Massive Toyota Lawsuit Includes RAV4 and 9 Other Models, “Toyota Has Long Been Aware of the Door-Lock Defect But Has Routinely Refused to Repair the Issue”

A new lawsuit against Toyota alleges defective door locks on ten popular models that the automaker refuses to fix. The lawsuit could affect hundreds of thousands of Toyota vehicles over 17 years. See if your model is on the list.

Posted: November 27, 2024 - 10:07AM
Author: Denis Flierl

A Toyota class action lawsuit could potentially impact your vehicle.

A new Toyota class-action lawsuit has been filed claiming that the 2007 to 2024 model year Toyota RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, and FJ Cruiser have defective door-locks.

The scale of this lawsuit is significant, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

A report from TopClassActions says, “The consumers claim Toyota sold certain vehicles ranging from model year 2007 to the present that were equipped with a door-lock defect. The class action lawsuit was filed in Texas federal court on November 15, 2024.”

The report says that the Toyota defective door lock lawsuit alleges that Toyota breached its manufacturer warranties by selling ten of its vehicles with a door-lock defect.

Ten Toyota vehicles are included.

A group of Toyota owners claims Toyota sold certain RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, and FJ Cruiser vehicles broadly stemming from the model year 2007 to the present that were equipped with defective door lock actuators.

TopClassActions says, “The consumers argue the alleged Toyota defect prevents the vehicle doors from being locked or unlocked with a remote key fob or the power door locks on the interior door panels, creating a safety hazard.”

The Toyota defective door lock lawsuit highlights the potential safety risks, including unintentional door openings and inoperable doors during emergencies, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

“This jeopardizes the safety of vehicle occupants by causing unintentional door openings during operation, unknown failures to lock the doors, inoperable doors during emergency situations, more vulnerable to potential crime and other risks that could have otherwise been avoided,” the Toyota class action says.

The Toyota owners want to represent a nationwide class and classes of Texas, New York, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana, and Georgia customers who are current or former owners and lessees of a Toyota vehicle containing the door-lock Toyota defect.

The lawsuit alleges Toyota knew about the defect and did nothing to fix it.

The customers argue Toyota has “long been aware” of the alleged door-lock defect but has “routinely refused” to repair the issue without charge and has refused to take any action when the problem manifests in vehicles outside their warranty period.

Seventeen years of vehicle model production are included.

“Because the Door Actuator Defect typically manifests shortly outside of the warranty period for the Class Vehicles—and given Toyota’s knowledge of this concealed, safety-related defect, unequal bargaining power, and other factors discussed below—Toyota’s attempt to limit the warranty with respect to the Door Actuator Defect is unconscionable,” the Toyota defect class action says.

The lawsuit claims Toyota is guilty of “unjust enrichment and fraudulent concealment” and violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and multiple state consumer protection laws.

The plaintiffs seek a jury trial and request “declaratory and injunctive relief along with an award of actual, general, special, incidental, statutory, punitive and consequential damages for themselves and all class members.”

As of this writing, Toyota has not issued a recall for the alleged door lock defect on the Toyota RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, and FJ Cruiser.

Toyota did recall the 2023–2024 Prius hybrids and Prius Prime plug-in hybrids in April because water can short-circuit the rear electronic door latches. The automaker advised that if the doors are not locked, they can open while the vehicle is traveling or in a collision, risking injury, or worse, to passengers.

Have you purchased or leased a Toyota model with defective door-locking actuators? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Toyota

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