Safety Campaign (Special Service Campaign) – 90L
Dealer Notification on Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal
(Updated: December 1, 2009)
In early October, Toyota announced it will initiate a Safety Campaign (Special Service Campaign) for potential floor mat
interference with the accelerator pedal. The condition involves the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor
mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide open position. A stuck open accelerator
pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious
injury or death. Toyota issued a consumer safety advisory on September 29 on this issue and has, as an interim
measure, commenced mailing safety notices to certain Toyota and Lexus owners on October 30. Today, Toyota has
announced the details of the vehicle-based remedy to address this issue.

Remedy:
* The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:
- The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an
older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of
another floor mat. For the ES 350, Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will
also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.
- Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will be provided with newly-designed
replacement driver-side and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.
* Toyota is in the process of completing development of these actions and will begin notifying ES 350, Camry, and
Avalon owners via first-class mail. Technical and reimbursement instructions will be distributed shortly before the
notification begins, also at this time specific VINs will be loaded into TIS for inquiry purposes. The remaining five
models will launch on a rolling schedule during 2010.
Extra Measure of Confidence:
In addition to the vehicle-based remedy, Toyota intends to add a supplemental function to the software for the Camry
and Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350, and IS 250 models. These models will have a brake override system installed,
which will cut engine power in the case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedals.
Involved Vehicles:
Toyota
2005 - 2010 Avalon
2007 - 2010 Camry
2004 - 2009 Prius
2005 - 2010 Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Tundra
Lexus
2007 - 2010 ES
2006 - 2010 IS

Notification Schedule
* Toyota will begin sending dealer notifications in mid-December, 2009.
* Owner letters will be mailed approximately one week after dealer notification.
Customer and Media Contacts
* A Q&A has been attached for your use in the event you receive a customer contact. If a customer has further
questions, please direct the inquiry to the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Special Service Campaign
Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal
Q1: Which vehicles are involved?
Toyota
2005 – 2010 Avalon
2007 – 2010 Camry
2004 – 2009 Prius
2005 – 2010 Tacoma
2007 – 2010 Tundra
Lexus
2007 – 2010 ES
2006 – 2010 IS
Q2: What is the condition?
A2: There is a risk for floor mat entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models when
an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat is used
Q3: When will the campaign remedy be launched?
A3: Toyota will notify dealers of this remedy campaign in mid-December 2009. Toyota intends to begin
owner notification in late December, on a rolling schedule, beginning with ES, Camry and Avalon.
The IS, Prius, Tacoma and Tundra will follow, beginning around the end of March 2010.
In the interim, Toyota recommends that owners remove any driver-side floor mat from the specific
models identified and NOT replace it with any other floor mat. Toyota will contact owners when the
campaign remedy for there specific vehicle is available.
Q4: How will Toyota remedy the vehicles? What is the campaign remedy?
A4: Toyota’s remedy plan is to modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles to address
the risk of floor mat entrapment. In the Lexus ES, Camry and Avalon models, additional modifications
to the floor surface are included to help improve the pedal clearance. In addition, Toyota will replace
any Toyota or Lexus all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat. For those
customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not want the newly designed allweather
floor mat, Toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price.
In addition to the campaign remedy, Toyota will add a supplemental function to the software for owners
of ES, Camry, Avalon and IS models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the
event that both pedals are being applied at the same time. This software supplement will reduce the
consequences of pedal entrapment, should it occur.
Q5: What should customers do?
A5: Toyota is committed to finding the right solution for this condition. Until the campaign remedy is
developed and customers receive notice from Toyota, we request that customers take out any
removable driver’s floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat.
Q5a: What if a customer chooses not to remove their floor mat?
A5a: In the event a customer chooses not to remove their floor mat, Toyota strongly recommends
that they ensure that the correct floor mat is being used, that it is properly installed and secured,
that it is not flipped over with bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another.
Information on proper floor mat installation can be found on http://www.toyota.com and
http://www.lexus.com.
Q5b: What if a customer requires assistance in checking the floor mat?
A5b: If a customer chooses not to remove their floor mat and requires assistance, they may check
with any local Lexus or Toyota dealership's Parts or Service Department to verify the application.
Dealers will re-install only those floor mats designed specifically for that model and model year.
Q5c: What if a customer needs retaining hooks (clips)?
A5c: Replacement retaining hooks (clips) for Lexus and Toyota carpeted and all-weather floor mats
are available at any Lexus or Toyota dealership. Please check with the dealer for details.
Q6: What if a customer would like to verify the installation and applicability of the floor mats
currently installed in their vehicle?
A6: Please direct the customer to their local Toyota dealership's Parts or Service Department to verify
whether the Toyota floor mat is designed specifically for their vehicle and correctly installed. The floor
mat should be removed before driving to the dealership.
Q7: What if a floor mat is an aftermarket rubberized floor mat?
A7: Driver's floor mat interference is possible in any make or model vehicle with any combination of floor
mats. Therefore, consumers need to make sure the floor mats are compatible for their model and
model year. Also, they need to be sure they are properly secured using the appropriate retention
device (clips). Driver’s floor mats should never be stacked. Consumers should never place any floor
mat – aftermarket or not -- on top of another driver’s floor mat. Floor mats should also not be flipped
over with the bottom-side up.
Q8: What if a driver experiences accelerator pedal interference. What should they do?
A8: Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an
indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following
actions:
First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull-back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator
pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.
If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do
not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled
stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. -If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button. -If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
Q9: What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?
A9: Owners with questions or concerns, are asked to please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center (1 800 331-4331) or Lexus Customer Assistance Center (1 800 255-3987), or consult the information posted at http://www.toyota.com/floormats and http://www.lexus.com/floormats

 

I don't know that the floor mats are really much of a problem. With the mats properly installed, there's no way they can interfere. The only problem I've seen was on a rental Corolla the dealer gave me while my Tacoma was having warranty work done. The mats had been turned upside down (I guess to keep the top side looking new). There was definite interference with the accelerator pedal. But with the mats installed correctly, there was no interference. On 2 subsequent warranty visits where I was given a Corolla to drive, both of them also had the mats turned upside down.

On my Tacoma, even if the driver's mat isn't hooked into place, the mat would have to be pretty far out of place in order for it to interfere with the pedal. And for the mat to be that far out of place, isn't that the fault of the driver? After all, although Toyota can plan for some driver stupidity and can engineer their vehicles likewise, isn't it quite impossible for Toyota to be able to predict and eliminate every single possible hazard?

Although mats might can be a problem, more so on some models than others, I believe most of the problem lies with the fly-by-wire accelerator controls. Without a direct mechanical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body, a electronic malfunction could possibly cause the throttle body to open or stay in an open position even after the throttle pedal is lifted.

Although a cable system can stick (quite rare though), a cable doesn't have a "mind of it's own" so to speak, like a computer controlled fly-by-wire system.

What's even more scary is that some motorcycles now have a fly-by-wire throttle. Fortunately, they also have a kill switch located within reach of the right thumb, and this is in addition to the ignition switch.

One motorcycle manufacturer that has a fly-by-wire system also has a backup cable that will pull the throttle plate closed if the electronic controls fails to close the throttle when the throttle is released. I think Toyota would be wise to look into adding something like this to their vehicles, and that's assuming they don't just go back to a fully cable actuated throttle system.

 

so, i dont get it...?? are the gona give me new mats or what lol, and when

 

Lol I wanna qualify with my truck. I need the stock 4runner floor mats bad lol.

 

yeah this recall is stupid...there is alot of space between my floor mat and the gas pedal...it's nowhere close...someone goofed up on this one

most all newer cars use drive by wire now...toyota, honda, etc...

 

no screw up. just a hand full of morons that dont know how to drive and decided to put the blame on someone else.

todays drivers dont know much bout cars or how to drive. 1st of all, if your gas pedal is stuck. theres always the option of turning the car off, putting in N, and jumping out (tuck and roll) lol

 

yea, I doubt it is the floor mats getting more dangerous in the newer models, it's people getting more stupid over time.

 

From the sound of it they are not going to replace any floor mats.
They are going to reshape/resize the pedals and maybe the floor pan.

Just get WeatherTech's and keep everything else stock.
Problem solved.

Fink

 

A week ago my '03 4Runner's accelerator got stuck. After turning at a light I floored the gas pedal and the acceleration system was locked on. I pumped the break but the acceleration continued. I pushed the brake down hard with continuous pressure. After about 3 seconds the accelerator unlocked.

This was no floor mat issue. I honestly don't know if the gas pedal remained depressed or whether it returned to normal during the acceleration. I took my foot off of it and hit the brake.

Toyota is telling customers that depressing the brake and keeping it depressed will disengage the accelerator on cars that have the problem, which is exactly what worked for me. I believe that eventually 4Runner will be added to the recall list, and that in the meantime 4Runner owners better beware.

I reported the problem to the National Highway safety folks at:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/index.cfm

 

It appears that Toyota has identified the real problem... something to do with parts supplied to American built Toyotas. Which leads to the next question.

What parts are involved?
What is the failure mechanism?
Why were the parts used in the US not the same as those in Japan?
Was this the problem all along, not floormats?

 

That's been my observation all along. With the floor mats installed the correct way, there's no way they can cause the problem. They cannot just come loose and move if installed correctly.

Even IF they aren't installed correctly, they would have to be noticeably out of place before they would cause interference, and that could be uncomfortable enough, or interfere with foot movement enough for the driver, for him/her to want to correct it.

So yes, I think that was the problem all along.

 

its the american built models that have the issue. the part that is different is the gas pedal. the american built ones are made by CTS and the japanese ones are DENSO

you can tell which pedal you have by getting down and looking up at the side of the pedal near the connector. if it says denso than your ok. if it doesnt and has like a silver metal plate on the side, than u have the CTS. i still dont know what they are gonna do but toyota cant sell any models that has the CTS pedal till they decide what is gonna be done about it

suppose to be a reflash that makes the gas pedal send no signal if the brake pedal is depressed

 

I suspect there is more to this story than floormats and gas pedals. We shall see. I think Toyota has found the problem while researching what was initially thought to be a simple floormat/pedal problem.

 

toyota is not the only one that uses these CTS brand pedals. honda and other makers are gonna be next on the chopping block

 

I was reading today about the recall and remembered this funny story:

When I first put the s/c on my truck, I was pissed because of the lack of power. I thought I did something wrong, but turns out the floor mat wasn't letting the gas pedal go all the way down. I adjusted it and BOOM!, instant 75 hp!

Best performance mod I've ever done

 

yep. my friends dad wanted me to look at his avalon because it had no power. lets say he had like 5 different floor mats

 

They sure don't make em like they used to...New cars have way too many electronics power this power that in 15-20 years its no good and need to be replace...I like everything MANUAL windows Transmission hubs EVERYTHING

I drive an 89 4runner even if the pedal got stuck It's a manual I would just put it in neutral or down or turn the car off...

If it such an issue want no remove the entire floor mat all together??? build or create a custom one...

NEW CARS are WEAK I like 95' and older. The older the BETTER!!!

 

Anyone out there have a vehicle with keyless entry and the big start/stop button?

Curious here, about how the keyless entry with the start/stop buttons work.

Suppose you have an "emergency" where you are accelerating without pedal control, and the brakes don't provide enough stopping power... granted a real hypothetical.

You are traveling in a straight line, nobody behind you. So you pull over to the slow lane and want to cut the power. Can you do that? Does the start/stop button cut the engine? Just curious here.

 

I have been following this loosely here and on other forums, and one thing was brought up.
The people who freaked out and ended up dying, why did they not shift into neutral?
Rev limiter would keep the engine from blowing, and once pulled over they could turn the key off.

Several years ago I had to do this in my '91 4Runner.
My youngest son and I were off road up by Mt. Rainier and I let him drive some on the gravel roads when he was around 14 or 15.
My turn to drive again and I goosed it a bit and the throttle stuck.
I had a pair of custom mats in it, and the pedal got stuck in a hole I had cut out for the pedal to go all the way down.

Turns out it got stuck in the hole
I had to enlarge the hole even more.

It was a scary ride to say the least.
I first tried the brakes, but it did not work on a logging road, and the pedal was all the way down, we were accelerating fast.
Threw it into neutral and then turned the key off when I coasted over.

Just then a forest service ranger appeared out of nowhere.
She witnessed the whole thing, and I showed her the stuck pedal.

 

throw it in N. problem solved
its those that freak out get in accidents. but if they freak out over the gas pedal being stuck. think of how many other incidents they can freak out on and do just as much damage in a car or not