The world's largest auto maker, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) announced Tuesday that is was about to issue the biggest recall in the company's history, as problems with some floor mats has led to numerous accidents and at least five deaths.The recall involves eight different models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured and sold in the U.S. over the past six years, and include the popular Prius hybrid. Apparently, there is a problem with the driver side floor mats that result in the mats coming loose and jamming down the accelerator.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the problem is an "urgent matter," which is saying the least considering it has resulted in at least 100 incidents that include 17 accidents and five deaths.
One such accident occurred last month in San Diego; a floor mat is suspected of snagging the gas pedal of a runaway Lexus and resulting in an accident that killed four family members. Apparently the driver of the vehicle called the police right before the crash and reported that the car's accelerator was stuck and had no brakes. The car was going 120 miles per hour when it ran into an SUV, launched off an embankment, flipped several times and erupted in flames.
To call this an urgent matter is definitely an understatement after hearing that story.
You really need to check the following list of vehicles to see if you currently own one of them, and if so definitely go ahead and remove your drivers side floor mat until you can make sure everything is ok:
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2004-2009 Prius
- 2005-2010 Tacoma
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350
- 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS350.
The company has not released any figures yet as to what this recall will cost.
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