Toyota to fix 200,000-plus vehicles in Canada

Toyota Canada will ask owners of thousands of Camrys, Tundras and other models to return them to dealers for modifications to gas pedals and other parts — even though the automaker insists its Canadian vehicles are not subject to reported jammed-accelerator problems that prompted a huge recall in the United States.

The Canadian “safety campaign” announced Thursday follows an investigation by Toyota and Transport Canada and involves more than 200,000 vehicles.

Affected are 2004 to 2009 Priuses, 2005 and newer Tacomas and Avalons, 2006 and newer Lexus IS 230s and 350s and 2007 and newer Camrys, Tundras and Lexus ES 350s. Toyota will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in all vehicles and install a brake override system, or reconfigure the floor beneath the pedal in some.

“There is no risk of accelerator pedal entrapment when compatible Toyota and Lexus Canadian-designed all-weather floor mats are properly used in the affected models as they are different in design and material composition from the Toyota-supplied mats in the U.S.A.,” Toyota Canada said in a statement.

The automaker did, however, advise owners of its new Venza model, subject to a separate recall, to remove driver-side all-weather floor mats until they are contacted by Toyota.

Dealer training is to begin in early 2010 and repairs should start in April.

Statement from Toyota Canada

Following an advisory to Canadian customers in late September to request the removal of any driver’s side floor mats from certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles, Toyota Canada Inc (TCI) today announced completion of its investigation into potential accelerator pedal entrapment due to incompatible or unsecured all-weather floor mats. Toyota Canada has worked closely with Transport Canada during this investigation. There is no risk of accelerator pedal entrapment when compatible Toyota and Lexus Canadian-designed all-weather floor mats are properly used in the affected models as they are different in design and material composition from the Toyota-supplied mats in the U.S.A. Properly installed and secured compatible carpet floor mats also do not give rise to pedal entrapment.

Although no vehicle defect has been identified, given the importance Toyota attaches to customer confidence in their Toyota vehicle, as an extra measure of confidence, a safety improvement campaign will be initiated for Canadian customers to provide:

1. reconfiguration of the accelerator pedal for the 7 affected models (see 1, 2 below)

2. reconfiguration of the shape of the floor surface to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor for the Lexus ES 350, Camry and Avalon models

3. installation of a brake override system for the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models (see 3 below)

Unique to Toyota Canada, a safety campaign will also be initiated for Toyota Venza vehicles equipped with a genuine Toyota Canada driver’s side all-weather floor mat. Until owners of Venza vehicles receive their notice of the campaign, Toyota recommends that they take out any genuine Toyota drivers’ side all-weather floor mat in the vehicle. Toyota has determined that the genuine Toyota carpeted floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and recommends at this time that only the original equipment carpet floor mat be installed using the retaining clips provided. Customers should also ensure it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with the bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another. If a customer does not know or is not sure whether the driver’s side mat(s) in the vehicle is correct for or compatible with their vehicle, the customer should remove it. For additional information about floor mats, customers can visit their Toyota dealership, toyota.ca or the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca.

Finally, Toyota Canada will also be providing an educational advisory to other Toyota and Lexus customers providing information on proper mat installation procedures. Toyota Canada reminds all its customers to register any address or ownership changes to allow for prompt notification.

The safety of our owners and the public is of utmost importance to Toyota Canada and we will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any trends that are identified with respect to this issue.

Owners who have further questions are asked to visit www.toyota.ca or www.lexus.ca or contact Toyota Canada directly at 1-888-TOYOTA-8 or Lexus Canada at 1-800-265-3987.

1: The 7 models are: 2007 to 2010 MY Camry, 2005 to 2010 MY Avalon, 2004 to 2009 MY Prius, 2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma, 2007 to 2010 MY Tundra, 2007 to 2010 MY ES 350, 2006 to 2010 MY IS 250, and 2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

2: The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of accelerator pedal entrapment, when an inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. Dealers will be trained and equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models starting at the beginning of 2010. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to dealers for the repair, beginning around April 2010. Customers who have had the remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire.

3: This system cuts engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedals. The brake override system will be made standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines starting with January 2010 production of ES350 and Camry and is scheduled to be incorporated into new production of most models by the end of 2010.

Statement from Transport Canada

Transport Canada today announced that Toyota Canada has identified a set of corrective measures to assist its Canadian customers who are affected by a safety issue involving the accelerator pedal on certain Toyota and Lexus models.

Transport Canada has worked with Toyota Canada on this issue to ensure corrective actions were taken and that the safety of consumers is protected. Canadian owners of affected Toyota and Lexus vehicle models will be notified directly by Toyota about these measures. Transport Canada will require Toyota Canada to report back to the department on its progress, as per the terms of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Toyota Canada announced Thursday that there is no risk of accelerator pedal entrapment when compatible Toyota and Lexus Canadian-designed all-weather floor mats are properly used in the affected models, as they are different in design and material composition than the Toyota-supplied mats in the United States.

Toyota Canada also said that properly installed and secured compatible carpet floor mats do not give rise to pedal entrapment. Today’s notice follows an advisory in late September that driver’s side floor mats be removed from certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Transport Canada is pleased that Toyota Canada is undertaking a safety improvement campaign for Canadian customers to provide information about:

1. reconfiguration of the accelerator pedal for the seven affected models;

2. reconfiguration of the shape of the floor surface to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor for the Lexus ES350, Camry and Avalon models; and

3. installation of a brake override system for the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES350, IS350 and IS250 models.

A safety campaign will also be initiated for Toyota Venza vehicles equipped with a genuine Toyota Canada driver’s side all-weather floor mat. Until owners of Venza vehicles receive their notice of the campaign, Toyota recommends that they remove any genuine Toyota driver’s side all-weather floor mat from their vehicle. Toyota has determined that the genuine Toyota carpeted floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and recommends at this time that only the original equipment carpet floor mat be installed, using the retaining clips provided. Customers should also ensure it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with the bottom-side up and that one floor mat is not stacked over another. If a customer does not know or is not sure whether the driver’s side mat in the vehicle is correct for or compatible with his or her vehicle, Transport Canada advises the customer to remove it. For additional information about floor mats, customers can visit their Toyota dealership, toyota.ca or the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/tp-tp14665-v200701-menu-241.htm.

Toyota Canada will be providing an educational advisory to other Toyota and Lexus customers with information on proper mat installation procedures. Toyota Canada reminds all its customers to register any address or ownership changes to allow for prompt notification.