It turns out it's quite easy to tell which of the two possible throttle pedals your late-model Toyota was built with. Pedals made by CTS are subject to the recall, those made by Denso are not. We walked downstairs to our own parking garage yesterday to have a look at Toyotas owned by Edmunds employees.
For many of the Toyota vehicles on the list, you don't even have to look: 100% of them were built in North America and therefore have the pedal in question. The status of the other cars on the list comes down to whether the car was built in Japan or North America. This is easily determined by looking at a single digit in the VIN.
It's all cut and dry by VIN until you come to the Camry. U.S.-built examples of those vehicles have been built with both pedals, so a simple visual inspection of the pedal itself as shown above is necessary to see whether owners should expect to see a recall notice in the mail in the coming weeks.
More details about VINs and larger photos of the two pedals can be found after the jump.
The following cars are 100 percent North American-built and use the locally sourced CTS pedals exclusively. All owners will receive a recall notice.
|
Year |
Model |
First Three VIN Digits |
|
2005-2010 |
Avalon |
4T1 |
|
2009-2010 |
Matrix |
2T1 |
|
2007-2010 |
Tundra |
5TB or 5TF |
|
2008-2010 |
Sequoia |
5TD |
This next group of vehicles are made in Japan and North America. The Japanese plants use the locally made Denso part, while the the NA plants use the affected CTS part. The first digit of a Japan-made car's VIN will be the letter "J." Those made in North America will have a numeral as the leading digit. Owners of the following vehicles will get a recall notice if their car's VIN does not start with "J."
|
Year |
Model |
First Three VIN Digits |
|
2009, 2010 |
Corolla |
1NX or 2T1 |
|
2010 |
Highlander |
5TD |
|
2009, 2010 |
RAV4 |
2T3 |
|
2007-2010 |
Camry |
4T4 or 4T1 |
The one exception to all of this VIN-based certainty is the so-called "4T1" Camry. Those cars might have either of the two pedals, so an inspection is required to tell if a given car is part of the recall or not.
Edmunds employee Al's 2007 Camry has the "4T1" VIN sequence. A quick look under the dash reveals a Denso pedal. The four bolts that hold the assembly together are obvious, but the biggest and most conclusive giveaway is the word "DENSO" stamped clearly for all to see.
Bob's 2010 Camry also has a VIN that begins with "4T1" but his pedal looks quite different. There are no obvious bolts holding it together and two metal plates cover the innards. There's a part number and some other notations, but the manufacturer's name does not appear. This, therefore, is the "other" pedal, the one subject to the recall action.
None of the employee cars I inspected with the recalled pedals had the slightest hint of a problem -- all operated smoothly and returned swiftly when released. Some of them were several years old with tens of thousands of miles, too.
That's to be expected, because the problem is still a rare development. A lot of cars are involved in the recall because Toyota needs to call in all of the cars with the suspect pedal to be absolutely sure a sticky throttle doesn't develop on more cars in the future.
It's worth noting that this new pedal issue does not replace the previously announced floormat interference recall. That issue is still in play for a different set of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
redliner says:
11:00 AM, 01/28/10
What a hot mess. This is the type of thing that will stick in peoples minds, and 3 years from now when they go to buy a car they will think, 'no, not a Toyota, they have runaway engine problems.'
rsholland says:
11:23 AM, 01/28/10
Wonder if CTS will survive this, or if they will have to fold their tent?
jansolo says:
11:37 AM, 01/28/10
The CHP officer that died drove a Lexus. Was his Lexus made in the US or Japan? Did it have a Denso pedal? If his had a Denso pedal, then we theoretically have the culprit, but if his Lexus was made in Japan and didn't, then the plot thickens.
carlisimo says:
11:53 AM, 01/28/10
jansolo, the CHP officer's loaner Lexus was suffering from the floor mat issue, which is separate.
Thanks for the info, Dan. I have a few friends with Camries and this is great information for them. I'm sending them here.
chevy598 says:
01:13 PM, 01/28/10
This couldn't have happened at a better time for GM and Chrystler. You don't see the GM bailout on the news anymore. The D3 couldn't have bought better advertisement or publicity. I think GM owes Toyota a big thank you!!
mpumas says:
01:54 PM, 01/28/10
Now that Toyota determined that the CTS pedal is the culprit, the next question is to determine what shortcut/improvement CTS made to their pedal assembly design. For one, it looks like the DENSO can be disassembled and serviced whereas the CTS cannot. Also, is the pedal assembly just a pivot point for the throttle body cable or are sensors included inside? I don't buy that the problem is caused by condensation on the arm and spring. I can buy a failure of the pivot bearing due to defective design/assembly. I want to know what is inside.
thaitanium15 says:
02:07 PM, 01/28/10
This is what kills me. US made parts fall apart quicker or malfunction more often. It doesn't just apply to Toyotas. Hondas are the same way. For example my old 1992 Civic LX was made in Japan and my brother's 2000 Accord EX was made in Ohio. The wiring and electrical have been the biggest problems with the Civic solid as a rock while the Accord suffers from some problems. The Accord is 8 years newer! Sorry for the whining, I just had to vent. I really like the idea of producing cars and their parts in the US but this is ridiculous.
actualsize says:
02:38 PM, 01/28/10
I wonder if Cadillac is still happy with the name they chose for their volume-selling performance sedan, coupe and wagon?
actualsize says:
02:42 PM, 01/28/10
One week ago you'd have gotten a car if you typed "CTS" in the Google search window.
tourian says:
03:53 PM, 01/28/10
All Lexus are made in Japan, and thus would have Denso pedals.
dg0472 says:
06:15 PM, 01/28/10
This pedal was made to Toyota's spec's thaitanium15 and many other companies use the same company but haven't had complaints so let's stop it with the "it's because it's made in the US" crap until all the facts are in. I'd note that I've read several articles of Prius drivers complaining that their car took off on its own with no floor mats installed. Those were made in Japan.
brn says:
06:23 PM, 01/28/10
thaitanium15 "This is what kills me. US made parts fall apart quicker or malfunction more often."
It was designed by Toyota. Toyota approved the end product. CTS did exactly what Toyota told them to. Like it or not, it's Toyota's issue.
Maybe Toyota has lower standards for their US customers?
6sptl says:
08:31 PM, 01/28/10
I strongly suspect that this issue might not have anything to do with the pedal at all. I wonder if it has to do with the drive by wire system rather that the mechanical pedal proper.
santiagofdz says:
08:46 PM, 01/28/10
A very helpful post. Thank you Mr. Edmunds!!
superjet801 says:
09:11 PM, 01/28/10
Oh what a feeling….
Buy a Toyo, Have you pedal get stuck at full throttle …
For a number of reasons:
• CTS Pedal gets water and sticks
• Carpet gets under pedal and sticks
• Drive by wire system (read Computer) sticks
You crash with your love ones and you all DIED…..
Yet Toyo has been telling us all for 5-years there cars are safe……
OH WHAT A JOKE…….
justinlink says:
10:07 PM, 01/28/10
@carlisimo: I'm not sure it's safe to say the unintended acceleration is related to floor mats, even for Lexus. While the recalls don't yet overlap for Lexus, the 2005-2010 Avalons are covered by both recalls, which is enough evidence for me to point where this ordeal is headed.
On another note, I don't believe the pedal assembly is to blame, though I do believe Toyota is playing the blame game. The guy from New Jersey who showed up with his Avalon engine racing, pedal not-depressed, and floor mat properly installed seems to indicate otherwise.
mpumas says:
10:10 PM, 01/28/10
The function of the pedal assembly is the same whether it is a Denso or CTS. The Denso works; the CTS fails. Time to bring out the magnifying glasses. And it is a Toyota problem which they have to take responsibility. The buck will stop at Toyota.
prius2008 says:
11:42 PM, 01/28/10
Just a quick note on the August 28, 2009 Lexus crash. The NHTSA report clearly indicates this was a floormat problem. The report documents with photographs the all-weather floormat fused by the heat of the crash to the accelerator pedal. The problem here, as detailed in the report, was that (1) the driver's floormat was not hooked in and (2) the floormats were designed for the Lexus 400 SUV, not the ES350 involved in the crash. As previously stated this was a loaner car from Bob Baker Lexus, El Cajon, CA. Negligence with a very sad ending.
super_ongoy says:
11:57 PM, 01/28/10
Hey I want to get someone at Insideline's take on this whole mess. Is the issue really that serious as for me to consider not purchasing any Lexus or Toyota vehicles? What does this do to the whole Toyota brand? Many analysts on Wall St. are saying Toyota is done but those folks are financial guys. I want to know what automobile guys are saying.
tourian says:
02:28 PM, 01/29/10
They are recalling cars in Europe now, it is hard to believe that CTS made pedals ended up in those cars too, particularly when some of them came from Japanese plants.
mark19 says:
03:31 PM, 01/29/10
@super_ongoy - after all the wall street lies and the bank mess you would actually still LISTEN to those people? come on, really.
But yes Toyota is in trouble with their quality, they were more concerned with being #1 in sales than actually concentrating on quality. Why do you think they removed their CEO and put a Toyoda family guy in the CEO position? It's up to Toyota now of how they handle this mess if they're going to be hurt more.
super_ongoy says:
08:43 PM, 01/29/10
@mark19: I don't know man... I guess Ford kinda dealt with something like this before but everyone is saying nothing like this ever happened. They are coming out waving a white flag now but the sudden acceleration issue had been lingering for the whole decade (and Toyota denied all these time that there was nothing wrong with their cars). Is it too late to save the brand or will it pass?
Bet even after the pedal issue gets fully addressed, will consumers trust the brand that denied any faults for years and years? I don't know... I usually don't have any hots for Toyota or Lexus vehicles but if I was considering purchasing their cars, I am not sure how I would react. I wonder who will gain the most from this mess. My guess is other Japanese manufacturers like Nissan and Honda who seem to have pretty compatible product lineups.
princesspoola says:
03:47 PM, 01/30/10
I LOVE MY CAR! gas pedal or not. I just got a Rav4 limited and the guys down at the dealership explained that since my vin # started with a J , I was okay. They also mentioned that other makes use the same pedals and have not come forward. They are trying to capitalize and get you to trade in your car to them and buy theirs! Wouldn't that be great and turn around and have the same problem? I actually drove a Datson B210 in 1985 and the gas pedal stuck on the freeway. Luckily, it was really late at night and I instintively did what Toyota says to do. Put both feet on the brake and slowly made my way to the side of the road and put it in neutral. When I did that it killed it. When I started it again it would only go about 10 mph, but it got me off the road.
dturr says:
09:37 AM, 02/ 2/10
Is it me or does the Denso part look better engineered and more solid than the CTS.
deepen03 says:
11:16 AM, 02/ 3/10
@dturr:
Of course the Denso is better engineered and more solid because it is made in Japan.. All American Made parts are crappy. that explains the horrible reliability of FORD's and GM's.. Toyota made a huge mistake by having their top cars made in North America.. Thats why Honda still has its top car, the Accord still made in Japan, they know they can't trust american parts in their cars..
steve_ says:
03:06 PM, 02/ 3/10
I thought the CTS pedal looked better engineered with the brass bushing instead of the plastic one.
financeman2 says:
06:19 PM, 02/ 3/10
I have the DENSO pedal on my Highlander.....but I'm not sure that gives me great comfort; I seriously doubt Toyota has fixed the problem. Thank goodness I leased rather than purchased my 08 Highlander. Resale will be killed if this issue is not put to rest in the court of public opinion.
31ejmfdz says:
02:23 PM, 02/ 6/10
This faulty toyota case will not close.
1. This is not a floor mats problem
2. This is not a CTS’s part problem (Japanese made ‘lexus’ and ‘prius’ have a unintended acceleration problem. CTS never supply their parts to Lexus models. all prius and lexus models built in Japan)
3. It is hard to find hidden electronic glitch
4. Toyota will not admit their own technical & structural shortcoming
Just avoid toyota/lexus as possible as can… this is only solution.
31ejmfdz says:
02:25 PM, 02/ 6/10
1. The car accelerated all by itself
2. the brakes would not work while accelerating
3. Uncontrolled speeds can reaches between 65mph and 110mph
4. Lexus responds to all with “Improper installation of floor mats”
Make:
LEXUS
Model: ES350
http://autocoverup.com/2009/04/06/lexus-sudden-acceleration/#STS=g1ht79mx.1rm7
"CTS never made, any accelerator pedals for Lexus vehicles and that CTS also has no accelerator pedals in Toyota vehicles prior to model year 2005."
http://www.purchasing.com/article/447274-Toyota_emphasizes_supplier_relations_during_difficult_times.php
Toyota Digging in the Wrong Place
PMO says:
09:26 AM, 02/17/10
I would suggest the Gap of the plates either side of the sensor have changed to either bind or stick ? The plastic looks good my guess ,educated the sensor or steel have expanded to create the bind.
thegiant155 says:
05:12 PM, 03/ 4/10
We had a 2008 Chevy Impala 3.5L that used to take off on it's own every once in a while. The dealer never could find out what caused it, so we traded it on a Camry. Happy with the Camry.