Sept. 29, 2009, Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Toyota’s largest recall ever. The recall covers Toyota and Lexus models, including Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks, Camry, Prius, Avalon, Lexus ES and IS cars. The problem allegedly caused more than a dozen fatalities and resulted in more than 100 formal complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The action addresses the unintended acceleration of some vehicles, which Toyota previously blamed on floor mats becoming trapped between the drivers’ feet and the gas pedal. Toyota continues to ask owners of the recalled vehicles to remove driver’s side floor mats until the company provides additional information.

Toyota Motor Corp. Dealers will begin repairs in January by shortening the gas pedals as a temporary measure. Replacement pedals and a new brake system should be available in April 2010 on some of 3.8 million vehicles recalled.

For 2005 through 2010 model year Toyota Avalons, 2007 through 2010 Camry and Lexus ES350, the automaker will reconfigure the floor surface beneath the pedal to create more space between the pedal and the floor. The brake over-ride system that will be offered on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES and IS models should ensure the car stops if both the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. Many of the reported incidents involved sudden increases in speed when the cruise control system is engaged. Drivers have reported that their brakes could not stop their vehicles when they experienced the phenomenon.

Toyota intends to make the brake over-ride feature standard throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines beginning in January 2010.