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A class action lawsuit says that the brakes in some Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid vehicles are defective in a way that can pose a safety hazard.
The Toyota brake class action was filed by California resident Mariano Alaniz, who claims that the 2010-2015 Prius and Prius PHV, the 2012-2015 Prius V, the 2012-2014 Camry Hybrid, and the 2013-2015 Avalon Hybrid vehicles possess defective brake booster pump assemblies.
Alaniz says that in 2017, he purchased a 2014 Toyota Prius from a Toyota-authorized dealer believing it to be free from defects. He claims that, since purchasing the vehicle, he has experienced the brake defect numerous times.
Allegedly, the defect causes Alaniz to have difficulty coming to a stop, even though he applies pressure to the brakes. He claims that this problem has increased his stopping distance. The plaintiff argues that the brake defect and the increased stopping distance pose a serious safety hazard to him, other drivers, and pedestrians near his vehicle.
According to the Toyota brakes class action lawsuit, this defect is common in many of the Class vehicles.
The lawsuit claims that none of the advertisements or representations viewed by Alaniz indicated that the vehicle was defective. Alaniz argues that if Toyota had disclosed the defect, he would not have purchased the vehicle or would have paid less than he did for it.
The Toyota class action lawsuit goes on to assert that Toyota was aware of the defect, and even recalled some vehicles. However, Alaniz argues that this recall only dealt with some of the affected vehicles and not all of the vehicles that possess the defect.
Toyota allegedly defined the defect in a 2013 Defect Information Report sent to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration. The report explained that cracks could develop in the pleated bellows of the metal plunger which contains brake fluid. These cracks, which emerge after use, could then cause nitrogen gas to leak into the brake fluid and “gradually cause the brake pedal strokes to become longer, resulting in decreased hydraulic pressure,” according to the company’s report.
Toyota allegedly said that the condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Toyota reportedly investigated the problem for 18 months and voluntarily issued a recall of some affected vehicles. However, this recall was limited to only some 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h vehicles and none of the vehicles that Alaniz proposes to include in the Class vehicles.
The Toyota class action argues that Toyota was aware that the defect was present in some Class vehicles, noting that the company then issued another recall in 2019, which Alaniz says did still not fully address the problem.
Alaniz seeks damages on behalf of himself and all other similarly affected consumers.
Do you drive a Toyota? Tell us why you chose your vehicle in the comments below.
Alaniz is represented by L. Timothy Fisher and Scott A. Bursor of Bursor & Fisher PA.
The Toyota Brake System Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Mariano Alaniz v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-01351, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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24 thoughts onToyota Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Brake Defect in Hybrids
My Toyota Prius V was totaled and I was injured bc the dealership kept saying it wasn’t pulling the correct codes to repair the problem and it was safe to drive
Add me! I have 2012 Toyota Prius the brake system are failed very hard to press brake. Toyota refuse give me error code. I took it myself scan it found 8 error code of brake system. Here 8 code C1202,C1203,C1252,C1253,C1256,C1336,C1345,C1365
You can google those code. Toyota refuse give you error code but I got myself from my device engine scanner.
Add me please lawsuit!!!!
I have a 2011 Prius in the dealer repair right now with the same parts needing to be replaced. The shop says I am liable for the full amount of $2300. I am seeking nothing more than the cost to replace.
We own a 2010 Lexus HS250h that was not covered under the recall and we lost our braking ability while driving it. The problem turned out to be the same issue described in the recall but for whatever reason our car was not covered. We took the car to the Lexus dealership and they wanted $2300 to fix it. We found out about the recall when looking for a used part to reduce the cost. We told them about the recall and they said our car was not covered and refused to go down on price. So bottom line is that we had a brake problem that they clearly knew about but didn’t tell us. We almost had a wreck to find out about it.
I have a 2018 hybrid camry. I love my car but cant risk driving it until I know more.
I bought a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, the brakes did not respond quick enough and it was totalled with less than 1000 miles.
They replaced the car with another brand new one, and it happened again. I told the insurance company and Toyota that stepping on the brakes did not stop the car. It did not respond to the foot
pressure. And this one also had under 1000 miles. This time, the insurance company repaired the car
for $30,000. I will never get another Hybrid Again. This care almost killed me.
I have a Prius c and even though my Prius has not been listed but my car has had brake issues and I have bumped into other vehicles due to poor brakes. Honestly it takes a lot to stop the vehicle and sometimes one has to apply brakes from half a mile away. I bought it for gas mileage and that’s about it.
I have a Toyota because of the gas mileage. I had problems with my previous Toyota due to the brakes but they said mine wasn’t in the recall. I now have a 2019 Toyota Brakes were really good at first but is now showing signs of taking longer to brake. Will this car be in a recall? Add me to the suit.
Add me please . I have 2
Add me
I Have a 2012 Camry purchased from ,It was the finance officer personal vehicle with about 12,000 miles on it , Wife:s primary Auto she describes weak brake response . No one ever mentioned possible recall.