Toyota Adds 154,000 2010 Lexus RXs To 2009 Unintended Acceleration Recall

Nelson Ireson Senior Editor

June 29, 2012

So you thought Toyota had finally managed to move beyond the unintended acceleration fiasco of 2009-2010? Turns out that's not the case--the company just added another 154,000 vehicles to the list: the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h.

The problem, however, isn't with anything electronic or mechanical. Instead, it's the unsecured or incompatible floor mat issue, which can entrap the accelerator pedal and cause the vehicle to accelerate. If it seems strange to you that something so simple could be such a big problem, you're not alone.

Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification from Toyota early in August. A fix for the problem will be carried out at Lexus dealers at "no cost to the customers." No cost, that is, aside from the lost time at the dealership.

Loose all-weather floor mat jams accelerator pedal. Photo: NHTSA

While the floor mat issue is a real one, and could surprise drivers, creating dangerous situations, the reality is that most vehicles even without brake override systems to electronically slow the engine will still slow significantly with the brakes applied--even with a stuck or entrapped accelerator.

For a complete history of Toyota's unintended acceleration issues, including NHTSA reports on the causes (or non-causes) and Toyota's multi-layered response, visit our unintended acceleration archive.

For owners of an affected Lexus RX, more information can be found at the Lexus recall site, or by calling the Lexus Customer Satisfaction line at 1-800-255-3987.

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