(LOS ANGELES, March 25, 2010) – Replacement accelerators are being offered to those Toyota owners who are dissatisfied with the “appearance or performance” of their repaired vehicle, according to news reports and Toyota Motor Corp.
Dealers have been repairing Toyota accelerators with a small metal shim tucked into the mechanism underneath the gas pedal on more than 2 million vehicles involved in one of the Toyota recalls since the New Year.
The Associated Press reviewed data from government agencies and found more than 100 owners have complained about problems with sudden acceleration after Toyota dealers fixed their vehicles.
Toyota said in a statement published on its USA newsroom that “it is confident that the remedies it has announced to address sticking accelerator pedals and floor mat entrapment represent a comprehensive solution to these issues.”
But motorists who are dissatisfied may tell their local dealer who will replace the accelerator at no charge. The policy to make this replacement was included in Toyota’s Defect Information Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dealers received letters last month directing them to replace the accelerator if a Toyota owner was dissatisfied and requested a replacement.
In related news, investigators tested the Toyota Prius in Harrison, N.Y. owned by a driver who said the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control and crashed into a stone wall. The vehicle was found to be sound, and the crash was attributed to driver error, according to news reports.
The blue Prius had not been recalled for sticky accelerators, but its floor mats had been repaired for the entrapment issue.
Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles in the U.S. since last fall for a variety of problems, including floor mats, sticky gas pedals, steering and components. Toyota drivers may go online to find information regarding Toyota’s recalls, call Toyota at (800) 331-4331, or the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at (800) 255-3987. Additional Toyota information is at http://www.toyota.com and http://www.lexus.com.