Toyota hit by class-action suits

Disgruntled Toyota owners have launched multiple class-action lawsuits against the embattled auto manufacturer.

On Monday, Saskatchewan-based firm Merchant Law Group LLP filed lawsuits in at least four Canadian provinces on behalf of Toyota owners demanding damages for the company's role in a massive recall because of faulty accelerator pedals.

"Toyota has misled and harmed the plaintiff and thousands of unsuspecting consumers throughout Canada," a statement on behalf of Kendra Cole of Regina reads.

Similar suits have been launched on behalf of lead plaintiffs Michelle O'Doherty of Abbotsford, B.C., Claire Valliere of Lavigne, Ont., and Jason Green of Hanwell, N.B.

The lawsuits allege that Toyota tried to play down the scope of the problem and violated Canada's Competition Act by using misleading marketing and promotion for their vehicles.

None of the allegations in the suits have been tested in court, and all must be approved by a judge before they can proceed to any sort of trial. An amount being sought was notspecified in any of the claims.

Toyota announced it would halt sales and production of some of its most popular models last Tuesday, and began a massive recall of 4.2 million North American vehicles due to concerns over gas pedals that can become stuck in certain instances.

After developing a fix to the problem,Toyota started contactingindividualownersof recalled Toyota vehicles on Monday, and they will likely be able to take their vehicles in to be repaired by the middle of the week. The fix consists of adding a steel reinforcement bar to the gas pedal that prevents sticking.