Toyota recall - SA implications

Toyota's recall of more than 2 million vehicles in its North American model line up for a fault in the accelerator pedal unit has been expanded to include 1,8 million units in Europe, and now looks as though it may affect the Auris, Corolla and Verso models on the South African market as well.

According to Toyota, the US models in question, which includes:

2009-2010 Corolla
2007-2010 Camry saloon
2005-2010 Avalon saloon
2009-2010 RAV4
2010 Highlander
2008-2010 Sequoia SUV
2007-2010 Tundra pick-up
2009-2010 Matrix hatchback

are subject to a fault in the accelerator pedal mechanism that could, under rare circumstances, cause the pedal to become difficult to depress, slow to return to its starting position, or open in a partially-depressed position.

According to a number of stateside publications, the problem is not a new one. Back in 2007, Toyota issued a 55 000 unit recall of Lexus ES350 and Toyota Camry models for a possible accelerator pedal fault. Two years later, in August 2009, a crash involving a Lexus ES350 that suffered sudden, unintended acceleration cost the lives of four people in California brought the problem to light once again.

The problem was initially traced to a flaw in the design of floormats for the aforementioned vehicles, which could potentially cause the pedal to snag on the mat when the accelerator was in the open position. However, a subsequent investigation by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) disclosed that the sticking floormats where not the sole reason for sudden, unintentional acceleration in certain Toyota Group models. Following this finding and a class action lawsuit regarding incidents where Toyota vehicles displayed unintentional acceleration, Toyota then issued a 2,3 million vehicle recall for sticking accelerator pedals.

The recall has already impacted negatively on Toyota's operations due to a temporary halt in the sales of 8 vehicle models pending further developments with the recall, as well as a brace of investigatory hearings at the US House of Representatives regarding the manner in which the recalls have been handled by both Toyota and the NHTSA.

Toyota's American arm has since issued a fix for the sticking accelerator issue comprising a "precision-cut steel reinforcement bar" fitted the pedal assembly to reduce friction between a shoe and the adjoining surface, the place where Toyota has found these defective pedals to be sticking.

Recent reports also suggest a brake-related issue in 2010 Prius hybrid models too, believed to be the cause of at least one accident in Japan and two in the U.S. The Japanese Transport Ministry recorded 14 brake-related complaints while over 100 have been lodged stateside. In the U.S. federal regulators are also investigating Prius brakes alongside the issue about stuck throttle pedals.

"The complaints received via our dealers centre around when drivers are on a bumpy road or frozen surface. The driver steps on the brake and they do not get as full of a braking feel as expected," Paul Nolasco, a Toyota spokesman in Japan, told CNN.

As can be expected, models from other manufacturers have had to be recalled as a result of being built at the same production plants as some of the Toyota models. These include the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1, which are built alongside the Toyota Aygo (recalled in Europe), as well as the Pontiac Vibe, which is built alongside the Toyota Matrix hatchback in California.

In the meantime, Toyota South Africa has been able to isolate the Auris, new Verso and Corolla as part of the local investigation, and in all likelihood, these three will be a part of the local recall programme. By next week, Toyota SA will be in a better position to communicate which models will be included, as well as the dates for those recalled models.

CARmag.co.za will keep you updated as the matter continues.