Toyota and Lexus Recall Cars Over Stalling Concerns
» Posted February 21, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
Cars should only stop when their drivers hit the brakes. That is why Toyota and Lexus are recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles in North America.
Toyota says a fuel pump issue could cause cars covered by the recall to stall suddenly. That, in turn, increases the risk of a crash for everyone on the road.
“The subject vehicles are equipped with a low-pressure fuel pump which may stop operating,” Toyota said in a notice to dealers. “If this were to occur, warning lights and messages may be displayed on the instrument panel, and the engine may run rough. This may result in a vehicle stall, and the vehicle may be unable to be restarted. If a vehicle stall occurs while driving at higher speeds, this could increase the risk of a crash.”
The recall covers a number of model year 2018 and 2019 vehicles, including certain versions of the Toyota 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Highlander, Sienna, Tundra, Avalon and Corolla. It also covers some versions of the Lexus NX 300, RX 350 L, GS 200t, GS 300, ES 350, GS 350, IS 300, LS 500, LC 500, RC 350, RC 300, GX 460, LX 570, and RX 350.
The company instructed dealers in January to stop selling cars covered by the recall. Toyota says it has not yet come up with a fix for the defect. A spokesperson told Consumer Reports the company is “investigating the issue.”
Safety Risks Posed by Defects
This is not the first time that Toyota has had to call back cars because of significant defects that could increase the risk of an accident. The company recalled more than 3 million cars in 2016, for example, because of airbag and other problems.
The good news for car owners in the Golden State is that the California lemon law offers some important protections. The law requires a car manufacturer to make certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces the manufacturer to buy back or replace vehicles that it is unwilling or unable to fix.
The California lemon law additionally requires the manufacturer to pick up the tab for any legal fees that an owner incurs while enforcing his or her rights.
Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is haggling with a car manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve and we have a strong track record of success.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
