2.3 million more Toyotas recalled
But NHTSA isn't ready to open a formal investigation and is treating these complaints like the 30,000 or more it receives annually.
"We are reviewing steering complaints with the Corolla to determine if a safety defect investigation is warranted, as is standard procedure with all complaints," NHTSA spokeswoman Karen Aldana said.
The complaints are for 2009 and 2010 model Corollas; many said the vehicle unexpectedly veered sharply at highway speeds of 40 miles per hour and above.
Automotive News reported that the complaints site 10 injuries and six accidents. Detroit News
01/22/10 Toyota said today it was recalling 2.3 million vehicles to fix accelerator pedals that could fail to spring back, raising the total number of Toyota models called back for possible uncontrolled acceleration to 4.8 million. The move reignites questions surrounding sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles which have been linked to a dozen deaths and more than 100 complaints to federal regulators.
The Japanese automaker last year recalled 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus models over problems with floor mats causing stuck accelerator pedals.
Toyota said the new problem could occur without any floor mat in place. The automaker does not have a fix for the problem at the moment, and warns customers to hold down the brakes if their accelerator pedals become stuck.
About 1.7 million Toyotas are subject to both recalls.
Irv Miller, group vice president for Toyota’s U.S. sales arm, said the company had investigated “isolated reports" of sticking pedals in recent months due to wear.
“Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position," he said.
Toyota said the voluntary recall covers the following models:
• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
For its previous problem, Toyota had begun modifying the accelerator pedals in the all affected models. It had also ordered dealers to modify the floor around the pedals in some models, and install a brake override system meant to ensure that the engine will lose power if the brake and the accelerator are applied simultaneously.