Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest auto maker, has stopped sales and production of eight of its top models in Canada and the U.S. because of a potentially dangerous problem with gas pedals.

Toyota’s sale supension and massive recall follows reports last week about problems with gas pedals jamming and causing unwanted acceleration.

The company initially thought the problem was caused by floor mats jamming up against the vehicles’ accelerator pedals, but soon determined that it was far more serious.

The suspect parts have been traced to a plant in Mississauga, Ont., owned by Toyota supplier CTS Corp.

Bernard Archambault, owner of a Toyota Corolla, brought his car to a Montreal dealership on Wednesday, ahead of a planned trip to Florida.

“I was to know if it’s secure to go with it,” he told CTV Montreal reporter Rob Lurie.

Carl Woodall, a Toyota Camry owner who lives in Canton, Gerogia, said his gas pedal has malfunctioned twice.

“If you put on the cruise, the pedal goes all the way to the floor. I was panicked at the time,” he said.

Montreal mechanic Phil Bailey said he was stunned to learn that Toyota is dealing with such a serious problem.

“I’ve been recommending Toyotas for many years on the basis that they were bullet-proof, but they seem to have dropped the ball on this one,” Bailey said.

Toyota spokesperson Sandy de Felice said company’s cars remain safe to drive.

“These are very drastic measures we are taking, but we’re taking them because they are part of the Toyota approach. It is in our DNA to make our customers feel confident that we have quality manufacturing,” De Felice said.

The models affected by the recall are:

  • 2009-2010 RAV4
  • 2009-2010 Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Matrix
  • 2005-2010 Avalon
  • 2007-2010 Camry
  • 2010 Highlander
  • 2007-2010 Tundra
  • 2008-2010 Sequoia

The Camry was the best-selling midsize sedan in the U.S. as of December, with 34,000 units sold. Combined sales of the Corolla and Matrix there totalled 34,220 in December.

With files from CTV.ca News Staff, The Associated Press and The Canadian Press