The Toyota accelerator pedal recall in overseas markets will not affect any Australian models
Apr 29, 2010 By Toyota Australia.
Australian Toyota owners will be aware of media reports surrounding Toyota recalls in overseas markets, including the United States.
The Toyota recall - which relates to a problem with the operation of the accelerator pedal on a number of Toyota models sold in overseas markets - does not affect any Toyota models sold or manufactured in Australia.
In February this year, Toyota Australia also undertook a separate local Prius safety recall. This was in response to isolated reports of an inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on certain road conditions, such as a potholes and bumpy or slippery road surfaces when the ABS is activated.
2,378 vehicles have been affected and the solution involves a simple upgrade to the vehicle's ABS software. Prius owners and media commentators have praised Toyota Australia's decisive action regarding the local Prius recall.
Jack Waldron, a Prius owner who lives in Melbourne's inner east, said he received a letter from Cannon Toyota, where he and his wife Mary-Rita bought their Prius. 'The whole thing was done very promptly Mary-Rita is the main driver of the car and she just dropped it off one morning, went and had some breakfast and picked it up shortly afterwards and headed off to work.'
Several other owners contacted by Driver's World had similar stories: 'It all happened as it should - no problems at all.'
Several experienced automotive industry journalists also commended Toyota Australia for the way it handled the Prius recall. A journalist at a leading regional daily newspaper said the words 'Toyota' and 'recall' do not usually appear in the same sentence. Referring to Toyota's record of safety and reliability, he said: 'My feeling is that the company is being picked on unduly, because of its hitherto excellent image and record.'
Toyota is fortunate to have an extensive dealer network in Australia. With more than 275 sites around the country, 90 per cent of third generation Prius hybrids had seen a dealer within three weeks - a quick and effective turnaround.
Prius is the world's best-selling hybrid vehicle, with global sales of more than 1.6 million, including 14,000 in Australia.