Personal Injury Law

Toyota Recalls 600,000 Sienna Minivans in Cold Weather States, Including New York

By Paul Napoli

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced Friday that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 600,000 Sienna minivans because the spare tire carrier cable can corrode, potentially causing the spare tire to drop from the undercarriage.

The corrosion can occur on 1998-2010 model year Sienna minivans operated in cold climates where the vehicle is exposed to road salt. Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause excessive corrosion and failure of the spare tire carrier cable resulting in the spare tire separating from the vehicle. This could cause a road hazard for following vehicles and increase the likelihood of a crash.

In addition to the District of Columbia, vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage are covered by this recall: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Sienna owners in other states will receive a separate Special Service Campaign notification with information on a free inspection and repair if needed.

'Toyota is listening to its customers attentively, and we want to make sure their voices are heard. As part of that commitment, we are providing free inspections of the spare tire carrier cable even in states that are not included in this recall. We are also working diligently to develop a remedy as soon as possible,' Steve St. Angelo, Toyota Chief Quality Officer for North America said in yesterday's news release.

If you or a loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in an auto accident as the result of a motor vehicle defect, contact Napoli Bern Ripka LLP immediately. We will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one's wrongful death. Visit www.NapoliBern.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on April 20, 2010 (boomark / email).