If you own a 2010-2014 Toyota Prius, your vehicle is the subject of a recent recall. On February 12, 2014 Toyota Motor Sales USA announced that approximately 700,000 Prius vehicles in the U.S. may have defective software controlling the motor/generator and hybrid ECUs. The recall affects 1.9 million vehicles worldwide.
While no accidents or injuries have been reported, if these systems fail it can cause the car to lose power and become unable to maintain speed.
What To Do If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled
If you receive notice in the mail that your vehicle is listed in a recall, the recall notice should have information on the manufacturer’s plan for a remedy. Toyota offers free repair of the software glitch at its local dealerships. A technician will perform a software update, which should take about 40 minutes. However, if the update does not correct the problem, then the control module may need to be replaced. This could take up to three hours.
The Importance of Reporting a Vehicle Defect
Toyota had received reports of the software problem as far back as May 2011, according to media reports. Vehicle recalls help prevent accidents and injury, but they are only issued when drivers report problems with their vehicles.
By filing a report you help the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the vehicle manufacturers keep track of potentially hazardous situations. When a defect is suspected, the manufacturer can research the potential for a design flaw or manufacturing error, issue a recall, and develop a remedy.
Meanwhile, Gacovino, Lake & Associates help drivers injured by a defective vehicle, whether they were the driver or not. The manufacturer can be held liable for the damages caused by its defective products. To learn more about your legal options if you were seriously injured, call us today at 800-550-0000 or visit our contact page to request a free consultation.
