Toyota suspends sales on eight models, halts production

By: Britt Godshalk

If you are a Toyota owner, listen up. Months ago, we told you about the recall of 4.3 million Toyota vehicles because gas pedals were getting stuck under floor mats and causing cars to accelerate. Now the company has been driven into another recall. Just this past week, Toyotas were recalled following concerns about gas pedals sticking, 2.3 million in all. Our Britt Godshalk has the story.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Picture this. You're driving down the road, you hit the gas and then lift your foot, but the gas pedal doesn't release. In seconds, you are accelerating towards the cars ahead. What do you do?

It's an all too real scenario that caused a recall last week of late model Toyotas including RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra and the Sequoia.

“Don't forget this also includes all Pontiac Vibes that were produced at the same time as the Matrix,” said Lauren Fix, car industry expert.

“It came up in a class I was teaching last night,” said Mike Sweeney, AAA Hudson Valley Traffic Safety Educator.

Traffic Safety Educator Mike Sweeney says don't panic.

“Stay calm and do a little homework,” said Sweeney.

AAA recommends shifting the car into neutral. The car will stop propelling forward and instead, it will coast and you'll have movement of the wheel so you can avoid something in your path.

“And then once you’re out of traffic, turn the car off normally,” said Sweeney.

As for the long term fix, a dealer in the Capital Region said, in part:

Toyota Motor Sales has made this action necessary until a remedy to the situation is finalized. Every effort is being made to address this situation as quickly as possible.

“They've stopped selling the vehicles. They've stopped production until the week of February 1st. They will fix them in the factories. The ones on the dealer lots will be repaired and the consumers who have these vehicles on the road will have them repaired free of charge. However, this does take time,” said Fix.

Fix says Toyota will also have to spend time fixing its reputation.

“It's very difficult and very costly for Toyota to try and recapture their loyalty. It may take years and years for Toyota to recover from this not just financially but also because of brand image,” said Fix.

A problem with reputation and acceleration for which the solution will be slow-going.

To re-read the list of cars affected and to find out who to contact about your vehicle, head to www.toyota.com .

Affected vehicles: