WASHINGTON — After receiving 40 complaints of unintended acceleration and reports of eight crashes — including one involving seven vehicles — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has elevated its investigation of 98,454 2007 Lexus ES 350 sedans to an engineering analysis.
The probe will look into whether improperly installed all-weather floor mats result in "interference with accelerator pedal movement," said NHTSA in a statement on its Web site. In five of the crash incidents, NHTSA said "the operators allege they experience unwanted acceleration and were unable to stop the vehicle to avoid collision. Four of the five crashes are multi-vehicle (one involving seven vehicles) and two resulted in total loss damages (one involving a fire)." The federal agency said one injury, which resulted from a rollover crash, "was significant" and that the person "continues to show symptoms."
NHTSA says in "some incidents drivers traveled significant distances (miles) at high vehicle speeds (greater than 90 mph) before the vehicle stopped."
NHTSA goes on to say: "Toyota believes the subject vehicles and the all-weather mat do not contain a safety-related defect and that the actions they have taken are sufficient to address any future concerns."
The vehicles in question have an engine control button instead of a traditional ignition key, the agency noted. "Some drivers reported that their attempts to turn the engine off by pressing the control button were unsuccessful," NHTSA said. "In these cases, it appears the drivers were unaware that the button's functionality changes when the vehicle is in motion requiring that it be depressed for 3 seconds (instead of momentarily) to stop the engine," it said.
Toyota has sent a mailing to owners of the 2007 Lexus ES 350 warning of the dangers of improper mat installation.
What this means to you: You may want to double-check the floor-mat installation on your 2007 Lexus ES 350 as you wait for the feds to complete this probe
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