Toyota recalls vehicles; sticking pedals cited

Toyota Motor launched a major new recall Thursday, saying a mechanical problem could cause the gas pedals to stick open in 2.3 million of its vehicles, including recent models of its popular Camry and Corolla sedans.

Most of the vehicles targeted by the new recall were included in a separate 4.3 million vehicle recall late last year targeting floor mats that could pin the accelerator pedal open.

In its latest recall, Toyota for the first time acknowledged that a mechanical problem could cause its vehicles to accelerate out of control.

"In the past they've unequivocably said that floor mats are the problem," said Sean Kane, president of Safety Research and Strategies, which has researched motorist complaints of sudden acceleration. "Now they suddenly find something else to blame."

The floor-mat problem was blamed for several crashes, including an accident involving a Lexus that accelerated to more than 120 mph before crashing in San Diego, killing four people.

Complaints of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles rose sharply after 2001, when the automaker began installing electronic throttle controls.

Kane and other safety experts said there is evidence to suggest that malfunctions by these electronic controls, sometimes known as "drive-by-wire" systems, may be a factor in the rising complaints.

But Toyota officials said the culprit appears to be the pedal mechanism itself.

"We have not found any problems with the electronic throttle-control system that would lead to sudden acceleration," spokesman Bryan Lyons said.

He added, however, that the automaker continues to investigate potential problems that could cause sudden acceleration, and would "not rule anything out."

The issue first came to national attention after an Aug. 28, 2009, crash of a Lexus ES 350 near San Diego that took four lives and prompted a public apology from Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda. That led to the eventual 4.3 million vehicle recall, Toyota's largest.

Toyota led all automakers in total number of vehicles recalled in the United States last year, a first for the Japanese automaker.

"This situation is slowly spiraling out of control," said James Bell, executive market analyst at auto-research company Kelley Blue Book. The new recall also includes the 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe, which until recently was manufactured by Toyota in a joint venture with General Motors at their shared Fremont, Calif., plant.

Toyota said the new action was triggered by reports from motorists who complained their accelerator pedals remained depressed after taking their foot off the gas.

"The condition is rare," Toyota said.

Toyota has not determined how it will fix the sticking-pedal problem, and in the interim is asking drivers who experience the problem to halt the car with "firm and steady application of the brakes" and to notify a Toyota dealer immediately.

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.