Toyota warned dealers in 2007 about floor mat crash risk – what else have they been hiding?

Many people have heard about the 8.5 million vehicles recalled by Toyota in recent months for the risk of unintended acceleration, a problem that has led to serious auto accidents and over 50 deaths. There have been questions about how long Toyota knew that there was a problem, questions about whether or not the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is effective, and questions about whether or not Toyota had really found the root of the unintended acceleration problem.

When a “technical service bulletin” is really a recall

Recent news reports have focused in on Toyota’s use of “technical service bulletins” to notify dealers and regulators about potential issues with Toyota vehicles. It is not unusual for automakers to use these bulletins to make dealers and the NHTSA aware of potential issues with vehicles, but it is unusual for manufacturers to use the bulletins to disseminate information about serious, potentially life-threatening vehicle defects.

Toyota is guilty of this. In September 2007 they issued a service bulletin to dealers – NOT to vehicle owners – saying that if the floor mats were not installed properly they could interfere with the pedals during driving cause an accident. They also admonished dealers to never install more than one floor mat in the driver’s side.

In an agreement with NHTSA Toyota also sent out in September 2007 a so-called “consumer advisory” asking owners of Camry and Lexus ES 350 to swap out all-weather floor mats that had been recalled for new floor mats, lest the recalled mats become stuck and cause the vehicle to “accelerate uncontrollably.” NHTSA also urged Prius and Avalon owners to make sure their floor mats were installed properly.

Again in April 2008 Toyota sent out another service bulletin, but again it only went to dealers and regulators. Neither of these bulletins was sent as notices to customers, and neither bulletin had much impact on the millions of affected Toyota vehicles on the road at the time.

Has Toyota been trying to hide safety defects?

Unintended acceleration is not the only problem that Toyota appeared to try and sweep under the rug. For example, Toyota issued 37 service bulletins for 2009 model year vehicles – but only 9 recalls. Some of the bulletins appear to cross the line between bulletin and recall, causing safety watchdogs and experts to question whether or not Toyota is abusing their use to make their safety record look stronger and to preserve public perception of their products.

WE MUST HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE

It is time to take a stand. Toyota deserves to be held accountable for putting unsafe, defective cars, trucks, and SUVs on the road. Contact the skilled Toyota recall lawyers at Vujasinovic & Beckcom to discuss your case for no cost or obligation.

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C

1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800

Fax: 713.224.7801

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