BUSINESS car managers operating one of the most reliable car makes in the world must be wondering what is happening as Toyota’s safety issues deepen.
In Japan and North America, drivers of the new Toyota Prius Mk3 have reported brake problems. However, Toyota said that while it is investigating the complaint, it would be premature to comment.
In the meantime, the boss of Toyota in Britain, Miguel Fonseca, issued this statement regarding the accelerator pedal recall that has affected eight Toyota models.
“Among the several million Toyota vehicles sold across Europe in the past five years, there has been a small number of reported cases of drivers experiencing a problem with a sticking accelerator pedal, ” commented Toytoa’s managing director, Mr Fonseca.
“There have been no reports of any accidents or injuries occurring as a result of this problem in Europe, or the UK.
“People who drive any of the models that are to be recalled should also be aware that this is not a problem that develops suddenly. There are warning signs that will indicate that your vehicle might have a problem, such as the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress or slow to return to its normal position. In some cases, drivers may notice a rough or chattering feeling when depressing or releasing the accelerator pedal.
“In the rare event that Toyota drivers notice that the accelerator pedal is hard to depress, slow to return or is unsmooth during operation, they should contact their nearest Toyota dealership.
“Toyota can reassure its customers that its cars remain safe to drive. Safety is our prime concern and that is why we have set up the recall programme to ensure our customers continue to benefit from the highest standards of safety, quality and service.”
Mr Fonsenca said that any customers with concerns should contact Toyota GB Customer Relations on 0800 1388 744.
There is also a dedicated recall information page on the Toyota website at https://www.toyota.co.uk/recall.
Further information
For models affected by the recall and further commentary, read the Editor’s Blog Recalls tarnish reliability crown.
