No, the title isn’t a misprint, Toyota is preparing to recall an estimated 3.8 million vehicles from both the brand of the same name and their luxury arm, Lexus, over potentially deadly removable floor mats. Apparently, the mats in question have the potential to interfere with the accelerator, causing it to be stuck in the full open position.

Unfortunately, the recall is not purely preventative in nature as the problem apparently wasn’t even a blip on Toyota’s radar until an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and his family were killed in an automobile accident caused by a defective floor mat in a 2009 Lexus ES350. According to the rather disturbing 911 phone call, the accelerator had been stuck open and the car was rocketing down the road at 120 mph shortly before the accident.

When issued, the recall will affect the Toyota Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma and Tundra as well as the Lexus IS250, IS350, and ES350.

Source: Reuters