In 2010, Toyota Motor Corp. recalled millions of cars due to defects found in accelerator pedals and breaks for 2005 to 2010 models. The US government started its investigation on Toyota break problems when the manufacturer announced that there is a design defect in the 2010 Prius.

The class-action suit filed against Toyota was settled for $1.1 billion for monetary compensation and upgrades for the 16 million owners or Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles, depending on the model and age of the vehicle.

Is Your Car Part of the Recall?

The following include the recalled models:

• RAV4
• Corolla
• Matrix
• Camry
• Highlander SUV
• Prius
• Tundra and Sequoia trucks
• Lexus GS300, RX 330,
• other Lexus models

Go to Toyota’s safety recall look-up page and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know if your vehicle is included in the recall.

If you find that your vehicle is affected by Toyota’s recall, or any other, contact your dealer as soon as possible.

Class Action Lawsuit Against Toyota

Toyota owners who filed lawsuits against the car manufacturer allege that Toyota has committed fraud and negligence in the design and manufacturing of their vehicles, especially the Electronic Throttle Control System (‘ETCS-i’ or ‘ETCS’) of some models. Accidents involving unintended acceleration are blamed on defective ERCS. The deadline for filing a claim for issues related to this was July 29, 2013, according to the Toyota Economic Loss Settlement Website.

The following is a list of cases related to Toyota vehicles:

Lawsuits:

• Baumkel v. Toyota Motor Corp., et al. (class-action complaint) — Detroit-area resident and 2007 Toyota Camry owner sues Toyota alleging legal claims under federal and state law.
• Dimitrios Biller v. Toyota Motor Corp., et al. (complaint) — Whistleblower lawsuit filed by ex-Toyota lawyer accusing the Japanese automaker and certain Toyota executives of engaging in an unlawful “conspiracy to conceal, withhold, and destroy evidence and information, and obstruct justice” in rollover lawsuits filed by plaintiffs against the car company.
• Gumble v. Toyota Motor Corp., et al. (class-action complaint) — A 2009 Camry owner’s class-action lawsuit seeking legal relief for herself and other Toyota owners.
• Heilbrunn, et al. v. Toyota Motor Corp. (class-action complaint) — Federal class-action lawsuit accused Toyota of breach of express and implied warranties, fraud, unjust enrichment, and breach of good faith and fair dealing.
• Kmetz v. Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., et al. (class-action complaint) — Lawsuit seeking class-action status for Toyota owners alleging unintended acceleration vehicle defects.
• Menssen v. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, et al. (class-action complaint) — Products liability, fraud, breach of warranty, and negligence lawsuit.
• Miller v. Toyota Motors Sales, USA, Inc., et al. (complaint) — Breach of warranty, negligence, and product liability lawsuit.
• Pena, et al. v. Toyota Motor Corp. (class-action complaint) — Lawsuit alleging Toyota Electronic Throttle Control System (‘ETCS-i’ and ‘ETCS’) defects involving link between the gas pedal and electronic acceleration, reportedly lacking a redundant mechanical linkage failsafe to prevent sudden, unintended acceleration.
• Saylor v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (complaint) — Products liability and negligence lawsuit in a California state court against Toyota and Lexus car dealer over the deaths of 4 family members in a Lexus ES350 loaner vehicle that apparently accelerated to 120 mph before killing the car’s 4 occupants.
• Uno v. Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., et al. (complaint) — Wrongful death, product liability, and breach of warranty lawsuit.
• Viviano, et al. v. Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing of North America, et al. (class-action complaint) — Federal class-ation lawsuit alleging racketeering, fraud, product liability, negligence, Consumer Protection Act violations, and breach of warranty.