Federal safety regulators have harshly admonished Toyota Motor Corp. for issuing “inaccurate and misleading” statements about Toyota and Lexus vehicles.   Toyota had asserted that no defect exists in the 3.8 million vehicles subject to a recall. 

Contrary to Toyota’s corporate line in order to promote sales, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles have an “underlying defect” that involves the design of the accelerator pedal and the driver’s foot well.  Only now, in formal recall notices does Toyota ask customers to remove the driver’s-side mats.

“Safety is the No. 1 priority for NHTSA and this is why officials are working with Toyota to find the right way to fix this very dangerous problem,” the statement said. “This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle-based solution.”

The statement is an unusual public of an automaker by the regulatory agency, according to auto safety experts.   If you have a vehicle subject to the recall, remove the driver’s side mats.