With vehicle prices higher than ever, consumers expect the vehicles they purchase to be safe. They rarely expect manufacturing or design defects to deem the vehicle hazardous. When issues creep up during the first two years after the vehicle is manufactured, the state’s Lemon law may become relevant to a motorist’s situation.
Unfortunately, individuals who own Toyota and Lexus vehicles have experienced quite a shakeup recently, as these companies have issued two separate recalls covering issues that could be considerable safety hazards. A fix is ready for one issue, but not the other.
Rear axle recall
The first recall is one that involves approximately 381,000 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks. The issue is a manufacturing error for the 2022 and 2023 models. During the manufacturing process, welding debris wasn’t removed from the tips of the axle.
Because of this dangerous oversight, parts can separate on the axle due to loose retaining nuts. This issue can lead to severe crashes because it can negatively impact the driver’s ability to brake. It can also affect the vehicle’s stability while it’s in motion.
The recall instructs Tacoma owners to bring the vehicle to a dealership to have the retaining nuts tightened. The manufacturer will also replace components that have already been damaged. Reimbursement is possible if owners have already had the job done. If the issue isn’t fixed in accordance with the requirements of the Lemon law, owners may have legal recourse.
Transmission recall
The second recall affects around 280,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Lexus is owned by Toyota and the two companies share specific components and parts from third-party companies.
This recall affects:
- Toyota Tundra, including Tundra Hybrid: 2022 to 2024
- Toyota Sequoia Hybrid: 2023 to 2024
- Lexus LX600: 2022 to 2024
The safety issue at the heart of this recall has to do with the transmission. There’s a chance that the transmission may not fully disengage when it’s shifted out of drive. This can lead to the vehicle moving forward at slow speeds, typically up to around 4 miles per hour. There’s no indication of a fix, if any, that will be provided under this recall. Defective vehicles may fall under the Lemon law if a manufacturer doesn’t effectively correct the issue.
State Lemon law require that manufacturers fix defective vehicles if the repairs for the issue meet certain requirements and the vehicle comes within certain age and mileage limits. If manufacturers fail to perform effective repairs, there’s a chance that the matter violates the Lemon law. Anyone facing that type of situation should seek legal assistance to determine what courses of action are possible.