Toyota Recalling 2.1 Million Vehicles
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Toyota is recalling 2.17 million vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in carpeting.
More than half of the vehicles are being added to a massive 2009 recall that fixed gas pedals getting trapped in the floor mat.
The automaker said 20,000 2006 and early 2007 GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles are being recalled to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver's side floor carpet. Toyota says "in the event that the floor carpet around the accelerator pedal is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, there is a possibility that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may interfere with the operation of the accelerator pedal." If that happens, the gas pedal could be stuck.
Owners of the vehicles will be notified by mail beginning in early March.
Toyota will also voluntarily recall approximately 372,000 2004 through 2006 and early 2007 RX 330, RX 350, and RX 400h vehicles, and approximately 397,000 2004 through 2006 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles to replace the driver's side floor carpet cover and its two retention clips.
In addition, Toyota says it has added three models to a 2009 recall to address "the potential for unsecured or incompatible floor mat entrapment of the accelerator pedal.: The models added include:
-- Approximately 603,000 2003 through 2009 4Runner
-- Approximately 17,000 2008 through 2011 Lexus LX 570; and
-- Approximately 761,000 2006 through 2010 RAV4
Toyota and Lexus dealers will make the repairs at no charge to the vehicle owners.
Toyota has now recalled more than 14 million vehicles globally over safety problems since 2009. U.S. regulators said earlier this month that electronic flaws were not to blame for reports of sudden, unintended acceleration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
