6.5 Million Toyota Vehicles Recalled Over Faulty Steering Controls, Other Problems
Millions of Toyota vehicles have been subjected to a series of recalls due to defects that may put drivers at risk of serious injury or death.
On the heels of a massive auto recall affecting more than two million General Motors vehicles potentially affected by airbag and ignition switch problems, Toyota recently announced five separate recalls impacting an estimated 6.39 million vehicles sold worldwide. According to the car maker, the recalled vehicles may be affected by a range of problems, including defective steering controls, engine starters, windshield wiper motors and seat rails. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident you believe was caused by a defective auto part, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help put you in touch with a knowledgeable product liability lawyer today.
Defective Auto Parts Put Drivers at Risk
The GM recall in question was issued in February and warned consumers that ignition switch problems in recalled vehicles may cause the vehicles to turn off if the ignition is jarred, deactivating the airbags and preventing them from deploying in the event of an accident. On April 9, Toyota announced five separate recalls of its own, following an assessment by the car maker that the faulty steering controls and other problems pose potential safety hazards for drivers, noting that the company is not aware of any accidents or injuries to date associated with the recalled vehicles.
Toyota Vehicles Affected by Recalls
According to Toyota, 3.5 million vehicles are being recalled because of faulty spiral cables that could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned, possibly preventing the airbags from deploying in the event of an accident. The Toyota models affected by this recall include certain Corolla, RAV4, Yaris, Matrix, Highlander, Yaris Sedan, Hilux, Reiz, Tacoma, Innova, Camry, Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado models assembled in Australia, as well as certain General Motors’ Pontiac Vibe vehicles. All vehicles affected by the faulty spiral cable recall were manufactured between April 2004 and December 2010.
An additional 2.32 million vehicles, including certain models of Scion xD, Yaris, Yaris sedan and Urban Cruisers manufactured between January 2005 and August 2010, are being recalled because of a defect in the seat rails that may allow the seat to slide forward in a collision. The other three recalls are for faulty steering column brackets (Toyota 1st, Ractis and Yaris models manufactured from September 2005 to February 2009), engine starters (Spade, Porte, Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, Ractis, Trezia, Auris manufactured from March 2012 to August 2013) and windshield wiper motors.
Contact a Toyota Recall Attorney Today
This isn’t the first time Toyota has come under fire for potentially dangerous defects in its vehicles. In 2009, the company issued a series of massive recalls affecting millions of vehicles due to problems with uncontrollable acceleration. As a result of serious accidents, injuries and fatalities linked to uncontrollable acceleration problems in Toyota vehicles, the auto maker paid billions to resolve product liability claims. If you were involved in a serious car accident, and you believe a faulty auto part to be the cause, consult a product liability attorney today for legal help.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+safety+recall+spiral+cable+assembly+040814.htm[/box]