Feds Spank Toyota for "Inaccurate and Misleading" Recall Information

WASHINGTON — The federal government on Wednesday took the unusual step of rebuking Toyota for "inaccurate and misleading information" regarding a safety recall involving 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles for floor mats that may jam under the gas pedal and cause unintended acceleration. Toyota hastened to deny that it was covering up anything, according to media reports on Thursday.

The federal government underscored that the Toyota vehicles involved in the recall have a "very serious defect."

At issue is a November 2 statement by Toyota that said "no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured." NHTSA statement said that press release "inaccurately stated NHTSA has reached a conclusion."

"NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck," said the NHTSA statement. "But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design."

Toyota Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo told Automotive News on Thursday that the company is working with the federal government to pinpoint the problem's cause. He said there is no attempt "to cover up anything."

At least seven Toyota models have been recalled for this problem. They include the 2007-'10 Camry, 2005-'10 Avalon, 2004-'09 Prius, 2005-'10 Tacoma, 2007-'10 Tundra, 2007-'10 Lexus ES 350 and 2006-'10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.

NHTSA says it is meeting with Toyota to hear its action plan for redesigning the vehicles.

Inside Line says: The feds and Toyota duke it out over an extremely serious issue. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent