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Toyota Camry HVAC Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: Toyota Motor Corporation
- What: A federal judge has determined that Toyota must go to trial over a class action lawsuit filed by customers who claim the company concealed defects in the cars’ ventilation systems.
- Where: Nationwide
A class action alleging Toyota made Camry vehicles that emitted foul smells with toxic contaminants from its air conditioning system and then concealed the fact is headed to trial, a Florida federal judge has ruled.
U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno ruled on Sept. 30 to deny Toyota’s motion to rule in its favor without a trial.
“The court finds sufficient evidence presented to preclude summary judgement in favor of the defendant at this time,” he said. “The court will consider the defendants’ arguments again in their expected motion for judgement as a matter of law at trial.”
He allowed one of the three named plaintiffs, Michelle Monge, to be dismissed from the complaint due to not having purchased the car at an authorized dealer.
The claims, originally filed in 2018, alleged certain Camry vehicles contain a defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that causes foul, noxious and toxic odors to be emitted into the passenger compartments. In 2019, a federal judge denied Toyota’s motion to dismiss the case.
Remaining plaintiffs Javier Cardenas and Rodney Baker are bringing the Toyota class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and a proposed Class of consumers who purchased or leased a 2012 to 2017 model year Toyota Camry and/or Toyota Camry Hybrid.
They seek to represent a nationwide Class as well as Classes of purchasers and lessees of Camry vehicles in Florida and Tennessee.
According to the class action lawsuit, Toyota Camry’s have a defective HVAC system that fails to remove all humidity and water, leading to the emission of foul odors into the passenger compartment when the HVAC system is in use.
Toyota Camry HVAC system allegedly emits ‘mold and other contaminants’ into the vehicle
Cardenas and Baker claim the Toyota Camry HVAC system defect exposes the putative Class to a “serious health and safety hazard” because the HVAC system allegedly emits mold and other contaminants into the vehicle.
Numerous complaints have been lodged about the Camry HVAC system defect to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota dealerships, distributors and the Toyota defendants.
The Toyota defendants named in the Camry class action lawsuit include Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc., and Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC.
“No reasonable consumer expects to purchase or lease a vehicle with a HVAC System Defect that exposes them to foul, noxious, and/or toxic odors, mold, and other contaminants,” the Toyota Camry class action lawsuit states.
“Further, plaintiffs and Class members do not reasonably expect defendants to conceal a defect in the Class vehicles or conceal a known health and safety hazard,” the lawsuit states.
Cardenas and Baker claim that the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to conceal the Camry HVAC defect. The Toyota Camry class action lawsuit asserts violations of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Practices Organizations Act (RICO), fraud or fraudulent concealment, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.
Have you had problems with the HVAC system in your Camry or Camry Hybrid? Let us know in the comments below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Peter Prieto, John Gravante III, Matthew Weinshall and Alissa Del Riego of Podhurst Orseck PA; Peter A. Muhic and Tyler S. Graden of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP; and by Paul R. Kiesel and Jeffrey A. Konciusn of Kiesel Law LLP.
The Camry HVAC system defect class action lawsuit is Javier Cardenas, et al. v. Toyota Motor Corp., et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-22798, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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44 thoughts onToyota Camry HVAC Defect Class Action Will Go to Trial
Purchased 2000 Camry new and it had the smell, but wasn’t too bad. Purchased 2014 Camry new but the A/C had a bad smell. Toyota local dealer had all kind of excuses, had to paid for a fix under warranty and also paid for a chemical treatment immediately out of warranty. Didn’t work went back a few more times with the A/C smell issue and never got fixed, more excuses. The 2014 A/C didn’t blow cool air either but the dealer said its within specifications. The old 2000 Camry blows colder air, much better. Looks like they knew the A/C issue since 2000 from my perspective if not earlier.
It’s not just an odor. Our Camry AC wasn’t draining properly, and we ended up with mold throughout the whole vehicle. Cost 5k to take it apart and clean it out. need a class action lawsuit for this.
My 2019 Camry we bought new
In recent months 2023 April
And May we have been made sick by a smell like pesticide
We took to dealer
They sprayed Lysol in venting system
Still is terrible
My parents have a 2014 Toyota Camry, and they let me drive it. I would be so much happier if the car didn’t smell so bad. I don’t know why Toyota would sell a defective car. Or not do anything about it. I can’t breathe in that car, and I drive with the windows down. My parents paid a guy to temporarily fix the problem with the A.C. Either way, it’s a waste of money.
I have 2014 camry and I have developed a wierd allergy since owning car. Smell musty 9dor and get headaches when in car with a.c on.
I bought a brand new 2015 Toyota Camry and I had this problem start about 1 year after purchased it, I took it to the dealer and had them check it out more than a few times had the mechanic sit in the car to smell what I was smelling. They had me changing the cabin filter a few times more than normal, claimed they could find anything wrong and they could smell what I was smelling,. They claimed that they fixed the issue finally but they actually never fixed it, still smell s chemical smell and moisture all the time when I use the car. I still own the car.
My 2018 Toyota Camry has the same problem. I bought it brand new and I cannot turn on the AC without getting punched in the face with a horrible smell. Sometimes it smells without the AC being on.
I believe my 2018 toyota camry has been getting my daughter and I sick. I’ve had the vehicle 5 months now. Whenever we get In the car and use the ac/heat we both get a headache. First couple months didn’t really notice we both had that issue, but last month we really started feeling bad. I have considered everything on the cause, wasn’t until I just ran across this post that it could definitely be the ventilation system. Our headaches are at their worst when we turn it on. It used to be only when getting in the car now we just feel tired and sluggish all the time. I took my daughter to urgent care multiple times for nausea, headache, thinking covid or flu but they were negative. We really have no idea what’s going on, but I do believe it could be the vehicle. How do I get this checked out?
Previously posted about the HVAC vents with mold smell in my 2015 Toyota Camry. Have been unable to find a Massachusetts lawyers to join the class action or to file case.Vehicle must be purchased in the State where suit if filed. ( CA, TN, etc). Does anyone know of MA litigation on this issue? Or of a MA lawyer they can refer me to? Thank you.
I had purchased a 2014 Camry and after 1 month of having it there was a sour smell in the car and when I took it to the dealer they would say try use air fresheners
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry, I work in the automotive industry and am aware of the TSB’s Toyota released on how to fix this issue, only problem is the smell never goes away. All four of my children and me are now suffering from asthma and sinus problems. Since I’m mainly the one driving the car, my asthma has gotten worse over the years along congestion and mucus build up. My doctor thought I may have mold developing in my house somewhere, got an inspector to check my house and couldn’t find any mold whatsoever. I will never ever buy a Toyota again!!!