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Toyota Prius Prime HVAC Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A Prius Prime owner lodged a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
- Why: The plaintiff claims 2006-2020 Toyota Prius vehicles contain defective heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which cause the vehicle to smell foul and endangers health.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was brought in Florida federal court.
Defective HVAC systems in Toyota Prius Prime and other vehicles endanger consumer health and cause the inside of the car to smell foul, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Lead plaintiff Jose Javier Perez claims a design defect in HVAC systems installed in 2006-2020 Toyota Prius, 2017-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, 2010-2015 Toyota PHV, 2012-2016 Toyota Prius C, and 2012-2017 Prius V models cause the systems to emit “foul, noxious, and/or toxic odors,” into the vehicles cabin.
Further, Perez claims the defect exposes Prius drivers and passengers to mold and other dangerous air contaminants that are being circulated through the HVAC system.
Perez wants to represent a nationwide Class and Florida subclass of consumers who purchased or leased one of the affected Toyota Prius vehicles with a model year between 2006 and 2020.
Owner Says Prius Prime Mold Smell Started Soon After Purchase
Perez says that within a week of purchasing a 2020 Toyota Prius Prime he began noticing a foul odor coming from the vehicle’s air conditioning vents.
Instead of dissipating over time, Perez claims the smell became stronger and more “moist,” eventually catching the attention of his asthma-suffering son.
Perez says he began driving the vehicle with the windows down and cleaning the car every few days, but that the foul smell still has not gone away.
Toyota has issued multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) within its network of distributors and dealerships about the HVAC defect, but never disclosed the issue to consumers themselves, the class action lawsuit alleges.
“Despite issuing several TSBs to its exclusive network of Distributors and Dealers, Toyota conspired with SET to keep information of the HVAC System Defect from consumers,” states the class action lawsuit.
Perez alleges that Toyota is also unable to fix the issue for consumers, forcing them to spend their own time and money attempting to remedy the problem themselves.
Perez claims Toyota is guilty of, among other things, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment, and is in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Perez is demanding a jury trial and requesting restitution and compensatory, punitive, and exemplary damages for himself and all Class Members.
A separate class action lawsuit was filed against Toyota last month by a California consumer who alleges the defective Prius HVAC systems cause the vehicles to smell like “urine” and “sweaty socks.”
Do you own a Toyota Prius vehicle that has a foul odor emanating from its air vents? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Jason H. Alperstein, Jeff Ostrow, and Kristen Lake Cardoso of Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert, and Steven G. Calamusa, Rachel A. Bentley, and Geoffrey Stahl of Gordon & Partners, P.A., and Scott Edelsberg of Edelsberg Law, P.A.
The Toyota Prius Prime HVAC Class Action Lawsuit is Perez v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., et al., Case No. 0:21-cv-62117, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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9 thoughts onToyota Prius Prime Owner Says HVAC System Defect Causes Vehicle to Smell Foul, Moldy in New Class Action
2012 Toyota Prius 5-door in Ontario, Canada. Began smelling of wet-sock from the HVAC vents. There is no smell when the AC is on. When the AC is off, a strong wet-sock, mold smell from the air vents. This began spring of 2022. I’ve had the car second-hand since 2016.
The car was brought to a mechanic multiple times. They changed the filter and confirmed there was no leaks from the radiator or AC unit. Also, they did not see any evidence of rodent infestation
I purchased a Toyota Prius 2016 and had an extremely bad foul smell coming from air vents that caused a issue with sale of vehicle. I initially thought it was cockroaches so got the car completely bombed, detailed and cleaned of any hidden dirt or bugs and the smell came back within a week and continued on, not even going away after ozone treatment.
My 2016 prius ac smells like rotten urine. Its horrible. I am very irritated about it i would like to join the lawsuit!
I have a 2019 Prius prime which the odor was preset soon after purchase (new). Has become more intense.
My 2016 Prius smells horribly like cigarette smoke – no one has EVER smoked in it. Thorough cleaning, air freshener, changing cabin filter didn’t touch it and it’s getting worse. Advice?
Bonnie Sudol
Bs4shure@mac.com
I had my 2020 Prius Prime serviced yesterday, December 14,2021 for the smell in the vents. They claimed it was a “possible animal. They claim they cleaned out debris from a POSSIBLE ANIMAL. I PAID FOR THE SERVICE OUT OF MY POCKET. Was I scammed?
I have a 2014 Kia Forte Sedan with the same problem.
My call been like this for a long time and my vents look moldy