Toyota Motor Corporation has issued a vehicle defect recall for about 50,000 Sequoia SUVs from the model 2003 year because of an issue with its stability control system. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, in this latest recall, Toyota officials are saying that the SUV’s vehicle stability control can get “too aggressive.” Toyota officials are also saying that they have known about this problem for many years and issued a technical service bulletin in 2003. The remedy for this issue is to upgrade the vehicle’s computer system. However, in vehicles that do not have this upgrade the vehicle stability control system could activate at low speeds (as low as 9 mph). As a result the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly as the drivers expect.

Problem Rectified with Computer Upgrade

Toyota officials say no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of this auto product defect. About 50,000 vehicles are involved in this recall. But Toyota officials say up to half of these recalled vehicles may have already received the computer upgrade while they were under warranty. Sequoia owners who paid to have the system upgraded will receive a refund. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that they received 163 complaints about this problem in the Sequoia just over the last year and a half.

Recent Toyota Recalls

This recall comes less than 10 days after Toyota recalled its upscale SUV model, the Lexus GX 460, because of a problem with the SUV’s electronic stability control system, which increased the vehicle’s propensity for rollover accidents. The problem was pointed out by the Consumer Reports magazine, which issued a rare “Do Not Buy” warning for the Lexus SUV.

Toyota’s vehicle recall problems began late last year. Since October 2009, the Japanese auto maker has recalled about 10 million vehicles worldwide for defective gas pedals, floor mats and brakes said to have caused sudden acceleration issues in several Toyota models. Toyota has also agreed to pay a $16.4 million government fine. NHTSA alleged that Toyota covered up auto defects and failed to issue these recalls in a timely manner.

Any problem with electronic stability control is a dangerous one because it affects a driver’s ability to control the vehicle. If you own one of these recalled vehicles or have been injured in an accident involving a recalled Toyota vehicle, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has a stellar track record of representing injured victims in auto products liability cases against large auto makers.

Have you been injured as a result of a recalled Toyota vehicle? We would like to hear about your experience.