Just days ago, Toyota announced yet another recall covering another 35,000 vehicles– this one for 2010 Lexus GX 460 for an issue with the Vehicle Stability Control Software. This latest recall is the second in less than two weeks for the once seemingly untouchable automaker giant. Last Friday, the automaker announced a recall of approximately 600,000 Sienna minivans for corrosion problems with the spare tire that could lead to the tire failing onto the road unexpectedly. While these two recalls in and of themselves might not appear out of the ordinary or particularly harmful to an automobile manufacturer, with Toyota’s track record over the last year they may be devastating news.
Toyota first made headlines last Fall when a family of four was killed in a runaway Lexus SUV in San Diego. The fatal accident brought attention to the numerous complaints that had been filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the previous months – and even years – regarding unintended or sudden acceleration problems in Toyota manufactured vehicles. The accident eventually led to Toyota’s initial recall of some 4 million vehicles, but not before additional accidents and deaths were attributed to defective vehicles. The reason given for the recall was that the gas pedals were getting stuck on the floor mats. The next recall came in January and covered and additional 2.5 vehicles for a “sticky accelerator ” problems. A third recall followed in February for what appeared to be an unrelated problem with the anti-lock brake system.
From the original recall on, many consumers, regulators and government officials have been asking when Toyota new about these defective products. Families of accident victims and consumers have been asking why something wasn’t done sooner. A search of the NHTSA complaints for Toyota manufactured vehicles shows a history of “unintended acceleration” complaints that go back months-even years-before the first recall was issued. The United States government opened its own investigation into when Toyota knew about the issues and whether it acted in a timely manner to correct the problems. Under United States law, a manufacturer of any consumer product must make goof faith efforts to uncover any defects in their product, must report those defects to the proper governing bodies, and must repair, replace or refund the product. The United States government recently levied the largest fine in U.S. history against an automaker against Toyota – a hefty $16.4 million – for failure to act in a timely manner for the sticking gas pedal problems. The fine is the most allowed under current United States law, according to California recall attorney Emery Ledger. Toyota has agreed to pay the fine without protest. While not an admission of guilt, Toyota’s agreement to pay the fine may say much without actually saying anything.
If you have been the victim of an accident involving a Toyota manufactured vehicle and would like more information regarding what your legal options may be, please feel free to contact California Toyota recall attorney Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates – 1-800-300-0001 or visit his website at www.ledgerlaw.com
