Toyota has recalled over four million Toyota and Lexus trucks and cars with potential safety issues – the largest recall in Toyota’s history. In the autumn of 2009 the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration got a flurry of reports that floor mats on the driver’s side were becoming displaced and making the accelerator pedal become stuck The issue received nationwide interest when a highway patrol officer and his family died. Due to a jammed gas pedal, the officer’s Lexus crashed after speeding more than 120 mph. It seems that the vehicle couldn’t be stopped by the brakes alone. Toyota issued a safety alert recommending that car owners take out the driver’s side floor mats and keep them out until Toyota could look into the matter further. The NTHSA also recommended that car owners to remove mats or any other obstacles that might cause the car to accelerate. The models with potential safety risks 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 needed adjustments to these models. Although it would seem to be an effortless repair; simply replace the faulty floor mats with a better design, Toyota wants to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Therefore, technicians will actually be reshaping the accelerator pedal and in some models will also install a brake override system. 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 they expect a deluge in their service departments. To help tackle the inconvenience many Toyota Dealerships are offering rental cars to owners 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 repair done as soon as possible. Your life could depend on it.