Expanding upon its auto recall from last November of 4.2 million Toyota
and Lexus vehicles, the automaker announced that it is including another
1.1 million vehicles to the recall list. The recall was issued because
of the possibility that the gas pedal could get caught on the removable
floor mat, causing the vehicle to accelerate to the highest speeds and
making it impossible to stop the car even when stepping on the brakes.
Added to the original list of vehicles that were recalled are the:
- Pontiac Vibe: 2009, 2010 models
- Matrix: 2009, 2010 models
- Venza: 2009, 2010 models
- Corolla: 2009, 2010 models
- Highlander: 2009, 2010 models
A floor mat that jammed a gas pedal was the cause of a deadly car crash
last August that left one motorist unable to stop the vehicle he was driving.
The driver, his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law all died in the Toyota
runaway car crash.
The expansion of last November’s recall comes one week after Toyota
announced a separate recall, this one involving 2.3 million vehicles because
of a problem that can cause the accelerator pedal to stick after its mechanisms
become worn (a deterioration that usually occurs gradually). In the event
that it does happen, however, the gas pedal may become harder to step
on and it may take longer to return to its original position when released.
There is also the possibility that it can get stuck in a partially depressed
position. Following the recall, the automaker called on its dealers to
temporarily stop selling and making 8 of its models until a solution is found.
Bob Carter, Toyota USA group vice president, issued a statement declaring
that it was important to the car manufacturer that customers are kept
safe and their confidence in the company is restored. Meantime, Toyota
has extended its recalls to include vehicles in Europe and China.
Gas pedal and accelerator defects can cause serious personal injury and
wrongful death. When a motorist cannot stop a vehicle that accelerates
out of control, the chances the auto will drive into oncoming traffic,
off the road, or into the vehicle in front of it goes up dramatically.
With Recall Expanding, Toyota Gives an Apology, The New York Times, January 29, 2010
Toyota recalls top 5.3 million vehicle, CNN Money, January 28, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.
Safecar.gov
Our auto products liability lawyers are not afraid to take on an auto manufacturer giant whose negligence when designing, manufacturing, or distributing a vehicle contributed to causing a deadly car accident.
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