During an internal Toyota (TM) government relation meeting in July 2009, Yoshimi Inaba, chief of Toyota’s North American operations, presented a document that stated. “Saved 100M+, w/no defect found,” the document states under a section labeled “Wins For Toyota—Safety Group.” Toyota saved more than $100 million by negotiating an agreement with U.S. safety regulators that led to a limited “equipment” recall of Camry and Lexus ES350 vehicles.

Toyota first blamed incidents on floor mats, instead of a potentially more costly defect with the car itself. In August 2009, the month following the presentation in which the Inaba boasted of saving $100 million over a full recall, a family of four was killed in a Lexus with its gas pedal stuck under a floor mat. Toyota vehicles are known for safety and value; however this “smoking gun” document, portrays Toyota as putting profits over safety.

If you own a recalled Toyota or a Lexus, and have been injured due to the accelerator defect, please contact M&A Law Firm toll-free at 1-866-789-1664, and speak with a products liability attorney concerning your Toyota’s safety. You can also click here to fill out our convenient online case evaluation form.

Corolla Recall Steering Problems – Toyota is considering a recall of its top-selling Corolla subcompact after complaints about power steering problems. This is another blow to the world’s largest automaker, already dealing with a string of recalls and multiple civil suits in U.S. courts. Despite pressure from lawmakers, Toyota has a U.S. congressional hearing, on their quality lapses. President Akio Toyoda said, “I trust that our officials in the U.S. will amply answer the questions, we are sending the best people to the hearing, and I hope to back up the efforts from headquarters.” The Company also denied any cover-up as the U.S. investigates whether it was enough in recalling millions of Toyota cars over the problems affecting other car models. Toyota said there are currently less than 100 potential complaints with the Corolla Recall in the US.

If you own a 2010 Toyota Corolla, and would like to discuss your consumer rights, please contact M&A Law Firm toll-free at 1-866-789-1664, and speak with a products liability attorney concerning your Toyota’s safety. You can also click here to fill out our convenient online case evaluation form.