Dangerous? The Avensis is one of the models thought to be affectedThe world's biggest car-maker was in chaos last night after the U.S. Government warned Toyota owners to stop driving.
The firm has recalled more than eight million vehicles worldwide over fears that faults with accelerator pedals have left them unsafe.
The recall affects 180,865 cars in Britain, leaving thousands of motorists afraid to use them.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned: 'Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.'
He spoke after Americans were shocked by details of a harrowing phone call from a family who died when their Lexus crashed near San Diego.
Passenger Chris Langella screamed: 'Our accelerator is stuck ... we're in trouble ... there's no brakes ... we're approaching the intersection ... hold on ... hold on and pray ... pray.'
Seconds later he was dead with his sister Cleofe Saylor, 45, her husband Mark, also 45, who was driving, and their daughter Mahala, 13.
Authorities in the U.S. have linked apparent defects with accelerators to 19 deaths and thousands of accidents.
Victims: Mark Saylor, 45, died last August along with his daughter Mahala, 13, and wife Cleofe, 45, when his hired Lexus allegedly accelerated out of control. Mrs Saylor's brother Chris Lastrella also died in the accidentMr LaHood later branded his outspoken words a 'mis-statement' but it was too late to stop the effects spreading around the world.
Toyota's share price has plunged in the wake of the unprecedented recall, which is expected to cost it £1.25billion in lost sales and output, and could leave it facing a huge legal pay-out.
British lawyers have begun preparing legal action.
Toyota is recalling seven different models in Britain, including the Yaris, its best-seller here, after reports of accelerator pedals sticking, leaving the car speeding even when drivers takes their foot off.
The company is contacting owners through the DVLA and says the problem can be fixed with a 30-minute repair. The necessary parts are expected to arrive in Britain next week and repairs are scheduled to begin from next Wednesday.
In a separate problem, Toyota has already recalled five million vehicles in the U.S. after complaints that accelerator pedals have become trapped under floor mats. The manufacturer insists the problem affects only models there, including the Lexus.
Meanwhile computer guru Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, has suggested the defects could be caused by faulty software rather than mechanical failure. Mr Wozniak said he has experienced uncontrolled acceleration when his Prius was in cruise control. He said 'Since my foot never touches the pedal it cannot be a sticky accelerator pedal. There might be some bad software in there.'
Toyota has denied its software could be at fault and has blamed wear and friction for the jammed pedals.
Its managing director in Britain, Miguel Fonseca, said: '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 with the minimum inconvenience.
'We would like to reassure customers that the potential issue identified with the accelerator pedal only occurs in very rare circumstances. We've built our reputation on quality, durability and reliability, and most importantly trust. We want to rebuild that trust by effectively working through this issue.'
The French car group PSA is recalling 97,000 cars whose accelerator pedals were made on a Czech production line shared with Toyota. The recall, described as precautionary, is believed to affect almost 7,000 Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 in Britain. The company said there had been no reports of accidents.
FAULTS THAT COULD COST BRAND A MILLIONFor decades it has built a reputation on reliability and efficiency which has made it the world's most popular car-maker.
But Toyota was yesterday facing its worst ever public relations disaster after it suffered a triple blow to that hard-won reputation.
It has been forced to recall more than eight million cars worldwide over two apparent problems with its accelerator pedals. The Japanese manufacturer has also been ordered to investigate separate claims of a brake systems failure in its flagship Prius hybrid.
The unprecedented vehicle recall could cost it up to £1.25billion in lost output and sales, but the loss to its reputation could jeopardise future sales for decades.
A harrowing phone call from a family, just minutes before they were killed in a Lexus in San Diego last August, apparently caused by a faulty accelerator, has sent shockwaves round America.
The Lexus - Toyota's luxury brand - has not been recalled in Britain although it has been linked to a technical problem in the U.S. Toyota is investigating three separate faults reported in Europe, America and Japan.
FAULT 1: 'Sticky' accelerator
The problem: Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles over reports that the accelerator pedal is sticking while driving. It has blamed the problem on wear and tear in the accelerator pedal.
Vehicles affected in the UK: The car-maker says the problem is limited to seven models, affecting 180,865 cars in Britain. The problem affects certain models within these ranges: iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Avensis and Verso.
FAULT 2: Trapped accelerator
The problem: Accelerator pedals trapped under floor mats.
Vehicles affected in the UK: Toyota has recalled five million vehicles in America, but insists the problem affects only U.S. models.
FAULT 3: Brake failure
The problem: The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate claims of brake system failures on its newest model of the Prius hybrid.
The U.S. Transportation Department has received more than 100 reports of brakes failing on bumpy or slippery roads. Another 14 incidents have been reported in Japan.
Vehicles affected in the UK: There have been no reported problems in Britain.
Toyota is recalling all affected models. The manufacturer says the problem can be fixed with a 30-minute repair at its approved service centres.
WHAT SHOULD DRIVERS DO?
Worried motorists can check the affected models at the website www.toyota.co.uk/recall or call Toyota's customer service line on 0800 1388 744.
The shim that will be used to repair springs in the accelerator pedal systems of recalled Toyota carsMeanwhile computer guru Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, has suggested the defects could be caused by faulty software rather than mechanical failure.
Mr Wozniak said he has experienced uncontrolled acceleration when his Prius was in cruise control. He said 'Since my foot never touches the pedal it cannot be a sticky accelerator pedal. There might be some bad software in there.'
Toyota has denied its software could be at fault and has blamed wear and friction for the jammed pedals.
Its managing director in Britain, Miguel Fonseca, said: '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 with the minimum inconvenience.
'We would like to reassure customers that the potential issue identified with the accelerator pedal only occurs in very rare circumstances. We've built our reputation on quality, durability and reliability, and most importantly trust. We want to rebuild that trust by effectively working through this issue.'
The French car group PSA is recalling 97,000 cars whose accelerator pedals were made on a Czech production line shared with Toyota. The recall, described as precautionary, is believed to affect almost 7,000 Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 in Britain. The company said there had been no reports of accidents.
FAULTS THAT COULD COST BRAND A MILLIONFor decades it has built a reputation on reliability and efficiency which has made it the world's most popular car-maker.
But Toyota was yesterday facing its worst ever public relations disaster after it suffered a triple blow to that hard-won reputation.
It has been forced to recall more than eight million cars worldwide over two apparent problems with its accelerator pedals. The Japanese manufacturer has also been ordered to investigate separate claims of a brake systems failure in its flagship Prius hybrid.
The unprecedented vehicle recall could cost it up to £1.25billion in lost output and sales, but the loss to its reputation could jeopardise future sales for decades.
A harrowing phone call from a family, just minutes before they were killed in a Lexus in San Diego last August, apparently caused by a faulty accelerator, has sent shockwaves round America.
The Lexus - Toyota's luxury brand - has not been recalled in Britain although it has been linked to a technical problem in the U.S. Toyota is investigating three separate faults reported in Europe, America and Japan.
FAULT 1: 'Sticky' accelerator
The problem: Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles over reports that the accelerator pedal is sticking while driving. It has blamed the problem on wear and tear in the accelerator pedal.
Vehicles affected in the UK: The car-maker says the problem is limited to seven models, affecting 180,865 cars in Britain. The problem affects certain models within these ranges: iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Avensis and Verso.
FAULT 2: Trapped accelerator
The problem: Accelerator pedals trapped under floor mats.
Vehicles affected in the UK: Toyota has recalled five million vehicles in America, but insists the problem affects only U.S. models.
FAULT 3: Brake failure
The problem: The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate claims of brake system failures on its newest model of the Prius hybrid.
The U.S. Transportation Department has received more than 100 reports of brakes failing on bumpy or slippery roads. Another 14 incidents have been reported in Japan.
Vehicles affected in the UK: There have been no reported problems in Britain.
Toyota is recalling all affected models. The manufacturer says the problem can be fixed with a 30-minute repair at its approved service centres.
WHAT SHOULD DRIVERS DO?
Worried motorists can check the affected models at the website www.toyota.co.uk/recall or call Toyota's customer service line on 0800 1388 744.
source: dailymail