Toyota to install reinforcement bar to fix sticky pedal problem, more recall info Options

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Toyota to install reinforcement bar to fix sticky pedal problem
Mon Feb 1, 9:02 AM
The Canadian Press
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TORONTO - Toyota Canada has unveiled its solution to the sticky pedal problem that has been blamed for unwanted acceleration in some vehicles and says customers will be able to get their vehicles repaired at dealers starting late this week.

The company said Monday that it has started shipping parts and is training its dealers on how to fix the problem. Dealers are expected to begin repairs soon after they have the parts, expected to be Thursday or Friday.

Toyota has recalled more than 2.3 million vehicles in the United States and 270,000 in Canada because of the problem. The recall has also spread to other countries, with about 4.2 million Toyota vehicles affected worldwide.

Toyota announced the North American recall on Jan. 21, determining that excess friction in the gas pedal assembly could in rare cases cause the pedals to stick.

Engineers traced the problem to a friction device in the assembly that is supposed to provide the proper pedal "feel" by adding resistance, Toyota said in a statement.

The device has a shoe that rubs against a nearby metal surface during normal pedal use. But wear and environmental conditions can over time cause the pedals to not operate smoothly or in rare cases stick partially open.

Toyota Canada says it will install reinforcement bars to eliminate excess friction that can cause the accelerator pedal to stick and the vehicle to go too fast.

Production at two Toyota manufacturing facilities in Woodstock and Cambridge, Ont., will be halted this week because of the recall, which has been the biggest ever for the Japanese car and truck maker.

A Toyota Canada spokesman said Monday that the company has been working since the recall was announced to confirm the nature of the problem and develop a solution that would be durable and easy to roll out.

"So, starting this week we're going to be providing instruction to all of our dealers on how to modify pedals in order to reduce the pressure on the friction elements inside the accelerator pedal and eliminate the sticky pedal condition," Toyota Canada managing director Stephen Beatty said.

He said Toyota expects repairs can begin by the end of the week.

"It's our understanding that many of the dealers will be working extended hours in order to make sure that they can take care of our customers," Beatty added.

Eight vehicle models made over the past several years have been affected by the recall, including the 2009-10 RAV4 crossover, the 2009-10 Corolla sedan, the 2009-10 Matrix hatchback, the 2005-10 Avalon, the 2007-10 Camry, the 2010 Highlander crossover, the 2007-10 Tundra pickup and the 2008-10 Sequoia SUV.

Toyota has also recalled about 1.9 million vehicles in Europe and China, making this the biggest recall in the company's history.

The pedal recall is separate from another Toyota recall involving floor mats that can bend and push down accelerators. While the floor mat recall didn't affect Canadian vechicles, the two recalls combined affect more than seven million vehicles worldwide.

from http://ca.news.finance.yahoo.com/s/0102201...al-problem.html