Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Toyota has announced another recall. The recall names 412,000 cars due to a steering defect. So far a few accidents have occurred because of the automobile defect.

373,000 Toyota Avalon vehicles have been named in the recall. An improper casting of the steering lock bar can allow cracks to develop. A severe enough crack can cause the lock bar to break. A broken lock bar will lock the steering wheel and make the car impossible to steer.

Lexus LX 470s have also been named in the recall for a steering defect. A defect in the steering shaft can cause the car driver to lose control of the car. Drivers of vehicles named in the recall will be notified and asked to bring their defective vehicles to a dealer for a free repair.

Vehicles named in recall:
2000 - 2004 Model Year Toyota Avalon Vehicles
2003 - 2007 Model Year Lexus LX470 Vehicles

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Toyota recalling 412,000 vehicles in U.S.

The summer family road trip may sound like a dream to some but could end up as a nightmare if cargo and other belongings are not properly packed. In a collision, an improperly packed object can become a dangerous projectile putting passengers in the car at risk for serious injury. Those loose objects can strike a passenger in the car at speeds up to 30 mph. A blow to the neck or the head with an object heavy enough, such as a laptop, can prove to be fatal.

To properly pack your car for a road trip experts suggest strapping down or stowing loose heavy objects under the seat. Heavy objects should be placed as far forward as possible and strapped down with lighter softer objects placed on top. To test your packing technique, start slowly in your driveway then suddenly hit the brakes and check to see if any cargo is out of place.

If you are travelling in an SUV this summer, do not pack anything on the roof. SUVs have a higher center of gravity than cars and placing objects on the roof of the SUV raise that center of gravity. The higher the center of gravity the more likely a vehicle will roll over in a car accident.

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Make your summer travels safer and smoother

A Toyota company official has admitted that Toyota knew of a problem for two years in the engines of the recently recalled Lexus vehicles but did not issue a recall.

In 2008, Toyota identified that the valve spring in the engines of Lexus vehicles was causing the vehicle to stall while driving. Toyota changed the design of the valve spring making it thicker to fix the defect and prevent vehicles to stall. The new valve spring was installed in new vehicles but no action was taken to recall and replace the valve spring in vehicles already on the road.

Related Sources:
Toyota Knew Of Lexus Problems 2 Years Ago

Toyota has announced another recall involving their luxury vehicle brand, Lexus.

Over 220 incidents of vehicles stalling while in motion had been reported due to a defective engine part. The valve spring, a crucial engine part, was found to be defective and causing the vehicles to inexplicably stall. As a result of this dangerous defect Toyota has recalled 138,000 vehicles in the United States and 270,000 worldwide. Unlike previous recalls, defective vehicles are being recalled in Japan and the United States at the same time.

Since October 2009, Toyota has recalled over 8.5 million vehicles.

Vehicles named in the recall:
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus GS350
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus GS450h
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus GS460
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus IS350
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus LS460
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus LS600h
2006 - 2008 Model Year Lexus LS600hL

Related Sources:
Toyota Begins Recalling Thousands Of Vehicles

Toyota to recall 138,000 Lexus vehicles in US

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating claims that the power steering in certain Mazda and BMW automobiles is defective. NHTSA has received numerous complaints from drivers of both brands of luxury vehicles.

According to driver complaints, the power steering can suddenly and unexplainably malfunction making the vehicle extremely difficult to drive. This automobile defect is extremely dangerous and has already caused a few crashes. This is no recall yet but a government investigation usually spurs a recall.

Vehicles currently under investigation:
2007 -2009 Model Year Mazda3 Passenger Cars
2003-2005 Model Year BMW Z4 Sports Cars

Related Sources:
Govt investigating Mazda, BMW cars