Toyota Europe Admits Knowing about Sticky Pedal Since 2007

Following reports which surfaced in the German media, which claimed the Japanese carmaker knew some of its vehicles are experiencing sticking pedals since 2007, Toyota's European division stepped forwards and denied the claim. Sort of, as their denial is more of a confirmation. "We are aware of Germany newspaper reports and have investigated that thoroughly as it appeared yesterday evening," a Toyota Europe spokesman told just-auto.com. Toyota does admit however the accelerator failed, but only after it has been subjected to severe testing. The testing is being done by external companies, who found the accelerator in the Auris can become stuck. "We really want to put the facts straight. We have extensive testing for all our vehicles under intense conditions - one of those tests is the European durability test which is driving vehicles 100,000km for six months under very severe conditions for up to 15 hours per day with different loads." "Indeed a feeling of sticky accelerator pedal was reported in 2007. That is true. The vehicle had been driven for more than 80,000km. We sent everything back to Japan for analysis and we did not manage to reproduce this sticky pedal feeling."