Toyota Class Action Says Scion Valve Spring Recall Was Ineffective

A class action lawsuit states that 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles possess defective engine valve springs that can fracture and cause stalling during driving, allegedly increasing the risk of a crash.

According to drivers, Toyota’s recall did not sufficiently address the problem and ended up costing customers.

The Toyota valve springs class action lawsuit was filed by Angel Mendoza, who’s an owner of a used 2013 Scion FR-S.

He says he experienced the valve spring defect, and took his vehicle in to be repaired under a recall. According to Mendoza, the recall repairs for the defect were conducted, but he continued to experience the problems.

Mendoza claims that he was financially injured because of the defect, and Toyota refused to compensate him when he experienced an engine malfunction after his vehicle had been repaired under recall. Mendoza says the engine problems were caused by the recall repairs. 

The plaintiff says that in 2014 he purchased a used 2013 Scion FR-S with 15,902 miles on the odometer. He claims that when the vehicle was initially sold, it came with a 5-year or 60,000 mile “powertrain” express warranty. Allegedly, the warranty transferred to all subsequent owners and was still applicable when he purchased the vehicle. 

The Toyota valve spring defect class action lawsuit states that the defect can pose a serious safety hazard to drivers and others. Allegedly, the valve springs are defective because of a manufacturing problem. 

Toyota instituted a recall to deal with the problem, in which the vehicle maker accepts the defective valve springs can “increase the risk of a crash” and may cause engines to stall. 

According to Mendoza, Toyota has been aware of the defect for years but hid this from customers. Mendoza’s Toyota class action lawsuit goes on to say that Toyota continues to hide their knowledge of the defect, and misleads consumers “until the failure rate reached such a level that an immediate safety recall was necessary.”

The Toyota valve springs class action lawsuit states that when Toyota initiated the recall, the valve springs in the affected vehicles were replaced with “new ones of an improved design.”

However, Mendoza claims the new valves made the problem worse. Allegedly, the new valves increased the risk of engine malfunction.

The valve spring defect class action lawsuit asserts that this affected Class Members significantly because they had to make repairs after the engines were compromised.

According to Mendoza, Toyota refuses to reimburse Class Members for the cost of engine damage after the valve springs are repaired, though the damage is worsened by the repairs. 

The Toyota valve class action lawsuit claims that under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, owners and lessees of affected vehicles should be entitled to financial remedy for the cost they incurred as a result of the defective valve and Toyota’s failure to provide an effective remedy.

Have you experienced problems with the valve springs on your Toyota? Let us know in the comment section below.

Mendoza is represented by Robert B. Mobasseri, David Alan Cooper and Barbara Rohr of the Law Offices of Robert B. Mobasseri PC. 

The Toyota Scion Valve Springs Class Action Lawsuit is Angel Mendoza v. Toyota Motor Sales, et al., Case No. 5:20-cv-00076, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Eastern Division.

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