Toyota announces mass recall of approximately 2.1 million vehicles

[News_Editor]

Toyota announces mass recall of approximately 2.1 million vehicles

2011-02-24 21:20:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Toyota on Thursday announced that it will conduct a mass voluntary safety recall of approximately 2.17 million vehicles to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in carpeting.

The automaker said the recall involved approximately 20,000 2006 and early 2007 Model Year GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver's side floor carpet.

Toyota warned that, in the event the floor carpet around the accelerator pedal is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, there is a possibility that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may interfere with the operation of the accelerator pedal. It could then become temporarily stuck in a partially depressed position, rather than returning to the idle position.

The automaker said owners of the involved GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles will receive a notification by first class mail beginning in early March.

In addition, Toyota will also voluntarily recall approximately 372,000 2004 through 2006 and early 2007 RX 330, RX 350, and RX 400h vehicles, and approximately 397,000 2004 through 2006 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles to replace the driver's side floor carpet cover and its two retention clips.

If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may become temporarily stuck in a partially depressed position.

Owners of the involved RX and Highlander vehicles will receive an interim notification by first class mail beginning in the near future, explaining how to inspect for this condition or that they may contact their local dealer to perform the inspection. Owners will receive a second notification once the replacement covers are available.

Separately, Toyota has amended its recall from November 2009, adding three models to address the potential for unsecured or incompatible floor mat entrapment of the accelerator pedal. The models added include approximately 603,000 2003 through 2009 4Runners, approximately 17,000 2008 through 2011 Lexus LX 570, and approximately 761,000 2006 through 2010 RAV4

Owners of the involved 4Runner, LX 570, and RAV4 vehicles will receive an interim notification by first class mail beginning in the near future, informing them of the condition. Owners will receive a second notification once the recall preparations are complete.

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