Toyota Expands Floor Mat Recall

[Stocks-to-Watch]

Toyota Motors (TM) shares were down 0.5% in morning trading, as the automaker expanded its floor mat recall to comply with regulators.

The company is recalling 2.17 million vehicles in the U.S., including Lexus and Toyota models dating back to 2003. A floor mat that slipped out of place and entrapped the accelerator pedal is believed to be the culprit in an accident that claimed four lives in California in 2009. Toyota has since recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide to fix the issue, as well as sticking accelerator pedals.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was closing its investigation with today’s recall.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the new recall includes:* “372,000 Lexus RX 330, RX 350 and RX 400h vehicles from the 2004 through early 2007 model years, and 397,000 Toyota Highlander and Highlander hybrids from the 2004-2006 model years to replace the driver’s side carpet cover and its two retention clips. It also includes 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 sedans from the 2006 model year to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side carpet that could interfere with accelerator pedal.

“Toyota also modified its earlier recall to fix floor mats to include 603,000 Toyota 4Runners from 2003-2009, 761,000 Toyota RAV4s from 2006-2010 and 17,000 Lexus LX 570s from 2008-2011.”



Original Article Source by Barrons.com