Toyota recently issued a recall of over 7.5 million of its vehicles in multiple countries, stating that all of them faced a similar problem: defective automatic window controls in the driver’s door that could cause a fire. Although the recall follows serious concerns in previous years over Toyota’s safety record, the company is unconcerned, pointing out that ignoring the problem would be much worse than fixing it.
The recall affects 2.5 million cars in the United States, according to the Detroit Free Press. It covers vehicles made from 2005 to 2010, including Toyota’s popular Camry, Corolla, Yaris, RAV4, Tundra, Matrix, and Sequoia, as well as two Scion models.
The recall is related to the window control switch in the driver’s side door. When installed, the switches did not have adequate lubrication. As they are used, friction causes heat buildup in the door, which can lead to smoke and/or fire. Owners of the recalled vehicles should take them to a Toyota dealership or licensed mechanic, who will apply a non-flammable lubricant to control the friction and reduce fire risk.
Toyota has stated that it hasn’t received any reports of injuries due to the defective switches. However, a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) included nine injury reports and 161 separate fire reports.
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., our skilled El Paso County personal injury attorneys can help you find out exactly what defective part or product caused your injury and get the compensation you need to recover. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 for a free, confidential case evaluation.