Toyota Accelerator Defect Attorneys

Breaking News: Toyota Prius Brake Defect Recall To Be Announced

January 26, 2010
Toyota Suspends Sales of 8 Models Due To Accelerator Defects

Toyota Gas Pedal Defect Injury Lawyers

While Toyota investigates accelerator pedals that pose the danger of sticking, the automaker has informed dealers to stop selling 8 popular models. Only days after Toyota issued a new recall on January 21, 2010 of 2.3 million vehicles to fix the gas pedal problem without the presence of a floor mat, the following vehicles are not to be sold throughout the United States: RAV4 (2009-2010 Models), Corolla (2009-2010 Models), Matrix (2009-2010 Models), Avalon (2005-2010 Models), Highlander (2010 Model), Tundra (2007-2010 Models), Sequoia (2008-2010 Models), and certain Camry (2007-2010 Models).

Toyota has also stopped production at five different factories until a remedy with the gas pedal mechanisms is completed. After reports examining incidents of random acceleration in which some fatalities occurred as a result, Toyota is expected to make every effort to address the situation in a timely and efficient manner. In the fall of 2009, Toyota claimed to have fixed the acceleration and alleged floor mat problem relating to its original recall of 4.2 million cars. Since this time, over 60 new incidents of runaway Toyotas have been reported.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an auto accident caused by a stuck accelerator while driving one of the Toyota models listed above, the Los Angeles Toyota accelerator defect attorneys at California personal injury law firm Panish Shea & Boyle LLP may be able to help you. Their California auto product liability lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that if they accept your case, you do not pay any legal fees unless they obtain a recovery for you. Contact the experienced auto product recall lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP today to schedule a consultation.

January 21, 2010 - Breaking News
Toyota Recall Expanded: 2.3 Million More Vehicles Affected

A new recall of 2.3 million Toyota vehicles was announced on January 21, 2010 to fix a recently confirmed problem that may cause gas pedals to stick without the presence of a floor mat. This recall is separate from Toyota’s on-going recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to a problem with accelerator pedals becoming stuck under loose floor mats. It is important to note that Toyota has removed blame from defective floor mats being the cause of accelerators sticking in some of the vehicles included in the previous recall. There is an overlap of approximately 1.7 million vehicles on both the new and previous recall list. If you or a loved one has been harmed or killed because of a stuck Toyota gas pedal, the Los Angeles Toyota gas pedal defect attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP may be able to be of assistance.

In the new recall, Toyota claims there is a rare possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may become mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Many consumers have been shocked to learn of Toyota expanding its original recall and that this danger exists even without a floor mat being present. Even more unnerving is that Toyota has taken away fault from the previously identified faulty floor mats in some of the vehicles that have already been recalled. Although Toyota reported that the stuck gas pedal issue is more likely to occur if an accelerator pedal mechanism becomes worn, usually developing gradually over time, there is no doubt that the safety and well-being of consumers has greatly been put at risk.

The vehicles influenced by the new recall include:

• Toyota Rav4, Corolla, Matrix (2009-2010 Models)
• Avalon (2005-2010 Models)
• Camry (2007-2010 Models)
• Highlander (2010 Model)
• Tundra (2007-2010 Models)
• Sequoia (2008-2010 Models)

A Toyota spokesman said that the pedals in question may become more difficult to press and may become slower to return when released. In the worst scenario, the pedal may become stuck in a partially depressed position, thus leaving a motorist with little power over controlling the vehicle. As Toyota works to quickly devise a correction remedy, owners are told that they can continue driving their cars as long as they are aware of what can be done if the potential problem arises. If the gas pedal problem occurs, drivers are being told that they should not pump the brakes, since doing so may diminish the brakes’ power assist. If the pedal becomes stuck, Toyota suggests that the vehicle can be brought under control with steady and firm application of the brakes. Then, a motorist should drive to the nearest safe location, shut off the vehicle, and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

Before the new Toyota recall was even revealed, several innocent people were killed in auto accidents caused by stuck accelerators and numerous others endured injuries from the inability of controlling and stopping their vehicles. The California auto product liability attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP may be able to help you if you or someone close to you has been injured or killed in a car accident caused by a stuck gas pedal with or without the presence of a floor mat. Their Los Angeles Toyota accelerator recall lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that if they take on your case, you do not have to pay any legal fees unless they obtain a recovery for you. Get in touch with the experienced California personal injury law firm Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP today to schedule a consultation of your potential case.

January 13, 2010
Toyota Accelerator Recall

The Toyota Motor Corporation recently issued the largest product recall in the company’s history due to a design defect that caused accelerators in some Toyota models to stick and accelerate out of control. These stuck accelerators have killed many people and countless more have suffered injuries from the inability to control and stop their vehicles. The recall affects 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles dating back to 2004 models. If you or someone you care for has been hurt or killed due to a stuck Toyota accelerator, the Los Angeles Toyota accelerator recall lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP may be able to help.

Initially, Toyota warned owners that a floor mat stuck under the accelerator pedal was the cause of the problems and recommended that owners remove their floor mat to remedy the problem. If the owner was unable to remove the mat and their vehicle sped out of control, Toyota advised owners to step on the brake pedal with both feet until they slowed down, put the vehicle in neutral, and switch their ignition to the accessory position. However, there is now evidence to suggest that floor mats do not cause the stuck accelerators. Instead, many believe that the design of a computerized engine control system with no emergency override may be flawed and cause some Toyota vehicles to suddenly accelerate out of control. The Toyota models included in the recall are:

• Toyota Prius (2004–09 Models)
• Toyota Avalon (2005–10 Models)
• Toyota Tacoma (2005–10 Models)
• Lexus IS 250 (2006–10 Models)
• Lexus IS 350 (2006–10 Models)
• Lexus ES 350 (2007–10 Models)
• Toyota Camry (2007–10 Models)
• Toyota Tundra (2007–10 Models)
  

Toyota has directed owners of these models to reference their owner’s manual if their vehicle accelerates out of control. The manual states, “If you have to make an emergency stop, press and hold the ‘power’ switch for more than three seconds.” Again, however, Toyota has admitted that taking these steps will disable their vehicles with power steering and power brakes.

More Information

• Toyota 2010 Recall News
• Toyota Accelerator Recall
• Toyota Prius Brake Recall
• Toyota Auto Defects
• Toyota Models Recalled
• Toyota Recall Causes
• Toyota Recall Information
• Toyota Recall History