As an experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyer I try to use this blog to keep my readers informed on those issues that affect highway safety. A number of people have written and called to talk about the Toyota recall and what they should do about their Toyota. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released the latest Consumer advisory:

NHTSA’s Advice to Toyota Customers

Safety is our number one priority at the Department of Transportation. We’re going to continue to hold Toyota accountable and continue to investigate every possible cause of these safety defects, to make sure there are no other problems. We’ll make sure Toyota is doing all it has promised to make its vehicles safe.

Toyota consumers should check the list of recalled vehicles below and be sure to pay close attention to their vehicles. If you are experiencing any problems with your Toyota vehicle, park your vehicle in a safe place and immediately call your Toyota dealer or Toyota’s North American headquarters at 1-800-331-4331.

CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES

Gas Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mats

Drivers should immediately take out the driver-side floor mat of the following Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac vehicles:

* 2007-2010 Camry

* 2005-2010 Avalon

* 2004-2009 Prius

* 2005-2010 Tacoma

* 2007-2010 Tundra

* 2007-2010 ES 350

* 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

* 2008-2010 Highlander

* 2009-2010 Corolla

* 2009-2010 Venza

* 2009-2010 Matrix

* 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

After removing the driver-side floor mats, consumers should wait for a letter from Toyota instructing them to go to their dealers for the remedy. More than four million vehicles have been recalled for this safety issue.

Sticky Gas Pedals

Some 2.3 million Toyota vehicles are being recalled for problems involving gas pedals that are hard to depress, slow to return to the closed position or remain partially depressed. Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac vehicles affected by the sticky pedal recall are:

* 2007-2008 Tundra

* 2008-2010 Sequoia

* 2005-2010 Avalon

* 2007-2010 Camry

* 2009-2010 Corolla

* 2009-2010 Matrix

* 2009-2010 RAV4

* 2010 Highlander

* 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

If drivers are experiencing any unusual issues involving the gas pedals in the above-identified vehicles, drivers should immediately park these vehicles and notify their dealers immediately. Should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.

Brake Issues involving Prius and Camry Vehicles

Toyota is also recalling 2010 Prius Hybrids and Lexus HS 250h vehicles for braking safety issues involving momentary loss of braking power. Some 2010 Camrys prone to brake fluid leaks are also been recalled. Drivers of these vehicles experiencing any braking problems should park their cars and contact their their local Toyota dealer or Toyota’s North American headquarters at 1-800-331-4331.

Actions Consumers Can Take If They Cannot Stop Their Vehicles

Regardless of the cause, if a consumer is experiencing unintended acceleration in their vehicle, they should take the following steps:

* Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal.

* Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading).

* Steer to a safe location.

* Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).

* Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle. Do not drive it.

For more information, consumers can contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates. If you have been in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by some malfunction in your Toyota vehicle call us right away so that we can begin the process of protecting your rights and remedies.