Toyota Announces 3.8 Million Vehicle Recall Involving Floor Mats
One month after four people died in a car accident that involved a floor mat that may have jammed the Lexus’s gas pedal to the floor, Toyota announced that it will recall 3.8 million vehicles. This is the automaker’s largest recall ever and affects eight Toyota and Lexus models, including the 2004 – 2009 Toyota Priuses and the 2007-2010 Camrys. While most of the affected autos use key ignitions, many of the vehicles have start-stop buttons, which means that unless someone presses the button for three seconds, the engine will continue to run.
According to Toyota, if the floor mat on the driver’s side comes loose and causes the accelerator pedal to jam, the vehicle may accelerate to high speeds and the driver may not be able to stop the car. Toyota is waiting to figure out a solution before recalling the affected autos. In the meantime, the auto manufacturer wants vehicle owners to remove the driver’s side floor mat from the vehicle.
On August 28, California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45, his wife Cleofe,45, brother-in-law Chris Lastrella, 38, and daughter Mahala, 13, died in what investigators believe is a car accident that was caused by the floor mat causing the accelerator to become stuck. Witnesses say Saylor’s Lexus was weaving through traffic at a high speed. While turning left, his auto struck a Ford Explorer before driving through a fence, hitting a dirt embankment, flying over 100 feet through the air, and catching fire after landing.
Prior to the deadly car crash, someone from the vehicle called 911 to report that the brakes on the car was not working. The car accident victims died from blunt force trauma to the torso or head.
The government has noted that this floor-mat issue has been reported 102 times and has been linked to 13 car accidents, 17 injuries, and five deaths.
Car makers can be held liable for any auto part defect that results in a North Carolina car crash. Filing an auto products liability claim against a car manufacturer can be challenging without the help of an experienced Charlotte, North Carolina products liability law firm representing you.
Toyota to recall 3.8 million vehicles, Los Angeles Times, September 30, 2009
Toyota says floor-mat recall will be its largest ever, as it’s blamed for 13 crashes and five deaths, USA Today, September 29, 2009
Deadly Accident Prompts Floor Mat Warning, NBC San Diego, September 15, 2009
Related Web Resources:
