LaHood says earlier advice to avoid driving Toyotas a ‘misstatement,’ seek repairs from dealer

LaHood says he misspoke on advice to Toyota owners

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he misspoke when telling owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving them.

Instead, LaHood says take the vehicles to dealerships to get them repaired.

LaHood told reporters it was “obviously a misstatement” when he told a House panel earlier Wednesday that he would advise owners not to drive recalled vehicles. The remark came during testimony to the Appropriations subcommittee on transportation.

Toyota’s most recent recall in the United States affects 2.3 million vehicles with the potential for sticking gas pedals.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he misspoke when telling owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving then.

Instead, LaHood says take them to dealerships to get them repaired.

LaHood told reporters it was “obviously a misstatement” when he told a House panel earlier Wednesday that he would advise owners not to drive recalled vehicles. The remark came during testimony to the Appropriations subcommittee on transportation.

Toyota’s most recent recall in the United States affects 2.3 million vehicles with the potential for sticking gas pedals.