On February 1, 2010, Toyota announced a recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles and suspended the sales of the eight different models. This recall is the result of the gas pedal in the effected models sticking in the acceleration position, which could cause problems for drivers as they attempt to slow to a stop.
In addition to this recall, in November of 2009 Toyota announced a 4.2 million vehicle recall of several Toyota and Lexus models for the accelerator sticking, but Toyota claims that this recall resulted from the floor mats getting in the way of the pedal and not the pedal mechanism itself.
There have been numerous complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the gas pedals and about Toyota vehicles accelerating, or the gas pedal remaining in the accelerated position, without the driver of the vehicle controlling the acceleration.
Sadly, the complaints and the resulting recall did not take effect soon enough. U.S.A. Today reported, on December 26, 2009, four people were killed in Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when a 2008 Toyota sped off the road. The car traveled through a fence and landed upside down in a pond. Officers on the scene found the car's floor mats in the trunk of the car, where owners had been advised to put them as part of the November, 2009 recall, as reported by the Southlake Police.
If you own a Toyota vehicle, contact the nearest Toyota dealership to obtain information about the recall and to find out if your vehicle is affected or you can visit Toyota's Recall website. If your vehicle is included in the recall, please replace the affected parts as soon as possible.
The attorneys at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC have considerable experience in the fields of dangerous or defective products and automobile accidents. If you have been involved in a car accident involving a defective part, contact us for a free consultation.
