Reports show at least 4 people have been killed after a Toyota Vehicle suddenly accelerated. The Government has complaints of others seriously injured.
The “electronic throttle” is the primary culprit of claims that these vehicles are suddenly accelerating without warning.
In March 2004, the Center For Auto Safety reported about sudden acceleration problems in 2002-03 Toyota Camrys and Solaras and the 2002-03 Lexus ES 300.
The US Government is looking into 2002-3 Camrys, Solaras, as well as Lexus ES 300's to figure out if they have this defect to the electronic throttle. The Toyota Tacoma has also been a source of complaints for sudden and unintended acceleration.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Toyota pointed to the electronic throttle in 2004 as the probable cause of the complaints of the sudden acceleration.
Toyota had claimed, though, that the real problem was the floor mat.
The Detroit Free Press has reported that 432 customers made complaints of sudden acceleration problems, which included 51 crashes and 12 instances of injuries.
Finally, in October 2009, Toyota conceded that there is an issue with sudden acceleration on these models:
2007-2010 Lexus ES350
2006-2010 Lexus IS250
2006-2010 Lexus IS 350
2007-2010 Toyota Camry
2005-2010 Toyota Avalon
2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007-2010 Toyota Tundra
Toyota
The Detroit Free Press cited the following:
TOKYO — Toyota’s president said it was “extremely regrettable” an American family died in a crash in which a floor mat in one of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles is suspected as the cause.
"Four precious lives have been lost," Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda said Friday. "I offer my deepest condolences." According to California Highway Patrol Sources, the vehicle
accelerated to over 120 mph, went over an embankment, rolled over and then burst into flames, killing the four occupants.
Toyota is apparently still deciding what action to take. It has not admitted to a defect..
According to a December 2009 Consumer Reports Article, Toyota and Lexus models “lead the pack for sudden acceleration problems.” According to the Article, an analysis of NHTSA safety complaints database indicates over 40 percent of sudden acceleration complaints involve Toyota and Lexus models.
If you would like more information, or have experience a sudden acceleration problem with your vehicle, feel free to contact us.
David Schreiber
Mayerson Schreiber McDevitt, PC
800-524-7300
www.mayerson.com
