Toyota Recall Troubles Continue

Recall Accidents May Have Caused Serious Injuries to Car Occupants

Since the fall of 2009, Toyota has announced multiple recalls relating to several of their auto models. From floor mats to brake pedals to accelerators, consumers need to review a lot of information to determine if any of the announced recalls affect their vehicle.

While a recall can be an inconvenience for some, it may have caused catastrophic injury or death for others. In several cases, Toyota was slow to admit to these issues and slower yet to find a solution to these ongoing problems. Many customers are scheduling their vehicles for repair to resolve the multiple recalls. Others, however, may have already been involved in an accident as a result of these faulty parts.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, or a loved one was killed in an auto accident, due to mechanical failures related to the Toyota recall, you may be entitled to compensation and should contact the experienced auto accident attorneys of Brown & Crouppen immediately using our convenient contact form or calling toll-free 1-888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation. The experienced car accident attorneys of the Brown & Crouppen law firm can provide information to make sure you understand your rights related to this recall and provide thorough and vigorous legal assistance for Toyota recall accident victims and their families.

The initial recall announcement occurred in November of 2009 and was related to a floor mat design defect that interfered with the proper use of the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota issued a “consumer safety alert” in September of 2009 and began mailing letters to all 4.2 million affected car owners.

In late January of 2010, Toyota announced another recall affecting approximately 2.3 million vehicles due to sticking accelerator pedals. This recall included models stretching as far back as 2005 and included the RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia. Toyota called the sticking accelerator issue “rare,” however, less than one week after announcing the recall, Toyota management directed all dealerships to cease selling all affected brands until a solution could be found and installed in all models on their new car lots. On February 1, 2010, Toyota released an official statement that their engineers had found a solution to the sticking accelerator issue and would commence repairs immediately. All currently-owned autos brought in for recall repair should be fixed prior to any new vehicles currently on a dealer new car lot. Many Toyota dealerships have extended their service hours in an effort to serve as many customers as possible. Ultimately, the issue was related to a friction device in the accelerator pedal design, which should add resistance, giving the pedal a steady and stable feel.

The most recent Toyota announced recall is related to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) in 2010 model-year Prius vehicles and 2010 Lexus HS250h models in a press release on February 8, 2010. Some Prius and Lexus HS250h model owners have reported an inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of the brakes on slick roads or rough road surfaces when attempting to brake. Buried in the same press release, the car company also announced it will conduct a “voluntary recall” of approximately 7,300 early production 2010 model year Camry vehicles with a four-cylinder engine to inspect a power steering hose that may be coming in contact with a front brake tube. This contact could lead to a hold in the brake tube and potentially cause the brake fluid to leak.

There may be one more recall on the horizon for the beleaguered car manufacturer. Apple Co-Founder and Prius driver, Steve Wozniak, has been trying to get the attention of Toyota and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for several months due to what he believes to be a cruise control software-glitch causing his vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably, in some cases as high as 97mph. Wozniak claims he can repeat the issue safely. After becoming frustrated after months of attempts to get help for the issue, Wozniak decided to mention it in his Discovery 2010 speech during the first week of February. Within 24 hours of the speech hitting the news cycle, representatives from Toyota offered to take the vehicle for further testing.

Car accidents can be life-changing and it is unclear where the Toyota recall woes will end. On February 4, 2010, Toyota finally admitted it was aware of previous complaints related to the Prius model, but were slow to react. Out-of-pocket costs related to an auto accident can include time out of work, medical costs and ongoing support for more catastrophic injuries or funeral costs due to a loved one’s death. It may be possible, however, to receive financial compensation if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident related to the Toyota recalls. Brown & Crouppen can provide expert legal assistance related to car accident litigation so you and your family can make informed decisions about your potential claim. Contact the car accident attorneys of Brown & Crouppen today by calling toll-free 1-888-891-2022 or complete our convenient contact form for your free legal consultation.