Toyota expects to repair about four million gas pedals

Toyota is expected to shorter the gas pedal on about four million cars and trucks, including the popular Camry  and Prius, as well as certain models under the Lexus brand because the accelerator can get stuck.

The massive recall happened after four people were killed in a crash after a Toyota with its accelerator stuck hit an SUV and burst into flames. The government has attributed at least five deaths to the problem.  

Toyota first told car owners to remove their floor mats. But now the company says dealerships will shorten the pedals beginning in January.  In April, those same owners will have to bring their cars back to the dealers to get a brand new pedal.

Toyota also plans to install a brake override system in some vehicles  - it will force them to stop when both the brake and the accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously. The new braking system will be standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus lineup in 2010.

For now, if an an accelerator gets stuck, Toyota advises drivers to press  on the brake with both feet and then shift into neutral to disengage the  transmission.