Toyota recall raises questions about costs, design changes

Toyota's (TM) recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus models is the Japanese car maker's largest U.S. recall and ranks among the top 10 of all U.S. vehicle recalls. The recall addresses stuck accelerators caused by jammed floor mats. Since 2004, at least 30 crashes and 20 injuries involving uncontrolled acceleration in Toyota vehicles have been reported to federal officials. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration warned owners to remove the floor mats and not to install new ones.

But whether it will cost Toyota Motor Co. dearly or lead to mandated design changes of mats or other components is still unknown. The problem is a pretty simple fix that won't likely exact a huge toll on Toyota's bottom line, an analyst told the Associated Press. "It's making big headlines because of the big numbers, but in terms of the company's profits, it is not likely to have a big impact," said Mamoru Katou, an auto analyst with Tokai Tokyo Research.