NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
31 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 8, 2024
Exterior LightingSeatsStructureCrash
Issue number one the dashboard the steering wheel and the clutch handle for automatic or manual melts it gets extremely hot and slippery it burns no matter if you cover your car or anything it melts and the glare from it is very dangerous when the Sun hits the windshield while driving it makes it look like a mirror form I'm not …
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Issue number one the dashboard the steering wheel and the clutch handle for automatic or manual melts it gets extremely hot and slippery it burns no matter if you cover your car or anything it melts and the glare from it is very dangerous when the Sun hits the windshield while driving it makes it look like a mirror form I'm not the only one who complains about this issue because why does the dashboard melts and create a dangerous flare with glare excuse the heating and cooling seats I believe also I'm not sure if it's causing condensation because it's connected to the AC which is also an issue no matter how much you get it fixed like I'm not sure if the blend door actuator gets stuck but a lot of people complain about that too because I'm not the only one with that issue 3 the gas pedal gets stuck no matter how many treatments and maintenance and services you get done with your car that's still dangerous because I was driving one day on the highway and my pedal got stuck while driving I keep my car in tip top shape have evidence and all. The light fixtures also is an issue I'm not sure if they're supposed to go down no matter how many lights and replacements you do they still become dim which is dangerous at night while driving in the woods or on dark paths 4 the fuel system they tell to use premium gas which is 91 but then the dealers take to use 87 which causes a stalling on the I believe transmission which is also another faulty issue cuz no matter how many times you replace everything is still very faulty I ran into a lot of people and Friends who have the same issue and again I'm a person who take care of my car and 5 last but not least all the windows and sunroof keep opening which I didn't know was that supposed to be a feature.
NHTSA ODI #11607287
130,000 miles · Mar 1, 2024
Structure
The contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sun exposure and there was an abnormal burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was a glare coming from the melting dashboard obstructing the contact's vision while driving. The vehicle was not…
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The contact owns a 2007 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sun exposure and there was an abnormal burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was a glare coming from the melting dashboard obstructing the contact's vision while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were informed of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #11574938
75,000 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Structure
IT ISN'T BAD ENOUGH THAT TOYOTA CORP SOLD ME A DASHBOARD ON MY 2007 LEXUS ES350 THAT MELTS IN THE SUNLIGHT, BUT AS IT MELTS IT LEAVES A DANGEROUS SHINY RESIDUE THAT IMPAIRS MY ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #11364198
75,000 miles · Aug 19, 2020
StructureUnknown Or OtherInjury
2007 LEXUS ES350 DASHBOARD MELTING PRODUCES CHEMICAL FUMES AND SHINY STICKY DASBOARD REFLECTING SUNLIGHT AND NIGHT HEADLIGHTS BLINDING DRIVER VISIBILITY. FUMES CAUSING HEALTH ISSUE IN ALL CAR PASSENGER BREATHING. ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11350206
250,000 miles · Jan 15, 2020
Air BagsStructureSuspensionCrashInjury
WAS IN CAR CRASH WHERE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN EJECTED AND THEY DID NOT!
NHTSA ODI #11299524
60,000 miles · Jan 10, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other
PURCHASED 2007 LEXUS ES350 AND DASH IS MELTING WITH HEAT AND HUMIDITY. LEXUS DEALERSHIP REFERRED ME TO CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED MAY 31, 2017 HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL LETTER RECEIVED. LEXUS IS AWARE OF ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE DASH OR REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO GLARE FROM DASH MELTING AND ST…
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PURCHASED 2007 LEXUS ES350 AND DASH IS MELTING WITH HEAT AND HUMIDITY. LEXUS DEALERSHIP REFERRED ME TO CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED MAY 31, 2017 HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL LETTER RECEIVED. LEXUS IS AWARE OF ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE DASH OR REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO GLARE FROM DASH MELTING AND STICKY BECAUSE OF SHINE. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE FUTURE, THE DASH CANNOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE IT WILL CRUMBLE TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS NECESSITATING REMOVAL OF DASH AND NO SHOPS WANT THAT RESPONSIBILITY. LEXUS REPLACED A COMPLETE DASH FOR A CRACK ON MY 2004 LEXUS WITHOUT IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE GLARE COMING FROM THE DASH MELTING! THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED! THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS FILED OVER THIS ISSUE!
NHTSA ODI #11298484
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2019
StructureVisibility/wiper
I HAVE LEXUS ES350. ITS EXPENSIVE LUXURY CAR. BUT ITS DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON THE TOP NOW. VERY UNCOMMON BEHAVIOR OF THIS KIND OF CAR. THIS WOULDN'T HAPPENED EVEN IF IN CHEAP CAR. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRM THAT IT IS MELTING. IT'S A DASHBOARD, ONE OF THE MAIN PART OF THE CAR. ISSUE IS IN THE SUN, MELTED PART IS REFLE…
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I HAVE LEXUS ES350. ITS EXPENSIVE LUXURY CAR. BUT ITS DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON THE TOP NOW. VERY UNCOMMON BEHAVIOR OF THIS KIND OF CAR. THIS WOULDN'T HAPPENED EVEN IF IN CHEAP CAR. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRM THAT IT IS MELTING. IT'S A DASHBOARD, ONE OF THE MAIN PART OF THE CAR. ISSUE IS IN THE SUN, MELTED PART IS REFLECTING ON THE WINDSHIELD AND ITS VERY BRIGHT. IT BECOMES SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE SUN. IT GIVES HEADACHE AND NOT PROPER VISIBILITY TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS THIS CAR IS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THIS KIND OF ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPENED IN THE CAR LIKE LEXUS. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PICTURES, IT GIVES SOME IDEA LIKE HOW IT LOOKS LIKE IN WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. PICTURE DO NOT COVER ALL REFLECTIONS THOUGH.
NHTSA ODI #11258307
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IS STICKING TO TOUCH AND DEPRESSES WHEN TOUCHED AND NOT SAFE. I CALLED LEXUS AND I WAS TOLD IT'S BEYOND THE RECALL WINDOW AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND I CANNOT AFFORD IT. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN 2016 BUT I BOUGHT MY CAR 12/2017 SO I MISSED THE WINDOW
NHTSA ODI #11240751
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2015
Structure
I RECENTLY READ ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE LEXUS IS MODEL BEING GIVEN A TECHNICAL ADVISORY FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD AND I WAS WONDERING WHY THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY ADDRESSED ON THE IS MODEL AND NOT THE ES AS WELL. I AM AN ES 2007 OWNER WHO IS AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MANY MONTHS NOW. I WAS TOLD BY LE…
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I RECENTLY READ ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE LEXUS IS MODEL BEING GIVEN A TECHNICAL ADVISORY FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD AND I WAS WONDERING WHY THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY ADDRESSED ON THE IS MODEL AND NOT THE ES AS WELL. I AM AN ES 2007 OWNER WHO IS AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MANY MONTHS NOW. I WAS TOLD BY LEXUS THAT TO REPLACE IT WOULD COST $3000 AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANELS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE RUBBER HAS BROKEN DOWN AND DISINTEGRATED. I AM ANGRY BECAUSE THIS IS A LEXUS FOR GOD'S SAKE. I RECENTLY ASKED MY INSURANCE COMPANY IF I COULD CLAIM THIS DAMAGE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2007 TOYOTA'S AND IS'S AND THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL. MY THING IS IF TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL, THEN SO SHOULD LEXUS. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THAT THEY USED DIFFERENT PRODUCTS WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME LOOK AS THE ONES IN THE TOYOTA LINE OF CARS FOR THAT YEAR? I AM UPSET THAT MY LUXURY CARE IS A LUXURY ROAD HAZARD AND NOBODY HAS ADDRESSED IT IN THE ES350. STARTING AROUND 2013, THE RUBBER ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH BOARD STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE. FIRST BECOMING STICKY, THEN SHEDDING SMALL BITS OF PLASTIC AND FINALLY BECOMING SLICK AND SHINY. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I HAD MY VEHICLE AFTERMARKET TINTED ALL AROUND AND USE SUN SHADES RELIGIOUSLY. I HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET OVER $900 JUST TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW RUBBER AND I THINK THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE A LEXUS WHOSE GLARE FROM THE SHINY DASH HAS BEEN CAUSING ME PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT TO THE POINT WHERE I AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672615
76,200 miles · Dec 7, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2007 LEXUS ES 350 IN 2010 WITH APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES. IN 2014, I LEFT THE LEXUS IN MY FLORIDA PARKING LOT FOR THE SUMMER (MAY-OCTOBER). WHEN I RETURNED FROM NEW YORK, THE ENTIRE LEXUS DASHBOARD HAD MELTED! DUE TO THE MELTING, THERE IS A SHINY GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SE…
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I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2007 LEXUS ES 350 IN 2010 WITH APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES. IN 2014, I LEFT THE LEXUS IN MY FLORIDA PARKING LOT FOR THE SUMMER (MAY-OCTOBER). WHEN I RETURNED FROM NEW YORK, THE ENTIRE LEXUS DASHBOARD HAD MELTED! DUE TO THE MELTING, THERE IS A SHINY GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SEE. I BELIEVE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR, AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. LEXUS SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662627
NHTSA investigations
1EA07010 · Unwanted Acceleration, Floor Mat
Opened Aug 8, 2007 · Closed Oct 11, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL IF PROPERLY SECURED USING THE RETAINING HOOKS PROVIDED BY TOYOTA.HOWEVER, IF THE ALL WEATHER MAT IS UNSECURED AND MOVES FORWARD FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IT CAN ENTRAP THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT THE FULLY OPEN POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEPRESSED.THIS CAN HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT ANOTHER MAT (CARPET) IS UNDERNEATH.WHEN THIS OCCURS, SOME OPERATORS REACT BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES, DEPLETING THE BRAKING SYSTEM'S (VACUUM BASED) POWER ASSIST.STOPPING THE VEHICLE WITH UNASSISTED BRAKING WHILE THE THROTTLE IS FULLY OPEN REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT PEDAL FORCE, WHICH SOME OPERATORS DID NOT, OR WERE UNABLE TO, APPLY FOR THE REQUIRED DURATION.CONTINUED DRIVING IN THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN OVERHEATED BRAKES, WHICH FURTHER DIMINISHES THE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.SOME OPERATORS ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY DEPRESSING THE ENGINE CONTROL BUTTON, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNAWARE THE BUTTON HAD TO BE DEPRESSED FOR THREE SECONDS TO STOP THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS FUNCTIONALITY WAS NOT EXPLAINED ADEQUATELY IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.IN ODI INTERVIEWS, OWNER'S REPORTED THEY WERE UNAWARE THE ALL WEATHER MAT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL, ADVISING THAT THIS WAS NEVER PROPERLY EXPLAINED GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT HAZARD IT REPRESENTED.OWNERS REPORTED SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS FOR WHY THE MAT WAS UNSECURED, INCLUDING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED IN THIS CONDITION (MOST COMMON REASON), OR THAT THEY HAD (UNWITTINGLY) INSTALLED THE MAT THEMSELVES, OR THAT ANOTHER PARTY, SUCH AS A CAR WASH ATTENDANT, HAD DISTURBED THE MAT WITHOUT THE OWNER'S KNOWLEDGE.ONE CONSUMER REPORTED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITHOUT THE RETAINING DEVICES INSTALLED.IN A SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 LETTER TO NHTSA, TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE ALL WEATHER MAT WITH A REDESIGNED MAT.ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THE NEW MAT DESIGN WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL.THE POPULATION NOTED ABOVE REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF SUBJECT MATSTHAT HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.SINCE TOYOTA CANNOT IDENTIFY WHICH VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE SUBJECT MATS, THEY WILL SEND A LETTER TO ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (ESTIMATED 750K) ADVISING THEM OF THE CONCERN AND REMEDY.A COPY OF THAT LETTER WILL BE POSTED TO NHTSA'S WEB SITE UNDER RECALL 07E-082; IT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDITION AND THE ACTIONS AN OPERATOR SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.THE FATALITY INCIDENT NOTED ABOVE OCCURRED IN JULY 2007 AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA'S SPECIAL CRASH INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE.IT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED ON A VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE.THE OPERATOR REPORTEDLY TRAVELLED AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH FOR AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILES ON AN INTERSTATE IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE IT STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES.ONE OF THE STRUCK VEHICLES AND THE SUBJECT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.THE OCCUPANT OF THE STRUCK VEHICLE DID NOT EVACULATE AND DIED AT THE SCENE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED A BROKEN BONE.THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT ALSO.ODI DID NOT ISSUE AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DURING THIS INVESTIGATION.THE TOYOTA REPORTS NOTED ABOVE WERE REPORTED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-016 AND ARE CURRENT THROUGH APRIL 2007 FOR MY 2007 LEXUS ES350 ONLY.ODI DOES NOT HAVE FIELD EXPERIENCE DATA FROM TOYOTA FOR CAMRY VEHICLES.THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FLOOR MATS COULD BE A CONCERN IN ALL VEHICLES.THEREFORE, DRIVERS SHOULD ALWAYS ENSURE THEIR FLOOR MATS ARE PROPERLY AND SAFELY INSTALLED.THIS INCL
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL IF PROPERLY SECURED USING THE RETAINING HOOKS PROVIDED BY TOYOTA.HOWEVER, IF THE ALL WEATHER MAT IS UNSECURED AND MOVES FORWARD FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IT CAN ENTRAP THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT THE FULLY OPEN POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEPRESSED.THIS CAN HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT ANOTHER MAT (CARPET) IS UNDERNEATH.WHEN THIS OCCURS, SOME OPERATORS REACT BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES, DEPLETING THE BRAKING SYSTEM'S (VACUUM BASED) POWER ASSIST.STOPPING THE VEHICLE WITH UNASSISTED BRAKING WHILE THE THROTTLE IS FULLY OPEN REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT PEDAL FORCE, WHICH SOME OPERATORS DID NOT, OR WERE UNABLE TO, APPLY FOR THE REQUIRED DURATION.CONTINUED DRIVING IN THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN OVERHEATED BRAKES, WHICH FURTHER DIMINISHES THE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.SOME OPERATORS ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY DEPRESSING THE ENGINE CONTROL BUTTON, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNAWARE THE BUTTON HAD TO BE DEPRESSED FOR THREE SECONDS TO STOP THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS FUNCTIONALITY WAS NOT EXPLAINED ADEQUATELY IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.IN ODI INTERVIEWS, OWNER'S REPORTED THEY WERE UNAWARE THE ALL WEATHER MAT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL, ADVISING THAT THIS WAS NEVER PROPERLY EXPLAINED GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT HAZARD IT REPRESENTED.OWNERS REPORTED SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS FOR WHY THE MAT WAS UNSECURED, INCLUDING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED IN THIS CONDITION (MOST COMMON REASON), OR THAT THEY HAD (UNWITTINGLY) INSTALLED THE MAT THEMSELVES, OR THAT ANOTHER PARTY, SUCH AS A CAR WASH ATTENDANT, HAD DISTURBED THE MAT WITHOUT THE OWNER'S KNOWLEDGE.ONE CONSUMER REPORTED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITHOUT THE RETAINING DEVICES INSTALLED.IN A SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 LETTER TO NHTSA, TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE ALL WEATHER MAT WITH A REDESIGNED MAT.ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THE NEW MAT DESIGN WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL.THE POPULATION NOTED ABOVE REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF SUBJECT MATSTHAT HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.SINCE TOYOTA CANNOT IDENTIFY WHICH VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE SUBJECT MATS, THEY WILL SEND A LETTER TO ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (ESTIMATED 750K) ADVISING THEM OF THE CONCERN AND REMEDY.A COPY OF THAT LETTER WILL BE POSTED TO NHTSA'S WEB SITE UNDER RECALL 07E-082; IT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDITION AND THE ACTIONS AN OPERATOR SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.THE FATALITY INCIDENT NOTED ABOVE OCCURRED IN JULY 2007 AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA'S SPECIAL CRASH INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE.IT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED ON A VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE.THE OPERATOR REPORTEDLY TRAVELLED AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH FOR AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILES ON AN INTERSTATE IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE IT STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES.ONE OF THE STRUCK VEHICLES AND THE SUBJECT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.THE OCCUPANT OF THE STRUCK VEHICLE DID NOT EVACULATE AND DIED AT THE SCENE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED A BROKEN BONE.THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT ALSO.ODI DID NOT ISSUE AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DURING THIS INVESTIGATION.THE TOYOTA REPORTS NOTED ABOVE WERE REPORTED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-016 AND ARE CURRENT THROUGH APRIL 2007 FOR MY 2007 LEXUS ES350 ONLY.ODI DOES NOT HAVE FIELD EXPERIENCE DATA FROM TOYOTA FOR CAMRY VEHICLES.THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FLOOR MATS COULD BE A CONCERN IN ALL VEHICLES.THEREFORE, DRIVERS SHOULD ALWAYS ENSURE THEIR FLOOR MATS ARE PROPERLY AND SAFELY INSTALLED.THIS INCL
Vehicle Speed Control
THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL IF PROPERLY SECURED USING THE RETAINING HOOKS PROVIDED BY TOYOTA.HOWEVER, IF THE ALL WEATHER MAT IS UNSECURED AND MOVES FORWARD FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IT CAN ENTRAP THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT THE FULLY OPEN POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEPRESSED.THIS CAN HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT ANOTHER MAT (CARPET) IS UNDERNEATH.WHEN THIS OCCURS, SOME OPERATORS REACT BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES, DEPLETING THE BRAKING SYSTEM'S (VACUUM BASED) POWER ASSIST.STOPPING THE VEHICLE WITH UNASSISTED BRAKING WHILE THE THROTTLE IS FULLY OPEN REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT PEDAL FORCE, WHICH SOME OPERATORS DID NOT, OR WERE UNABLE TO, APPLY FOR THE REQUIRED DURATION.CONTINUED DRIVING IN THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN OVERHEATED BRAKES, WHICH FURTHER DIMINISHES THE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.SOME OPERATORS ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY DEPRESSING THE ENGINE CONTROL BUTTON, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNAWARE THE BUTTON HAD TO BE DEPRESSED FOR THREE SECONDS TO STOP THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS FUNCTIONALITY WAS NOT EXPLAINED ADEQUATELY IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.IN ODI INTERVIEWS, OWNER'S REPORTED THEY WERE UNAWARE THE ALL WEATHER MAT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL, ADVISING THAT THIS WAS NEVER PROPERLY EXPLAINED GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT HAZARD IT REPRESENTED.OWNERS REPORTED SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS FOR WHY THE MAT WAS UNSECURED, INCLUDING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED IN THIS CONDITION (MOST COMMON REASON), OR THAT THEY HAD (UNWITTINGLY) INSTALLED THE MAT THEMSELVES, OR THAT ANOTHER PARTY, SUCH AS A CAR WASH ATTENDANT, HAD DISTURBED THE MAT WITHOUT THE OWNER'S KNOWLEDGE.ONE CONSUMER REPORTED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITHOUT THE RETAINING DEVICES INSTALLED.IN A SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 LETTER TO NHTSA, TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE ALL WEATHER MAT WITH A REDESIGNED MAT.ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THE NEW MAT DESIGN WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE THROTTLE PEDAL.THE POPULATION NOTED ABOVE REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF SUBJECT MATSTHAT HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.SINCE TOYOTA CANNOT IDENTIFY WHICH VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE SUBJECT MATS, THEY WILL SEND A LETTER TO ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (ESTIMATED 750K) ADVISING THEM OF THE CONCERN AND REMEDY.A COPY OF THAT LETTER WILL BE POSTED TO NHTSA'S WEB SITE UNDER RECALL 07E-082; IT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDITION AND THE ACTIONS AN OPERATOR SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.THE FATALITY INCIDENT NOTED ABOVE OCCURRED IN JULY 2007 AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA'S SPECIAL CRASH INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE.IT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED ON A VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE.THE OPERATOR REPORTEDLY TRAVELLED AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH FOR AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILES ON AN INTERSTATE IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE IT STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES.ONE OF THE STRUCK VEHICLES AND THE SUBJECT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.THE OCCUPANT OF THE STRUCK VEHICLE DID NOT EVACULATE AND DIED AT THE SCENE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLE DRIVER SUFFERED A BROKEN BONE.THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT ALSO.ODI DID NOT ISSUE AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DURING THIS INVESTIGATION.THE TOYOTA REPORTS NOTED ABOVE WERE REPORTED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-016 AND ARE CURRENT THROUGH APRIL 2007 FOR MY 2007 LEXUS ES350 ONLY.ODI DOES NOT HAVE FIELD EXPERIENCE DATA FROM TOYOTA FOR CAMRY VEHICLES.THROTTLE ENTRAPMENT DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FLOOR MATS COULD BE A CONCERN IN ALL VEHICLES.THEREFORE, DRIVERS SHOULD ALWAYS ENSURE THEIR FLOOR MATS ARE PROPERLY AND SAFELY INSTALLED.THIS INCL
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