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Lexus Models involved in the pedal entrapment recall:
Certain 2006 – 2010 IS Vehicles
2007 – 2010 ES
 1. What is the condition that has prompted this recall?
There is the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat to interfere with, or entrap, the accelerator pedal, in the worst case, in the wide-open position.
2. What is Lexus going to do?
For the involved ES vehicles, the remedy is as follows:
The remedy will entail modification to both the accelerator pedal and the floor surface in the driver's footwell.
For the involved IS vehicles, the remedy is as follows:
The accelerator pedal foot pad will be replaced with a newly designed one.
For both the ES and IS vehicles:
If the vehicle is equipped with a set of optional genuine Lexus All-Weather Floor Mats (AWFM), it will be inspected to determine if the AWFM set is of an older design. If it is, the older design AWFMs for the driver and the front-seat passenger will be replaced with newly designed ones.
As an additional measure independent of the vehicle-based recall remedy, Lexus will install a newly designed override system on ES and IS vehicles to provide an extra measure of consumer confidence. This system will cut engine power in case of simultaneous application of both accelerator and brake pedals at certain speeds and driving conditions.
Lexus requests that customers take out any removable driver's floor mat, place it in the trunk, and NOT replace it with any other floor mat until the Safety Recall remedy has been implemented on the vehicle.
3. What should customers do if their vehicle is involved in this phase of the Safety Recall, but they haven't received their owner letter?
Lexus has completed the mailing of Safety Recall Notices to certain 2007 – 2010 ES owners. Subsequent renotifications, utilizing new State Department of Motor Vehicle Records, will be sent to those owners that have not had the recall remedy performed on their vehicle. Lexus began mailing Safety Recall Notices by first-class mail to 2006 through certain 2010 model year Lexus IS owners in mid-April. The owner letters will be spread over several months consistent with parts supply and repair capacity. We thank our customers for their patience as we continue to mail the letters.
Lexus requests that customers take out any removable driver's floor mat, place it in the trunk, and NOT replace it with any other floor mat until the Safety Recall remedy has been implemented on the vehicle. In the event a customer chooses not to take out the removable floor mat, Lexus strongly recommends that the customer ensure that the correct floor mat is being used, that it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with the bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another.
4. What is the function of the "brake override system"?
Although an owner might never experience its operation, this braking system enhancement will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.
The Brake Override System operates when these conditions are met:
a) The throttle opening is greater than 1/3
b) Vehicle speed is above 5 mph
c) Brakes are applied firmly
d) The accelerator pedal is applied before the brake pedal
5. Is Lexus implementing the brake override system because there is an electronic control unit (ECU) defect?
Lexus is confident that no defect exists in the ECU that will lead to (or cause) unintended acceleration. Independent of the vehicle-based remedy, Lexus will install a brake override system in the involved Lexus ES and IS models to provide an extra measure of consumer confidence.
6. What is the likelihood that my vehicle will experience this condition?
Pedal entrapment can occur in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is not compatible with the vehicle and/or is not properly installed and secured.
As a precaution, to help reduce the risk of incorrect floor mat installation and/or application, Lexus requests that customers take out any removable driver's floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat until the safety recall remedy has been completed on the vehicle.
After the recall remedy has been completed, only floor mats designed specifically for the vehicle, and which are properly secured, should be installed on the driver's floor.
7. What should I do if I experience floor mat pedal entrapment while driving?
Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Lexus recommends the driver take the following actions:
- First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.
- If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
- Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road; turn off the engine.
- As a last resort, turn off the engine. If your vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button. This will not cause loss of steering or brake control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
8. What if I don't want to remove my floor mat?
Lexus recommends that customers take out any removable driver's floor mat, place it in the trunk, and NOT replace it with any other floor mat until the Safety Recall remedy has been implemented on the vehicle. In the event a customer chooses not to take out the removable floor mat, Lexus strongly recommends that the customer ensure that the correct floor mat is being used, that it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with the bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another. Please visit www.lexus.com/floormats for additional information.
9. Are the all-weather floor mats being replaced in involved vehicles?
Yes. Lexus will be replacing the driver's and front passenger's all-weather floor mats.
10. Is Lexus recalling the old style all-weather floor mats, and what are you doing with them?
Yes, Lexus is recalling the old style all-weather floor mats as part of this recall to attempt to completely remove them from the market. At some point in time in the future, these mats will be recycled into other products such as road surfaces. Lexus has not completed the details of the recycling actions.
11. Where can I get more information on this recall?
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Kuni Lexus at (719) 385-0111.
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