Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
Toyota recommends customers remove these floor mats from certain models. (Toyota U.S.A.)Toyota has extended a massive recall to Canada, suggesting owners remove problematic floor mats that could jam the accelerator pedal.
This week, the automaker issued a warning about 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S. after a high-speed crash in San Diego in August that may have been caused by a jammed accelerator. Four family members died when their Lexus crashed while speeding at 190 km/h.
"Until Toyota develops a remedy, Toyota Canada joins our U.S. colleagues in asking owners of specific Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat," said Toyota in a statement on its website.
The recall involves popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the bestselling gas-electric hybrid.
"A stuck-open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death," Toyota spokesman Irv Miller said.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck on the Toyota vehicles involved.
It was unclear how many led to crashes, but the inquiry was prompted by a high-speed crash in August in California of a Lexus. As the vehicle hit speeds exceeding 190 km/h, family members made a frantic 911 call to say the accelerator was stuck and they couldn't stop the vehicle.
The Japanese automaker warned owners that if they think their vehicle is accelerating out of control, they should check to see whether their floor mat is under the pedal. If a driver can't remove the floor mat, Toyota advises drivers to step on the brake pedal with both feet until the vehicle slows and then try to put it into neutral and switch the ignition to accessory power.
Highway safety investigators determined that a rubber all-weather floor mat found in the wreckage of the California crash was slightly longer than the mat that belonged in the vehicle, something that could have snared or covered the accelerator pedal.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Adele wins best album, best record Grammys
- Adele capped off a "life-changing" year by winning six Grammys Sunday night, including record of the year and album of the year for 21 more »
- Hit and run victim's family fears accused will walk
- The family of a young mother killed in a hit and run is outraged that the case against the alleged driver is among thousands in B.C. at risk of being thrown out because of a huge court backlog. more »
- CBC launches digital music service
- CBC is diving into the world of online music with the goal of providing listeners access to their favourite tunes and a way to discover new artists and connect with fellow music fans. more »
- Whitney Houston death shows no signs of trauma
- Whitney Houston's life of glorious song and unnerving self-destruction apparently ended on Grammy weekend, but it could be weeks before investigators know exactly why she died. more »
- Adele wins best album, best record Grammys
- Whitney Houston autopsy results withheld
- Hit and run victim's family fears accused will walk
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- Pop queen Whitney Houston dies at 48
- Manitoba man dies after falling off moving SUV
- 2 vehicles sink on river highway
- Doors blocked in fatal Manitoba trailer blaze
- Greece passes new austerity deal amid rioting
