Toyota Recalls 2.17 Million Vehicles in the U.S.

WSJ ^ | FEBRUARY 24, 2011, 10:14 A.M. ET. | MIKE RAMSEY

[Perdogg]

Responding to a request from regulators, Toyota Motor Corp. said it would recall a total of 2.17 million U.S. vehicles dating back to the 2003 model year to address various flaws that could lead to a floor mat interfering with the accelerator pedal.

Thursday's recall expands on already-known floor mat issues by adding new models and new causes to pedal interference.

A California state trooper and three of his passengers were killed in August 2009 in an accident in which a slipping floormat is believed to have entrapped the accelerator pedal and sent Lexus speeding out of control.

[Hodar]

What kind of person drives a car, and is unaware that a floor mat is hitting his accelerator pedal? Shouldn’t this person be removed from the road, for his own safety, as well as the safety of other people on the road?

What this lawsuit is going to do, is result in Toyota being forced to move the pedal higher off the floor of the car - to protect itself from idiots.

How will that impact us? Ever drive 500 miles, using your big toe to touch the gas pedal? I’m sure it’s not going to be much fun.

[AirForceMom]

We have that floor mat in our Tacoma..never had an issue with it. Just have to make sure it’s hooked back in correctly if taken out to be cleaned.

[Walkingfeather]

What didnt make sense is that patrolman not switching his car into low gear or neutral, applying the brake or emergency brake.

[onedoug]

I wrote Toyota about ten years ago concerning a similar problem with the Corolla.
They evidently blew it off though as I never got any response.

[July4]

This recall is odd. I think it’s possible something else is going on here, other than a rug/pedal issue.

[libertarian27]

That's it!

Make floor mats "option only" where the buyer signs a 'idiocracy' insurance waiver before purchase

Oh, I got it, charge more insurance for cars with floor mats/huge sarc

[hattend]

If I’m on a 500 mile trip, the cruise control is on 490 of it.

Allows me to steer with my leg while I eat, drink, hold the dog or shave.

[SampleMan]

A California state trooper and three of his passengers were killed in August 2009 in an accident in which a slipping floormat is believed to have entrapped the accelerator pedal and sent Lexus speeding out of control.

Apparently the state trooper was unaware of how the shifting mechanism and ignition system work in a vehicle.

I'm unaware of a vehicle that won't slow down when it is placed into neutral and/or the ignition key is turned back to the first detent (where the spark is killed, but the wheel is not locked).

Interestingly, I never heard a single report in the media about the very basic methods for dealing with a stuck accelerator.

[COBOL2Java]

Allows me to steer with my leg while I eat, drink, hold the dog or shave.

If you're going to shave your dog, I don't think holding is an "or" proposition... :0)

[moovova]

Allows me to steer with my leg while I eat, drink, hold the dog or shave.

That is so unsafe!

You should be using BOTH legs...held firmly in place at the 8 o'clock/4 o'clock positions! :)

[hattend]

I’m not eating or drinking the dog, either.

[libertarian27]

This recall is odd. I think it’s possible something else is going on here, other than a rug/pedal issue.

It's odd because Toyota recalled millions of cars for assumed issues with the pedals last year - it ended up to be no issue - it's most likely a save-face recall forced by the government.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/09/business/la-fi-toyota-nasa-20110209

Sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles not an electronic issue, U.S. study finds

The study concluded the only defects that could cause sudden acceleration involved floor mats that could jam the gas pedal and accelerator pedals that could become stuck. Toyota has already recalled 8 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix those problems.

[hattend]

I once tried to steer with my feet but accidently knocked the shift lever to park.

Believe it or not...true story. I was a stupid teenage driver with parents’ car.

[moovova]

A California state trooper and three of his passengers were killed in August 2009 in an accident in which a slipping floormat is believed to have entrapped the accelerator pedal and sent Lexus speeding out of control.

California gives state troopers a Lexus to drive? No wonder California is broke...

[moovova]

...accidently knocked the shift lever to park.

Ouch!

[Svartalfiar]

It's odd because Toyota recalled millions of cars for assumed issues with the pedals last year - it ended up to be no issue - it's most likely a save-face recall forced by the government.

Not quite.. I don't think saving face is much of the issue here.. But the government forcing them to do it is. If you'll recall, GM and a few other Toyota competitors have their success desired by the government.

As for 'uncontrollable' acceleration, there are several ways to get around that. In a manual, push in the clutch pedal. Although if all of the issue cars were automatics, then you can either turn the car off, shift into neutral, and just about every car (if not all of em) have more powerful brakes than the engine, especially if you include the e-brake. This whole issue is the stuff that comes out of the back end of a cow.

[married21]

THIS is why I love Free Republic. I have learned so much about the real life experiences of my fellow Americans here. I’ll now be prepared when my son is old enough to try that stunt.

[Dixie Yooper]

Last fall I had our 2005 Sienna in for some work, and the dealer informed me that there was a recall notice for the rear hatch struts(which we never had problems with) and they would have to replace them. Now whenever we open the rear hatch manually with the handle, we have to make sure to stand clear or get hammered by the hatch swinging up. Last week I finally brought it back in and complained about it. After their shop manager took a look at it, I was told it was operating within specifications and that they couldn't do anything to it. However, they did tell me that if I do need to open the rear hatch to use the automatic button in the driving compartment or on the key-fob. Thanks Toyota! Oh, What a Feeling!

[Siena Dreaming]

I think it’s possible something else is going on here, other than a rug/pedal issue.

Yes, you're right. Don't forget that the Gov't is now a COMPETITOR with Toyota.

The Gov't will do what it can to see that private car companies will suffer so that their baby, GM, can gain market share.