Toyota has a recall and current sales suspension on eight recent models (2009-2010) of it’s most popular automobiles for a problem which might cause the accelerator pedal to stick partially or fully open. They’ve not announced a fix yet and say it’s rare and is more likely to happen as the accelerator mechanisms become worn. It can be a serious problem and a number of wrecks have been attributed to it.

I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of an auto manufacturer suspending sales before. This action says something for the company but it’s got to be a big impact for the dealers — “Oh, you like that Camry, sorry, I can’t sale it to you at the moment but if you’d like to put your name on a list…no wait, don’t walk across the street to the Honda dealer.

And who said I never win anything — my Toyota RAV4 falls within this recall and when they have a fix I’m expecting to receive an owners notice. If I don’t I’ll certainly be calling them. “I win a free fix for a potentially deadly auto defect.”

Not to make light of it, but, I wonder if I happen to get stopped for speeding I could tell the highway patrol my accelerator pedal must have stuck for a moment. ;-)

7 Comments

  1. Earl, you better try a better line. A friend of mine tried it and the judge just laughed before imposing the full fine.

  2. Well, it sounded like a good idea to me! :-)

  3. You could always say you were hurrying to the dealer with your defective vehicle for a “fix.”
    No….that wouldn’t work either! :-)

  4. Never owned anything that was new enough to be recalled. However I have euthanized several vehicles over the years and it really felt good when I did it. :-)

  5. What do you think of the Rav4? Been thinking about a vehicle like that, and you’re the first person I’ve met who owns one.

    • Hi Chris. I love it. For us it’s a great size, comfortable, fun to drive and is still economical. We have the 3.5L V6 and electronic 4WD. It’s fast and surefooted, five star safety and still gets around 28mpg on the highway. The 2.5L 4 cylinder isn’t a slouch either but once in a while I pull a small trailer and like the extra power. Even with this recall I’d buy it again, once they correct the problem. :-)