Toyota repairs to accelerator pedals to start next week

Accelerator pedals are sticking or jamming on some models

Toyota drivers are being told it will be next week before mechanics can start repairing cars which could have a faulty accelerator pedal.

The firm's recalling 180,000 sold in Britain and millions more around the world.

If you're worried your car could be one with a problem, Toyota say they will send you a letter or you can call their hotline on 0800 1388 744.

A website that will allow owners to check their vehicles registration numbers is also being developed.

Waiting for parts

Toyota says it's still waiting for the parts to arrive in the UK, so the earliest repairs can start is 10 February.

It says the work will be free of charge, will only take about 30 minutes but only a Toyota dealer can carry it out.

The Japanese car manufacturer says it's only had 26 calls about the potential problem and no accidents have happened as a result.

But Linda from Barnsley says she had a scary moment: "I put my foot down on the accelerator to overtake a car but as I pulled in, I put my foot down on the brake. I was going fast and nothing was happening."

Dave also had a problem with his, so he called the dealer.

"They said we've been inundated with calls and the courtesy cars are all gone. What do I do? Lose my car? Or drive an unsafe car? I didn't let them keep it, it is a joke."

'Rare cases'

Toyota's UK spokesman Scott Brownlee says Toyota owners shouldn't be too worried but explains what to look out for.

He said: "In some very rare instances the pedal mechanism itself, it's not an electronic thing it's literally the lever you press on the floor, inside there there can be some build up of condensation which causes some swelling of a component which makes it stiff.

"The driver might feel the pedal getting heavier to push, maybe juddery, and in the absolute worst case but the very rarest case, it would stick completely.

"If people have been driving the car and they've not seen any symptoms of this the chances are they never would. But we're going to recall the car and fix it anyway."

Scott Brownlee says Toyota owners who may be affected should be getting letters through the post soon and anyone who has to travel a long way to get their car fixed may be compensated.

"We've now identified each car by chassis number so we can get the registration number," he explained.

"That means we can work with the DVLA in getting us the names and addresses of the people concerned so we can contact everyone."