How to get your car fixed if it’s affected

Toyota issued a global car recall last week due to a number of safety problems.

We explain what cars are affected and how you can get your Toyota fixed.

What’s the problem?

There have been reports of accelerator pedals becoming hard to depress, slow to return and in rare cases getting stuck half-way through their working travel.

Toyota says this is rare, and can be caused by the pedals becoming worn.

Which cars are affected?

• Toyota Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
• Toyota Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
• Toyota Aygo with MMT semi-automatic transmission (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
• Toyota Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
• Toyota iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
• Toyota RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)
• Toyota Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
• Toyota Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)

Brand new models are free of the defect and Lexus cars – which are owned by Toyota – have not been affected.

Toyota Prius recall

The third-generation Toyota Prius (Aug 2009 – 27 Jan 2010) has also been recalled.

Toyota says it is not a safety or accelerator pedal issue, but that some of its customers are concerned with the way the ABS brakes feel during “slow and steady braking on bumpy or slick road surfaces.”

What should I do if my car is affected?

Toyota will send you a letter in the next few weeks about booking your car in for repair at a Toyota-approved service centre.

A reinforced pedal can be fitted in 30 minutes and the Prius ABS software upgrade takes 40 minutes.

Concerned owners can also contact Toyota customer relations on 0800 1388 744 or visit the accelerator pedal recall website.

The Association of British Insurers has assured owners that insurance policies will not be affected by the recall.

How many cars are affected?

A total of 180,865 Toyotas have been recalled for faulty accelerator pedals, while 8,500 Prius hybrids are affected by incorrect brakes.

What to do if your accelerator pedal gets stuck

The Institute of Advanced Motorists has issued the following advice:

• Keep calm – remember you can still steer and use the brakes
• In a manual, brake firmly and depress the clutch to disengage power
• In an automatic, brake firmly and put the car into neutral
• The engine is likely to be revving, but remain calm to avoid serious danger
• Look for somewhere to stop safely – indicate, pull in and switch the engine off

Other car maker recalls

The following cars have also been recalled:

• Peugeot 107 (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
• Honda Jazz (2002 – 2008)
• Citroen C1 (36 petrol models affected with SP trim, produced between Feb 2005 to Aug 2009)

Concerned customers can visit Citroen’s accelerator pedal recall search, call Peugeot on 0845 200 1234 or visit Honda’s Jazz recall page.

For up-to-date recalls, visit the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) recall search.