Toyota Suspends Sales on Several Models, Recall Excludes Hybrid Products

By Eric Loveday

Eric Loveday

Author BIO

Eric Loveday is a car enthusiast with a love for everything automotive. He purchased a 1970 Chevelle at age 16, quickly outgrew its dated engineering... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Mercedes to Meet Future CAFE Requirements With Hybrid Vehicles
Failure to meet CAFÉ standards can result in stiff fines for automakers.  In particular, Mercedes... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 797ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

5,896 views Jan 27, 2010

Side Exterior View - 2010 Toyota Prius 5dr HB II (Natl)

Enlarge Photo

To say that Toyota has been hit hard with recalls recently is truly an understatement.  The company's most recent recall and stop sale involving a possible stuck accelerator has affected an estimated 2.3 million vehicles.

As Toyota stated, "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."

Toyota continued by issuing this statement regarding the stop sale of the affected models,"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company. This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized."

The problem is apparently severe enough that Toyota has not only recalled products involved, but has suspended all sales of the vehicles listed below until the situation is addressed.  The list of Toyota vehicles involved in the recall is extensive, but notably absent from the list is the company's hybrid offerings.

The Prius, in particular, has already been involved in a recall this year involving problems with the floor mats and another recall on this hybrid product would not sit well with potential buyers.

The Camry Hybrid is also notably absent from the list of vehicles affected. The Toyota Highlander is on the list, but the hybrid version of the Highlander is also absent from the list.

With stop sales on many Toyota offerings, potential buyers will have few models to choose from at Toyota dealerships.  Perhaps this will boost sales of excluded models such as the Prius and the Camry Hybrid.

Why hybrid models are exempt from the recall is unknown. ( Update:  Toyota says hybrid vehicles have accelerator pedals from a different supplier than non-hybrid vehicles) But potential hybrid buyers will be glad to know that the Prius has not suffered from another massive recall.

Models recalled and suspended from sales until further notice include

• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Some 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Source:  Edmunds.com