The Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIO) has acknowledged the recent announcement by Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) regarding the recall of specific Toyota products for preventative maintenance to the accelerator pedal mechanism on specific models and the software on another model. The models affected are:

Accelerator pedal recall service campaign

Toyota Corolla (February 2007 to January 2010)
Toyota Auris (June 2006 to January 2010)
Toyota Verso (October 2008 to January 2010)

Software upgrade service campaign

Prius models (August 2009 to February 2010)

“It is the understanding of the office of the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIO) that TSAM will be in contact with each and every owner of an affected vehicle and that they will be given the opportunity to bring their vehicle to their nearest dealer for the preventative maintenance action. We have been informed that this action will take place from 23 February onwards and that Toyota is already contacting the owners of these vehicles,” says Johan van Vreden the Motor Industry Ombudsman.

“It is the duty of the MIO to act as independent watchdog and mediator in instances where the vehicle owner and the manufacturer of the vehicle in question cannot reach a resolution to a specific problem or complaint. Given the nature of the recall service campaign initiated by Toyota, we are of the opinion that the company has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that each and every owner of an affected vehicle is contacted and that the corrective action will be carried out at the least possible inconvenience to them.”

“Toyota South Africa Motors fully subscribe to the code that governs the Motor Industry Ombudsman and they have promised the office of the Ombudsman their full cooperation in both this campaign and any concern that a Toyota-owner might have that would require arbitration.”

“The office of the MIO will be in constant communication with Toyota South Africa Motors and have been promised full and detailed reporting on the recall service action. As such we believe that owners of the affected vehicles will receive the full and necessary attention of Toyota in this campaign.”