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Toyota's Gas Pedal Woes

We are sorry, and we are trying to fix the problem. That's basically what Toyota, the world's largest automaker, told customers last week in ads that ran in 20 newspapers across the United States.

In January, Toyota announced that it was halting the sale of eight models of cars. It also recalled vehicles that were already on the road. The recall has affected more than 5.3 million cars and trucks in the U.S., Europe and China. The problem with the cars, says Toyota, is that the accelerator, or gas pedal, sticks. This causes cars to speed up unexpectedly. Some accidents have been blamed on the problem.

On February 1, Toyota said that car dealerships would soon get parts to fix the sticky gas pedals. Some dealerships will stay open around the clock to fix the cars.

Toyota ranks second in U.S. auto sales behind General Motors. The Japanese car company is facing a major business headache. Adding to its woes, the U.S. has started an investigation into brake problems with the 2010 Prius. "Toyota has always prided itself on building high-quality, durable cars that customers can depend on," said Jim Lentz, the head of Toyota in the U.S., "and I know that we've let you down."

Next: Holding on to History