short drive to the dealership, some concerned consumers might request that their car be towed to the dealership to have the mechanism inspected or replaced. If you opt to continue driving your vehicle before the inspection or repair is completed, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with how to react if the accelerator pedal malfunctions. In fact, all motorists should know how to stop any vehicle that suddenly accelerates or will not slow down.
Getting an Answer From Toyota
In our experience, the fastest way to get information about whether your vehicle is included in the recall is to contact the service department of a Toyota dealership and provide your VIN. We called a Santa Monica-area Toyota dealership, got right through to the service department, and asked them to run the VIN of a 2007 Camry. The service advisor told us our car was part of the recall and should be inspected.
When you’re speaking to the service advisor at the dealership, they may be able to find your vehicle in their computer system by searching your name and then getting the VIN from records. Toyota has begun the process of mailing recall notice letters to the owners of the affected vehicles. If you have noticed nothing unusual about your gas pedal, you should wait until you receive this letter before taking action with your local dealership. Toyota has posted an FAQ on the recall on their Web site.
Fixing the Problem
On February 1, 2010, Toyota announced that it has engineered a solution to the sticking gas pedal problem. Toyota plans to begin rolling out this remedy through its dealer network later in the week of February 1. The repair involves installing some new parts into the gas pedal assembly. According to Toyota, the parts needed to repair the pedals are already being shipped to dealers, and installation training is under way. The service departments at many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recalls as quickly as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day.
The Faulty Gas Pedal Mechanism
Not all of the gas pedals in the affected models are problematic, because the mechanism is supplied by more than one vendor. In general, Denso of Japan supplies throttle pedal assemblies for vehicles built in Japan (hence, Japanese-built Scion and Lexus are not included in the recall) and CTS Corp. (based in Elkhart, Indiana) supplies parts for vehicles built in the U.S. and Canada. A visual inspection can easily distinguish the two assemblies.
CTS, which said it built the component to Toyota’s specification, announced that it has redesigned the gas pedal mechanism to perform safely. The new part is being manufactured and will be shipped to Toyota plants and to dealers waiting to repair recalled vehicles. CTS has insisted that no accidents or injuries have been caused by its defective gas pedal assembly.
Affected VINs
Since Toyota produces cars for the U.S. market both here and in Japan, only Toyota vehicles that contain the North American-produced version of that part are included in the recall. The likelihood that your car is one of the vehicles that contains this defective part will vary depending on the model you drive, and potentially your car’s VIN.
By reading the VIN, you might be able to see if your vehicle is not affected by the current recall. If your vehicle’s VIN starts with the letter “J” (signifying that the vehicle was built in Japan with the Denso part), it is not affected by the recall. However, it is still a good idea to call the dealership to confirm that the recall does not affect you.
For owners of the affected model years of the Avalon, Matrix, Sequoia and Tundra, all of these models potentially have the affected throttle mechanism. Owners of the Corolla, Highlander and RAV4 can check their VIN, and if it begins with the letter “J”, their car should not be involved with the recall. If it begins with a number (”1″ “2,” “3,” etc.), their car is part of the recall. For Camry owners, if their VIN begins with the letter “J,” their car is likely not part of the recall. If your Camry’s VIN begins with a number, your car is part of the recall.
