Recall of the Week: Toyota vehicles due to gas pedal problems

A new Toyota recall was announced this week, affecting about 2.3 million vehicles, due to gas pedals that could become hard to depress, slow to return, or stick.

In a separate recent recall, about 4 million Toyota vehicles were recalled over concerns that accelerator pedals could become lodged under floor mats, causing sudden acceleration.

These Toyota models are included in this week's recall:

• 2009-2010 RAV4

• 
2009-2010 Corolla

• 
2009-2010 Matrix

• 
2005-2010 Avalon

• 
2007-2010 Camry

• 
2010 Highlander

• 
2007-2010 Tundra

• 
2008-2010 Sequoia

In an announcement about the recall, Toyota said the accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash. It further explained the problem as follows:

Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation – without air conditioning – when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.

Toyota has not yet provided a remedy plan or an owner notification schedule.

Owners may contact Toyota at 800-331-4331. They also can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or TTY 800-424-9153, or go to www.safercar.gov.