Toyota Recall Expands to Tacoma, Venza, Sequoia

In a move which screams "better safe than sorry", Japanese carmaker Toyota announced yesterday it will install a brake override feature on an expanded range. Officially dubbed a measure to increase consumer confidence, the move comes only days after in an internal Toyota document a company executive was bragging how much money Toyota saved by finding a cheap fix to the accelerator problem.

According to Toyota, the override system will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.

The following models are subject to the upgrade, hence increasing the total number of vehicles recalled: 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2009-2010 Venza and 2008-2010 Sequoia. They come in addition to the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350, 2006-2010 IS 350 and 2006-2010 IS 250 who have already been tagged as in need for an upgrade.

Although, as we said, the immediate consequence of the measure means Toyota's recall will increase significantly, the carmaker tried to wrap the decision in a better looking package, saying the "brake override feature is not an integral part of the recall remedy, but is instead being added as an extra measure of confidence for Toyota owners." The upgrade however will be done at the same time as recall modifications are being made.

“Expansion of this  brake override feature underscores Toyota’s commitment to building the safest and most reliable vehicles on the road, as we have for 50 years, and to ensuring that our customers have complete confidence in the vehicles they drive.” Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales COO said in a release.