Toyota dealerships and customers are on hold after the company announced it will suspend sales of some of its most popular models, including the Camry, the country's best-selling car.
Five of Toyota's production lines across the country are also shutting down as of February 1st.
It's the latest move by the world's number one auto maker to deal with the problem of accelerator pedals that stick. Some have led to deadly accidents.
This is a real blow to Toyota dealers. The vehicles involved are all big sellers. It's also a blow to the confidence of a brand that's been considered among the most reliable vehicles on the road for decades.
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Below is a full list of the vehicles involved in the sales suspension:
2009-2010 RAV4
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2010 Highlander
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia
You can reach Toyota customer service representatives by calling 1-800-331-4331.
For more information please visit the link below:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-consumer-safety-advisory-102572.aspx
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Toyota has ordered its dealers to stop selling of eight of its most popular models. They are the Rav-4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia.
"Now, I don't know. Maybe I should try another variety," said Toyota owner Peter Cha.
Toyota is also halting the assembly lines which make the vehicles in Indiana, Kentucky, Texas and Canada starting February 1st. All because of problems with the gas pedal.
Drivers say the cars seem to accelerate by themselves.
Four people died in one accident near Dallas last month. Police say there was no evidence of breaking or skid marks before the Avalon drove into a pond. It's one of scores of accidents attributed to the problem. The company first blamed floor mats, which could slide under the gas pedal, making it stick.
"We continue to find evidence from a variety of consumers who come to us with incidents that cannot be explained by a floor mat," said Sean Kane with Safety Research and Strategies.
Last week 2.3-million cars and trucks were recalled to correct sticking accelerator pedals, but industry sources say the problem may be more severe.
George Magliano with I.H.S. Global Insight said, "Whether there's something with the quality, the standards that we use, something got by that shouldn't have, this is just the tip of the ice berg so to speak."
The head of Toyota U.S.A., Bob Carter, said "This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized."
Rav4 owner Mark Bina said, "And they're going to do the right thing by the consumer, if that means suspending production in the short term and sacrificing profits in the short term if that makes sure the vehicle is safe."
Toyota is sacrificing a lot of profit for safety. The vehicles affected made up more than 60-percent of Toyota's sales in the U.S. last year, and there's no timetable for when sales will resume.
