Another airbag defect is plaguing a major auto manufacturer. Toyota Motor North America is planning to recall almost 49,000 cars in the United States and 645,000 cars worldwide for a faulty electrical problem that may cause a failure in airbag deployment during a crash. The recall is scheduled to begin in March. 2018, when Toyota plans to notify owners of affected vehicles via first class mail.
The reason for the recall is a faulty airbag mechanism. The pressure sensors and acceleration sensors in the airbag may not operate correctly. This would trigger an air bag warning light and thereby prevent the side/curtain shield airbags and/or the front airbags from inflating. The cars involved in the recall primarily include certain Toyota Prius and Lexus RX and NX SUVs. The recall also affects Toyota Alphard, Vellfire, Sienta, Noah, Voxy, Esquire. Probox, Succeed, Corolla, Highlander, Levin and Hilux models. The recalled vehicles were manufactured between May, 2015 and March, 2016.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets the rules for auto recalls. Toyota and any manufacturer conducting a recall must notify registered owners within 60 days of informing NHTSA of the decision to recall the car. Automakers are required to give car owners options to remedy the issue. Toyota has agreed to replace the sensors free of charge to the owner.
NHTSA is then responsible for overseeing safety recalls to ensure that car owners receive effective solutions at no charge in accordance with federal regulations. Car owners are notified by the manufacturer of the proper steps to take to remedy the issue. Owners should adhere to manufacturer guidelines and communicate with their local dealer about replacing the recalled part.
If you are unsure about whether your vehicle is involved in the recall, or you did not receive a notice, NHTSA offers tools to help you. NHTSA’s website has a feature that enables any car owner to enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to identify safety recalls that are not complete, safety recalls that have been performed in the past 15 years, and safety recalls performed by major light auto makers. It is important to note the VIN does not cover completed safety recalls or other manufacturer recalls unrelated to safety issues.
If you or a member of your family was injured in an accident related to a recalled vehicle, contact Alexander Law Group, LLC. Our exceptional personal injury lawyers will be sure you get the maximum compensation possible. Call 888.777.1776, or contact us online.
