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Sunil Reddy’s Toyota Innova VX diesel 7-seater MPV, purchased in 2011, was involved in an accident in Andhra Pradesh, where airbags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries. After a legal battle, courts ordered Toyota to either replace the vehicle or refund Rs 15,09,415 with interest, upheld by the NCDRC in 2024. Toyota must comply within 30 days, facing uncertainty over replacement options due to discontinuation of the model.
Consumer Court Orders Toyota to Pay Fine: What Happened?
Sunil Reddy purchased a brand-new Toyota Innova VX diesel 7-seater MPV from a dealer on March 11, 2011. Unfortunately, on August 16, 2011, Mr. Reddy was involved in an accident near Ulindakonda village in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, where his Toyota Innova MPV collided with an autorickshaw.
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Following the accident, Sunil took his car to Nandi Toyota Motor World’s service center in Bengaluru. Whether he bought the car from this dealer or chose this center due to its proximity to the accident spot remains unclear. Regardless, the service center commenced repairs without providing an estimate or seeking Sunil’s consent. They proceeded with repairs, including welding some body panels.
Upon questioning this process, Sunil received no satisfactory response from the service center. He then sent a legal notice to the dealer, but received no reply. Consequently, he pursued legal action, filing a complaint at the district consumer forum, alleging that the airbags failed to deploy during the accident, resulting in severe damage to the front portion of the vehicle and injuries to all occupants.
In 2014, after several hearings, the district forum ruled in favor of Sunil. They ordered Toyota Kirloskar and the dealer to either replace the vehicle or refund Rs 15,09,415 with an interest of 9 percent per annum from the date of the accident until the date of payment. Additionally, they were instructed to pay Rs 10,000 for mental agony and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs.
Toyota contested this ruling and appealed to the State Consumer Commission, which upheld the district forum’s decision. Toyota then escalated the matter to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), arguing that the airbag technology was approved and suggesting a re-examination of the vehicle.
However, on February 16, 2024, the NCDRC upheld the decisions of the lower forums, dismissing Toyota’s appeal. Consequently, Toyota and the dealer were ordered to implement the district forum’s order within 30 days, jointly and severally, either by replacing the vehicle or refunding the specified amount.
Given that Toyota no longer offers the Innova in the Indian market, it remains uncertain whether Sunil will receive a replacement or a refund. In the event of a refund, Sunil stands to receive Rs 32,07,506, including accumulated interest over 12.5 years at 9% per annum.
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