TOYOTA RECALL UPDATE FROM DON JOSEPH TOYOTA
SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT
Toyota has a long-earned reputation of quality and dependability. Don Joseph is proud to have represented the brand for over 42 years and our experience has shown us that Toyota will stand behind their products and provide a repair process to ensure the safety of all of its customers. Don Joseph Toyota stands ready sand equipped to provide the recommended service protocol for the owners of affected products in the community of Northeast Ohio.
You can call Don Joseph Toyota hotline at 800-714-6635 if you have any questions whatsoever. Our call center is open 7:30am until 7:00pm Monday and Thursday, 7:30am until 5:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on Saturday we can be reached between 8:00am until 2:00pm.
MANY NEW TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE UNAFFECTED
We stand behind Toyota's quality and dependability as we always have.
The problems affecting certain Toyota's are due to a certain brand of gas pedal which has only been installed on some cars at some assembly plants. Vehicles with other brands of gas pedals remain unaffected by this recall. Don Joseph has many of these unaffected vehicles in stock and ready for delivery.
About half of the new Toyota's in our inventory are available for delivery today.
We have plenty of the following models on the ground that are unaffected and ready for immediate delivery: Camry, Camry hybrids, RAV4, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Highlander hybrids, Toyota Prius. All Scion models are available as well.
We encourage you to review some of the questions we are being asked, which are shown here. Above all we encourage Toyota drivers to determine if their vehicle may be affected and follow recommendations when they are announced by Toyota.
Q1: What is the condition?
A1: There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially
depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.
Q2: What is the cause of this condition?
A2: Over time, the internal mechanisms in the accelerator pedal may become worn. As a result of this wear
combined with certain operating and environmental conditions, friction in the mechanism may increase and
intermittently result in the accelerator pedal being hard to depress and/or slow to return or, in the worst case,
stick in a partially open position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Q2a: Why does this condition only affect certain Toyota models?
A2a: Toyota equips its vehicles with accelerator pedals manufactured by multiple suppliers. Only vehicles
equipped with accelerator pedals produced by a specific supplier are affected.
Q3: Are there any warnings that this condition exists?
A3: Gradually over a period of time, the driver may notice that the accelerator pedal is harder to depress or is
slow to return. In some cases, the driver may notice a rough or chattered feeling when depressing/releasing
the accelerator pedal.
Q4: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A4: There are approximately 2.3 million vehicles involved in the U.S.
Model Year Model Approx UIO
2005 - 2010 Avalon 330,000
2007 - 2010 Camry* 813,000
2009 - 2010 Corolla 487,000
2010 Highlander* 20,000
2009 - 2010 Matrix 75,000
2009 - 2010 RAV4 53,000
2008 - 2010 Sequoia 50,000
2007 - 2010 Tundra 426,000
*Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid vehicles are equipped with an accelerator pedal that is of a different
design and produced by a different supplier. Therefore, it does not require the installation of the
reinforcement bar.
Q4a: What is the cost of this Safety Recall?
A4a: Toyota does not release cost information regarding its programs.
Q4b: Why are some vehicles that fall within the model and model year listed above not affected?
A4b: Toyota has isolated this condition to a specific suppler. Multiple suppliers may be utilized to furnish
the accelerator pedal on a given model.
Q5: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus vehicles involved?
A5: No, this specific condition only affects the above vehicles.
Q6: How many incidents of this condition have been reported?
A6: The number of incidents is still under investigation.
Q7: Have there been any accidents reported?
A7: The number of accidents is still under investigation.
Q8: What is Toyota going to do?
A8: Any Toyota dealer will install a reinforcement bar that will increase the clearance in-between the internal
mechanisms in the accelerator pedal assembly. This increased clearance will reduce the friction caused by
wear and environmental conditions and allow the pedal to operate smoothly for the life of the vehicle. The
campaign remedy will be performed at
no charge to the vehicle owner.
Q8a: How will the accelerator pedal feel once the accelerator reinforcement plate is installed?
A8a: Customers will not notice a difference in the feel of the accelerator pedal. Any local Toyota dealer
will be more than happy to go over the entire repair with the customer.
Q8b: When will the remedy for floor mat interference with the accelerator pedal be available?
Q8b: Toyota has developed the remedy for floor mat interference with the accelerator on the following
vehicles (Refer to SSC 90L Phase 1 and Phase 2 for additional details):
2007 – 2010 Camry & Camry Hybrid
Toyota is currently in the process of developing a remedy for floor mat interference with the
accelerator pedal on the following models and will notify owners as soon as it is available.
2005 – 2010 Avalon
2009 – 2010 Corolla
2008 – 2010 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid
2009 – 2010 Matrix
2004 – 2009 Prius
2005 – 2010 Tacoma
2007 – 2010 Tundra
2009 – 2010 Venza
Lexus has developed and launched the remedy for 2007 – 2010 ES. Lexus is currently developing a
remedy for the 2006 – 2010 IS.
It is important to note that the floor mat interference with the accelerator pedal campaign is separate
and independent from the accelerator pedal reinforcement campaign.
Q9: How long will the repair take?
A9: The remedy will take approximately 30 minutes. However, depending upon the dealer’s work schedule, it
may be necessary to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.
Q10: What should customers do if his/her vehicle is involved in this campaign but so far, have not
experienced this condition?
A10:
This condition is rare. However, if you have any concerns please contact your nearest Toyota Dealer
for assistance.
Q11: What if the customer has noticed that his/her accelerator pedal is hard to depress, slow to return or
is unsmooth during operation. What should he/she do?
A11: The customer is requested to immediately contact his/her nearest Toyota Dealer for assistance. The Toyota
dealer will evaluate the customer’s complaint.
Q12: What if the customer experiences a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?
A12:
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota is providing the
following instructions.
If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with
both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the
vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
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. 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.
In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position
or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the
brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring
stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine
shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
Q13: What if a customer has previously paid for repairs to address the same condition described above?
A13: Owners that have previously paid for accelerator pedal repairs to address the same condition described
above, the customer should mail a copy of his/her repair order, proof-of-payment, and proof-of-ownership to
the following address for reimbursement consideration
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc
Toyota Customer Experience, WC10
19001 South Western Avenue
Torrance, CA 90509
Q14: What should an owner do if they have immediate concerns about their vehicle?
A14: If an owner has any immediate concerns they are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for
diagnosis, and if applicable, necessary repair. Owners may also contact the Toyota Customer Experience
Center (1-800-331-4331).
