As we have all heard on the news, Toyota has been plagued with problems covering a variety of the vehicles that they manufacture over the last six months. First was the recall in October of 2009 covering approximately 4 million vehicles for a problem wherein the accelerator becomes stuck on the floor mats. Then last month, Toyota announced another recall affecting 2.3 million vehicles for another accelerator problem that appears to be internal to the pedal itself. Yesterday, Toyota announced a third official recall expected to involve approximately 150,000 more vehicles in North America alone. The reason given for this latest recall is that Toyota needs to “update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS)”.
During normal operation, the ABS system in a vehicle is designed to engage and disengage very rapidly as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. The point of having an ABS system it to have better control over braking – especially when driving on wet or slippery surfaces. According to reports from owners of the 2010 Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h, the ABS system on their vehicles has not been working as it is intended too. To the contrary, they report that the brakes are working inconsistently and slowly when they apply the brake on rough or slick road surfaces. This is exactly when the ABS system is supposed to kick in to maintain tire traction.
Complaints have been pouring in regarding the braking system failure. On Feb. 4, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officially had 124 complaints and two injuries listed in their database. Less than one week later, though, its online database shows more than 900 complaints and at least 6 injuries attributable to one of the recently recalled vehicles. Experts say that the problem appears to be a time lag in the vehicle’s system when it switches to the anti-lock brake mode. This should take place immediately without any noticeable lapse in time. Toyota has already implemented the software upgrade to vehicles being produced as of last month, but for models previously sold, they will need to have the software upgrade installed at a dealer.
Understandably, this latest recall adds to the growing concern about the safety of the vehicles we are driving. The complaints that have been registered with the NHTSA are increasing on a daily basis and range from a simple complaint that the vehicle isn’t operating correctly to complaints that fatal accidents have been caused as a result of the vehicles design or manufacture. If you have suffered injuries as a result of an accident involving one of the recalled vehicles, you maybe entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced California personal injury and product liability attorney to find out more information regarding your rights and options as a victim.
If you have been involved in a car accident involving a recalled vehicle, and would like an experienced attorney to evaluate your case, contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit us at www.ledgerlaw.com.
