Toyota and Lexus Recall

Columbia, Lexington, Orangeburg, Sumter, Camden, Newberry, Aiken SC.

In October, Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a safety advisory affecting almost four million Toyota and Lexus owners. Toyota and the NHTSA warned vehicle owners to remove the driver’s side floor mat due to concerns the mats could slide forward and jam the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally. This is the largest recall ever for Toyota and is one of the largest recalls of a consumer product in the nation. Toyota owners were formally notified by mail sent out on Friday, October 30 about the recall.

Toyota and Lexus models affected are:

• 2007 - 2010 Camry
• 2005 - 2010 Avalon
• 2004 - 2009 Prius
• 2005 - 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 - 2010 Tundra
• 2007 - 2010 Lexus ES 350
• 2006 - 2010 Lexus IS 250
• 2006 - 2010 Lexus IS 350

Toyota originally applied a quick fix of using zip ties, which was found to be ridiculous, and then announced to vehicle owners that they should removed the driver’s side floor mat completely, or take the vehicle back to the dealer to be fitted with the correct floor mat. Toyota was also reported to be researching new pedal configurations or “smart pedal” technology. This would tell the vehicle to ignore accelerating if the brakes were applied simultaneously.

Toyota subsequently released a statement denying the NHTSA report that there was an underlying vehicle defect in the 3.8 million vehicles. The NHTSA believes simply removing the floor mats to be a stop gap measure and that the vehicles need to be redesigned.

In either case, Toyota will be spending millions to fix the vehicles. However, while pedal modification is estimated to cost as must as $440 million, redesigning the floor mats will cost around $100 million.

This recall is in response to a reported 19 deaths blamed on acceleration issues since 2002.

If you own one of the affected vehicles, you are asked to remove the floor mat immediately and see your dealer for a replacement.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident you believe may have been caused by your vehicle suddenly accelerating, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys in SC at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A. for an initial consultation. We serve the communities of Camden, Sumter, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Columbia, South Carolina.

With offices in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter, South Carolina, our personal injury lawyers are ready to serve you. Call us today at 1-800-694-0994.