Posts Tagged ‘ Product Liability’

Toyota Recalls 4.26 Million Vehicles for ‘Very Dangerous’ Gas Pedal Defects

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Toyota Motor Corp. recently announced a huge recall that affects 4.26 million cars and trucks manufactured since the 2002 model year. The recall is to modify and replace gas pedals that may stick and cause a vehicle to accelerate out of control. Toyota issued a statement that said the recall involves floor mats that can jam the accelerator pedal open and have done so at least 1000 times on Toyota vehicles.

The gas pedal problems have been widely reported with one especially well publicized incident in San Diego that claimed the lives of a California Highway Patrol officer and three members of his family. Since the 2002 model year, Toyota and Lexus cars and trucks have been involved in more than one thousand sudden-acceleration incidents that claimed 19 lives, resulting in the biggest recall in company history.

“We are very, very confident that we have addressed this issue,” Toyota spokesperson Irv Miller told reporters in detailing the recall plans Wednesday.

(more…)

Toyota Orders Dealers to Inspect All Vehicle Floor Mats

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

An Associated Press article published recently said Toyota ordered all its dealers to inspect their vehicles for mismatched floor mats in relation to a fiery car accident that killed four members of a family. The deadly auto accident was believed to be caused by floor mats that snagged the gas pedal on a Lexus that caused it to accelerate into the family’s SUV. Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. issued the order to around 1400 Lexus and Toyota dealers around the country to ensure that each vehicle in their inventory had the proper floor mats and that those mats were properly secured. Toyota also encouraged Toyota owners to inspect their floor mats for safety.

One Toyota official said, “If there’s any doubt in their mind about the security and shape of their mat, go ahead and visit the dealer.”

A 45-year-old California Highway Patrol Officer and three others were killed August 28, 2009, on State Route 125 in Santee—a town near San Diego—when the runaway Lexus traveling faster than 120 mph hit their SUV. After hitting the SUV, the Lexus launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames.

(more…)

Watson Pharmaceuticals Propafenone Recall

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

According to a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of one lot of Propafenone HCL 225 mg tablets, an anti-arrhythmia drug. The tablets are being voluntarily recalled because some tablets may contain higher levels of the drug than is specified on the product labeling.

This is a serious issue. Changes in the dosage of Propafenone may affect some patients more than others. The FDA press release mentions irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure as potential side effects in sensitive patients. Those taking the drug are encouraged to review the lot number and expiration date to determine if their medication is subject to the recall.

(more…)