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Toyota’s Nightmare or Your Nightmare?
It is a sad day to be a Toyota owner. Especially if the brakes suddenly stop working on your brand new Prius or the accelerator pedal on your new Camry gets stuck on the freeway. Toyota has pointed the finger at a North American parts manufacturer called CTS automotive or on software problems from an unknown manufacturer.
Toyota thinks of these manufacturing flaws from a public relations, legal, and monetary standpoint. But as a consumer who may be facing serious injury or worse as you futilely pump your brakes into oncoming traffic, this goes far beyond Toyota’s reputation. It’s about your safety, your family’s safety, and the people around you.
The Hard Facts
The New York Times reported today some questions and answers consumers might have about these problems. The big one is the brake problem in the 2010 Prius. The Prius has a sterling reputation for performance, sound, comfort, and most of all gas mileage. Unfortunately, since the 2010 model has come out there have been 124 reported incidents of brake problems in North America and 77 in Japan. These range from slow reaction to failure. Toyota intends to recall 270,000 2010 Prius’s. This is on top of the 2.3 million other models that have sticking accelerator pedals Toyota recalled last week. That recall effects:
• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
What Toyota Intends to do About It
The Times went on to say what Toyota intends to do about these problems.
• Sticking Accelerator – Toyota will install a stainless steel reinforcement bar, like a shim, into the pedal assembly.
• Floor Mat Recall – Toyota has asked owners to remove their mats and not replace them. It plans to reconfigure the accelerator pedal so that it cannot get caught on the floor mats. On Camry, ES 350 and Avalon, Toyota also will reshape the floor beneath the pedals.
• Brake Override System – The company will install a brake override system onto the involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250. This system cuts engine power in case the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. The system already exists on the Prius and other hybrids.
Accusations of Arrogance
Jean Jennings, editor of Automobile Magazine, in an interview with NBC Nightly News, said that she wasn’t quite sure whether Toyota even knows the scope of the problem. She mentioned that the accelerator pedals in many models manufactured as early 2005 were produced by a North American manufacturer. If your vin number begins with the letter “J”, you may not have these faulty parts. All others should call their dealers immediately. She went on to accuse Toyota of “arrogance” on the side of the dealerships when they say that their cars are the best on the market. She suggested that they have been lax on PR and that has come back to hit them hard.
Toyota Apologizes
From this video you can see Toyota’s President and COO, Jim Lentz give the most sincere and heartfelt apology any multinational corporate executive has read off of a teleprompter in years.
How Do You Protect Yourself?
Yesterday, Transporatation Secretary Ray LaHood recommended that people should refrain from driving their Toyota’s. Then today turned around a retracted his statement saying that consumers should instead contact their dealership. With conflicting messages what are we, the consumers, supposed to do? Call your dealership first. If you or any of your loved ones are affected by these serious problems in Toyota vehicles call Phillips Webster. As you’ve seen above, Toyota, the dealerships, and even the Transportation Secretary may not have your best interest in mind. Find out your legal options. It is the best way for you, the Toyota customer, to be heard and represented. Call Phillips Webster today.
