Toyota repairs warning for British owners

The world's biggest car maker, which has been rocked by problems on some of its most popular models, said 180,865 vehicles might be affected by the problem in Britain, and it was writing to the owners to arrange repairs.

Toyota has warned accelerator pedals on seven models may get stuck, recalling 1.8 million cars across Europe and millions more in the US and Japan, the firm's largest markets.

The motoring manufacturer said anyone in Britain who had suffered a problem with their accelerator pedal should contact the company and warned people not to get the problem fixed independently.

The first batches of parts to make the repair will arrive in the UK next week, with the first repairs due to take place on February 10.

Toyota said it has stopped delivering new vehicles of the seven affected models to British customers. They will not be released until they have been fitted with a new part – a process that is estimated will take just 30 minutes to fix.

A Toyota UK spokesman told reporters: "If an affected car is ready to be delivered it will stay put at the dealer so that the modified part can be installed.

"This is to prevent inconvenience to customers having to come back at a later date to get the part fitted."

The firm has been heavily criticised over its response to reports of problems with its vehicles over the past year.

Last year it was hit by complaints over the possible risk of accelerator pedals becoming trapped under floor mats. The firm issued advice to American drivers of affected vehicles, including Lexus, to remove floor mats and is issuing alternatives as well as sending parts to dealers it says will solve the issue.

The separate problem of accelerator pedals becoming stuck down has sparked major criticism within the US, including a warning from US transportation secretary Ray LaHood that drivers should leave their recalled Toyotas at home, which he later retracted. The US government has warned over the possibility of civil action against the car giant.

Toyota has also acknowledged design problems with the brakes in its prized Prius, the world's biggest selling hybrid car, adding to its catalogue of woes. But it says the faults with the antilock brake system have been corrected for models sold since late January.

The car is not part of the global recall but the company is understood to be considering the move for older models after

180 complaints about the issue from Japan and the US, including at least one accident suspected of being linked to faulty braking.

Miguel Fonseca, managing director of Toyota GB, issued a statement about the accelerator problem on Wednesday.

"The safety of our customers is our top priority. We appreciate their concerns and are doing everything we can to deliver a speedy and thorough solution to the issue with the minimum inconvenience."

Toyota shares in the US dropped six per cent yesterday, continuing the falls of recent days.

Scott Brownlee, Toyota UK'S spokesman, said the firm had found no problems with the Prius brakes in the UK. He urged anyone with concerns about the accelerator pedal safety of their Toyota model should call the firm's UK helpline number on 0800 138 8744.

"We are literally working around the clock globally to identify the problem, produce the solution and get it implemented as quickly as possible," he added.

RECALLED MODELS

Aygo (February 2005 – August 2009, only MMT version is affected)

iQ (November 2008 – November 2009)

Yaris (November 2005 – September 2009)

Auris (October 2006 – January 5, 2010)

Corolla (October 2006 – December 2009)

Verso (February 2009 – January 5, 2010)

Avensis (November 2008 – December 2009)