Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Toyota Motor Corporation announced on Wednesday that it was recalling one million cars due to a flaw that could prevent airbags from deploying, raising the possibility of injuries.
The Toyota Rav4, Sienna, Camry, and the Lexus ES350 and RX350 are among the 15 distinct Toyota and Lexus models from the 2020 and 2021 model years that are included in the recall.
More specifically, there may be a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System sensor, which recognizes when a person is seated in the front passenger seat. The sensor in a few of these cars was made incorrectly.
Using its approximate weight determination, the OCS sensor can determine if a passenger in the front seat is an adult or a child. The airbag may not deploy in a collision if a child is found in the front passenger seat because its force could harm a young child.
According to Toyota’s statement, an OCS sensor short circuit may prevent the airbag from deploying in an accident when it should.
Toyota said it will notify owners of vehicles affected by the recall by the end of February 2024. The service staff at Toyota or Lexus dealerships will replace the sensor at no cost to the owner when the owners bring their car in.
On a similar note, over 2 million Honda cars of different makes and models have been recalled due to a fuel pump problem that may make it more likely for engines to stall or not start while driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall notice states that there is a chance that the fuel pump within the fuel tank would malfunction, increasing the possibility of the engine stalling while driving, increasing the odds of an accident. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on February 5, 2024, and Honda dealerships will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to the owner.
These Honda models are being recalled:
- 2018-2020 Honda Accord
- 2018-2020 Honda Civic Coupe
- 2018-2020 Honda Civic Sedan
- 2018-2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
- 2018-2020 Honda Civic Type R
- 2018-2020 Honda CR-V
- 2018-2020 Honda HR-V
- 2018-2020 Honda Ridgeline
- 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2018-2020 Acura ILX
- 2018-2020 Acura MDX
- 2018-2020 Acura MDX Hybrid
- 2018-2020 Acura RDX
- 2018-2020 Acura RLX
- 2018-2020 Acura TLX
- 2019-2020 Honda Insight
- 2019-2020 Honda Passport
- 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
- 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV
- 2018-2019 Honda Fit
- 2017-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
- 2017-2020 Acura NSX
A car recall could be ordered if the vehicle safety standards are not being met. Recalls can be issued for anything from relatively small mechanical flaws, like a door lock malfunction, to extremely critical problems that need to be fixed right away, such as malfunctioning brake systems that pose a serious risk to life.
If something appears “off” with your car, you should check to see if a recall has been issued right away. If your car is registered, you should receive a letter from the manufacturer informing you of any safety recalls. Using your vehicle identification number (VIN), you can also visit the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to check for recalls.
Unfortunately, history shows that manufacturers frequently issue recalls only after dozens, if not hundreds, of individuals have been gravely hurt or killed. Even in the absence of a recall, if you believe a car defect may have contributed to the injury you or a loved one suffered, you should contact our Florida Vehicle Defects and Recalls Attorneys at Whittel & Melton to assist with investigating the matter. Even though these cases can be more complex, we have a team of experts that can help us identify if your injuries or the injuries of a loved one were caused by an unidentified car problem.
Call us today at 866-608-5529 for a free consultation if you have any questions in regards to a vehicle recall. You can also contact us online 24/7 to request a complimentary case evaluation.