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Showing posts with label Toyota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toyota. Show all posts

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Chrysler Recalls 1.2 Million Ram Trucks

Chrysler is recalling about 1.2 million Ram trucks to correct problems that could result in a loss of steering, as well as almost 94,000 of its 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of electronic problems that could disable two safety systems, the automaker said on Friday.

In a statement, the company said it was aware of seven accidents involving the Rams, resulting in two injuries. A Chrysler spokesman, Eric Mayne, said in an email that he was not aware of the extent of the injuries.

The automaker estimated that 453,000 of the trucks would need repairs because the steering systems’ tie rods were not aligned properly, though it said it needed to recall all 1.2 million trucks to find the flawed vehicles.

Earlier Friday, Chrysler told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a report on the safety agency’s website of the problems in the Jeep Grand Cherokees.

In addition, Toyota said it was recalling about 3,800 Tacoma pickups from the 2013-14 model years because their 4-cylinder engines could be damaged and possibly stop running.

In the Chrysler report, which was dated Oct. 1, the automaker said a software problem with the anti-lock braking module could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems. In addition, the issue could cause the “illumination of multiple warning lights” and a loss of lighting for the instrument cluster.

Chrysler said that it had begun an investigation in April after receiving complaints...


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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Toyota settles acceleration lawsuit after $3-million verdict

Today's post was shared by FairWarning and comes from www.latimes.com


Toyota Motor Corp.'s first loss in a sudden acceleration case, in an Oklahoma courtroom this week, could embolden attorneys nationwide who are looking to bring hundreds of similar cases.
Worse for the Japanese automaker, the verdict centered on the company's electronics, which have been a focus for plaintiffs seeking to prove safety defects in the company's cars.
Toyota on Friday confirmed that it had reached a confidential settlement in the lawsuit, which involved the fatal 2007 crash of a Camry. The settlement came hours after a jury assessed $3 million in compensatory damages but before the panel could levy a punitive award.
The verdict could provide a road map for attorneys seeking to hold the automaker liable for injuries and deaths.
Toyota has denied any safety defects in its cars, arguing that many incidents of unintended acceleration stemmed from drivers who stepped on the gas instead of the brake. But plaintiffs in the Oklahoma case successfully argued that Toyota's electronic throttle system was flawed, causing the car to speed out of control.
The 2005 Camry crashed into an embankment, severely injuring the driver, 76-year-old Jean Bookout, and killing her passenger, Barbara Schwarz.
By striking a quick settlement, the company likely sought to avoid bad publicity and damage to its reputation, said Jill Wieber Lens, a product liability expert at Baylor University Law School in Waco, Texas.
The Oklahoma defeat could increase pressure on the automaker to come up...
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