A faulty gas pedal that can get stuck has prompted another large auto recall by Toyota in the US. Last Thursday, the car manufacturer announced it was recalling about 2.3 million autos in the US. Toyota will likely recall another 2 million autos in Europe over the same auto defect.
The massive recalls come at a bad time for the automaker, whose reputation for making safe, reliable cars has taken a beating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Toyota recalled more than 4.8 million motor vehicles last year. 4.26 Lexus and Toyota autos were recalled because of acceleration problems that were linked to faulty floor mats and gas pedals that needed to be replaced. Four family members died last August in a California car accident because the driver’s floor mat had jammed the gas pedal, making it impossible for the motorist to stop the car when he stepped on the brakes.
Over 60 incidents involving runaway Toyotas have been reported since last year’s recalls were announced. According to ABC News, many Toyota owners have reported electronic problems that are not connected to their floor mats. On December 26, four people were killed in a Texas car accident when their Toyota sped off the road, hit a fence, and landed upside down. The floor mats had already been removed from inside the vehicles and were found in the trunk.
A USA Today article reports that although Toyota knew as early as last year that there were “sticky-throttle” issues related to the gas pedal, the car maker did not think that the problems were serious enough to warrant a recall. Toyota finally announced a recall last week because the gas pedal defecttrend had increased.
Vehicles included in last week’s recall include the:
- Matrix: 2009, 2010 models
- RAV 4: 2009, 2010 models
- Corolla: 2009, 2010 models
- Avalon: 2005 – 2010 models
- Sequoia: 2008 – 2010 models
- Camry: 2007 – 2010 models
- Tundra: 2007 – 2010 models
- Highlander: 2010 model
- Pontiac Vibe: 2009 model
Toyota is still figuring out how to fix the problem. The gas pedal defect appears to involve premature wear on certain parts in the CTS throttle assemblies.
Our auto products liability lawyers would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your Toyota gas pedal defect case.
Toyota knew of sticky-throttle problem late last year, USA Today, January 25, 2010
TOYOTA RECALL: Reports of Runaway Cars, ABC News, January 21, 2010
Toyota To Recall About 2M Vehicles In Europe Due To Pedal Defect-Source, The Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2010
Toyota issues recall for 2.3 million vehicles, MSNBC, January 22, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Toyota Says Cars to Get Smart Gas Pedals, NY Times, November 25, 2009
The Gilbert Law Group, P.C. represents car products liability clients throughout the US.
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