Toyota Recall: Vehicle May Accelerate Without Warning
When a company manufactures a dangerously defective product, we expect that company to take immediate action to correct the flaw in order to protect its customers. Unfortunately, many companies wait to take corrective measures until forced to do so. According to this LA Times article, after more than 1,000 reported incidents of uncontrollable acceleration resulting in numerous accidents and even 19 fatalities since model year 2002, Toyota finally announced a recall of 8 of its models. If you have experienced uncontrollable acceleration in your Toyota or Lexus vehicle, contact the experienced Toyota recall lawyers at Zehl & Associates, LLP, today for a free consultation. The personal injury trial lawyers at Zehl & Associates, LLP have earned their clients more than $150 million in verdicts and settlements in the past two years alone. Let us put our skill and experience to work for you.
Following widespread reports of Lexis and Toyota vehicles suddenly accelerating without warning, Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced it would modify and replace potentially defective gas pedals on 4.26 million cars and trucks in order to solve this catastrophic problem. Toyota initially announced the recall in September of 2009 and finally notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the problem on October 5, 2009, following a tragic accident that took the lives of a California Highway Patrolman and his entire family. At that time, the company declared that only 3.8 million vehicles would be recalled.
According to Toyota, the recalled vehicles will be modified in order to prevent floor mats from jamming underneath the gas pedal causing the car to accelerate uncontrollably. Further, the automaker also announced that many of the recalled vehicles will be fitted with a brake over-ride system which will allow the brake pedal to override the gas pedal if both are pressed simultaneously. This is in response to numerous claims involving sudden acceleration while cruise control was engaged. Drivers maintained that their brakes were unable to stop their vehicles. Toyota intends to standardize the brake over-ride feature for all Toyota and Lexus vehicles beginning in January of 2010 while replacement pedals for existing vehicles will not be available until April of 2010.
The models affected by the sudden acceleration phenomenon include:
- Toyota Avalon (model year 2005-2010)
- Toyota Camry (model year 2007-2010)
- Toyota Prius (model year 2004-2009)
- Toyota Tacoma (model year 2005-2010)
- Toyota Tundra (model year 2007-2010)
- Lexus ES 350 (model year 2007-2010)
- Lexus IS 250 (model year 2006-2010)
- Lexus IS 350 (model year 2006-2010)
Until you have your Toyota vehicle properly repaired, you are at risk for uncontrollable acceleration. According to Toyota, if you think your vehicle is accelerating out of control, you should check to see if the floor mat is lodged under the pedal. If the mat cannot be removed, Toyota advises drivers to press on the brake pedal with both feet until the car or truck slows and then attempt to place the vehicle in neutral and turn the ignition switch to accessory power only. If your car is fitted with a start/stop button, the automaker stated that the engine may be shut off by pressing and holding the button for three seconds.
Contact an Experienced Toyota Recall Lawyer for a Free Consultation: our toll-free number or Click Here
If you own a Toyota that has been recalled, you may be entitled to damages, such as diminished value, in addition to the repair costs. Contact one of our Automotive Defect Lawyers today to discuss your options. Our offices are conveniently located in Galleria Tower I and our lawyers are available for night and weekend appointments.