Toyota Recalls Millions More Vehicles

Torrance - Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. today announced a recall of 2.17 million vehicles because gas pedals could become stuck in floor mats, believed to be the cause of a 2009 crash that killed a CHP officer and three of his relatives.

The recall affects 20,000 2006 and early 2007 model year Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 all-wheel drive vehicles; about 372,000 2004 through 2006 and early 2007 RX 330, RX 350 and hybrid RX 400h vehicles; and about 397,000 2004 through 2006 Highlander and hybrid Highlander HVs.

Lexus is Toyota's upscale brand.

Additionally, the company amended a November 2009 recall to include about 603,000 2003 through 2009 4Runners; about 17,000 2008 through 2011 Lexus LX 570s; and around 761,000 2006 through 2010 RAV4s.

Toyota's mechanics will replace a plastic pad embedded in the floor mat of the GS 300 and GS 350, which could catch the accelerator in a depressed position. The company also will replace pads and retention clips on the other models.

There will be no charge for the work or replacement parts.

Owners of the Lexus GS vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail early next month.

Those who have the RX models and Highlanders will receive notices in the future explaining how to inspect their vehicles for the problems, or how to have the problem checked by a dealer. They'll be sent a second notice later when replacement parts are available.

Drivers with the cars amended to the earlier recall will also be notified.

Shortly before the fatal crash in August 2009 in San Diego County, California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45, dropped off his regular car at Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon to be serviced, and drove away in a loaner vehicle.

As the car barreled down the hill at the end of the state Route 125, someone in the car called 911 to report that they were gaining speed and could not stop.

The automobile struck an SUV at more than 100 mph at Mission Gorge Road and crashed through a fence before exploding on the bank of the San Diego River in Santee.

Saylor's 45-year-old wife, Cleofe, and 13-year-old daughter, Mahala, and 38-year-old brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, also died in the crash.

The Saylors lived in Chula Vista, and Lastrella was visiting from The Philippines.

Toyota Motor Corp. agreed to pay relatives of the Saylors $10 million in a settlement announced last December. A lawsuit by the family against the Lexus dealership is pending.

A study by U.S. transportation safety officials determined that problems with sudden acceleration in Toyotas was mechanical, not electrical, in nature.

Toyota faces about 200 lawsuits over reported sudden-acceleration incidents.