ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO SECURES AGREEMENT WITH TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO NEW YORK OWNERS OF RECALLED VEHICLES
Alternative Transportation and Other Accommodations to Be Provided to Concerned Owners
~ Cuomo Launches www.NYToyotaHelp.com to Assist New Yorkers Affected by the Recalls
NEW YORK, NY - Yesterday, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced an agreement with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. ("Toyota") to provide special accommodations for Toyota owners that have been affected by the company's recent recalls. Under the agreement, local Toyota dealers will help facilitate vehicle repairs by offering services such as at-home pickup and return of recalled vehicles, free rental cars until the vehicle is repaired, and reimbursement for transportation expenses. The recalls at issue affect more than 500,000 vehicles in New York.
"It is unacceptable that New York consumers should face additional burdens when dealing with a safety problem that is Toyota's responsibility," said Attorney General Cuomo. "New Yorkers who own recalled vehicles understandably may be reluctant to drive their cars and assume the risk of harm to themselves and others on the road. The agreement we have obtained from Toyota will help ease the fears of Toyota owners and protect their families at no cost to them."
Toyota, and its subsidiary Lexus, have recently recalled millions of vehicles due to safety issues. In response to safety concerns of motorists reluctant to drive their recalled vehicles until required repairs are complete, Attorney General Cuomo has secured from Toyota an agreement to provide additional accommodations for affected New Yorkers. The majority of affected Toyota vehicles in New York still require repairs, and most vehicle owners have not even received notification letters advising them to schedule repairs with their local dealers.
Under the Attorney General's agreement, New York Toyota and Lexus dealers will provide an array of accommodations for New York vehicle owners who have concerns about safely driving their cars until the repairs are done. These accommodations will be provided by the dealers at no cost to the owner. Toyota will reimburse its local dealers for the full cost of providing the agreed upon accommodations.
The accommodations for New Yorkers include:
- Pickup and return of the vehicle by a dealership representative or by flatbed truck
- Transportation for the customer to the dealership and/or to his or her place of work
- Alternate transportation - such as a rental car, a loaner vehicle, or taxi reimbursement - for the period that the customer is unable or unwilling to use his or her car
- Expedited scheduling of repairs
Attorney General Cuomo has launched a website - www.NYToyotaHelp.com - to provide more information about the accommodations now available to New Yorkers. New Yorkers are encouraged to contact their local Toyota and Lexus dealers if they believe they are eligible for these accommodations. Information on the specific vehicles affected by the recalls can be found at www.nhtsa.dot.gov .
The following recalls recently announced by Toyota are covered by today's agreement: September 29, 2009 for faulty floor mats; January 21, 2010 for sticky gas pedals; February 8, 2010 for brake failure in certain 2010 Prius and Lexus 250h hybrid vehicles; and February 12, 2010 for drive shaft failure involving certain 2010 Tacoma 4WD trucks.
The Attorney General's investigation related to the Toyota recall is ongoing.
This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Herbert Israel and Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell under the supervision of Bureau Chief Joy Feigenbaum and Deputy Bureau Chief Jeffrey Powell of the Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau, and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice Maria Vullo.