Faulty floor mats could cause unexpected acceleration in Buick vehicles

Few people give floor mats a second thought, but they caused a stir nearly two decades ago when Toyota was forced to recall nearly four million vehicles because the mats could cause the accelerator pedal to get stuck. Unfortunately, this had tragic consequences, with four people killed in a single crash.

Today, floor mats are making headlines again. The latest recall involves 27,793 Buick Envision crossovers because their all-weather floor mats pose a similar risk. Specifically, NHTSA said, “the accelerator pedal could become trapped under the mat, causing unintended acceleration.”

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While only 5% of vehicles are believed to have this problem, the safety recall report states that all-weather floor mats manufactured by Hope Valley Industries may “interfere with the accelerator pedal, causing it to become trapped under the pad and stuck in the depressed position.” The report also says the problem is caused by the floor mats not being modified to accommodate design changes in the driver-side carpet on the 2024 Envision.

While the government confusingly refers to the product as floor liners and floor mats, it is an optional accessory and GM’s investigation found nine field complaints potentially related to them. However, the company is not aware of any injuries or accidents.

The same investigation also found that 2,450 all-weather floor mats were potentially exposed, meaning they could have been installed in one of the 2024 Buick Envisions.

As part of the recall, dealers will check to see if the floor mats are installed. If they are, the mats will be discarded or “remodeled” to prevent interference with the accelerator pedal. Although a portion of the mat will be cut away, owners will be reimbursed for the original cost.