Even as Toyota dealers are repairing most of their new cars that were recalled
over a gas pedal defectso they are ready to be sold, now there is more
bad news for the automaker. According to data gathered by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been an increase in the
number of consumer complaints over Toyota’s vehicles in the wake
of its recall of 8.5 million vehicles over problems with the brakes, floor
mats, and gas pedals.
Since January 27, NHTSA says it has received new complaints of Toyota
acceleration accidents that allegedly happened between 2005 and 2010 and
resulting in 10 injuries and 13 deaths. These figures are in addition
to reports of another 21 fatalities that are being linked to Toyota cars.
According to the New York Times, one deadly accident involved a Harvard
University professor, 63, who lost control of his 2005 Toyota Highlander
and crashed into another vehicle. The New Hampshire car crash claimed
the lives of both drivers and two of the professor’s family members.
Police were not able to determine what caused the motor vehicle collision
and the 2005 Toyota Highlander is not among the vehicles recalled. Another
fatal crash involves a man who was killed in a single Texas car crash
when his 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck struck a pole last January.
After the car manufacturer recalled its 2010 Prius hybrid autos last week,
NHTSA says that from February 3 – 11 it received 996 consumer complaints
alleging 34 Toyota car crashes that resulted in six injuries. Prior to
launching its investigation, NHTSA had 124 consumer complaints on record.
Already, Newsoxy.com reports that a widow has filed a Nebraska auto products
liability lawsuit suing Toyota for her husband’s wrongful death.
He died when their Prius accelerated and crashed.
Meantime, new safety issues continue to arise. On Friday, Toyota announced
that it was voluntarily recalling 8,000 2010 Tacoma four-wheel drive pickup
trucks because possible cracks on the front drive shaft might cause the
joint portion and the shaft to separate from one another. If this happens,
the driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Number of Toyota complaints keeps climbing, CNN Money, February 15, 2010
Toyota Tacoma Recall Announced, MyFox, February 13, 2010
Toyota Recall News Reveals Tacoma and Prius Lawsuit, NewsOxy, February 16, 2010
U.S. Gets Additional Complaints of Crashes of Toyotas, New York Times,
February 15, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
If you were the victim of a Toyota acceleration crash, please contact our automotive products liability lawyers today.
