Legal News

California consumer protections cited in first consolidated Toyota complaint

By Richard Binder

Lawyers in the multidistrict litigation against Toyota Motor Corp. filed their first consolidated complaint on Monday. The MDL involves more than 200 lawsuits filed after Toyota recalled more than 8 million vehicles for defects associated with unintended acceleration ? specifically, problems with accelerator pedals and floor mats. Monday's filing alleges that the defects include problems with the electronic throttle control system.

The complaint claims that the Japanese carmaker knowingly hid defects associated with unintended acceleration since 2002 while falsely assuring consumers about the safety of its vehicles. The attorneys cite California consumer-protection laws, including the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the California Unfair Competition Law, as well as breach of contract, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, fraud by concealment and unjust enrichment.

The complaint seeks economic damages for a nationwide class of consumers and businesses, including rental car companies and automobile dealerships.

Full story at NLJ.com.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on August 04, 2010 (boomark / email).