Plaintiff Linda Drake says the intermediate drive shaft causes a clunk, pop, or knock-type noise when the steering wheel is turned to the left or right.
She says the steering wheel defect can be exhibited when the cars are parked or when on the highway.
Drake says she bought a used 2009 Toyota Highlander in 2012. Before she purchased the vehicle, she viewed advertisements about the car, took it for a test drive, and spoke to the Toyota sales representative about the car’s features, including those dealing with safety.
In March 2013, she claims that she noticed a noise while she was shifting gears and, at times, her vehicle did not shift at all.
She claims that she contacted the dealership to secure warranty coverage for her car, but the dealership denied her request, claiming that the noise she heard in the car could not be replicated and that the noise would eventually pass.
The plaintiff alleges that the noise caused by the steering wheel defect distracts drivers as it moves their attention from the road to the noise. In addition, one side effect of the steering wheel defect is that the cars are unable to shift gears.
The Toyota class action states that other car owners have reported that the power steering fails because of the defect.
“This fundamental inability to operate could result in perilous situations, thereby placing both the driver of the Class Vehicle and fellow motorists in serious danger,” according to the plaintiff.
Drake claims that the defendants have had long-standing knowledge of the defect in the steering wheel and have sold thousands of cars without disclosing this information to consumers.
The Toyota steering wheel class action lawsuit also alleges that Toyota’s service technicians deny that the steering wheel defect exists and say that the issue occurs from normal wear and tear on the car.
Drake claims that Toyota has had knowledge of the steering wheel defect since 2013 when they issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) which told dealers about the defect and proposed “fixes” at the vehicle owner’s expense. These TSBs were never communicated to the vehicle owners, according to the Toyota class action lawsuit.
In addition, the plaintiff alleges that Toyota has hidden the steering wheel defect from vehicle owners, have not recalled the cars to fix the problem, have not offered customers a replacement for free and have not offered to reimburse those who have paid out-of-pocket to repair the defect.
“In short, as a result of Defendants’ unfair, deceptive, and/or fraudulent business practices, current and former owners and/or lessees of Class Vehicles, including Plaintiff, have suffered an ascertainable loss of money, property, and/or loss in value,” the Toyota class action lawsuit argues.
The plaintiff states that if she had known about the defect in the steering wheel of her car, she would not have purchased the vehicle or would have paid less for it.
Do you own a Toyota with a steering wheel defect? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Jordan L. Lurie and Ari Y. Basser of Pomerantz LLP
The Toyota Steering Wheel Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Linda Drake v. Toyota Motor Corp, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-01421, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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264 thoughts onToyota Class Action Alleges Steering Wheel Defect
I recently in sept of 2024, had a serious accident which totaled my RAV4 2018, I on hwy 150 at 05:07 pm when I came up n a Kia Sedona 2009 that had no brake lights and was sitting in the hwy ready to turn, I immediately hit my brakes I tried to swerve to the right to go around the vehicle. However the steering wheel locked up and caused me to plow into the backend of the vehicle! I was fortunate no broken bones I did have serous bruising in my ribs and chest and a cut lip on the inside of my mouth! I was recently caring for a pt in dialysis, who has a grand daughter that had a accident with her RAV4 where her steering locked up causing her to hit a house! These are all serious why is Toyota skirting the issue on this?
I have 2009 Toyota Highlander and had lot of issues since I bought and reported to Toyota and the dealership also but we were told there are no issues. I do have similar steering wheel issue. Also whenever it rains my driver side window glass won’t open properly. When I try to roll it down it rolls back and I went to dealership for the faulty window switch repair and I don’t know if was fix as it is still the same. I took my car for couple of recalls and nothing was fixed all the issue are still there. I am really had experience with this car and Toyota and will never buy any Toyota in my life. Toyota’s customer service is really really bad and they don’t help their customers.
I have 2009 Toyota Highlander and had lot of issues since I bought and reported to Toyota and the dealership also but we were told there are not issues. I took my car for couple of recalls and nothing was fixed all the issue are still there. I am really had experience with this car and Toyota and will never buy any Toyota in my life. Toyota’s customer service is really really bad and they don’t help their customers.
2012 highlander bought Toyota certified. This should be in my record from Toyota they said they could never find the problem.
I have a 2014 Toyota Avalon XLE Hybrid, with 42000 miles. This past December the car developed a rattle in the steering wheel. When driving the car and you drive over a small or large bump you experience a loud rattling sound from the steering wheel assembly. I contacted the local Toyota dealership out of safety concerns while driving the car. The service writer advised me he had never heard of this problem. If you read the Toyota forums you will read of many instances where owners have had the same problem and concern. Please advise your thoughts. Thank you.