NHTSA Rebukes Toyota's Claim Of "No Defects" In Floormat Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement today correcting inaccurate and misleading information put out by Toyota concerning a safety recall involving 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles:

A press release put out by Toyota earlier this week about their recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles inaccurately stated NHTSA had reached a conclusion "that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured." NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design. Safety is the number one priority for NHTSA and this is why officials are working with Toyota to find the right way to fix this very dangerous problem. This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle based solution.

NHTSA constantly monitors consumer complaints and other data. This comprehensive recall focuses on pedal entrapment by floor mats, but NHTSA will fully investigate any possible defect trends in these vehicles.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

• On September 29, 2009, NHTSA issued a Consumer Alert warning owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles about "conditions that could cause the accelerator to get stuck open." As an interim measure, NHTSA "strongly encouraged" owners of specific models to take out the removable driver's side floor mats and not to replace them any other type of mat. NHTSA warned consumers "a stuck accelerator may result in very high vehicle speeds and a crash, which could cause serious injury or death."
  
• On the same day, Toyota issued a voluntary recall of 3.8 million vehicles to address problems caused when removable floor mats push the accelerator pedal to the floor.
  
• NHTSA officials are meeting with Toyota to hear their action plan for redesigning the vehicles and correcting this very serious defect.

Mason3Robert - 11/6/2009 11:40:58 AM

+1 Boost

This was posted yesterday but I definitely agree....my 07 Camry SE V6 did the same thing and scared the **** out of me. Luckily it had slightly happened before at a low MPH...but when my car speed up to 85 MPH in a 35 I took action fast. I love Toyota but they need to invest in some of that technology that can fix this PR nightmare.

toyfan - 11/6/2009 1:12:34 PM

+3 Boost

This is ridiculous!!! And I'm sick of hearing about it!!!
I've installed thousands of these mats, and not a single one has affected the accelerator pedal!!!
Why?
Because they were installed correctly!!!
Now, I'm not a genius! I mean, part of my job is istalling floor mats. That said, it doesn't take one to do it right!!!
I don't think Toyota, or any manufacturer, can over come appearant lack of common sense!!!
Their floor mats were designed to not move when installed correctly and when the correct floor mat is used. And YES, it does work!!!!
What else can they do???
Putting floor mats on top of floor mats is not their mistake!
And those doing so that trap their pedal under it should again know how to drive and what to do.
Again, appearant lack of common sense!

Yonder7 - 11/6/2009 2:29:09 PM

+3 Boost

I love america, but due the "habits".., there is a big part of the population that do not use the common sense, Example: keep weapons away from childrens, Be carefull the coffe is hot,....Do not cross the street when light is red, any person thinking in to sale any product in your country, needs to be very careful. If tomorrow a kid accidentaly slip in front of your home cause winter snow the fathers will demmand you in a court....where is the common sense?..Shall I tell to the americans that if the place the car neutral it can be moved? shall explain them that if they are going to park they have to use the parking brake?...a mean...They will use any posible excuse to suite you.....Forseen : there a lot of people looking for the opportunity to put a law suite against Toyota cause the Manual did not explain them how to put the floor mats...just because they lack of COMMON SENSE.

TehShibbs - 11/6/2009 6:30:10 PM

+2 Boost

The FLOOR MAT ITSELF says EXACTLY how to install the floor mat!!! "Do not place on top of existing mats"

This country extremely lame for catering to the completely retarded 1%.

XYZZ - 11/7/2009 5:46:44 AM

-1 Boost

well why not, when TEN YEAR OLD toyotas are still more reliable and generally in better mechanical shape than many (most?) 4 or 5 year old GMs and Hyundais!

XYZZ - 11/8/2009 4:13:55 AM

0 Boost

well just look at the Frequency of repair/Reliability ratings in any CR publication that offers auto buying advice.

the black dots start appearing on most hyundais by year 2 or 3. (EXCEPT for the sonata, the model they concentrated on most to improve.) by year 5 and older, the black dots start to SWARM over the columns.

with toyota, only their LEAST reliable models get black dots in the early years, and mostly for INCONSEQUENTIAL items, NEVER with the engine or tranny.

for their MOST reliable models, there's NOT A SINGLE black dot even after 8 years.

but you can at least take pride, in that hyundais are still better than VW, more their true competition.