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A Toyota driver has filed a class action lawsuit claiming that RAV4 Hybrid vehicles possess a defect that prevents their fuel tanks from being filled to capacity.
The Toyota hybrid class action lawsuit was filed by Ken Ly who says he experienced the defect almost immediately after purchasing his RAV4 Hybrid.
Ly claims that the first time he tried to fill his tank with fuel, he noticed that despite having a 14.5 gallon tank, he was unable to fill it with more than 10 gallons of gas.
Ly states that he took the vehicle to Toyota twice for diagnosis and repair, but this effort was unsuccessful.
The RAV4 tank defect class action lawsuit explains that Toyota began selling the vehicles in 1996 as a cross-over, and since then, the vehicle has become Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in the Untied States.
Toyota began marketing the fifth generation of the vehicle in 2018, which included the 2019 model-year cars. Allegedly, this generation included hybrids, which were offered in four grades — LE, HV, XLE HV, XSE HV and Limited HV.
According to the Toyota gas tank defect class action, several design changes were made in the fifth generation of the vehicles, including a change to the fuel tank’s shape.
The Toyota class action lawsuit explains that the vehicles are advertised as possessing a 14.5 gallon fuel tank, that is used to power the vehicles in conjunction with their electric capacity.
Ly argues that consumers are willing to pay more for a hybrid vehicle than they would for a traditional vehicle because the hybrids are more convenient and require fewer trips to the gas station. Additionally, many consumers allegedly favor hybrid vehicles because they are better for the environment.
The plaintiff says that Toyota advertises the capacity of the RAV4 hybrids to have a long driving range while maintaining fuel economy. Ly points to advertising statements like Toyota’s statement “Go farther. Go faster” with the vehicle. Toyota reportedly says that consumers “might be surprised just how far it takes you.”
However, the Toyota fuel tank class action lawsuit argues that the 2019/2020 RAV4 Hybrid tanks possess a defect that prevents them from holding more than 10 gallons of gas, at which point the pump automatically shuts off.
According to Ly, this inconveniences consumers and requires them to fill the tank more often than they would if the defect were not present.
Allegedly, the problem reduces the convenience of the vehicle, and poses an economic injury because had consumers known the vehicles’ tanks do not work as advertised, they might not have purchased the vehicles or paid as much as they did for them.
The plaintiff argues that he and many other drivers were financially injured by the problem, and seeks damages on behalf of himself and all other similarly affected individuals.
Have you experienced problems with a Toyota gas tank? Share your story in the comment section below.
Ly is represented by Timothy G. Blood, Leslie E. Hurst, and Jennifer L. MacPherson of Blood Hurst & O’Reardon LLP; and Ben Barnow, Erich P. Schork and Anthony L. Parkhill of Barnow and Associates PC.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Gas Tank Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Ly v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., Case No. 5:20-cv-00640, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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37 thoughts onToyota Class Action Lawsuit Alleges RAV4 Fuel Tank Defect
I want to know after 3 times of service 5000 miles 10,000 miles 15,000 miles if not fix my then I will Pursue the lemon law pursue the lemon law ! I want to get a new vehicle, after spending $50,000. Dollars for the last car of my dreams it’s a lemon ! Toyota know this I m going about it this way ! Good luck ! They should step up but I don’t think they have a answer , they hope it just goes away ! A letter letting us know the problem is not a fix or answer ! Lemon Law !
My husband and I also have a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid with the gas tank issue. We live in Washington State and want to join the class action lawsuit. Please let us know how to do this. This car has to go. We are both elderly and standing at the gas pump every few days is ridiculous as well as physically enduring for us both. This is NOT what we signed for when we chose this vehicle. Please advise.
I purchased a 2020 hybrid two weeks ago and am dealing with the same issue.
How can I be apart of this lawsuit? I am experiencing the same issue with my 2020 Rav4.
I purchased a 2020 hybrid two weeks ago and am dealing with the same issue.
Same issue and many other defects with the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid XSE which I wanted as an upgrade to my Prius. Got it here on WA. Regret that decision now between that and the other issues. Not recognizing the fob, display turning off randomly, VSC light staying on up until my foot is off the brake and it’s in drive and brake squealing. Yet there is nothing “wrong” with my car since they can’t duplicate the issue. Lemon law here I come!
I purchased a 2020 Rav 4 Hybrid and on filling it with it’s second tank of gas, I noticed the problem. Everyone in the dealership claimed they knew nothing about the problem
Having the same issue. Knowing this was a problem was told by the salesman the problem is not with the current xse I purchased and they knew of the issues and wouldn’t sell a car if they had that problem. Guess you can’t trust what they say!
Super pissed off. I bought my car one week ago after bouncing back and forth between the standard gas version and the hybrid. Salesman totally sold me that the hybrid would give me the most Combined MPG for my 80 mile a day commute over the standard gas model. I’m addition to the cruise control not working, I have the same fuel tank issue! Same song and dance from the dealer who’s had it for 2 days now. There is no known fix. I feel like I was intentionally deceived into buying the hybrid version. I would love to get in on this lawsuit too.
I have the same problem .Took it back to the dealer . We been told that they are waiting for the fix (parts) from Toyota. How long ? How to joint the class action law Sue ?
I just both my rav4 hybrid xse 2020 last week. As I was coming from work the gas indicator light turn yellow, then i stop by the gas station to get some gas … thingking that the gas tank will fill upto 14 gal or a bit lesser but to my surprise it just filled upto 9.5gal… When i went to dealership they said that they have numerous complains about the gas tank issue and offered me to change the gas tank as a temporary remedy until toyota finds a solution…. Why did they not inform me about this problem before hand….I paid for a 40thousand vehicle w/ a defect… What the….