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Steering Problems Prompt Recall of 420,000 Toyota and Lexus Vehicles

November 29, 2011 By

In the last 2-3 years, Toyota drivers have been bombarded with several recall warnings. Stuck accelerator pedals proved to be the most deadly (…and numerous in terms of the number of recalled vehicles).

This time, steering problems are leading the Japanese automaker to recall 420,000 of some of its most popular models, including:

  • 2004 Toyota Avalon
  • 2004-2005 Toyota Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara
  • 2006 Highlander HV
  • 2005 Lexus ES330 and RX330
  • 2006 Lexus RX400h

Each of these models comes with either a 1MZ-FE or 3MZ-FE V6 engine.

The issue at hand involves an inadequate amount of adhesive between the outer and inner ring of the crankshaft pulley. This lack of adhesive could potentially cause the outer ring to become misaligned and lead to a malfunction in the vehicle’s steering.

If the outer ring becomes misaligned, drivers will hear a strange noise coming from the engine compartment according to the automaker’s advisory on the matter. This defective ring could also cause the alternator to slip on the pulley and cause a decrease in power. Eventually, all battery power can be depleted if the situation isn’t addressed.

Toyota is currently working to obtain the needed parts. Affected owners will be notified sometime in January to bring their vehicles to a dealer for inspection and repair.

If you have any questions or think you have a problem related to this issue, contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987.

And if you or a loved one has sustained injury due to this or any other malfunctioning product, contact Nashville defective product attorneys at Gilreath & Associates today for a free consultation.

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Off-Road Buggies Recalled Over Broken Steering Controls

November 3, 2011 By

Approximately 3,200 Bad Boy Buggy off-road vehicles have been recalled after more than a dozen reports of broken steering controls.

The recall was issued last week by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after BB Buggies, Inc. and Bad Boy Enterprises, LLC received 15 reports of broken steering assembly arms. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with this defect.

Defective or broken steering assemblies can pose a crash hazard. Riding in these hills here in Tennessee, this kind of defect could lead to some terrible accidents.

Several models of these electric off-road vehicles are affected by this recall, including Bad Boy’s LT, Classic, XT, XTO and XT Safari models. Affected models come in a camouflage, hunter green or black color and have ‘Bad Boy’ printed on the side and front. They were sold between August 2009 and June of this year for between $7000 and $15,000.

The CPSC recommends you discontinue use immediately and contact an authorized dealer or BB Buggies for free replacement parts. Any questions about replacement items should be directed to the company by calling (855) 738-3711 or visiting their website at http://www.badboybuggies.com/.

This is the 3rd recall for Bad Boy Enterprises, LLC in as many years.

In October 2009, nearly 4,000 of the company’s Classic Buggies were recalled due to acceleration problems. After determining this recall failed to address the problem, another 9,300 buggies were recalled in December of last year. Each these recalls came about because consumers called the company about their concerns.

If you have a problem with something you own, it’s important you notify the company of the potential hazard. Hazards that arise due to defects are the responsibility of the manufacturer and need to be addressed accordingly.

But if something happens all of a sudden due to a defective product, you do have the right to pursue legal recourse. Our Tennessee firm handles many of these types of product liability cases. Contact us today to discuss your individual case.

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185,000 Pounds of Ground Turkey Recalled Due to Salmonella

September 15, 2011 By

As the nation remembered the harrowing events of Sept. 11, 2001, a recall for 185,000 pounds of ground turkey produced by Cargill was issued by the U.S. Food Safety & Inspection Service.

Issuing the Class I recall on Sunday, the food inspection agency claims the turkey contains Salmonella Heidelberg, the same strain that prompted a similar recall in August. The recall affects fresh ground turkey sold nationwide, including Kroger stores here in Tennessee.

All of the products under this recall were produced at Cargill’s plant in Springdale, Arkansas. The original recall issued on August 3rd for an astounding 36 million pounds of ground turkey halted production at the plant for two weeks. State and federal health inspectors tracked the source of a salmonella outbreak to meat produced at the plant.

But after only a few weeks back online, the plant is once again under fire.

The latest recall is for ground turkey produced at the plant on August 23-24 and August 30-31. Considering the same type of salmonella bacteria is still in the meat, the source of the contamination is either at the Springdale plant or somewhere in the chain of production.

While there haven’t been any illnesses associated with this latest recall, at least 107 illnesses and one death were reported in connection with the original recall.  As of this writing, two lawsuits – one by a man in Arizona and another from a toddler’s parents in Oregon – have been filed against Cargill.

Affected products will have an establishment number of P-963 inside the packaging’s USDA mark of inspection. Specific products will have use or freeze by dates ranging from 9/11/2011 through 9/21/2011. Products specifically sold at Kroger stores include:

  • 48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15 with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/17/2011, 09/18/2011 and 09/19/2011
  • 16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh 85/15 with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/17/2011

A Class I product recall is the highest level issued by the FSIS and means there’s a reasonable chance of illness and maybe even death, especially in young children and the elderly.

Any questions regarding this recall should be directed toward Cargill consumer relations hotline at (888) 812-1646.

Prevention is your best protection against salmonella and other food-borne illnesses. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat. And cook ground turkey and beef to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’ve purchased one of the products affected by this recall, return it to the store for a full refund. And if you or a loved one fallen ill due to contaminated products like this, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Contact defective product attorneys at Gilreath Law in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis today for a free consultation.

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E.Coli Prompts Recall for Beef Sold at Tennessee Stores

August 17, 2011 By

Due to the presence of the e-coli bacteria in a random inspection in Ohio, over 60,000 pounds of ground beef were recalled on August 12th by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Much of this beef from the National Beef Packing Co. was distributed to stores in the southeast, including Tennessee.

Publix and Kroger are two stores in Tennessee affected by this recall. No illnesses connected to this tainted beef have been reported. Kroger’s locations in Knoxville had some of this potentially tainted meat on its shelves.

Specific beef products from the National Beef Packing Co. affected by the recall include:

At Tennessee (Knoxville) Kroger Locations – Ground chuck, ground beef patties, meatballs (pre-made) along with meat loaf prepared in the stores. Packages have a “sell by” or freeze date of July 29 through Aug. 12th

At Tennessee Publix Locations – Includes pre-made meatballs, meat loaf, ground chuck patties along with burgers, stuffed peppers, seasoned Salisbury steak prepared in the store. Affected items include a “sell by” or freeze date of July 29th through Aug. 12th

If you have a package of beef included in this recall, you will see an establishment number, ‘Est. 262,’ stamped on the USDA inspection mark

Common symptoms of e-coli include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

E-coli O157:H7 is one of the more common forms of food poisoning in the United States. Most adults though recover within a few weeks but it can cause more severe illness or potential death in children, the elderly or anyone with a weak immune system.  If the bacteria reach the bloodstream, it can lead to kidney failure.

To protect against e-coli or any other bacteria, it’s recommended you cook beef to an internal temperature 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you have a package of ground beef or similar product from these stores, check the expiration date and confirm the establishment number code…if you have any beef matching the information outlined above, return your purchase to the store for a full refund.

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