Transportation Secretary Says He Misspoke Saying Not to Drive Recalled Toyotas

Staff and Wire Reports

WASHINGTON -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he misspoke when telling owners not to drive recalled Toyotas.

LaHood's warning came Wednesday in testimony before a House Appropriations subcommittee on transportation. LaHood said his advice to owners is to "stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it."

Toyota's most recent recall in the United States affects 2.3 million vehicles with the potential for sticking gas pedals.

The Japanese automaker said the problem of the accelerator pedal getting stuck is a result of friction caused within the pedal. Toyota officials said they have a fixed problem and are currently shipping parts to dealerships all over the country. However, some are raising concerns that the issue may actually be an electrical problem.

Also on Wednesday, the Transportation Secretary took direct aim at Toyota saying the automaker didn't react fast enough in dealing with their petal issue.

"Our acting NHTSA administrator went to Japan and told them in no uncertain terms, you need to get on this. You got a problem, fix it, find the fix," LaHood said.

LaHood told reporters earlier in the day on Wednesday that Toyota owners should contact their dealer immediately and "exercise caution until repairs can be made."

The other problem arising for Toyota is concern over the 2010 Prius. It is not part of the recall, but Toyota is receiving complaints similar to vehicles that were recalled.

Toyota officials said they are sending out letters to drivers whose cars are recalled with information on how to get their vehicles fixed.

Toyota Recall Information