BLOG: Toyota Recalls 2.17 Million Vehicles
By Jim Donovan: Toyota Motor Corp. today recalled 2.17 million
vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in driver's side carpeting.
The Japanese automaker said it would add three models to the a 2009 pedal entrapment recall: about 600,000 4Runner SUVs from the 2003-2009 model years; 761,000 RAV4 compact SUVs from the 2006-2010 model years; and 17,000 Lexus LX 570s from the 2008-2011 model years.
The recall also includes 372,000 RX 330, RX 350 and RX 400H vehicles from the 2004 through early 2007 model years and 397,000 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander SUVs and hybrid versions to replace floor carpet covering and retention clips on the driver's side that could interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.
Toyota also recalled 20,000 2006 through early 2007 GS 300 and GS 350 all-wheel drive vehicles to change the shape of a plastic pad embedded in the driver's side floor carpet that could cause pedal interference.
The company said owners of the recalled GS 300 and GS 350 vehicles will be notified of the recall in early March. Owners of the RX and Highlander vehicles will be notified in the "near future" and receive a second notification once replacement covers are available.
Owners of the recalled 4Runner, LX 570 and RAV4s will also receive an initial notification in the near future, followed by a second notification once the recall preparations are complete.
The company has posted detailed information at:
www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall.
Owners can call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987.
