Toyota Motor North America has reached a $29 million settlement with the Attorneys General of 29 states to address issues from recalls between 2005 and 2010 related to sticky accelerator pedals and malfunctioning floor mats. This agreement includes commitments to improve vehicle information accessibility for consumers, ensuring safer operation and more informed choices.
In a significant development, Toyota Motor North America has agreed to a $29 million settlement with the Attorneys General of 29 states. This settlement addresses the issues stemming from recalls between 2005 and 2010, which involved sticky accelerator pedals and malfunctioning floor mats. As part of the agreement, Toyota has committed to making vehicle information more accessible to consumers, helping them operate their vehicles safely and make more informed decisions.
This is not the first time Toyota has faced legal challenges over unintended acceleration. Last year, the company agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement to compensate vehicle owners who experienced a loss in value due to these issues. The $29 million settlement will be distributed equally among the states and territories involved in the lawsuit.
In addition to the financial settlement, Toyota has pledged to continue its rapid-response service teams and quality field offices, which were first implemented in 2010 following massive recalls. These teams are designed to assist owners of affected vehicles. Toyota has also promised a range of customer care amenities for owners of vehicles subject to certain recalls, although specific details were not provided.
Christopher Reynolds, Group Vice President and General Counsel for Toyota Motor Sales USA, and Chief Legal Officer of Toyota Motor North America, stated, "Resolving this inquiry is another step we are taking to turn the page on legacy issues from Toyota's past recalls in a way that benefits our customers. Immediately after this inquiry was launched in 2010, Toyota began cooperating fully with the Attorneys General and implementing 'customer-first' initiatives to address their concerns and those of our customers. Today, we are pleased to have reached a cooperative agreement that reflects the commitment of Toyota's 37,000 North American team members to put customers first in everything we do."
Despite this settlement, Toyota still faces numerous injury and wrongful death lawsuits related to unintended acceleration. The company remains confident in defending its electronic vehicle technology, which has been blamed for some of these accidents. Multiple studies, including one by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), have found that the technology functions properly. Toyota attributes the issues to accelerator pedals and poorly designed floor mats, both of which have been recalled and repaired.
Despite these challenges, Toyota continues to excel in reliability and customer satisfaction. The company recently achieved top scores in J.D. Power and Associates' 2013 Vehicle Reliability Study. In 2012, Toyota sold more vehicles than any other manufacturer, maintaining its reputation for quality and dependability. Even after recalling more vehicles than any other manufacturer in three of the last four years, Toyota remains a dominant force in the automotive industry.
With the $29 million settlement, Toyota aims to put the unintended acceleration issues behind them and focus on maintaining their reputation for quality and reliability. The company hopes that these legal resolutions will allow them to continue leading the automotive industry in innovation and customer satisfaction.
For more information on vehicle recalls and safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and J.D. Power.
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