Department of Transportation Responds to Third Toyota Recall

Feb. 9: The DOT learned today of a third Toyota recall involving 2010 Prius hybrids and Lexus HS 250h vehicles experiencing brake system problems. Some 2010 Camrys prone to brake fluid leaks have also been recalled. "Last Thursday, NHTSA opened a formal investigation of 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in response to consumer complaints about braking difficulties, and today, Toyota has acknowledged a safety defect," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. LaHood also reminded owners of affected vehicles: "If you are concerned about your car's braking performance, contact your Toyota dealer." NHTSA announced last week it was opening a formal investigation of the 2010 Prius to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump.
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Investigation Opened Regarding 2010 Toyota Prius Braking Issue

Feb. 4: NHTSA today announced it is opening a formal investigation of the Toyota Prius Hybrid model year 2010 to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. The agency received 124 reports from consumers, including four alleging that crashes occurred. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work. “Safety is our top priority,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “That is why in recent weeks NHTSA has also issued a consumer advisory on the recall of several models of Toyota vehicles and the Pontiac Vibe involving pedal entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals. We will continue to monitor these issues closely.”
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Transportation Secretary LaHood Statement on Toyota Recalls

Feb. 3: Today, Sec. Ray LaHood made the following statement on the Toyota recalls: “I want to encourage owners of any recalled Toyota models to contact their local dealer and get their vehicles fixed as soon as possible. NHTSA will continue to hold Toyota’s feet to the fire to make sure that they are doing everything they have promised to make their vehicles safe. We will continue to investigate all possible causes of these safety issues.” Read NHTSA’s consumer advisory on the Toyota recalls from Monday below.

Toyota Owners Advised of Actions to Take Regarding Two Separate Recalls

Feb. 1: NHTSA today informed owners of certain Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac Vibe vehicles about actions they should take if the accelerator gets stuck or is slow to return under certain conditions. Today’s advisory is prompted by continued reports of consumer concern and confusion about two recalls Toyota announced over the past week involving accelerator pedals. Each recall has a different root cause -– pedal entrapment and sticky pedal. In October, Toyota recalled 3.8 million vehicles for accelerator pedal entrapment by the floor mat. Toyota has begun to notify owners of the availability of a remedy for this entrapment recall. The accelerator pedal will be reconfigured by dealers. Then, in January 2010, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles for a problem internal to the accelerator pedal that causes it to be harder to depress, slower to return to the closed position or get stuck in some partially depressed position. Some of the vehicles included in this recall are also included in the pedal entrapment recall. Toyota has announced a remedy repair that will be available right away. Consumers should take the following steps prior to receiving the recall remedy. Owners should pay attention to the operation of the accelerator pedals. If the accelerator is harder to depress than normal or slower to return, it may be a precursor to a stuck pedal. These vehicles should be parked and a dealer immediately notified. Should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.
Read the Advisory for Complete Details

FocusDriven Launched to Raise National Awareness of Dangers of Distracted Driving

Jan. 12. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Safety Council President Janet Froetscher announced the creation of FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization devoted specifically to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The group is led by Jennifer Smith, who has been an outspoken advocate against distracted driving since her mother was killed by someone talking on his cell phone while driving in 2008. FocusDriven is a direct outgrowth of the September 2009 national Distracted Driving Summit in Washington called by Secretary LaHood. “I first met several of the founding members of FocusDriven at our Distracted Driving Summit, and I’m deeply impressed by their commitment to turn these tragic events into positive actions that will help save lives,” said LaHood. “Their stories are not just heartbreaking; they’re also a clear and compelling call to action.”
News Release l Distraction.gov l FocusDriven.org

Research Finds Increase in Use of Hand-Held Devices Among All Drivers

Kicking off a two-day Distracted Driving Summit to highlight the under-recognized dangers of distracted behavior behind the wheel, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced new research findings by NHTSA that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured. On any given day in 2008, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone. “Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road - even for just a few seconds - they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Sec. LaHood Sept. 30 in Washington, D.C. “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.”
News Release l Examination of Driver Distraction
Driver Electronic Device Use in 2008 Research Note
Additional NHTSA Research and Reports on Driver Distraction, Including Cell Phone Use

Toyota Announces Fix for Accelerator Pedal Entrapment Problem

NHTSA announced today that Toyota has identified a vehicle-based remedy to fix a sudden acceleration safety issue involving floor mats trapping accelerator pedals in various Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota recalled these vehicles in early October and said it would develop a remedy to reduce the risk of a crash due to accelerator pedal entrapment. Toyota will begin making the necessary fixes to the recalled vehicles beginning early in 2010, perhaps in January.
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