I drove an old 4runner and ended up crashing and getting injured because the steering wheel lost control. Is this a defect?

In September 2005, Toyota issued a recall for several of its truck lines due to a defective steering wheel rod.  The recall covers 1989-1995 pickup trucks, 1989-1995 4Runners, and 1993-1998 T100s.  The steering wheel rod connects the steering wheel to both front tires, so that the tires move together in the right direction.  When the rod snaps, there is nothing relaying the steering wheel’s direction to the tires, meaning the driver has little to no control over the vehicle’s direction.

The recall of the Toyota 4 Runner defective steering wheel rod has been criticized for being too slow and not far-reaching enough.  Some accuse the company of waiting too long to issue the recall.  Now that the recall has been publicized, there is concern that not enough of the owners of the covered vehicles have been notified.  At least one class action lawsuit has already been filed in America against Toyota.

If you are not sure if your vehicle is included in the recall, you can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

If you feel that your accident was caused because the steering wheel rod broke, there are several steps you can take.  You should have your vehicle thoroughly inspected by a mechanic, and make sure to get a copy of all the findings.  You should also find out if any of the previous owners of the vehicles received notice of the recall. Most importantly, speak to an attorney about your situation.  He or she can help you uncover all the necessary information, and talk to you about your legal options.