Toyota advises 3.8 million owners to remove floor mats
Toyota today announced that it is asking 3.8 million owners of seven Lexus and Toyota models to remove factory driver-side floor mats to prevent potential throttle “entrapment” that can equate to uncontrolled acceleration. This is a safety advisory, not a recall, while the automaker works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on an action plan and long-term solution. Toyota will be notifying owners in its largest safety advisory to date. NHTSA will also be reaching out to consumers and says a safety recall is coming. (The illustration shows proper floor mat installation using floor anchors.)
The impacted vehicles:
2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon
2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry
2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius
2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
2007 - 2010 Lexus ES350
2006 - 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350
Toyota would not confirm how many reports have been filed on pedal entrapment, nor how many related deaths or injuries may be attributable. NHTSA has cites reports of accelerator pedal clearance that may stick the pedal in wide-open position. The issue gained national spotlight due to the tragic crash in California late August of a 2009 Lexus ES sedan driven by an off-duty police officer. (Read “Misaligned floor mat may have caused calamity.”)
Should your vehicle accelerate after the gas pedal is released, there could be interference from a floor mat. In such situations, Toyota advises:
Pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator; then pull over and stop the vehicle.
If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
While this advisory is for Lexus and Toyota models, it should serve as a reminder to all drivers to check your floor mat installation. If your car has stock floor mats, take the time to make sure they are hooked to their restraint fixtures, if the car is so equipped. If you have aftermarket or accessory floor mats, make sure they are secured and can’t move around in such away as to interfere with pedal travel. Never stack floor mats; there should be only one per person. And always keep travel trash clear of the driver’s foot well.
Learn about safety techologies in our car safety section.
—Jeff Bartlett
Remember this?
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Deadly-Accident-Prompts-Floor-Mat-Warning-59394687.html
R.I.P.
Toyota today announced that it is asking 3.8 million owners of seven Lexus and Toyota models to remove factory driver-side floor mats to prevent potential throttle “entrapment” that can equate to uncontrolled acceleration. This is a safety advisory, not a recall, while the automaker works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on an action plan and long-term solution. Toyota will be notifying owners in its largest safety advisory to date. NHTSA will also be reaching out to consumers and says a safety recall is coming. (The illustration shows proper floor mat installation using floor anchors.)
The impacted vehicles:
2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon
2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry
2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius
2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
2007 - 2010 Lexus ES350
2006 - 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350
Toyota would not confirm how many reports have been filed on pedal entrapment, nor how many related deaths or injuries may be attributable. NHTSA has cites reports of accelerator pedal clearance that may stick the pedal in wide-open position. The issue gained national spotlight due to the tragic crash in California late August of a 2009 Lexus ES sedan driven by an off-duty police officer. (Read “Misaligned floor mat may have caused calamity.”)
Should your vehicle accelerate after the gas pedal is released, there could be interference from a floor mat. In such situations, Toyota advises:
Pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator; then pull over and stop the vehicle.
If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
While this advisory is for Lexus and Toyota models, it should serve as a reminder to all drivers to check your floor mat installation. If your car has stock floor mats, take the time to make sure they are hooked to their restraint fixtures, if the car is so equipped. If you have aftermarket or accessory floor mats, make sure they are secured and can’t move around in such away as to interfere with pedal travel. Never stack floor mats; there should be only one per person. And always keep travel trash clear of the driver’s foot well.
Learn about safety techologies in our car safety section.
—Jeff Bartlett
Remember this?
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Deadly-Accident-Prompts-Floor-Mat-Warning-59394687.html
R.I.P.
