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NHTSA Scolds Toyota's 'Misleading' Statements

Just removing floor mats doesn't fix the problem, agency says

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

November 5, 2009
The nation's automotive safety watchdog has taken the unusual step of correcting what it calls "misleading" information from a car manufacturer, in this case, Toyota.

In a statement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was correcting what it called "inaccurate and misleading" information in a Toyota press release, concerning its recent recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus models.

In late September, Toyota recalled 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota models because the floor mats can slide onto the accelerator, potentially causing uncontrolled acceleration. Owners of the affected models were told to remove the floor mats until they can be replaced with a safer version.

This week Toyota issued a press release stating that NHTSA had reached a conclusion "that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured." Not so, the agency said.

Must Address Design Flaw

"NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure," NHTSA said in a statement. "This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design."

In other words, Toyota can't resolve the problem simply by removing the floor mats. They must address what safety researchers see as a design flaw.

Toyota issued a statement Wednesday saying it did not intend to offer misleading information. Toyota and Lexus vehicles affected are:

• 2007-2010 Camry

• 2005-2010 Avalon

• 2004-2009 Prius

• 2005-2010 Tacoma

• 2007-2010 Tundra

• 2007-2010 ES 350

• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

Toyota recalled 55,000 Camry and Lexus models in September 2007 following complaints of runaway acceleration. Owners of the popular Prius had also complained of the problem but were not included in that recall, though Prius models are included in the most recent recall.

Toyota said earlier that a fatal crash involving a Lexus ES350 in San Diego had been preliminarily blamed on an all-weather floor mat interfering with the accelerator pedal. 20070-2008 ES350 models were included in the 2007 recall.

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