Why we won’t take responsibility for sticky pedals — TNL

Following Toyota's outing with the news of recall of over 2.3million vehicles which caused ripples among car owners, Toyota Nigeria limited TNL has made efforts to washed its hands clean from the sticky accelerator pedal issues.

Toyota Nigeria says Toyota cars driven in Nigeria though among those on the recall list will not have any gas pedal problem and even if it does, vehicle owners will be advised on what to do. The company in its statement was cautious enough to reduce its role to that of an adviser without offering to take responsibility for the fixing of the bad pedal as is likely to be done elsewhere, if complains come. In a statement titled Clarification on Toyota vehicles recall campaign in US, Europe & china markets, Toyota Nigeria states; “we do not envisage a major issue for Toyota vehicles in Nigeria since by and large, Toyota Nigeria limited sources Toyota vehicles from japan and not the US or china markets. However,, keeping Toyota's customer first principle and the safety of Toyota customers in mind, Toyota Nigeria is checking if any vehicles are affected and will advise its customers if so required”.

The company says a solution to the sticky gas pedal has been found though not yet implemented. But in spite of this effort, vehicle owners still have their hearts in their mouth while driving any of the “sick” models. Those who have alternatives have parked theirs anxiously waiting till a more convincing and committed statement comes from TNL. “We are always isolated from the rest of the world and nobody is bordered about that. Nobody cares about any body's safety anymore. I saw Toyota's statement but to be sincere, I am still not very convinced that the vehicles we drive here are not involved,” says Emmanuel Nwazo, a Toyota sequoia 2009 model owner.
Meanwhile, Toyota Canada last Friday started modifying the accelerator pedal on 270,000 vehicles by inserting a “chicelet-sized” steel bar to eliminate any sticking that could cause crashes.
Toyota would not estimate the cost of installing the bar in existing vehicles, but industry watchers say the automaker will likely lose some business as consumers question the safety of the company's models.
Toyota is already facing class-action lawsuits in Canada and the U.S. seeking compensation for consumers who claim the company "knew or ought to have known" of design defects that resulted in accidents and injuries.
Toyota has revealed it is aware of five incidents of sticking pedals in Canada since October, but none led to accidents or injuries. It said it has worked at "lightning speed" to find a permanent solution.
"We regret any loss of peace of mind that this recall may have caused," the company says in full-page ads running in major daily newspapers. "But a recall was necessary because we place the safety of you, our customers, above everything else."
Toyota Motors sales incorporated USA had a few weeks ago recalled some of its models to correct a gas pedal problem, which could be fatal to its customers and other road users. The affected models include;
2009-2010 Toyota Rav4, 2009-10 Corolla, 2009-10 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia. However, the Camry Hybrid is not included in the recall.