Recapping Toyota’s Auto Product Liability Matters
The recent sweeping recalls and rising concern over safety issues surrounding Toyota’s vehicles has created an ongoing public relations crisis for the Japanese automaker. In reviewing a CNN article, Toyota is still the subject of investigation due to various problems throughout some of their most popular models, including the Corrolla, Camry, Prius, Matrix and others. The problems range from steering problems at highway speeds and sticking gas pedals to improperly sized floor mats that cause unresponsive brakes and accelerators to become stuck.
According to another report, 52 U.S. fatalities have been reported due to sudden acceleration in Toyota automobiles since 2000.
News reports stated that Toyota gave an initially “tepid response” to the recalls, which caused outrage throughout the country. Recently, however, Toyota has held several news conferences in which the company apologized for the safety problems and promised a fleet of changes, including outside review of company operations, improved handling of customer complaints and better communication with officials in the federal government.
The company has also made strides to restore good faith with the U.S. by having Toyota’s president testify before a Congressional hearing. Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s president, stated earlier that he would only appear in front of Congress if he were extended a formal invitation, which served to deepen unrest over Toyota’s response. However, Toyoda later stated before the hearing that he would be “happy to attend” and would “speak with full sincerity” in order to help U.S. regulators investigate the recalls. Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masayuki Naoshima (who also previously worked at Toyota), has stated that it is important to prevent the recalls from fueling political friction between the U.S. and Japan. The committees that presented Toyoda with questions included the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm founded by... Michael Monheit→
