Toyota Sudden Acceleration Complaints
Toyota Sudden Acceleration Complaint Update by San Antonio, Texas Automotive Defect Attorney Justin A. Hill
Lawsuits and complaints by people injured, killed, or affected by sudden accelerations in Toyota vehicles continue to increase. Consumer Reports declares:
Toyota and Lexus models for 2008 had a much greater incidence of sudden, unintended acceleration than other brands, according to Consumer Reports’ analysis of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety complaints database. In our review of 2008 model-year data, Ford also stood out with a significant number of related complaints. Both automakers had a disproportionate number of occurrences for their market share, though the statistical likelihood of experiencing such events is low.
In analyzing all 5,916 reports on 2008 models, Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center and Statistics Department identified 166 cases in which the complaint described sustained unintended acceleration that the driver found difficult or impossible to control. Such incidents prompted a related safety advisory focused on floor mat entrapment issued by both NHTSA and Toyota in September, 2009.
We used 2008 models to provide a snapshot across all automakers and identify possible issues. The scope was further narrowed to complaints submitted before Aug. 28, 2009, when a California family was killed in a Lexus sedan experiencing uncontrollable acceleration, to eliminate the impact media coverage had in drawing more submissions.
According to Consumer report, Toyota accounted for 41% of the complaints while Ford also had a large percentage at 28%. A class action was recently filed relating to the problem of sudden acceleration in Toyotas. Our firm is currently investigating Toyota sudden acceleration cases. Sudden acceleration is a dangerous and potentially fatal defect. If someone you know was injured or killed as the result of a sudden acceleration defect, encourage them to immediately contact a competent attorney for advice. It is extremely important to do this quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved, statements are taken, and the rights of all are protected.
