Toyota Priuses Smell Like Urine, Sweaty Socks, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

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Toyota Prius Defect Class Action Overview: 

• Who: Toyota has been hit with a class action lawsuit over an alleged defect in its Prius HVAC systems.
• What: Drivers allege that the defect fills cars with “an overpowering urine smell” or one comparable to “a pile of rank, sweaty socks.”
• Where: The class action is for drivers nationwide.

An HVAC default in some Toyota Prius models has filled cars with “an overpowering urine smell” or one comparable to “a pile of rank, sweaty socks” due to noxious fumes being released, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

The class action was filed in California on Wednesday by lead plaintiff James Bettles who alleges that Toyota and affiliates knowingly sold the defective cars, failed to warn consumers about the issue, and then refused to fix the problem – violating state and federal laws.

Bettles purchased a new 2016 Toyota Prius in December 2016 in Sacramento and by spring of 2017 he began noticing a foul odor emanating from the air-conditioning, the claim explains.

“At first, Plaintiff thought that the odor was being caused by the shoes and socks he was wearing, and proceeded to wash his socks for several cycles to make sure they were clean, and thereafter purchase new footwear,” the claim reads.

“The foul odor persisted, however, and, in fact, became worse as Summer 2017 approached.”

Despite taking the car back to the dealer twice and discussing the smell he was either dismissed or told there was no fix for the issue and he had to either become more tolerant or do insufficient fixes, such as use air freshener, the lawsuit explains.

Toyota Prius HVAC Defect Causes ‘Moisture,’ ‘Mold’ To Accumulate 

According to the lawsuit, 2006-2020 Toyota Prius, 2017- 2020 Toyota Prius Prime, 2010-2015 Toyota PHV, 2012-2016 Toyota Prius C, and 2012-2017 Prius V all have an identical and inherent design defect in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The defect allows moisture and microbial growth to accumulate in the HVAC system causing it to emit foul, noxious, and toxic odors into the passenger compartments.

This then exposes those in the car to a safety risk from the mold and other contaminants that are emitted in the air circulated through the HVAC system, the lawsuit alleges.

Bettles describes one driver saying the odor was “an overpowering urine smell coming out of the vents,” and smelt like “somehow an animal must have gotten into the engine, urinated and the urine and bacteria has built up somewhere in the car.”

Bettles himself said the odor was like smelling a “pile of rank, sweaty socks.”

Despite Toyota being fully aware of the issue and releasing numerous Technical Service Bulletins to its network of distributors and dealerships describing the foul odors, the company continued to mislead consumers about the cars as it “actively, and affirmatively omitted and concealed the existence of the Defective HVAC System to increase its profits by selling additional vehicles and charging consumers for special filters, HVAC servicing, and other ‘repair’ fees,” the claim alleges.

“Additionally, Toyota has refused to issue a recall and has not remedied the Defect and/or compensated Plaintiff or Class members for their damages resulting from the material Defect.”

Bettles wants to represent Prius drivers nationwide and a Class of California drivers. He is suing for fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty, and violations of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law, California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. He seeks certification of the Class, declaratory relief, damages, restitution, reimbursement, interest, legal fees and costs, and a jury trial.

Do you own a Toyota Prius? Have you ever had odd smells come from your car vents? Let us know your experience in the comments section below!

Bettles is represented by Scott Edelsberg of Edelsberg Law, P.A; Jason H. Alperstein, Jeff Ostrow, and Kristen Lake Cardoso of Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert; and Steven G. Calamusa and Rachel A. Bentley of Gordon & Partners, P.A.

 The Toyota Prius HVAC Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Bettles v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-07560 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. 

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