A massive recall was released by Toyota Motor Corp. on selected Toyota models in relation to recently found defective gas pedals that have been blamed on a number of accidents. 

The massive recall Toyota announced came on Tuesday 26th of January as some 2.3 million Toyota-made cars involving eight models have been discovered to have sticking gas pedals that causes the car to accelerate non stop.

Here are the list of Toyota models being recalled:

Corolla (2009-2010)
RAV4 (2009-2010)
Matrix (2009-2010)
Avalon (2005-2010)
Camry (2007-2010)
Highlander (2010)
Tundra (2007-2010)
Sequoia (2008-2010)

Not every Camry models have the problem with sticking accelerator pedal, specifically Camry Hybrids.  Other models such as the Yaris, Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Prius, etc. are still on sale and have no reported problems.

The listed Toyota models have also just been suspended in their production from six assembly plants within North America. 

Toyota’s reputation as a dependable car manufacturer has been tarnished and this would also likely strain their profits for the first quarter of this year, if not the whole year.  In 2008, Toyota had surpassed General Motors Co. of America in terms of sales, placing them in the number one spot.  With this unexpected turn of event, however, the future of Toyota seems bleak and it needs to redeem itself if it wants to regain consumer trust again.

The likelihood of a similar recall happening to the European market could also happen because a few parts of the gas pedals that are used in North America are also used on some Toyota models in Europe.  It is said that only one supplier from the US made the defective gas pedal part.

A previous incident in Japan back in 2006 involving Toyota is also being linked to the current recall.  The incident involved the Japanese government conducting a criminal investigation on Toyota due to a number of accidents that took place and being traced to manufacturing problems.  Toyota staffs did not get charged but this incident has come back to haunt the company in some ways.

After the recall, Toyota’s shares fell 4.3 percent.
The sales forecast Toyota earlier announced has been estimated to exceed more than 2 million cars in US and Canada and over 8 million car sales worldwide for this year.  However, due to this recent embarrassment, many are doubting that Toyota would meet that target.

The quality control drawback Toyota’s presently having is also being blamed on the growth strategy which was organized by its previous president Katsuaki Watanabe.  Part of his growth stategy involved increased and fast production which is said to have been a factor to not detecting defective gas pedals earlier.  After 4 years as thepresident of Toyota Watanabe was replaced by Akio Toyoda who is the grandson of the founder of Toyota.

Reports from various safety organizations stated that over 2,000 incidents of sudden acceleration involving cars made by Toyota and at least six fatality were also reported. 

Other than the recall, Toyota is still the top manufacturer and seller of green technology in cars, namely the Prius.