Toyota Recall for Brake Problems affects 261,000 Vehicles

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on February 21, 2014

Toyota recently announced a recall that affects more than 261,000 vehicles sold in North America and abroad to address a brake problem that could result in increased risk of accidents for the affected vehicles. The recall involves 261,114 Lexus RX crossover vehicles, Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks and RAV4 sport utility vehicles. Toyota reports that the brake problems are caused by an electrical component within the brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure for each of the brakes on the affected vehicles. Toyota says that in some cases, improper fluid pressure causes increased resistance to the brake pedal.

When this occurs, warning lights on the dashboards of the vehicles light up, indicating problems with the stability and traction control systems, as well as the antilock brakes. The automaker reports that the brakes on the affected vehicles could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance during braking and increasing the likelihood of an accident. The specific models involved in the recall are:

• 2012 and 2013 Lexus RX 350s
• 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacomas
• 2012 Toyota RAV4s

Toyota has told federal safety officials that it is in the process of notifying owners of the recalled vehicles. Fixing the problem will involve owners bringing their vehicles in to Toyota and Lexus dealerships so that technicians can update the software for the electronic control unit on the cars responsible for skid control. This service will be done free of charge to owners. Owners of the models involved in this recall can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (reference recall number 14V054000) or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987 or Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

This is the latest in a series of recalls involving Toyota vehicles. A brand that was once synonymous with quality and reliability has experienced significant setbacks in recent years, as several high-profile accidents caused by defective parts have resulted in deaths, devastating injuries and litigation against the automaker. If you or a member of your immediate family has been injured in an accident caused by defective parts involved in a Toyota recall, you may be entitled to damages. If you would like to speak with an Orlando Toyota recall accident attorney with nearly forty years of experience helping injured people, call James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.