Same Problem Pops Up Again, Toyota Issued Another Vehicle Recall Notice
On Monday, September 9th, Toyota announced a vehicle recall for the 2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid and the 2006 through 2011 model years Toyota RAV4 Crossover – for the same problem they tried to fix last year.
Reportedly, 800,000 of the vehicles are being recalled after the original fix in last year’s vehicle recall notice was not corrected. A problem with the suspension persists after the original Toyota vehicle recall from August 2012.
The original problem involved a wobbling rear suspension arm that could, over time, rust. That could lead to a suspension failure, which could, in the worst case, lead to a crash. Since the original vehicle recall, Toyota discovered that the nuts used to adjust the alignment of the rear wheels were not tightened properly.
“Upon investigation it was discovered that some of the inspections were not adequate and portions of the repair procedure may not have been performed correctly,” says a letter that Toyota sent to automotive dealers regarding the vehicle recall.
Toyota notified the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will have to issue a vehicle recall notice for the original 780,000 vehicles recalled last year. In the vehicle recall, Toyota will properly tighten the nuts, and also seal the rear lower suspension arm with an epoxy coating to prevent corrosion.
Toyota said the entire vehicle recall process should be completed by mid-February 2014.
Vehicle Recall Problems in 2010 Led to Lawsuit
While Toyota is not the first automotive manufacturer to issue vehicle recalls multiple times for the same batch of vehicles, the latest vehicle recall comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Japanese manufacturer. On February 14th of this year, Toyota agreed \ to pay $29 million to 29 states, and American Samoa, as part of a settlement regarding complications with vehicle recall notices in 2010.
Toyota initially blamed vehicle recalls on sticky gas pedals, slippery floor mats, and even driver error. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as NASA investigated the problem with Toyota’s recalled vehicles and agreed that the issue was not electronic. Unfortunately, before the proper vehicle recall could be issued, several crashes ensued and some crash victims died.
However, Toyota has paid more than $1 billion in personal settlement claims related to vehicle recall notices. They also paid a $17.4 million fine to the United States government for failure to properly report safety problems.
Toyota continues to negotiate settlement claims with individuals, including one last month with the families of two victims of the acceleration problem. The two victims were killed in an accident in 2010 when their Toyota Camry slammed into a wall.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Vehicle Recall Claims
If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.
