Toyota is recalling over 43,000 of its trucks due to defective tow hitches that could pose a major crash risk and endanger lives.
According to a report in The Daily Mail, Toyota has recalled 43,395 of its 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrids in the United States after identifying a potential issue with the tow hitches. These are devices on the rear of the vehicle that connect a trailer to the vehicle to be towed.
Toyota Tow Hitch Recall Details
Toyota explained that molded clips on the rear bumper hold the resin tow hitch cover in place on the recalled vehicles.
However, because of the way the attachment structure between the tow hitch cover and bumper is designed, the covers may detach and become a road hazard, which could pose the risk of a crash, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Affected vehicle owners are urged to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the tow hitch cover replaced and the rear bumper modified, free of charge. According to Toyota, letters informing all owners about the recalled vehicles should arrive by October.
Vehicle owners can also call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 for more information. The automaker has also said that it is not aware of how many of the recalled vehicles may have this defect.
While most of the recalled vehicles were sold in the U.S., about 2,000 were also sold in Central and South America as well as the Middle East.
This is Toyota’s latest recall this summer, following the automaker’s recall of more than 100,000 pickup trucks and Lexus cars in June.
Toyota recalled 102,000 2022-23 Tundra and LX vehicles in the US over concerns dangerous machine debris may have been left in their engines during production. The automaker said this manufacturing defect occurred during the assembly process.
Risks Posed by Defective Tow Hitches
Defective vehicle tow hitches can pose significant risks to drivers and other road users. Tow hitches are designed to connect trailers, boats, or other equipment to vehicles safely. When these hitches are faulty, they can fail unexpectedly, leading to dangerous situations.
One of the primary risks is the possibility of a trailer detaching from the towing vehicle. This can result in the trailer veering off course, potentially colliding with other vehicles, pedestrians, or roadside obstacles.
The sudden loss of control over the trailer can also cause the towing vehicle to swerve or jackknife, increasing the likelihood of accidents, rollovers, and fatalities.
A defective tow hitch can also affect the vehicle’s stability and handling, particularly when towing heavy loads. Poorly secured trailers may sway uncontrollably, especially at high speeds or during sharp turns. This instability can compromise the driver’s ability to maintain control, leading to accidents.
In addition to accidents, defective tow hitches can cause significant damage to the towing vehicle itself. The hitch failure can result in severe strain on the vehicle’s chassis or rear axle, leading to costly repairs.
When a Failed Tow Hitch Leaves Dangerous Debris on the Roadway
When a tow hitch fails, dangerous debris can fall onto the roadway, creating serious hazards for other drivers. Detached parts of the hitch or the trailer itself can fall onto the road, forcing vehicles to swerve abruptly to avoid the debris.
This sudden maneuvering increases the risk of collisions, especially at high speeds, where drivers have less time to react.
In some cases, large pieces of debris from the tow hitch, such as metal fragments, safety chains, or even parts of the trailer, may puncture tires or damage the undercarriage of vehicles that are unable to avoid them.
The debris can also obstruct traffic lanes, creating bottlenecks and contributing to rear-end accidents as drivers slow down or stop unexpectedly.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, as striking even small debris on the road can cause them to lose control and crash. Pedestrians and cyclists near the roadway may also be at risk if the debris is flung toward them.
Dangerous debris on the road can result in chain-reaction accidents, where one vehicle’s attempt to avoid the obstacle leads to multiple collisions. Preventing such scenarios requires regular inspection and maintenance of towing equipment to ensure that tow hitches are secure and functioning correctly.
Liability in Crashes Involving Defective Tow Hitches
When a tow hitch fails and causes a crash, determining liability can be complex, often involving the driver, the manufacturer of the tow hitch, and possibly the automaker.
In cases where the hitch was defective due to manufacturing or design flaws, the automaker or the tow hitch manufacturer may be held liable under product liability laws.
Product liability typically falls under three categories: design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn (also known as marketing defects).
If the tow hitch had a design flaw, meaning it was inherently unsafe despite being correctly manufactured, the automaker or hitch manufacturer could be responsible.
Similarly, if the hitch was improperly manufactured or had a defect during production that caused it to fail, the manufacturer would likely be liable for damages caused by the crash.
The automaker could also face liability if the tow hitch was integrated as part of the vehicle’s original equipment or if it was a factory-installed option.
In such cases, the automaker may be held accountable for selling a vehicle with a defective component that posed a foreseeable risk to consumers.
On the other hand, the vehicle’s driver may bear some responsibility if they fail to properly install or maintain the hitch or overload it beyond its rated capacity. If the driver was negligent in using or inspecting the tow hitch, their liability could be shared.
In many cases, victims of crashes caused by defective tow hitches may pursue claims against multiple parties, including the hitch manufacturer and the automaker, to ensure they are compensated for their injuries and damages.
An experienced auto product liability lawyer will be able to help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/cars/article-13808241/toyota-recall-tow-hitches-crash-risk-warning.html
