Toyota and Lexus floor mat recall and warning from NHTSA

[Grunt167]

Toyota and Lexus floor mat recall and warning from NHTSA

<small>via Seattle News, Restaurants, more by Top Local Experts</small>
The Examiner.com has published an article about Toyota's recall of some vehicles due to an issue with the floor mat.
The recall was precipitated by the tragic death of a California Highway patrol officer and his family. Now the NHTSA and Toyota are doing everything they can to prevent further deaths or injuries related to the floor mat. Apparently, the design of the floor mat and the accelerator may result in the accelerator sticking in the fully open position. This would cause rapid acceleration and the possibility of a high speed collision.
Affected vehicles include the following Toyota and Lexus models:
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
If you own or drive one of these vehicles, first remove the driver-side floor mat, then contact your local Toyota or Lexus dealer.


Confessions of a Driving Instructor: Toyota and Lexus floor mat recall and warning from NHTSA

[beitzel15]

I read where they started this after those 3 people had this happen to them in the car and died from it.

I just dont get why when he felt the pedal was stuck, he didnt attempt to look at it, and possibly see it was hung on the mat.... Guess he just paniced.

[nalioth]

Heaven forbid common sense take hold and the owner actually uses scissors to cut a little relief in the mat. . .

[Torquejunky]

Originally Posted by nalioth

Heaven forbid common sense take hold and the owner actually uses scissors to cut a little relief in the mat. . .

The problem is that the whole mat will slide forward, I used to drive a GS 400 and it happened to me. I just threw it in neutral and killed the ignition some people just panic. I don't understand how the guy had the time to dial 911 but not just shut the car off.

[nalioth]

Originally Posted by Torquejunky

The problem is that the whole mat will slide forward, I used to drive a GS 400 and it happened to me. I just threw it in neutral and killed the ignition some people just panic. I don't understand how the guy had the time to dial 911 but not just shut the car off.

You mean to tell me that those floor mats don't have nubby bottoms?


Sheesh.

[drocay]

actually all of those mats have double hooks that pass through and lock the mat in place, but most people who remove there mat to clean them dont hook them in because they dont think they need to or just think its difficult. So them sliding up shouldnt be a problem and if it is its a User error not manufacturer.

[carhartt]

This happens on some of the newer f-250s too, but you can just pull the matt back with your heel. Still, seems like they would have noticed this when they drove it.

[MagicPie]

It doesn't prevent you from hitting the brakes, I do believe most automatic torque converters will force the car below 2K rpms when the brakes are applied, regardless of the position of the gas pedal. Granted you won't stop as fast, but you give you plenty of time to recognize and flick out the pedal.

This seem more a user problem then the car. Much like Ford's tire problem, sure tire should explode, but you sure as hell dont panic, slam on the brakes and cut the wheel.

[Brickboy240]

Now theres a good one for you: a Toyota recall involves a floormat....a GM or Chrysler recall involves the whole engine or the braking system! LOL

Seriously, I took one look at those fancy carpet mats that came in my Tundra and thought "these will last a few weekends at the ranch then they're permanently black/brown/gray."

Got a set of thick rubber mats from Cabelas and put the carpet mats in a plastic bag and in the attic for the day I sell the truck and can toss new mats in to make the interior look better.

My mats did look totally different...I guess in 07 they changed them up.

- brickboy240

[Thefatgunner]

samething happens in my 09 scion xb (another toyota brand). i havent noticed the passanger side mat moving but on the drivers side the carpet has a hard plastic piece built into the carpet which keeps the little rubber finger things from the floormat from digging into the carpet. I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for the hard plastic piece it wouldn't be a problem. also no little platic hook to hook the floormat to.