Toyota Recalls Prius Over Brake Problems

Toyota confirmed this morning that they would initiate a volunteer recall of the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h in order to stem concerns about braking problems with those vehicles.

The company said that the recall would include a software update for the braking system on roughly 130,000 Prius models and 15,000 models. The Prius is the most popular hybrid model sold in America, while the HS 250h is a variant of the Prius sold under Toyota's premium Lexus line. Only Prius and HS 250 h models made after May 2009 are included in the recall; first- and second-generation Prius models are not included in the recall.

Owners of the involved 2010 Prius vehicles will be notified by mail. Toyota recommends following their recall website at http://www.toyota.com/recall or contact 1 877 MESSALAW for more information.

Obama officials step up pressure on Toyota

Obama officials step up pressure on Toyota

The Obama administration has increased the pressure on the Toyota Motor Corp. Last Wednesday, the administration addressed a range of safety issues as investors and consumers reacted to the deepening crisis for the world's largest automaker.

In another potential knock on the company’s reputation for quality, Toyota said dealers in both the United States and Japan had reported complaints about the brakes in its new model Prius hybrid. Toyota said late Wednesday it has received 77 complaints in Japan over Prius brake problems.

Toyota pulled eight of its most popular models including the Camry, Corrola and Rav4 from U.S. showrooms in the last week of January after it launched a recall for problems with sticky accelerator pedals made by supplier CTS Corp.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said it will investigate whether Toyota's electronic throttle control system could be part of the problem behind reported instances of uncontrolled acceleration in its vehicles.

Toyota has stated that it has found no other evidence of any safety problems beyond the two past recalls for accelerator pedals that can become stuck and the risk that a loose floormat can trap an accelerator pedal on some models, including the Prius.

The automaker has recalled 8.1 million vehicles for both sets of problems around the world, including 5.5 million in the United States.

Toyota's 1,200 U.S. dealerships have begun to receive shipments of parts needed to fix faulty accelerators and many said they would hire new crews and stay open late to fix recalled cars as quickly as possible over the coming weeks.

For more information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW

UPDATE, Toyota Recall

Toyota Motor Corp. stated that its dealers should get parts to fix a sticky gas pedal problem by the end of this week, to bring an end to a recall that has affected 4.2 million vehicles worldwide.

Due to the Toyota recall of select vehicles on Jan. 21, determining that excess friction in the gas pedal assembly could in rare cases cause the pedals to stick.

Engineers traced the problem to a friction device in the assembly that is supposed to provide the proper pedal "feel" by adding resistance, Toyota said in a statement. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Toyota last week that it was satisfied with the repair plan. Legally Toyota did not need NHTSA's approval, but the company would be unlikely to proceed without the government's blessing.

The recall in the U.S. includes the 2009-10 RAV4 crossover, the 2009-10 Corolla, the 2009-10 Matrix hatchback, the 2005-10 Avalon, the 2007-10 Camry, the 2010 Highlander crossover, the 2007-10 Tundra pickup and the 2008-10 Sequoia SUV. It also has been expanded to another 1.9 million vehicles in Europe and China. All Matrix, Avalon, Tundra and Sequoia models covered by the recall have the faulty pedals.

For more information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW

Honda recalls 646,000 amid Toyota woes

Honda Motor Co. said it would recall a total of 646,000 units of its Fit/Jazz and City models, including 140,000 in the United States, because of a faulty window switch, after a child died when fire broke out in a car last year.

The announcement came as investors, suppliers and consumers weighed the impact of an unprecedented halt in U.S. production by Toyota, the world's No. 1 automaker.

Honda's move, as well as Toyota's recall due to problems with unintended and dangerous acceleration, come at a bad time for the industry as it struggles to lure buyers back to showrooms after a sales slump that helped drag U.S. rivals General Motors and Chrysler into bankruptcy.

For more information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW

Starbucks Recalls Glass Water Bottles Due to Hazard

Starbucks Recalls Glass Water Bottles Due to Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, announced a voluntary recall of the following products from Starbucks. The Glass Water Bottles that can be found in Starbucks stores amount to around 11,000 in the United States and 1,200 in Canada.

This recall involves clear glass water bottles with SKU number 11003503. The 20-ounce water bottles have the words "Glass Water Bottle" printed on a blue label affixed to the bottle

The glass water bottle and/or its stopper can shatter when the consumer is removing or inserting the stopper, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. The firm has received 10 reports of either glass stoppers or water bottles shattering, including eight reports of hand lacerations.

Consumers should immediately stop using the glass water bottles and return the product to the Starbucks location where purchased to receive a full refund. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage, of any size, to consumers upon return of the glass water bottles.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Starbucks at (877) 492-6333 between 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.starbucks.com

For more information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW

Toyota Halts Sales Of Some Models For Safety Problems, including the Camry

Toyota Halts Sales Of Some Models For Safety Problems, including the Camry

Toyota has recently suspended U.S. sales of the best-selling car in America, the Camry to fix sticking gas pedals that would make the car accelerate without warning. The halt of production on the Camry has also led to cease production of six other car models.

Toyota has said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries due to the pedal problems associated with the recall, but could not rule them out for sure. The suspension comes after a recall of the same models last week involving 2.3 million vehicles.

The following models have been put on the recall 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2008-2010 Sequoia, and 2007-2010 Tundra
 
Some dealers suggested taking vehicles to dealerships for inspections if people have safety concerns. About 1.7 million vehicles fall under both recalls.



Owners with questions can call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at (800) 331-4331.

For more information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW

Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol

Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol

The company Johnson and Johnson issued a major recall on January 15, 2010 for three of their over-the-counter drugs including: Tylenol, Motrin, and St. Joseph’s aspirin. The company came aware that this was the second time consumers were getting sick due to a moldy smell with their product which is caused by wood pallets, which is a chemical that can  be leached into the air.

This recent recall includes some types of regular and extra-strength Tylenol, children's Tylenol, eight-hour Tylenol, Tylenol arthritis, Tylenol PM, children's Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl Rolaids, Simply Sleep, and St. Joseph's aspirin.

The FDA has stated that some symptoms from the over-the-counter drugs may be nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Also, a company in New Jersey has gone into investigation of the products and has stopped shipping products.

For More Information, please call 1-877 MESSALAW