Owners of the recalled Toyotas received a warning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Wednesday to stop driving the vehicles and take them to a dealer for repairs, according to the Associated Press.

LaHood’s warning came while he testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee on transportation. LaHood’s advice to owners is to “stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.”

Afterward at a news conference, LaHood said his brusque remarks were "obviously a misstatement,” reported the New York Times

In a statement issued by the agency, LaHood said: “I want to encourage owners of any recalled Toyota models to contact their local dealer and get their vehicles fixed as soon as possible.”

Toyota’s recent recall affects 2.3 millions vehicles with the potential for sticking gas pedals.

LaHood confirmed Wednesday that the Transportation Department was considering a civil penalty against Toyota over the handling of the recalls.