Toyota Offers Remedy to Potential Floor Mat Entrapment Issues

November 25, 2009

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TORRANCE, Calif. — On Wednesday, Toyota Motors Sales USA released specifics of its solution to address the fundamental cause of the potential floor mat entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models.

The automaker had already sent out a consumer safety advisory on Sept. 29. Then, Toyota began mailing safety notices to certain Lexus and Toyota owners on Oct. 30 as an interim measure.

The automaker said the models in question include: 2007 to 2010 MY (model year) Camry; 2005 to 2010 MY Avalon; 2004 to 2009 MY Prius; 2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma; 2007 to 2010 MY Tundra; 2007 to 2010 MY ES350; 2006 to 2010 MY IS250; and 2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

Toyota outlined the details of the remedy:

—The automaker is reshpaing the accelerator pedal to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. On the involved ES350, Camry, and Avalon models, Toyota is reshaping the floor surface to increase the space between the gas pedal and the floor.

—If a vehicle has any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat, it will be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.

Also, to instill more confidence, Toyota plans to install a brake override system onto the specific Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES350, IS350 and IS250 models as an additional measure.

Basically, this system is designed to cut engine power if the accelerator and brake pedal are applied simultaneously.

Toyota said it is currently finishing up the development of these actions. By year's end, the automaker plans to begin notifying owners of the ES350, Camry and Avalon.

The remedy process for the other five vehicles will be on a rolling schedule next year.

Beginning at the start of 2010, Toyota will train and equip dealers to complete the necessary adjustments to these vehicles.

To start things off, dealers will be shown how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair.

Then, starting around April, dealers will have access to replacement parts, when parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available.

"In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice," officials noted.

Toyota is making the brake override system standard throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines, beginning with the January 2010 production of ES350 and Camry. The automaker plans to include this into the new production of most models by the end of next year.

"The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified," the company concluded.