Toyota issues floor mat warning affecting 3.8 mln
cars
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Automaker Toyota has issued a safety
warning affecting some 3.8 million vehicles in the United States
after a deadly crash in California believed to be the result of a
gas pedal that got stuck on a floor mat.
"We're asking customers to remove their driver's side mat from
their vehicle and... store it somewhere," said Brian Lyons, safety
and quality communications manager for Toyota USA. "We're looking
for a remedy on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis."
The warning affects seven Toyota brand vehicles, including the
ES350 -- the vehicle that off-duty California highway policeman
Mark Saylor was driving when he crashed in San Diego in an accident
that may have been caused by the gas pedal getting stuck on
driver's side mat.
Saylor, his wife, daughter and brother-in-law were killed in the
August 28 crash.
"We started taking a look at... potential causes," in
coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Lyons told AFP.
He said the advisory was expected to affect some 3.8 million
vehicles in the United States.
The Toyota models affected are the 2007-2010 year Camry, the
2005-2010 Avalon, the 2004-2009 Prius, the 2005-2010 Tacoma, the
2007-2010 Tundra, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus
IS250 and IS350.
"Until Toyota develops a remedy, it is asking owners of specific
Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver's floor
mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat," a statement on
the company's website said.
