The Most Important Questions About the Toyota 4Runner Lawsuit Answered
Toyota Motor Corporation is currently facing a lawsuit over their 4Runners, which are from the fourth generation
Toyota Motor Corporation is currently facing a lawsuit over their 4Runners, which are from the fourth generation. Plaintiffs have so far joined the suit alleging that the cars are defective and make it unsafe to drive. They can cause serious car accidents. This article will answer the most important questions about the ongoing lawsuit against Toyota and the safety of these vehicles.
Why was this lawsuit filed against Toyota?
Premature rust corrosion can lead to many problems for owners of Toyota 4Runners made between 2003 and 2009. This includes the possibility of critical parts falling off or even catastrophic car accidents. Dana Holding Corporation is responsible for not properly treating the frames against rust.
Gary Weinreich, South Carolina, filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corporation and its subsidiaries on December 6, 2018. After purchasing his 4Runner in 2005, a mechanic informed him that his vehicle had "severe" and excessive rust. Weinreich was told again in 2017 that his car had excessive frame corrosion.
Weinreich took legal action against Toyota Motor Corporation after a car accident that he sustained in May 2018. His 4Runner's front steering control arm broke, causing him to run off the road. In the ongoing lawsuit against Toyota, the man represents himself as well as the other owners of defective Toyota 4Runners.
How many car owners have a defective Toyota 4Runner?
Between 2003 and 2009, Toyota Motor Corporation sold 585 705 4Runners in America. These vehicles all have premature rust corrosion of their frames. This is a problem that most owners will experience sooner or later, particularly if they live somewhere with primarily cold temperatures. The winter season is when the frame rusts faster than usual due to road salt, treatment such as liquid calcium chloride and treatments like sand, moisture, snow, and sand. A properly treated frame won't show signs of rust corrosion 15 years after it is purchased new. However, Toyota 4Runners of the fourth generation may rust in as little as 5 years.
Which Toyota 4Runner Models should I Avoid Buying?
It is known that Toyota 4Runners produced between 2003 and 2009 are susceptible to premature rust corrosion. We advise against buying one. These are the models being sued. However, many owners claim that the issue only affects 4Runners manufactured between 2009 and 2011.
Other Toyota Models Have Been Found to Have the Frame Rust Corrosion Issue?
Surprisingly yes. The lawsuit was not the first to be filed against the company for excessive rust corrosion of the frames of their vehicles. Ryan Burns, from Arkansas, filed a second class-action suit against Toyota Motor Corporation on October 3, 2016. The lawsuit claimed that Tacomas and Sequoias were susceptible to premature rusting. The company settled the lawsuit in 2020 for $3.4 billion. This money was used to fix the vehicles affected, specifically those made between 2004-2008.
Toyota has issued a recall on 4Runners with defective frames?
Contrary to the 2020 lawsuit, in which Toyota Motor Corporation recalled millions upon millions of Tacomas and Sequoias and Tundras, this recall has not been issued for the 4Runners produced between 2003 and 2009. The plaintiffs in this lawsuit insist that Toyota will announce a recall. The plaintiffs claim that Toyota knew about rust corrosion for many years, but did not take action to fix it.
What do authorities know about the issue of frame rust corrosion in Toyota 4Runners'?
After receiving numerous complaints from vehicle owners, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into all Toyota 4Runners manufactured between 2002 and 2006. Weinreich was also assisted by this agency in pursuing his complaint. Weinreich had previously filed a defect petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prior to filing the class action lawsuit against Toyota. Very few car owners are aware of the defect petition. Once submitted, it prompts authorities to take your complaint seriously and open a complicated investigation. Only 43 defect petitions have been filed in the last decade.
What is the Toyota Stand on the Allegations Made Against It?
Despite the many complaints Toyota received from 4Runner owners dissatisfied with its products and the lawsuit against it, the company maintains its innocence and refuses any admission of wrongdoing. Toyota Motor Corporation maintained the same attitude in the 2016 lawsuit against Sequoias and Tundras. Although the company settled, it refused to admit fault. Toyota Motor Corporation tried to get out of the current lawsuit by asking for a motion to dismiss in May 2019. It claimed that the plaintiff failed to establish any valid claims against it. However, Eric Booth, a Toyota spokesperson, stated that safety is our top priority. We cannot comment on the specific claims at the moment, but we will reply in the appropriate forum em>
Should I Stop Driving My Toyota 4Runner if It Has Frame Rust Corrosion.
If your mechanic tells you that your car's frame is rusty, it is best to stop driving it. This is a serious problem because the frame supports the vehicle. It will not protect you from an accident if it has been severely damaged by rust. It can also lead to a car accident. One of the most important components in your vehicle may fall out of control while you drive, causing you and your passengers to lose control.
If you are not wearing your seatbelt, the injuries you and others can sustain in a car crash could prove fatal. A car accident involving a defective 4Runner can result in serious injuries such as paralysis, loss of limbs and fractured bones. It is strongly recommended that you never drive a 4Runner with severe corrosion on the frame.
You can also join the Lawsuit if you have a defective Toyota 4Runner.
We have some good news for those who purchased a Toyota 4Runner in the fourth generation. Your car's frame has developed excessive rust corrosion. The company is responsible for manufacturing the defective frames and will replace your car's frame at no cost if you file an insurance claim. A frame replacement costs approximately $15,000, which can be quite expensive for 4Runner owners. Let's say that rust caused you to be in an accident. To recover financial compensation for medical bills and lost wages, you may file a lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corporation.
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