Toyota to recall more than 18,000 Irish vehicles

TOYOTA Ireland are to implement a recall of up to 18,130 vehicles from next Wednesday.

It follows a global recall announcement last week concerning accelerator pedals that could potentially stick. The models involved include the IQ, Aygo with automatic transmission, Yaris, Corolla, Auris, Verso and Avensis. Only certain production batches are affected. In a feature added to the Toyota website, concerned owners can use their car’s registration number to check if it is part of the recall.

Initial stocks of replacement precision metal plate are scheduled to arrive in Ireland on Wednesday. That day it is scheduled for letters to be sent tocustomers informing them of which dealership they should attend for the new metal plate to be installed.

Toyota Ireland revised down the initial number of cars thought to be affected in Ireland by the worldwide recall. Originally estimated at 26,000, the firm now says the specific number is 18,130.

The problem relates to one of the two accelerator pedal suppliers, Denso and CTS, used by Toyota.

The recall relates to the CTS pedal only and is a direct response to the possibility that the accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in extremely rare instances, become worn.

According to the Toyota Ireland statement: “This progressive wear when combined with certain operating and environmental conditions, can cause friction in the mechanism to increase and intermittently result in the accelerator pedal being harder to depress, slow to return or stick in a partially open position.”

Repairs are to take place at Toyota dealerships around the country. With a dedicated technician and dedicated work bay, Toyota Ireland estimate each dealer would have the capacity to complete a minimum of 20 repairs per day.

The repair involves the installation of a precision-cut, steel-reinforced accelerator pedal which eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in some incidents.

A Toyota spokesman said the company was also investigating possible brake problems with the 2009 Prius.

However, 58 of the latest generation Prius have been sold in Ireland with Toyota Ireland receiving no reports regarding brake performance from owners or from its dealer network.

Customers with particular concerns should contact their Toyota Dealer or call the company’s dedicated Helpline 01 4190222 – open every day from 9AM to 5PM.

Return to sender: Make and model of recalled cars

The specific models and production periods which are to be included in a recall due to a potential accelerator pedal issue:

Aygo (Feb 2005-Aug 2009) Only applies to MMTs.

iQ (Nov 2008-Nov 2009)

Yaris (Nov 2005-Sept 2009)

Auris (Feb 2007-Nov 2009)*

Corolla (Feb 2008-Dec 2009)*

Verso (Feb 2009-Nov 2009)

Avensis (Nov 2008-July 2009)

*Two of the most popular Toyota models, the 1.4 petrol Corolla and 1.4 petrol Auris are not included in the recall.