The world’s biggest automaker is in even bigger trouble. Following an earlier recall of 4.2 million vehicles and a second recall of 2.3 million, Toyota is suspending sales of eight models and halting production at five plants in North America.

The company is trying to figure out how to address a faulty gas pedal that appears to be causing some vehicles to accelerate uncontrollably. The earlier recall was related to a similar acceleration issue caused by floor mats.

Toyota may extend the latest recall to an additional 2 million European vehicles, according to a company spokesman quoted here.

The vehicles affected by the most recent recall are:

2009-10 RAV4
2009-10 Corolla
2009-10 Matrix
2005-10 Avalon
Certain 2007-10 Camrys
2010 Highlander
2007-10 Tundra
2008-10 Sequoia

More from the company here. — PZS