Lucid recalls floor mats due to unintended acceleration

Lucid is in the bizarre position of recalling not a car but a small accessory that could cause serious crashes. The EV startup is taking the step due to reports linking the floor mat to potential unintended acceleration.

The All-Weather Floor Mat may trap the acceleration pedal, meaning when drivers lift their foot, the car continues to accelerate. The issue affects mats with model numbers ending in “-00” with no anchors that can lock into the carpet. They can slide up and down and entangle the pedal when the car is in motion.

The first of 13 incidents was reported in Europe last year by a sales associate who was testing a Lucid Air. There has yet to be an actual case of the acceleration pedal getting hooked or an accident occurring, but Lucid is taking precautions by recalling 4,294 units.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking Lucid owners to discard the floor mats. Lucid will refund customers for the full price and offer an improved model that attaches appropriately.

Lucid produces the Air sedan and Gravity SUV. The former is among the EVs with the longest ranges, boasting 512 miles between charges. It also juices up fast, adding about 200 miles in just 12 minutes.