Toyota had to be "Pushed" to Recall Defective Vehicles
Federal officials are saying that Toyota was not very forthcoming about taking corrective action or issuing a vehicle defect recall in connection with millions of vehicles recalled over faulty gas pedals and floor mats. According to a news report in the Detroit Free Press, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told reporters that Toyota had to be pushed every step of the way by federal officials to take corrective action in the interest of consumer safety. That "pushing" culminated in an unprecedented vehicle recall and with the Japanese auto maker suspending manufacturing and sales of eight vehicle models including its top-selling Corolla and Camry.
Possible Prius Recall?
Now, it seems that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is pushing Toyota for a Prius recall. So far, NHTSA has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the new Prius model. The Prius brake defects resulted in two injury crashes. Japan's transport ministry has also confirmed 14 complaints since last July about Prius brake problems. The Prius is however not part of the gas pedal recall that involves about 2.3 million vehicles. It is not clear when Toyota might issue a Prius recall.
The auto maker's track record shows that it does not admit vehicle defects or issue a recall all that easily. LaHood said NHTSA officials had to press Toyota to make its initial floor mat recall in September 2007. The auto maker was aware of its problems two years before a defective floor mat caused the gas pedal to jam in a loaner Lexus, killing four people in the San Diego car accident. After that accident probe Toyota did broaden the floor mat recall. But they still tried to argue that it wasn't a "real recall" because there was no auto product defect. When NHTSA openly chastised Toyota for its stance, the auto maker gave in.
Not Easy to Convince Toyota
Now NHTSA is in the process of talking to Toyota about yet another problem the auto maker is denying – that electrical problems in Toyota cars and trucks could lead to sudden acceleration problems. Toyota officials say they are "confident" that there was no problem with the electronics in its vehicles. However, more than 2,000 sudden acceleration complaints involving Toyotas over the last decade began after the auto maker started using electronic gas pedal and other computer-driven control.
Toyota's denial of these problems runs deep. It is part of a deep-rooted culture in the auto industry. In my experience as a California personal injury lawyer who represented injured clients in numerous defective auto cases, I have seen this denial and refusal to fix problems, first-hand. I have compared Toyota and other auto makers to obstinate children who have to be told to clean their room. And even after that, they do it reluctantly, as Toyota obviously did in this case.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
Comments
I think the real problems are yet to come in regards to the fix. The little metal shim jammed behind the gas pedal seems to be an inexpensive way to do something. But will it fix the issue. Will Toyota suppress any problems on repaired vehicles? And please don't tell me the fix for the prius is another metal shim!
Posted by: Car Technician | February 3, 2010 5:55 PM