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Millions of products are recalled in the United States each year. Among the most troublesome recalls are those of automobiles. When a vehicle is recalled, it means all owners should inspect their specific automobile to ensure the recall does not affect it. In the event that one’s vehicle is included in the U.S. auto recall, it requires time and energy to have the problem assessed and fixed. Most automobile recalls are due to a minor defect in a vehicle’s model, but many times these defects cause accidents, injuries, or deaths. For this reason, many automobile manufacturing companies “play it safe” and announce recalls to attempt to fix or replace these vehicles.
Toyota Motor Sales has been featured in the news in recent years for a variety of massive recalls, including those for bad brakes, floor mats, and gas pedals. The company has recently revamped its marketing and design on vehicles to better ensure safety of drivers, but this doesn’t mean recalls will not happen nonetheless. Toyota announced recalls in the U.S. of approximately 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models today, as well as roughly 270,000 Lexus IS automobiles.
The Corolla models were recalled due to air bag defects in the Corolla and Corolla Matrix models manufactured from December 2001 and May 2004. The airbags have been reported to inflate inadvertently due to internal shorting in circuits within the safety restraint systems. The safety recall for these Toyota Corolla models will allow for the defective parts to block the signals that cause unnecessary deployment of the vehicle’s airbags.
The Lexus IS luxury vehicles were recalled for defective front windshield wiper arms. The issues with the wipers may affect three types of Lexus IS models produced from May 2005 until October 2011. The wipers’ nut arms have been reported to be not tight enough. This means that heavy snowfall or external loads that restrict the wipers movement would make the wipers stick. The inoperable wipers could cause vision problems for drivers, leading to potential serious auto accidents.
Toyota Motor Sales is conducting the two safety recalls separately. Many Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and Lexus IS owners may question how to determine whether their vehicle is included in this recall. The company plans to send letters of notification to owners soon. In the event that your automobile is included in this recall, you may visit any authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer with your vehicle and they will perform the maintenance required in this recall at no charge.
Injuries Because of Auto Recalls
Toyota Motor Corporation spokespersons stated that two accidents related to the airbag defect have been reported in the U.S., but the company has not yet confirmed them. The company did confirm 18 instances where abrasion-type injuries were caused by the airbag issues in the U.S. Many additional reports have been filed in other countries detailing issues related to both the seat belt and wiper defects.
Accidents as a result of automobile defects are not uncommon in Georgia. A majority of these accidents result in injuries to those involved. If you cause an accident due to a default in your vehicle’s operating system, it is likely that you will be held responsible for injuries sustained by others, as well as property damage such as totaled vehicles. In the event that the accident was caused by a defect in your automobile, manufacturers can be held responsible instead. The complicated part is proving that it was actually a defect that caused the accident to occur. At Jones & Swanson, our attorneys and staff have experience representing victims of auto accidents caused by defects in airbags, tires, seatbelts, and more. If you or someone you know have been injured in an accident as a result of an automobile defect, contact our office today at (770) 427-5498 for a free consultation and advice on what to do next.
