Toyota has recently commenced its largest ever recall with over four million Lexus and Toyota vehicles identified with potential safety issues. In the fall of 2009 the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration got several reports that driver’s side floor mats were dislodging and making the accelerator pedal stick A highway patrol officer and his family were killed, bringing the issue to the attention of the nation. The officer’s Lexus traveled above 120 miles per hour due to a jammed gas pedal and crashed. Evidently the car couldn’t be stopped by the brakes alone. Toyota responded by issuing a safety alert recommending that Lexus and Toyota owners take out the driver’s side floor mats and keep them out until Toyota could investigate the problem further. The NTHSA also recommended that owners to remove mats or any other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration. The cars and trucks with potential safety issues are:

• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra

• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Tacoma

• 2004 – 2009 Toyota Prius

• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry

• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon

• 2007 – 2010 Lexus ES350

• 2006 – 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350

Toyota and Lexus service technicians are now trained and equipped to make the necessary adjustments to these vehicles. Although it seems like an effortless repair; simply replace the flawed floor mats with a more efficient design, Toyota wants to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Technicians will actually modify the accelerator pedal will install a brake override system in some models. An accelerator pedal replacement part will be available beginning in April 2010. Toyota has started issuing recall letters instructing car owners to bring their vehicles in for repair and anticipates their service departments to be flooded. To help reduce the inconvenience many Toyota Dealerships are offering rental cars to customers affected by the recall.

The official Toyota website offers more information about the Toyota/Lexus recall including overall safety of both. For further information Toyota customers can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-255-3987.

Please don’t wait to get this free Toyota Warranty Repair done as soon as possible. Your life might very well depend on it.