Saturday, April 6, 2013

Has Toyota really corrected the problem?

The news has been filled with articles about the most recent Toyota settlement that cost taxpayers $4 MILLION to defend and required several years.


This is Mark Saylor's Toyota crash ----






WENDOVER, — A deadly crash involving a 2008 Camry has killed two people and injured two in western Utah, reigniting fears that defects in many Toyota vehicles may trigger sudden, incidents despite the company’s massive safety recalls.
The November 5 crash occurred near the border. Utah State troopers said that the Camry’s driver. Paul Van Alfen, 66, tried to stop the vehicle as it exited the interstate. The runaway car sped past the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting a rock wall.
The collision killed Mr. Van Alfen and his son’s fiancée, Charlene Lloyd, 38, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Mr. Van Alfen’s wife and son were also in the car and were taken to local hospitals with injuries.

The 2008 Camry has been subject to three of Toyota’s recent safety recalls over sudden defects. Authorities investigating the crash say that they did not know for certain if Mr. Van Alfen’s Camry was repaired under the recalls, although it appeared he at least had the sticky accelerator pedal repaired.

http://www.rightinginjustice.com/news/2010/11/17/2-dead-2-injured-in-utah-toyota-sudden-acceleration-crash/



Toyota Injury Acceleration Lawsuits Continue

 

Toyota settles recalls case for $16 million


By By Muhammed El-Hasan, Staff Writer

Toyota will pay $16 million to settle civil claims brought by the Orange County district attorney related to the automaker's mass recalls in 2009 and 2010, the two sides said Friday.

Toyota negotiated the settlement through its Torrance-based U.S. sales and marketing headquarters, known as Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas brought the suit against Toyota over allegations the Japanese company concealed safety issues related to unintended acceleration in violation of California consumer protection laws.

Toyota recalled more than 14 million vehicles worldwide due to reports of sudden, unintended acceleration in several models, as well as brake problems in the hybrid Prius. The world's No. 1 car company blamed sticky gas pedals and incorrectly installed floor mats for the problems.

"The possibility of experiencing an unintended acceleration event during Toyota's recall crisis clearly scared many consumers," Rackauckas said in a statement. "This settlement is an important step in holding Toyota accountable for the safety and security of their customers. "

Rackauckas said he pursued the case against Toyota because "unintended acceleration events" occurred in Orange County.

"Thus, as a law enforcement official, I had my office bring this action to ensure that Toyota is transparent about safety issues and fully complies with the law in the future," he said.


Half of the $16 million settlement will go to the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership, which is a collaboration between the District Attorney's Office, Orange County Sheriff's Department and various police departments and other agencies and organizations.

The remaining settlement amount will go to the District Attorney's Office, with $4 million to pay for the legal costs associated with the case, and another $4 million to fight economic crime.

In a statement, Christopher P. Reynolds, group vice president and general counsel for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., said: "As we continue to turn the page on legacy legal issues related to our past recalls, we are pleased to have resolved these allegations in a way that supports the communities where our customers live and work.

"Having addressed floor mat and 'sticky pedal' issues with effective and durable solutions, we are gratified that Toyota vehicles are once again widely recognized as among the safest and most reliable on the road. We remain focused on continuously enhancing our quality assurance operations and strengthening our ability to meet customer expectations, and we are grateful for their continued support. "

An estimate of Friday's settlement amount had been included in $1.1 billion Toyota allocated in December to resolve a flood of civil cases stemming from the recalls.

A Toyota spokeswoman declined to comment Friday on other outstanding litigation regarding the mass recalls.

The unintended acceleration problem gained worldwide attention after a fiery 2009 accident in San Diego County that killed a family of four in an out-of-control Lexus.

The San Diego accident and subsequent recalls, government hearings and litigation had buffeted Toyota's formerly pristine image as a maker of safe, dependable consumer vehicles.



However, Toyota and its reputation have rebounded well. Sales and profits have surged again and last year the company regained its title as the world's best-selling automaker.
 
 
 

Calif. DA Says Toyota to Pay $16M Settlement
 
 

    ABC News ‎- 12 hours ago
    A $16 million settlement over the safety recall of Toyota vehicles that were at risk for unintended acceleration and braking issues was ...
  1. Toyota settlement over acceleration problems to top $1 billion ...

    www.nbcnews.com/.../toyota-settlement-over-acceleration-problems-t...Cached
    Toyota Motor Corp. has agreed to pay as much as $1.4 billion to settle U.S. litigation claims that its vehicles suddenly and unintentionall...
  2. Judge OKs Toyota settlement over sudden acceleration - MSNBC.com

    www.nbcnews.com/.../judge-oks-toyota-settlement-over-sudden-acce...Cached
    SAN FRANCISCO -- A U.S. judge granted preliminary approval on Friday to Toyota Motor Corp's $1.1 billion settlement of a class-action laws...
  3. Settlement Information

    www.lexus.com/touch/settlement/Cached
    Thank you for your inquiry regarding Toyota's announcement about the proposed settlement of economic loss claims following certain 2009/2010 recalls. We are ...


Calif. DA Says Toyota to Pay $16M Settlement | TIME.com

business.time.com/2013/.../calif-da-says-toyota-to-pay-16m-settleme...
19 hours ago – (LOS ANGELES) — A California district attorney has reached a $16 million settlement with Toyota Motor Corp. over a safety recall of vehicles ...

$16 million settlement reached over Toyota safety issues, and other ... azstarnet.com/...settlement...toyota.../article_074a6c65-669c-534a-92...
  1. 11 hours ago – $16M settlement reached over Toyota safety issues. LOS ANGELES - A $16 million settlement over the safety recall of Toyota vehicles that ...

    Toyota settlement announced for unintended acceleration in ...

    www.jsonline.com › BlogsNews and Opinion BlogsCached
    Feb 14, 2013 – Toyota has agreed to pay a $29 million settlement to end lawsuits filed by 29 states, including Wisconsin, over unintended acceleration, officials ...


    DA says Toyota to pay $16M settlement | Business | The Sun Herald

    www.sunherald.com/.../da-says-toyota-to-pay-16m-settlement.html
    14 hours ago – LOS ANGELES -- A $16 million settlement over the safety recall of Toyota vehicles that were at risk for unintended acceleration and braking ...

    1. Toyota to pay $16 million in settlement with Orange County | 89.3 ...

    2. www.scpr.org/.../toyota-to-pay-16-million-in-settlement-with-orange/

    1. 19 hours ago – Toyota will pay $16 million as part of a legal settlement with the Orange County District Attorney's office.
      news.msn.com/us/calif-da-says-toyota-to-pay-dollar16m-settlement
      19 hours ago – The settlement stems from 2009 and 2010 recalls, in which there were acceleration and brake problems with Toyota vehicles.


       

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