On January 21, 2010 Toyota recalled certain models of 2007 – 2010 Toyota and 2009 – 2010 Pontiac vehicles for a safety related defect.  Toyota stated that the accelerator pedal assemblies may become “hard to depress, slow to return to idle when released, or may remain mechanically stuck in a partially depressed condition, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.”

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) lists the following vehicles affected by the “sticky pedal recall:

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

NHTSA list the following actions that consumers can take if they cannot stop their vehicles:

Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal
Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading)
Steer to a safe location
Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).
Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle.  Do not drive it.

Toyota has also issued a voluntary recall on the brake systems of the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, and 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles; all of which contain 1.8 liter engines. anti-lock brake system of the 2010 Prius.

If you feel you might have a claim, please contact Houssiere, Durant & Houssiere.