Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Toyota Recall

Were you looking for Car Accidents (National) lawsuits?


In January, 2010, consumers learned about a Toyota safety recall that affects approximately 2.3 million vehicles. The Toyota recall is reportedly due to an issue in which accelerator pedals on specific Toyota models become stuck.

Toyota also recalled approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to the risk of pedal entrapment from incorrect or out-of-place accessory floor mats. Although the two Toyota safety recalls are separate, approximately 1.7 million Toyota vehicles are subject to both recalls .

Toyota Accelerator Pedal Recall

Approximately 2.3 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled due to sticking accelerator pedals. Toyota has also said that it was halting sales of the vehicles included in the recall.

Those vehicles are:
  • 2009-2010 RAV4
  • 2009-2010 Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Matrix
  • 2005-2010 Avalon
  • 2007-2010 Camry
  • 2010 Highlander
  • 2007-2010 Tundra
  • 2008-2010 Sequoia
The Los Angeles Times (02/04/10) reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received reports about unintended acceleration in the Toyota Tacoma and those complaints increased after electronic throttles were included on the truck. The Tacoma has a different accelerator pedal assembly than the recalled vehicles and has so far not been included in the recall.

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids.

Toyota Floor Mat

On September 29, Toyota issued a news release asking owners of specific Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver's floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat. On January 27, 2010, Toyota sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration amending Toyota's Defect Information Report of October 5, 2009, regarding the potential risk for floor mat entrapment by accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota has now decided to include certain other models in the recall. This action is separate from the recall of select Toyota vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals.

The specific model names and years of vehicles recalled due to floor mat pedal entrapment:
  • 2007 – 2010 Camry
  • 2005 – 2010 Avalon
  • 2004 – 2009 Prius
  • 2005 – 2010 Tacoma
  • 2007 – 2010 Tundra
  • 2008 - 2010 Highlander
  • 2009 - 2010 Corolla
  • 2009 - 2010 Venza
  • 2009 - 2010 Matrix
  • 2009 - 2010 Pontiac Vibe

Toyota Accidents and Injuries

According to the Los Angeles Times (11/29/09) at least 19 deaths were attributed sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles since the start of the 2002 model year. During the same time, all other automakers had a combined total of 11 deaths related to sudden acceleration.

The August 28, 2009, death of a California Highway Patrol officer and his family was initially blamed on floor mat entrapment. However, safety experts and motorist accounts point to issues with electronic throttles.

Meanwhile, other Toyota drivers say they pleaded with the company to fix the problem. One Toyota owner appeared on Good Morning America saying her car suddenly accelerated three times. The problem was never fixed and four people died when the car was in an accident.

Furthermore, according to the Times, at least 1,000 incidents of sudden, unintended acceleration were reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the past eight years.

Toyota Lawsuits

Lawsuits have now been filed against Toyota, alleging the company knew about the issue with the accelerator but did not warn the public or regulatory agencies. At least one lawsuit alleges Toyota intentionally made false statements to sell vehicles and committed fraudulent concealment by not informing consumers about defects in the vehicles.
Last updated on

LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Toyota Recalls 400,000 for Steering Defect
Toyota Recalls 400,000 for Steering Defect
July 29, 2010
After a federal grand jury subpoenaed documents relating to how Toyota handled steering problems in some of its older vehicles, the carmaker formally recalled some 400,000 vehicles in the US for potential steering problems. The recall involves a mechanism that could fail in certain conditions, increasing the likelihood of a crash. READ MORE

Toyota Again Under Fire, Subpoenaed by US Federal Grand Jury
Toyota Again Under Fire, Subpoenaed by US Federal Grand Jury
July 21, 2010
Tokyo, JAPAN: After a brief respite from the public spotlight, Toyota is again under scrutiny after being served with a subpoena from a federal grand jury in New York seeking information on steering-related problems. The subpoena may also trigger a wider investigation into a 2005 Toyota recall that brings to mind the recent debacle over rapid acceleration. READ MORE

Toyota Accelerator Recall Repairs by the Numbers
Toyota Accelerator Recall Repairs by the Numbers
May 6, 2010
As the lawsuits continue to pile up and the Toyota continues to deny that rapid acceleration has anything to do with electronic throttle systems, the automaker has been quietly repairing the millions of vehicles recalled for sticking accelerator pedals, ill-fitting floor mats and software updates for specific models. Today's issue of just-auto global news reports that Toyota has serviced just over three million vehicles for various recall deficiencies in the US. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
2008 Toyota Prius lunged forward midway as I turned into my parking space, while applying the brake. The car careened right while launching itself forward over the brand new parking block until the passenger back wheel was caught on the parking block adjacent to the parking space I intended to park the vehicle.

Fortunately, there was a small hill; the car's frame had become caught on the parking block and asphalt right before the small hill began.

I placed the car in park, and was able to turn the car off.

When I got out of my vehicle, the car had missed the parking lot altogether and was strewn out on the grass for all of my coworkers to see.

After taking the car to the Toyota Dealership from which it had been purchased, I was told the mat had been caught. Of all days, how could it decide to be "caught" now? A heavy, stationary mat... I was charged for a rental car, a missed day of work, and almost $150 just to look at the vehicle.

I thought I liked Toyota, but it took only a few seconds to assess the car's ability to present risk - both physically and financially.

Posted by

on
On Monday September 28 about 10:30am I was on my way to the gas station, turned off the main street onto a side street as I approached a stop signed I pressed the brake pedal and my 2000 Toyota Sienna wouldn't stop. Thank God I was on the phone with an experienced driver who told me to put on my emergency brake but that didn't stop the van. She then suggested that I throw the van into park and when I did the van stopped. I am so grateful I didn't hit anybody or thing.

Posted by

on
In February 2008, while driving on Interstate 80 at posted speed limit with speed control in use, my 1994 Toyota small pick-up truck started going faster and did not respond to brakes causing me to be in a roll over accident and my truck to be totaled out by my insurance company. My injuries were minimum thank God and I did not require medical attention.

Posted by

on
The brakes on my 07 Highlander Hybrid failed causing a 3 car accident with no injuries. I traded it in because it was unsafe and the Toyota dealership gave me a terrible deal. I have tried to work with Toyota's corporate customer service but the case manager is truly terrible, rude, and doing everything she can to blame this on me and they are not helping at all.

Posted by

on
I have a 2010 toyoto corolla I bought it in august 2009 it is the worst money I ever spent . I have had it to the dealer about 12 times with problems . The car will just stop running and will take 45 minutes to an hour before I can gey it to start again . This happens two or three times a week if any body out there has such problems please contact me . Thank you.

Posted by

on
I have 1999 Toyota Sienna that my wife and i both encountered the same problem. Once we press the gas pedal, it was stuck and wouldn't come back, you need to repeatly press couple of times so it then can be released. We thought it is the structure defect, has more metal contact so it is not easy to return.

Now we are a little bit scared if the Sienna has the same behavior like other recalled cars, what are we going to do?

Besides, the sliding door handles are too easy to broke. We changed the handle, and it still gives us the feeling "will be broke" again.

Posted by

on
Before I could stop my runaway car, I struck a parked car and damaged my car. Total repair cost $1,580.
Toyota's response to my letters refuses to acknowledge any responsibility. I was afraid to drive the car and though it was only a year old, I traded it in at a further cost of $5,800.

Posted by

on
I am afraid to drive the car, worried when I do, and cannot sell it because it has lost value due to defective parts (4 recalls so far).

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.

Request Legal Help Now! - Free