NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An agreement has been reached between New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Toyota that will provide Toyota owners affected by the company's recent recalls with special accommodations.

Local Toyota dealers, under the agreement, will help facilitate vehicle repairs by offering such services as at-home pickup and return of recalled vehicles, free rental cars until a vehicle is repaired and reimbursement for transportation expenses.

"It is unacceptable that New York consumers should face additional burdens when dealing with a safety problem that is Toyota's responsibility," Cuomo said.

"New Yorkers who own recalled vehicles understandably may be reluctant to drive their cars and assume the risk of harm to themselves and others on the road. The agreement we have obtained from Toyota will help ease the fears of Toyota owners and protect their families at no cost to them."

Millions of vehicles, including more than 500,000 in New York, have been recalled by Toyota and its subsidiary Lexus over safety issues.

Cuomo secured the agreement with Toyota in response to safety concerns of motorists who are reluctant to drive their recalled vehicles until repairs are completed. The majority of New York Toyota vehicles still require repairs, with most of those vehicle owners not yet receiving notification letters that advise them to schedule repairs with their local dealers.

Under the agreement, Toyota and Lexus dealers will provide an increased array of accommodations to New York Vehicle owners at no cost to the vehicle owner. Local dealers will be reimbursed by Toyota for the full cost of providing the accommodations.

The dealers, under the agreement, will pick up and return vehicles by a dealership representative or by flatbed truck. Customers will be transported to the dealership and to their place of work under the agreement, which also provides alternate transportation, including taxi reimbursement, for the period that the customer is unable or unwilling to use their car. Additionally, the dealers have agreed to expedite scheduling of repairs.

A Web site has also been launched by Cuomo at www.NYToyotaHelp.com to provide more information to New Yorkers about the increased accommodations.