Toyota is once again in the news and the news is not good. It seems that what was once one of America’s most trusted and reliable car brands has issued another recall. Last week’s recall was on the popular 2010 Prius Hybrid and the 2010 luxury Lexus HS250h. About 400,000 vehicles have been affected by this particular recall.
This Time It’s the Brakes
The problem with the Prius and HS250h cars is not sudden acceleration because of stuck gas pedals but problems with the braking system. The problem is that the brakes are inconsistent on rough and slippery roads. Car owners affected by the recall have been told to keep driving their vehicles but to be aware that they need to press the brake down firmly if they feel that the car is not stopping as it should. Will this warning be enough to prevent accidents and save lives while car owners await their anti-lock brake software update that should fix the problem?
What’s Next for Toyota?
It’s hard to say. The company is fighting hard to maintain its image and reputation as a safe and dependable brand of automobiles. Yet, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received more than 80 complaints of problems with the power steering on 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corollas. This is a third problem that is dangerous, yet distinct from the two massive recalls recently issued by Toyota for sudden acceleration and brake problems.
While Toyota sorts out these problems, develops fixes, and implements those fixes on the massive numbers of recalled cars, accidents continue to happen and lives continue to be at risk.
If you have been hurt be a defective Toyota then you may have the right to recover damages. Please contact an Illinois products liability attorney today for more information about your personal injury case.