Toyota Auto Defects

Toyota Accelerator & Brake Pedal Defects — How Long Has Toyota Known of the Sudden Acceleration Defects? And Why Did Toyota Delay Disclosing the Defects for So Long?

How have you been affected?

For decades, the Toyota Motor Corporation has successfully (if quietly) dominated the international car market. But thanks to technical defects in 8 million Toyota vehicles sold globally from at least 2005 — and possibly earlier — through 2010, the automaker faces its biggest public relations disaster ever. Events have compelled Toyota to issue a huge recall on its vehicles: estimates suggest that the final price tag on the recall will be well over $2 billion.

According to reports, the Toyota auto product defects which are causing the sudden and unintended acceleration involve the following:

1. Many models have problems with their accelerator pedals. These pedals get stuck after being depressed, causing vehicles to accelerate when they should not.
2. In some vehicles, the gas pedal can get stuck under the floor mat, causing a similar type of unwanted acceleration. There are also reports of the floor mat sliding over a portion of the gas pedal and brake pedal, so that when the driver is pushing on the brake, the gas pedal is also being pushed down.
3. There are also reports that the brake system is unable to over-ride a stuck gas pedal, thereby preventing drivers from bringing their vehicles to a controlled stop.
4. There are widespread reports and suspicions that the real cause of the many instances of sudden and unintended acceleration is a computer/electrical issue. Toyota denies this.

A fix to these pedal problems has allegedly been developed, and dealerships across the U.S., Japan, and Europe are hard at work implementing repairs. Some dealerships are staying open 24 hours to accommodate emergency requests. And Toyota has doled out thousands of dollars to hundreds of its dealerships to pay for the servicing.

The damage done to Toyota’s reputation and their bottom line is substantial. From January 21 to February 9, 2010, the company lost $33 billion in market value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

While Toyota suffers through the worst public relations disaster in its history, and inconvenienced Toyota owners flock to dealerships to have their vehicles fixed, the true victims in this defective auto part saga are those who have been injured in Toyota and Lexus auto accidents. If you or a loved one was involved in an injury accident in a Toyota or Lexus, and you believe a defective accelerator pedal may have played a role in the accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation for injuries sustained and other damages. For fast and effective assistance with your Toyota accident and injury claim questions, connect now with the attorneys of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP. Our attorneys have an unmatched success record in auto product liability cases, including a $4.9 billion dollar jury verdict for a family burned by a defectively designed fuel system.

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