Toyota Issues Massive Recall For Camry, Avalon, and Other Vehicles
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. has begun recalling eight different Toyota brands for a problem with a sticking acclerator pedal. The brands that are involved in this recall include 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2009-2010 Corolla, Matrix, and Rav4, 2010 Highlander, 2008-2010 Sequoia, and 2007-2010 Tundra. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return or mechanically stuck in a depressed position. In addition, NHTSA states that a friction lever that interacts with the sliding side of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly may become smooth. The cause is thought to occur as a result of condensation on the smooth surface. The condensation increases the friction between the lever and pedal resulting in the pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return or stuck in position. It should be noted that Toyota does Not know for certain what the cause of the sticking accelerator pedal actually is. In an article by Sharon Terlep of Dow Jones Newswires dated Janaury 28, 2010 the maker of the accelerator pedals, CTS Corp, says that the pedals were manufactured according to Toyota's specifications. CTS chief executive Vinod Khilnani stated that "the problem is in Toyota's design and not in the electronic sensors that prompt the braking system." However, CTS is working with Toyota to redesign the accelerator pedal and incorporate the pedals in future production.
