The phones at Round Rock Toyota lit up Wednesday morning after the U.S. transportation secretary said to stop driving recalled Toyotas until after they are fixed. Within hours he retracted that comment, but it was already out there.
"Within 10 minutes of that being broadcast, we had 10-15 calls coming and going: 'Hey, do I need to bring my car in right now?'" said Round Rock Toyota General Manager David Tamburro.
Some people did bring their cars in to the shop where Wednesday morning, technicians were training for the new fixes. By early afternoon, about 25 recalled cars were repaired.
"I'm so proud of our technicians. They've said from day one whatever we have to do, however late we have to be, if we have to go take care of our customer, we'll do whatever we have to do," said Tamburro.
By Thursday, this shop will be able to fix 50 - 60 recalled cars a day. Tamburro estimates it will take a couple of weeks to complete all the repairs.
"Everyone in my family drives Toyotas. My mom, my dad, my daughter. So we're all pretty worried about them," said Toyota owner Carrie Lose.
Lose was on her way to the dealer to see if she could get her recalled car fixed Wednesday. Still, Lose doesn't plan to give up her Toyota. She says she's been able to walk away from two accidents, and has confidence in their safety.
Anna Moreno, who drives a Sequoia, feels the same way.
"I just feel safe. They're great cars. I never had a problem before. I just like them," she said.
For Tamburro, he says if anyone has any worries they need to contact their dealer.
"I think the most important thing is that people realize that there's nothing new today. The situation is the same. The fix has been approved by the government. Toyota is ready to get the cars fixed for them. What the Secretary of Transportation said today - he just misspoke - and he came out and said I misspoke."
