Toyota has announced that they intend to recall 3.8 million driver’s side floor mats just as soon as they come up with a replacement for the existing mats. In the meantime, owners of the affected vehicles are advised to remove their driver’s side mats. The reason? The accelerator can get stuck under the mat and the driver may not be able to slow the vehicle, potentially resulting in an accident.
This recall announcement is due in large part to a tragic accident that happened last month. There’s a very accurate news story about the accident that’s worth a look (see the YouTube clip after the break).
This was aired on Good Morning America on September 16th, 2009
The clip has a factual error – at 1:02, the reporter says that the “issue is mats that aren’t anchored down.” She then shows one floor mat on top of another. While she is correct- this can be an unsafe condition – two driver’s side floor mats is not a standard factory configuration.
First of all, all driver’s side factory floor mats (from all manufacturers) have a basic fastening system. There’s a metal eyelet at the back of the mat (the side closest to the driver). There’s a hook embedded in the carpet that attaches itself to the eyelet. As long as the eyelet is attached to the hook, the mat can’t slide out of position…unless the carpet fails or the mat somehow detaches from the hook.
The more common issue is that some people put an aftermarket mat on top of the factory carpeted mat. Floor mats are a popular after-market option for a lot of obvious reasons, but they’re not supposed to be placed on top of the factory mat. Cheap after-market rubber floor mats can slide right over the accelerator, and that can lead to obvious problems.
The Lexus push button starter
Another issue at play here is the increasing popularity of push-button starters. Unlike good old-fashioned “keys” that can be yanked out of the ignition when the engine races, a lot of drivers don’t know how to shut off their push-button engines.
Finally, there’s the fact that the hook and loop system is pretty cheap. It’s supposed to work, but obviously it doesn’t sometimes. Like the news report says, this is an issue the affects all vehicles. Having said that, it’s a pretty basic system. If we can’t rely upon a hook and loop…we’re in trouble.
Here’s what you can do if your accelerator gets stuck:
- Don’t panic
- Without losing control, lift your feet up, reach down, and grab the mat
- Put your vehicle in neutral
- Shut off the ignition (pull out the keys or hold down the ’start’ button for three seconds)
- Stomp on the brakes with a firm, steady push (don’t pump)
- Stay calm and don’t panic
It will be interesting to see what Toyota comes up with for the recall. In the meantime, be safe – this can happen to any vehicle. Here are the vehicles affected:
- 2007 – 2010 Camry
- 2005 – 2010 Avalon
- 2004 – 2009 Prius
- 2005 – 2010 Tacoma
- 2007 – 2010 Tundra
Read the official Toyota press release.
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Jason I said it on all websites I can. It breaks down into 2 categories. Category 1 is the use of aftermarket mats that aren’t design for Toyota models. I’ll be using a Tundra and Prius as models since I have both 07’s. I have both original carpet mats down first and on top of the I have the Toyota’s weather mat. Both hook on to the hooks together. When I bought the weathermats the note stated not to place on top carpet mat. Over 2 years now neither one has come off unless I take them off to clean. The hooks are stiif that way and don’t move at all. The mats stay the same way also. I can show you a wear mark on my Tundra weather mat where I put my foot the past two years. Now Category 2. This category is for the unattentive driver who doesn’t pay attention to their surroundings. Even though I have both mats on both vehicles my wife and I both check to make sure the mats haven’t moved. Obvious common sense tells you when you get in the mat is pushed way up by feeling with the foot, and when you try to push the pedal also you have more resistance and it’s harder to do. If you’re able to call on a cell phone then you’re able to put the vehicle in neutral then brake and turn off motor if you don’t even try to figure out what’s causing the issue. Apparently people aren’t bright to know what to do when an emergency hits. I can’t believe this recall is even valid. People don’t want to take the responsibility of their own actions anymore. It’s sue happy nation we live in and get rich quick scheme. Has anyone read the Owner’s Manual? My god they put it in every car for your own good. I went through mine on the Tundra but not the Prius. I asked my wife yesterday what would she do if that happened to her. She knew the 3 second rule on her on/off switch and put in neutral and brake then. She’s a nurse and can handle the stress. I asked her if she read her owner’s manual. She said half of it. Only the area she didn’t know about she did. That’s how she found out about the 3 second rule to shut the engine off. Now that’s prepareness. I really believe this isn’t Toyota’s fault for people not being attentitive about their surroundings and not knowing what to do in an emergency. I did 21 years in the Navy and that’s all we did was prepare for the worse. You have to take training like that and used it out here in the civilian world to stay ahead. Jason if you want I have a pic of both mats together on my Tundra if you want me to post it.