Toyota Motor Europe Announces Recall Campaign in Europe for Potential Accelerator Pedal Issue

Toyota Motor Europe announced today the recall of 8 Toyota models
in Europe, to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue. The involved
models and production periods are as follows:

• AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
• iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
• Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
• Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
• Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
• Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
• Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
• RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The precise number of involved units is still under investigation,
but may reach up to 1.8 million vehicles. No Lexus models and no other
Toyota models are affected.

"Toyota's policy is to put its customers first, in all
circumstances", said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota
Motor Europe. "We understand that the current situation is creating
concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure
customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very
rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed
to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers."

For subject vehicles, 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.
This issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms
concerned may become worn. This progressive wear, combined with certain
operating and environmental conditions, can cause friction in the
mechanism to increase and intermittently result in the accelerator
pedal being harder to depress, slow to return or, in the worst case,
stick in a partially open position.
Toyota has identified a remedy for this issue, and is currently
pursuing a final evaluation and confirmation procedure. As soon as the
countermeasure is confirmed, Toyota will communicate to all customers
and other concerned parties the details of the corrective action and of
the implementation procedure.

A running change in production using different parts has already
been implemented model-by-model for the models on sale in Europe, as
part of Toyota's continuous quality improvement policy. Therefore there
is no need or intention to stop production in Europe.

Only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe,
and Toyota Motor Europe is not aware of any accident resulting from
this issue.
Toyota is making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.

Whilst this condition is rare Toyota advises customers who have
concerns, to contact Toyota Customer Relations for assistance ahead of
the recall instructions being issued.

Notes to Editors:
Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and
marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and
Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota
directly and indirectly employs around 80,000 people in Europe and has
invested over €7 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are
supported by a network of 31 National Marketing and Sales Companies
across 56 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine
manufacturing plants. In 2009, Toyota sold 882.000 Toyota and Lexus
vehicles in Europe. For more information, visit www.toyota.eu.

For more information, please contact:
Toyota Motor Europe
Mr Etienne Plas T +32 2 745 2022 M + 32 479 99 96 13 etienne.plas@toyota-europe.com
Mrs Maria Mack T +32 2 745 2053 M + 32 478 90 40 72 maria.mack@toyota-europe.com
Mrs Anne Gaublomme T +32 2 745 2041 M + 32 473 63 35 41 anne.gaublomme@toyota-europe.com

Toyota’s European Media Website: http://corporatemedia.toyota.eu