Toyota has proclaimed that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales of eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedal, heralded on January 21, 2010.

Toyota announced it would recall about 2.3 million vehicles to fix sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in particular vehicles without the presence of floor mats. There is a hypothesis that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in extraordinary cases, “mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.”

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

2009-2010 Toyota RAV4,
2009-2010 Toyota Corolla,
2009-2010 Toyota Matrix,
2005-2010 Toyota Avalon,
Certain 2007-2010 Toyota Camry,
2010 Toyota Highlander,
2007-2010 Toyota Tundra,
2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are involved by these actions. Also not involved are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

Due to the sales suspension, Toyota is anticipated to stop producing cars, trucks and SUVs on the following production lines for the week of February 1 to evaluate and coordinate activities. The North America car, truck and SUV production facilities involved are:

— Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
— Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
— Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky - Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
— Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
— Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

No other North American Toyota vehicle production manufacturing facilities are affected by the decisiveness to stop production.

The sticking accelerator pedal recall is different from the current recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles to slim the risk of pedal entrapment by improper or out of place accessory floor mats. Close To 1.7 million Toyota Division cars are subject to both separate recall actions.