At the same time political issues also continue to heap up for the company. All this is taking place when the car company has already recalled 6.5 million vehicles which include recent Camry’s, Corollas, and RAV4s. Simultaneously the 2010 Prius has ‘Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)’ claims Toyota.

The Department of Transportation in the U.S. increased the force on Toyota. This happened when the head of the agency and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, informed owners of called back fomites to stop driving them. But later on Ray with drew the above statement and said that what he had actually meant was only that Toyota possessors who are concerned about their cars ought to take them to dealerships.

Authorities in Japan ordered Toyota to scrutinize reports of defective brakes on its high-profile Prius hybrid car. This was done immediately when the federal safety governors in the U.S. started a fuller probe into Toyota’s electronic systems.

The Prius also did not escape scrutiny the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak arrogated that he had been going through abrupt speedup in his 2010 Prius due to a so-called “software” bug. This alleged statement whether it is valid or not it does posses a question on the electronic systems of Toyota.

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

The vehicles for the recall includes the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2008-2010 Sequoia, the 2007-2010 Camry and the 2007-2010 Tundra, the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2010 Highlander, the 2009-2010 Corolla and the 2009-2010 Matrix.

Toyota alleged that the recall of Thursday is due to possible problems with the real gas pedal mechanics, inducing the accelerator to cling no matter even if the vehicle comprises of a floor mat. Toyota said in some remote cases, the gas pedal mechanics wears down, inducing the throttle to become more difficult to press, duller to return or, in certain cases, stuck. In a letter to federal safety officials dated Thursday, Toyota said the problem looked to be linked to the possible build-up of condensation on slipping surfaces in the accelerator arrangement that assists drivers push down or discharge the gas pedal.

Toyota representative John Hanson stated that “the automaker does not yet have a solution to the latest problem but is working to develop one”. He further stated that “the company is unaware of any accidents or injuries due to the gas pedal problems associated with Thursday’s recall, but could not rule it out for sure. In reality the recall came together very quickly.”

TMC has been energetic in bringing in market-specific fomites into China. The development team of the new Crown conducted a thorough analysis of road situations and driving habits in China. This analysis was undertaken with the aim to perk up ride comfort and safety performance so that a vehicle that broadly meets the demands of consumers in China.

With regard to Camry Hybrid the corporation has announced that it has plans to produce and sell the vehicle in China in the near future.  TMC has placed hybrid systems as a core technology with reduction of CO2 expelling and higher fuel efficiency.  TMC has also brought in hybrid models of the Lexus LS, GS and RX into the China market and intents to popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide.

Strangely enough they don’t talk about the Toyota Prius. We think the Prius should be in the list as well, espessially the Hybrid version of it.

More about this news item, visit the website of Toyota Fan.