Toyota Extends Recall
(AP) - Toyota’s massive recalls over problem gas pedals in the U.S. are being extended to China and Europe, the latest blow to the world’s top automaker as it struggles to salvage its safety reputation.
The announcements Thursday come after the company earlier this week said it was suspending U.S. sales and production of eight models - including the Camry, America’s top-selling car - to fix faulty pedals that could stick and cause acceleration without warning.
Toyota Motor Corp. also announced an additional recall of 1.09 million vehicles in the United States covering five models - 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.
Toyota dealers across the U.S. have been swamped with calls from concerned drivers but had few answers as the recalls snowballed.
A week before the sales suspension, Toyota issued a U.S. recall for the same eight models, affecting 2.3 million vehicles. In late 2009 it recalled 4.2 million vehicles amid concerns that floor mats could bend across gas pedals, causing sudden acceleration.
Toyota has insisted the problem of sudden, uncontrolled acceleration was “rare and infrequent” and said dealers should deal with customers “on a case-by-case basis.” But drivers of Toyotas and those who share the road with them were left with uncertainty.
The automaker has informed Chinese authorities it will start a recall in February for 75,500 RAV4 sport utility vehicles that were manufactured in China between March 2009 and January 2010, said Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi.
They use the same problem parts in accelerators that caused the recent spate of massive recalls in the U.S., she said.
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