Toyota begins making fixes

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. said its dealers across the country have received the parts, information and training they need to fix accelerator pedals in recalled Toyotas and that repairs have begun. The repair takes about 30 minutes to complete.

The company also said it has begun mailing letters to owners of recalled vehicles to tell them when to bring their vehicles in. When they get the letter, owners should contact a local Toyota dealer to schedule an appointment.

Company president Jim Lentz said many Toyota stores are extending service hours and some will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. Dealerships will also add technicians and other staff to complete the recall campaign as conveniently as possible, Lentz said.

Toyota's engineers developed and tested a solution to address the potential for sticking accelerator pedals: A steel reinforcement bar will be installed in the accelerator-pedal assembly. Toyota says this eliminates the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick.

Vehicles in the accelerator-pedal recall are:

-- 2009-10 RAV4s

-- 2009-10 Corollas

-- 2009-10 Matrixes

-- 2005-10 Avalons

-- 2007-10 Camrys

-- 2010 Highlanders

-- 2007-10 Tundras

-- 2008-10 Sequoias

The Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) that begin with a "J" are not affected.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Toyoda said he is taking the lead in establishing a global quality task force.

The company said the task force's goals include improving the quality-inspection process, enhancing customer research and communicating better with customers.

By Wes Raynal