Toyota Urges Consumers to Remove Floor Mats

Toyota is still looking at ways to resolve its largest recall ever but before finding a final resolution on the matter it urged all owners of the affected models to remove the floor mats from their cars. Approximately 3.8 million Toyota cars sold in the United States are equipped with incompatible floor mats that could block the accelerator pedal, leading to excessive speed and increasing the risk of a crash.

Until now, four people have died in San Diego after being involved in a crash with a Lexus ES 350. According to an NHTSA report on the matter, the car was equipped with floor mats designed for a crossover. “Removal of the mat was difficult because the bottom edge of the accelerator pedal had melted to the upper right hand corner of the mat," the NHTSA mentioned in the report according to Autonews.

Furthermore, the accelerator pedal might be one of the factors that influenced the accident. “The pedal is made from a composite plastic that forms a rigid, one-piece lever. Beyond the main pivot, the lever is not hinged and has no means for relieving forces caused by interferences," NHTSA said.

Last but not least, the push-button ignition was also one of the faulty parts. “In place of the key is a software push button that delays engine shutdown for three seconds once depressed. This instruction is not indicated on the dashboard," it is mentioned in the report.

The Japanese automaker will soon start a safety recall, with the following models to be concerned: 2007 - 2010 Camry, 2005 - 2010 Avalon, 2004 - 2009 Prius, 2005 - 2010 Tacoma, 2007 - 2010 Tundra, 2007 - 2010 ES350, 2006 - 2010 IS250 and IS350.