Lemon Law Blog

Fox 29 News reported this story on a Toyota Prius owner who is afraid to drive his car because of sudden acceleration. Lemon Law Attorney Robert Silverman is featured:

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Courtesy of KYW TV Consumer Crusader Jim Donovan’s Blog, we have some good news for Pennsylvania and Delaware Toyota Drivers:

Both Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett and Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden have secured deals with Toyota where the manufacturer will provide Toyota drivers affected by the recall with rental cars, loaner vehicles, shuttle services and taxi reimbursement for a limited time. Also in situations where the driver feels unsafe transporting the car to the dealer, both Toyota and Lexus will figure out a way to transport the vehicle at no cost to the consumer.

In Pennsylvania, consumers seeking more information should contact the PA Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-441-2555.  Delaware consumers should call 800-220-5424.

Lastly, we are getting countless calls from folks who have repeatedly complained about sudden acceleration BEFORE the recall.  If you fall under the category, and you have the invoices to back it up, please contact us.  You may be entitled to significant remedy under State and Federal Law.

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In the midst of all the Toyota trouble comes another possible recall.  The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration is looking into repeated complaints about steering in Toyota Corollas.

Over 150 complaints have been filed with NHTSA regarding the Corolla’s electric assisted steering system.  This system uses an electric motor to reduce the amount of torque the driver needs to exert on the steering wheel to turn the car.  Many drivers have said they have tried to turn their car only to have the system give out on them.

Toyota officials have said IF there is a problem, it most likely connected to the tires or brakes and they will issue a recall if necessary.

More than 300,000 Corollas were sold last year, the second largest Toyota model sold in 2009 behind the Camry.  A potential recall could affect more than a half million Corollas currently on the road.  This problem comes on the heels of the 3.8 million vehicle floor mat recall and the 2.3 million vehicle gas pedal recall.

We  are currently receiving numerous calls every day from Toyota drivers inquiring whether the lemon law applies to those affected in these numerous recalls.  Obviously, many drivers do not feel safe driving their vehicle with all the news headlines.

If you previously reported the accelerator problem prior to the recall or if the problem is existing after the recall repair is performed, you may be entitled to remedy under State Lemon Laws or Federal Warranty laws.  For more information, you can contact us at 1- 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or visit us on-line at www.lemonlaw.com and we will be happy to discuss the situation with you.

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Back in late November, we reported that Toyota was recalling 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals after NHTSA reported more than 2,000 instances of sudden acceleration.

This past Thursday, the manufacturer announced it is recalling an additional 600,000 vehicles.  The new recall affects 2009- 2010 Toyota RAV4 models, 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla models, 2009-2010 Toyota Matrix models,2010 Toyota Highlander models,  and 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia models.  In addition, three models from the previous gas pedal recall, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon models, 2007-2010 Toyota Camry models, and 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra models,  are included in both recalls.

Toyota says the recall is due to potential problems with the gas pedal mechanism that can cause the accelerator to become stuck regardless of whether the vehicle contains a floor mat. The manufacturer said that in certain situations, the mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return, and in some cases stuck.

Toyota said drivers in the recalled cars whose gas pedals become stuck should firmly apply their brakes, drive the car to a safe location, shut off the engine, and contact the nearest Toyota dealer.  The manufacturer advises drivers NOT to pump their brakes.

The manufacturer will be contacting consumers shortly regarding the recall, however if you have been back to a Toyota dealer in the past complaining of sudden acceleration, you may be entitled to a repurchase, replacement or partial refund under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  So far, we have taken a number of  Toyota sudden acceleration cases under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, New Jersey Lemon Law, Ohio Lemon Law, Massachusetts Lemon Law, Maryland Lemon Law and New York Lemon Law.   We are also working on a television report outlining the reason for the recall.  If you find that you are dealing with this defect, please contact us for further information about your rights.

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It’s time again for us to provide a roundup of recent refunds, repurchases and replacements.  Under the State Lemon Laws and the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, all of our clients receive completely cost-free legal help, with the manufacturers covering the legal fees ON TOP OF what our client receives.  We are very proud of our efforts and encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or via e-mail  if you think your vehicle may qualify for remedy.   Here we go….

2008 Dodge Dakota, Replacement Vehicle  — Newark, DE

2008 Audi A5, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Jenkintown, PA

2009 Chevrolet Impreza, Replacement Vehicle — Telford, PA

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, $5,000 plus client keeps their car — Cranbury, NJ

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, Complete Refund — Greenwich, CT

2008 Buell Blast Motorcycle, Replacement Bike — Aberdeen, MD

2009 Infiniti G37, Complete Refund — Randolph, NJ

2007 Cadillac Escalade (70,000 miles), $5,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Bloomfield, NJ

2008 BMW 5-series, Replacement Vehicle — Perrysburg, OH

2008 Chrysler Sebring, Complete Refund –Somerville, MA

2008 Ford Ranger, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Spring Grove, PA

2008 BMW 335i, $18,500 cash plus client keeps car and receives 7 yr/100k extended warranty- West New York, NJ

2008 Ford F250, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their truck — Rome, NY

2009 Honda Accord, Replacement Vehicle — York, PA

2009 Chevrolet Silverado, Replacement Vehicle — New Galihee, PA

2007 Audi Q7, Replacement Vehicle — Middletown, DE

2007 Pontiac G6, Complete Refund — Oceanside, NY

2008 Jeep Patriot, Complete Refund — Uniontown, PA

2005 Land Rover Range Rover, $6,500 cash plus client keeps car — Richboro, PA

2009 Dodge Challenger, Complete Refund — Brick, NJ

2008 Jeep Liberty, Complete Refund — Clarksville, PA

2008 Smart Car Cabriolet, Replacement Vehicle — Findlay, OH

2007 Hyundai Entourage, Complete Refund — Holbrook, NY

2006 Suzuki Forenza, Complete Refund — Elkins Park, PA

2009 Volvo S80, $7,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Frederick, MD

2008 GMC Arcadia, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Boston, MA

2007 Toyota Camry, Complete Refund — Pikesville, MD

2008 BMW 335i, Replacement Vehicle — Old Bridge, NJ

2007 Mercedes Benz ML320, Complete Refund — River Vale, NJ

2009 Mazda 6, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Elizabeth, NJ

2009 Audi A5, Replacement Vehicle — Hamilton, NJ

2008 Jeep Wrangler, Complete Refund  — Pisacataway, NJ

2009 Audi S5,  Replacement Vehicle –Boston, MA

2008 Mazda CX7, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Monroeville, PA

2008 Dodge Ram, Complete Refund –Rural Valley, PA

2007 Moto Guzzi Motorcycle, Complete Refund — Flemington, NJ

2007 Chevrolet Silverado, $6,850 cash plus client keeps their car –Brooklyn, NY

2007 Jeep Compass, Complete Refund — Lancaster, PA

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their SUV — Oliver, PA

2007 Hyundai Veracruz, Replacement Vehicle — Glassboro, NJ

Driving a lemon?  Join the more than 60,000 distressed drivers who have made the call to 1-800 LEMON LAW!

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Earlier this month, we reported on the problem involving sudden acceleration in certain Toyota and Lexus models.  In the past, the manufacturer was blaming the issue on floor mats, but after more than 2000 instances were reported by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there was no doubt plenty of fear in many drivers’ minds.  It is almost certain that the situation would also affect future sales of one the Country’s strongest automotive brands.

As you can expect, Kimmel and Silverman is quite aware of the situation, having already represented quite a few consumers who had complained of sudden acceleration in their Toyota and Lexus models to their dealers.  

The Associated Press is now reporting that Toyota will replace the accelerator pedals on roughly 4 million recalled vehicles.  Models affected include 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2007-2009 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle, 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350, and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS 350 models. 

The recall was prompted by a high-speed crash involving the death of a California Highway Patrol Officer and his family when the loaner vehicle they were driving exceeded speeds of 120 mph, struck a sports utility vehicle, rolled off an embankment and exploded in flames.  A 911 call was placed as the incident was occurring where a passenger made reference to fact that the accelerator was stuck.  This recall is the largest in the manufacturer’s history.

We are very happy to hear that Toyota is taking responsibility for this issue, but at the same time we remind consumers that if you have repeatedly complained of this problem to an authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer, you should take a look at State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws to see if you are entitled to recourse even if the car is permanently fixed.   For more information, contact us or call 1-800- LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

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