Quebec car-owners are joining a class action lawsuit against Toyota, as the car company scrambles to repair faulty gas pedals on millions of vehicles worldwide.

Two Canadian class action lawsuits have been commenced against Toyota in the wake of the ongoing recall involving problematic gas pedals in some 270,000 Canadian vehicles.

Toyota recalled 4.2 million vehicles in North America, Europe and China on Jan. 21, citing a problem with gas pedals that were found to stick in some situations.

On Monday, Toyota Canada announced a plan to retrofit all recalled vehicles with steel reinforcement bars that the company believes will fix a problem in the gas pedal assembly that is apparently causing the pedals to stick.

One of the Canadian class action lawsuits is being handled by the Merchant Law Group.

The firm says it has received 3,000 hits on its website since Monday, and of the 400 Canadians who have signed up for the class action lawsuit, 25 percent are Quebecers.

Some claim they were involved in accidents as a result of the defective gas pedals; others simply want to get rid of their vehicles and are seeking compensation for the reduction in the resale value.

Lawyer David Assor told CTV Montreal reporter Annie DeMelt the class action lawsuit would cover drivers who were in accidents and also those who were not.

"The court will decide how much each person gets. It could be different categories," Assor explained.

The proposed lawsuits must be approved by the courts before proceeding, a process that could take several months.

Models affected by the recall include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Toyota Camrys from 2002 through 2010
  • Toyota Corollas from 2005 through 2010
  • Toyota RAV-4's from 2005 through 2010
  • Toyota 4Runner SUV's from 2001 to 2010
  • Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks from 2003 through 2008
  • Toyota Tundra pickup trucks from 2000 through 2010
  • Toyota Matrix 2009 to 2010
  • Toyota FJ Cruisers from 2007 through 2008
  • Toyota Avalons from 2005 through 2010
  • Toyota Land Cruisers from 2001 through 2010
  • Toyota Siennas from 2004 through 2010
  • Toyota Highlanders from 2004 through 2010
  • All Lexus models from model years 1998 through 2010

With files from CTV.ca News Staff and The Canadian Press