This week, MidMichigan Toyota dealers will receive the parts to fix gas pedals that could stick.
It's been the buzz of the automotive world.
Locally, Toyota dealers say the problem is being corrected, while others are criticizing the company.
At Labadie Toyota in Bay County's Monitor Township, the service department is gearing up to fix gas pedals that could stick.
Service departments say the modification should take about a half hour to complete. That's unless they have to extend the gas pedal, in that case, it takes about two hours.
At the same time, a Flint-area personal injury attorney says the reaction is too late and that Toyota put customers in danger.
J. Dallas Winegarden, Jr. says, "I'm convinced, based on what I've heard, that those Toyotas are unsafe at any speed. I honestly feel that they have breached the implied warranty of fitness and merchantability that every one of their customers deserves."
Toyota admits mistakes were made.
Toyota President and COO Jim Lentz says, "We know what the problem is. We have the fix, and we're going to take great care of our customers."
The Los Angeles times says 19 people have died in the last decade because of sudden acceleration in Toyotas.
Winegarden says, "I feel that everyone who has a Toyota could be putting their family at risk."
That's a claim the company denies. In fact, it says it didn't know about the problem until last October.
Lentz says, "I drive Toyotas. My family members drive Toyotas. My friends and neighbors drive drive Toyotas. I would not have them drive products that I knew were not safe."
Pete Sinke, service manager at Labadie Toyota says, "Toyota customers know that Toyota is going to stand behind their product. They'll take care of it."
Dealerships are extending their hours to make the pedal fix convenient for customers and get the vehicles back on the road quickly.
MidMichigan dealers NBC25 spoke with say they have not had any reports from customers about gas pedals sticking.
They say, the fixes will go on a first-come, first-serve basis, unless there's a concern of a sticking pedal.
In that case, it'll be addressed immediately.
