Toyota to Electric Vehicle Owners: Your Cars’ Wheels May Fall Off
» Posted August 5, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
Toyota is already warning people who just bought its new electric sport utility vehicles to stop driving the cars because of a serious defect.
The company recently told BZ4X owners that the wheels on their cars may fall off unexpectedly. It also issued a recall, covering all 260 SUVs already shipped and more that have been produced.
“After low-mileage use, all of the hub bolts on the wheel can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle,” Toyota said in a June 23 announcement. “If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.”
“No one should drive these vehicles until the remedy is performed,” the company continued.
To make matters worse for BZ4X owners, the company does not yet know how to fix the problem. It is offering loaner vehicles to owners of recalled cars in the meantime.
“The cause of the issue and the driving patterns under which this issue could occur are still under investigation,” Toyota said.
Safety Risks for Toyota Drivers
The BZ4X recall is particularly embarrassing for Toyota because the company had only just rolled out the cars, its first mainstream electric vehicles. Still, it is not the only safety issue for Toyota drivers.
The company recently recalled some 460,000 vehicles across models, citing a software glitch that could inadvertently disable the electronic stability control system, increasing the risk of a crash. Late last year, Toyota called back roughly 230,000 Camry sedans because of a defect that could cause the vehicles to suddenly lose power-braking assistance.
Toyota is not alone. Major car manufacturers recall millions of vehicles around the globe every year for a wide range of problems that put everyone on the road at risk.
Know Your California Lemon Law Rights
Fortunately, Toyota owners and lessors in California have some important rights and options under the state’s lemon law.
The lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces them to buy back covered vehicles that they are not able or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.
A car manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement.
There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. That is one of several reasons why it is important to consult a seasoned lemon law attorney.
Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney
If you are stuck with a lemon or locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over repairs, the Los Angeles lemon law attorneys at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.
