www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUGHibAWciM

Below the official press release of Toyota USA according the gas pedal problem on recalled vehicles:

Rigorously Tested Reinforced Pedals Will Eliminate the Excess Friction that Caused Sticking

Toyota Will Make Concerted Effort to Repair Recalled Vehicles as Quickly and Conveniently as Possible

TORRANCE, Calif., February 1, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles this week. Toyota’s engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances. In addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in production.

Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for use by dealers, and dealer training is under way. Many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day. The company has also taken the unprecedented action of stopping production of affected vehicles for the week of February 1.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive,” said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. “We deeply regret the concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to make things right. Stopping production is never an easy decision, but we are 100% confident it was the right decision. We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it. We also know it is most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road.”

Lentz added: “We are focused on making this recall as simple and trouble-free as possible, and will work day and night with our dealers to fix recalled vehicles quickly. We want to demonstrate that our commitment to safety is as high as ever and that our commitment to our customers is unwavering.”

On January 21, Toyota announced its intention to recall approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with a specific pedal assembly and suspended sales of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26.

Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.

Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with “J” are not affected by the accelerator pedal recall.

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.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles

Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a partially open position. The issue involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper “feel” by adding resistance and making the pedal steady and stable. The device includes a shoe that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position or, in rare cases, the pedal sticks, leaving the throttle partially open.

Toyota’s solution for current owners is both effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals through rigorous testing on pedal assemblies that had previously shown a tendency to stick.

Separately from the recall for sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota is in the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in which floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already notifying customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of vehicles covered by both recalls, it is Toyota’s intention to remedy both at the same time.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359

Media Web site: http://www.toyotanewsroom.com
Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com

Source: Toyota Press-room

Brian Lyons the Company spokesman stated that he was not aware as to when the parts would reach or the duration it would take the car manufacturers to finish fixings on the 4.2 million vehicles universal out of which 2.3 million in the U.S. He alleged that Toyota did not yet decide whether to fix the accelerators or restore them altogether. He further stated that Toyota was to make public particulars sometime next week as to how it thinks to resolve the problem.

On Friday, Akio Toyoda the Toyota CEO stated publicly for the first time with regard to the recall. In Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum he stated to the Japanese broadcaster NHK: “I am very sorry that we are making our customers feel concerned.
“People can feel safe driving in the current situation,” he added. “Please trust that we are responding so it will be even safer.”

Jim Guest the president of Consumers Union stated that “Although incidents of sudden acceleration are rare, we are taking this action because the vehicles have been identified as potentially unsafe without a fix yet being available to consumers.”

Toyota blocked marketing 8 U.S. models, which includes the top-selling Camry, on Tuesday. It also declared that it will cease constructing them till the trouble is fixed.

The different models which are being recalled are: iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009); Aygo (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009); Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010); Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009); Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010); Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009); Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009) and RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009). No other Toyota models are involved.

Tadashi Arashima who is the Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO remarked in a statement that “Toyota’s policy is to put its customers first in all circumstances.” He further stated that; “We understand that the current situation is creating concerns and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers.”

The recall was due to the European unit affirming that 26 happenings – and perhaps more were recorded after its throttle pedal mechanism clinging trouble had turned up.

Toyota announced that: “A running change in production using different parts has already been implemented model-by-model for the models on sale in Europe. Therefore there is no need or intention to stop production in Europe.” Toyota further stated that it did not get news of any accidents even though it notified owners with concerns to reach their adjacent dealer.

Under Toyota’s novel Swap-page strategy, customers can even now snap up a £2,000 saving on the value of a suitable new Toyota Auris, Toyota Yaris or Toyota Avensis. In contrast to the Scrap-page scheme, the Swap-page scheme is accessible to owners who own vehicle between 7 and 10 years old. This means that those who registered between 1st March 2000 and 28th February 2003 are eligible for this scheme. Also since it is a Swap-page scheme implying the vehicles traded will not inevitably be transported for end-of-life reprocessing.

Richard Balshaw, Toyota Sales Director stated that, “The famous quality, reliability and keen cost-of-ownership of our models have made them a hugely popular choice for motorists taking advantage of Scrap-page. With Swap-page we are committed to giving even more people the chance to acquire a new Toyota at a genuine bargain price.”

The new system is accessible on new cars bought up to 31st March and registered up to 31st July 2010. DVLA registration is a must for the trade-in vehicles. They have to be insured and have an existing MoT certificate. The individual who wants to purchase must be the registered keeper of the vehicle that is being traded, at least for the last 12 successive calendar months.