Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are types of antidepressants. Brand names of SSRIs include: Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Symbyax, Wellbutrin and Effexor. These drugs inhibit neuronal serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and slightly inhibit dopamine reuptake. SSRIs have been associated with serious, life-threatening birth defects. Research suggests that, if a mother took SSRI’s during pregnancy, [...]
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Toyota Announces Plan to Replace Accelerators in Secondary Recall
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TOYOTA AND LEXUS RECALLS
In early 2010, Toyota announced two safety recalls. Toyota vehicles recalled a wide range of recent models, including the Highlander, Corolla, Venza, Matrix, Camry, Avalon, Tacoma, RAV4, Sequoia and Tundra, as well as the Lexus ES 350, Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 and earlier Prius models. To determine whether your vehicle is affected by the recall, you need to contact Toyota with your VIN number.
Both Toyota recall campaigns address conditions related to the accelerator pedal. The first recall is called “Floor Mat Entrapment” and relates to interference from an incompatible driver’s floor mat. The second recall, “Pedal,” relates to the potential for the accelerator pedal to get stuck in the wide-open position.
Since 2001, the electronic throttle system in most Toyota vehicles has relied on sensors, microprocessors and electronic motors instead of a mechanical linkage to connect the accelerator pedal to the engine throttle plate. Millions of Toyota vehicles were not equipped with a safety feature, known as a brake override, to prevent unintended acceleration. Toyota will install brake override systems on all Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles.
Since 2002, there have been multiple government investigations and more than 2,000 consumer complaints of unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles. Several instances of runaway Toyota and Lexus vehicles have been reported in the United States, causing injuries and some deaths.
On February 22, 2010, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations said that Toyota had relied on a flawed study in dismissing the notion that computer issues could be at fault for sticking accelerator pedals, and then made misleading statements about the repairs. The Committee’s February 22, 2010 letter [(Subcommittee letter PDF)] to James E. Lentz III (President of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.), listed three significant concerns:
(1) the documents appear to show that Toyota consistently dismissed the possibility that electronic failures could be responsible for incidents of sudden unintended acceleration;
(2) the one report Toyota produced that purports to test and analyze potential electronic causes of sudden unintended acceleration was initiated two months ago and appears to have serious flaws; and
(3) Toyota’s public statements about the adequacy of its recalls appear to be misleading.
March 3, 2010 Update: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it has received at least ten complaints about unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles after repairs have been made. Rep. Bruce Braley, vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and The Honorable David L. Strickland, Administrator of NHTSA, that these reports “are extremely troubling.” Toyota Braley 3.3.10 ltr.
If you or a family member suffered injury or death as a consequence of mechanical malfunction in a Toyota or Lexus vehicle, you should contact us immediately to begin a free evaluation. We will talk to you at your convenience and all information will be kept confidential.