Toyota stop-sale order issued

[Patrick80639]

Our region just received the stop sale order from Toyota on 8 of our models. No idea how long this will be implemented! To say the least, we're at a loss right now as what to do to compensate for this. Any other Toyota ISMs here have any further insights or suggestions?

 

[ejyoder]

Still trying to wrap my head around the situation! Do we take vehicles off the website or not? What do we say to customers? Do we put something on the front page of our site addressing the situation? So much to consider!

 

[Patrick80639]

We're pulling all the affected vehicles off the lot, not sure what the plan is for the website. I really wish we had a timeframe when this will be resolved, that would certainly help us determine what to do with our online inventory listings.

 

[Alex Snyder]

Toyota will get things straight soon. It is my understanding that you can sell or rent any Toyota that has had the recall performed on it. Now they just need to get us the recall parts so we can fix some cars!

We plan to immediately perform the recall on 1 of each of the 8 models for test driving purposes, while getting our entire Toyota rental car fleet done. We will perform the recall on sold units as we sell them. Of course, customer vehicles will be getting the recall work done during this immediate period too. Our main concern is that the recall parts will not be readily available right away.

 

[ejyoder]

We've been told that parts would become available in 10-14 days.

I'm a little confused because the press release mentions the Camry Hybrid is not involved, but the official instructions say nothing about that.

 

[Patrick80639]

We visually inspected the pedals on our Camrys and all our Hybrids were fine. Good idea about performing the recall work as the units are sold, Alex.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Yeah. I can't imagine Toyota not providing a solution for this quickly. Too much is at stake.

I sure would not take the time and effort to remove these vehicles from your websites.

 

[Shereef]

Here is the info we received, and we are ready for the large expected increase in chat volume. The good news is everyone wants what they can't have, and this can be turned into a positive if you work your clients right, and sell the affected vehicles like order units!

Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:33:57 -0500
Subject: Fw: Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sales of Selected Vehicles





Here's what I know:

• We cannot deliver vehicles with CTS pedals in the below stated model years. This includes used vehicles as well.
• What can we do right now? First, we need to review the affected vehicles and identify which vehicles in inventory that have Denso pedals and can be sold, then which vehicles have CTS pedals and need to be identified as not eligible for sale. Remember, Camry production is approximately 50% CTS pedal, so there are a lot of vehicles that will be eligible for sale.
• TMS expects a fix to be approved by NHTSA by the end of this week. We expect the stop sale to last a minimum of two weeks. This date is very tentative, but we should plan on at least two weeks of this condition.
• We will be working to provide floorplan assistance on all affected vehicles, but details are unknown at this point.

Thanks for your patience and support

Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sales of Selected Vehicles

TORRANCE, Calif., January 26, 2010 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales of eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedal, announced on January 21, 2010.
“Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company,” said Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter. “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”
Toyota announced it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats. There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.
Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales are confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:
2009-2010 RAV4,
2009-2010 Corolla,
2009-2010 Matrix,
2005-2010 Avalon,
Certain 2007-2010 Camry,
2010 Highlander,
2007-2010 Tundra,
2008-2010 Sequoia
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.
Due to the sales suspension, Toyota is expected to stop producing vehicles on the following production lines for the week of February 1 to assess and coordinate activities. The North America vehicle production facilities affected are:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)
No other North American Toyota vehicle production facilities are affected by the decision to stop production.
The sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota Division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.

A Stop delivery will be implemented on all involved vehicles in dealership inventory.​

Immediate Action​

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As required by Federal law, dealers are not to deliver any new vehicle acquired in their inventory, which is
involved in this safety recall, until the necessary remedy has been performed. Toyota is currently developing
the remedy and will provide additional information as it becomes available.​

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Please utilize the attached instructions to determine if a vehicle is equipped with a subject CTS accelerator
pedal.​

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To assist dealerships, the TIS system is being loaded with new vehicles that we believe to be in dealership
inventory. Additional information will be posted on TIS shortly.​

Involved Vehicles​

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Please verify vehicle involvement prior to customer delivery on all potentially involved vehicles.​

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Only vehicles manufactured in North America are involved. Vehicles manufactured in North America can be
identified by the first three characters (WMI) in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).​

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Accelerator pedals installed on Camry vehicles manufactured in North America will need to be inspected to
determine if they are CTS pedals.​

Model Model Year WMI Pedal type Remarks​

Avalon 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010 4T1
Matrix 2009, 2010 2T1
Tundra 2007, 2008 5TB 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 5TF
Sequoia 2008, 2009, 2010 5TD
CTS Hold vehicles in dealership
inventory
4T1 Inspect
Pedal
Need to inspect. If equipped
with CTS pedal hold vehicle
in dealership inventory.
Camry*
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4T4** CTS
Corolla* 2009, 2010 1NX 2T1 CTS
Highlander* 2010 5TD CTS
RAV4* 2009, 2010 2T3 CTS
Hold vehicles in dealership
inventory​

*Vehicles built in Japan (VIN starting with “JT”) are not involved​

**Camrys built at SIA (VIN starting with “4T4”) are equipped with CTS pedals

 

[Jarrett]

I don't want this comment to be received as minimizing the issue, cause this is a Big Deal, however all safety related recalls must be performed before a new vehicle is sold (When that new vehicles VIN is subject to the recall)

At our Ford and Dodge stores we have had stop sell's on selected VIN's, just not all of a certain model.

For those friends of mine with Toyota stores, I wish you a speedy recovery from this negative publicity.

 

[Alex Snyder]

We visually inspected the pedals on our Camrys and all our Hybrids were fine.

If the vehicle was manufactured in Japan, it is fine. Most of the Hybrids are. Most of the Camry's (all gas powered) are manufactured in the US, so you might want to check VIN's instead of pedals. This second (stop sale) recall applies to a piece you cannot easily see that is attached to the arm of the pedal.

Just be careful - you don't want to be the guy on CNN explaining how you test drove someone when you weren't supposed to....especially if something happened on that test drive.