bender
September 29th, 2009, 06:02 PM
WASHINGTON – Toyota says it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States to address problems with a removable floor mat that could interfere with the vehicle's accelerator and cause a crash. The company says it will be the largest recall in its history. Owners could learn about the safety campaign as early as next week.
Toyota and the government warned owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles about safety problems tied to the removable floor mats. They say the mats could interfere with the vehicle's accelerator and cause a crash.
The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.
Owners should take out the floor mats on the driver's side and not replace them.
Toyota's previously largest recall was about 900,000 vehicles in 2005 to fix a steering issue.
all because of this:
SAN DIEGO – A harrowing 911 call made by a passenger in a fated Lexus that crashed seconds later and killed four people Aug. 28 was released Thursday by the California Highway Patrol.
In the 50-second tape, crash victim Chris Lastrella begins by telling the dispatcher: “We're in a Lexus ... we're going north (state Route) 125 and our accelerator is stuck.”
The dispatcher asks where they are passing, and Lastrella is heard asking someone in the car where they are. He exclaims: “We're going 120 (mph)! Mission Gorge! We're in trouble – we can't – there's no brakes, MissionGorge ... end freeway half mile.”
The dispatcher asks if they can turn the car off.
Lastrella doesn't answer and says repeatedly: “We are now approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection.”
The last sounds heard on the tape are someone saying “hold on” and “pray.” Lastrella says: “Oh shoot ... oh ... oh” Then a woman screams.
Killed in the crash were CHP officer Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe who were both 45, their 13-year-old daughter Mahala, and Lastrella, 38, who was Cleofe Saylor's brother. All four lived in Chula Vista.
A preliminary investigation into its cause has indicated the accelerator may have become entrapped by a rubber floor mat, sheriff's Sgt. Scott Hill said.
The car was a loaner from Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon.
Hill did not know if Saylor tried to shift the vehicle into neutral or turn it off – actions safety experts say may have been impossible if the car was experiencing a malfunction. The shut-off button on the car must be held for three seconds to turn the car off, experts said.
Dave Ezratty, vice president of Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon, said Wednesday that the dealer was refraining from commenting until the investigation into the accident is completed.
Investigators with the Nation Highway Safety Transportation Administration looked at the vehicle last week. Spokesman Ray Tyson said the agency got involved because of a 2007 recall involving after-market “all-weather” floor mats, including the Lexus ES 350.
The mats could slip if not properly installed and entrap the gas pedal, causing sudden acceleration.
The recall was intended to remedy the safety issue, Tyson said. Their investigation will determine whether there may be another safety defect that needs to be looked into, the spokesman said.
The sedan was traveling north on state Route 125 at 6:30 p.m in Santee when it entered the intersection at Mission Gorge Road and hit the rear of a Ford Explorer. The speeding Lexus went over a curb and through a fence and hit an embankment before becoming airborne, officials said.
The car hit the dirt in the San Diego River basin and rolled several times before bursting into flames. Officials with the Medical Examiner's office said all four died on impact of blunt force trauma.
Mark Saylor was a 20-year-veteran with the CHP assigned to the San Diego Area Field Office on Pacific Highway. As part of his job, he conducted safety inspections on tow trucks, armored trucks and ambulances.
Cleofe Saylor was a molecular biologist and senior research associate at Ambrax in La Jolla where she was involved in developing drug therapies for cancer and other diseases. Their daughter was about to start high school at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista and was a soccer team captain.
Chris Lastrella coached basketball and worked as an enrollment adviser at Ashford University in San Diego.
word of advice if this ever happens to you, shift the car into neutral, stop the car, turn off the ignition. DON'T CALL 911 :rant:
Toyota and the government warned owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles about safety problems tied to the removable floor mats. They say the mats could interfere with the vehicle's accelerator and cause a crash.
The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.
Owners should take out the floor mats on the driver's side and not replace them.
Toyota's previously largest recall was about 900,000 vehicles in 2005 to fix a steering issue.
all because of this:
SAN DIEGO – A harrowing 911 call made by a passenger in a fated Lexus that crashed seconds later and killed four people Aug. 28 was released Thursday by the California Highway Patrol.
In the 50-second tape, crash victim Chris Lastrella begins by telling the dispatcher: “We're in a Lexus ... we're going north (state Route) 125 and our accelerator is stuck.”
The dispatcher asks where they are passing, and Lastrella is heard asking someone in the car where they are. He exclaims: “We're going 120 (mph)! Mission Gorge! We're in trouble – we can't – there's no brakes, MissionGorge ... end freeway half mile.”
The dispatcher asks if they can turn the car off.
Lastrella doesn't answer and says repeatedly: “We are now approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection.”
The last sounds heard on the tape are someone saying “hold on” and “pray.” Lastrella says: “Oh shoot ... oh ... oh” Then a woman screams.
Killed in the crash were CHP officer Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe who were both 45, their 13-year-old daughter Mahala, and Lastrella, 38, who was Cleofe Saylor's brother. All four lived in Chula Vista.
A preliminary investigation into its cause has indicated the accelerator may have become entrapped by a rubber floor mat, sheriff's Sgt. Scott Hill said.
The car was a loaner from Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon.
Hill did not know if Saylor tried to shift the vehicle into neutral or turn it off – actions safety experts say may have been impossible if the car was experiencing a malfunction. The shut-off button on the car must be held for three seconds to turn the car off, experts said.
Dave Ezratty, vice president of Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon, said Wednesday that the dealer was refraining from commenting until the investigation into the accident is completed.
Investigators with the Nation Highway Safety Transportation Administration looked at the vehicle last week. Spokesman Ray Tyson said the agency got involved because of a 2007 recall involving after-market “all-weather” floor mats, including the Lexus ES 350.
The mats could slip if not properly installed and entrap the gas pedal, causing sudden acceleration.
The recall was intended to remedy the safety issue, Tyson said. Their investigation will determine whether there may be another safety defect that needs to be looked into, the spokesman said.
The sedan was traveling north on state Route 125 at 6:30 p.m in Santee when it entered the intersection at Mission Gorge Road and hit the rear of a Ford Explorer. The speeding Lexus went over a curb and through a fence and hit an embankment before becoming airborne, officials said.
The car hit the dirt in the San Diego River basin and rolled several times before bursting into flames. Officials with the Medical Examiner's office said all four died on impact of blunt force trauma.
Mark Saylor was a 20-year-veteran with the CHP assigned to the San Diego Area Field Office on Pacific Highway. As part of his job, he conducted safety inspections on tow trucks, armored trucks and ambulances.
Cleofe Saylor was a molecular biologist and senior research associate at Ambrax in La Jolla where she was involved in developing drug therapies for cancer and other diseases. Their daughter was about to start high school at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista and was a soccer team captain.
Chris Lastrella coached basketball and worked as an enrollment adviser at Ashford University in San Diego.
word of advice if this ever happens to you, shift the car into neutral, stop the car, turn off the ignition. DON'T CALL 911 :rant: