Toyota RAV4 Batteries Short Circuit, Cause Vehicle Fires, Claims Class Action Lawsuit

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A defect in the batteries installed in 2013 through 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles can result in loss of power and even fire, claims a class action lawsuit lodged in California federal court.  

Lead plaintiffs, Paola Guevara, Lee Krukowski, Pamela Woodman, and Kris Huchteman want to represent other Toyota RAV4 owners who they say face serious safety issues and loss of value in their vehicle due to the alleged defect. The plaintiffs say Toyota knowingly sold the vehicles to consumers with defective batteries.  

The plaintiffs say that each of their Toyota RAV4 vehicles came equipped with a 12-volt battery which functions to start the vehicle, run the lights and infotainment systems, GPS, and wipers when the engine is not running. They allege that the defective batteries have been linked to stalled engines and vehicle fires.  

 Each of the plaintiffs say that they have experienced issues related to the battery defect, ranging from smoke, sparks, and flames coming from the vehicles to several Toyota RAV4s that totally burned to the ground.  

A defect in Toyota RAV4 batteries can cause the part to short circuit – a dangerous vehicle safety issue, explains the class action lawsuit.  

“Short circuits are extremely dangerous and can damage electronic components, set the check engine light, blow fuses, drain the battery, and leave drivers stranded,” states the lawsuit. “Short circuits can also cause excessive heat to wiring components and can result in smoke and fire. It is common for the object which caused the external short circuit to melt or fuse to the battery due to the heat produced.” 

Indeed, approximately 1.9 million 2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after 11 fires were reported, according to Car Complaints.  

The NHTSA started the investigation in February after 11 fires were reported, four of which occurred while the vehicle was turned off, according to the drivers.  

The class action lawsuit says that the fire start at the Toyota RAV4 12V battery B+ terminals. Toyota allegedly designed the vehicle in a way that allows the terminal to come into contact with other parts that can lead to a short circuit, as well as fire.  

The plaintiffs want to represent 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 owners and lessees nationwide, as well as subclasses of Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Missouri residents. They say that they and other RAV4 owners would not have purchased or paid as much for the vehicles had they known of the defective battery.  

The class action lawsuit wants Toyota to pay for repairs, as well as for the loss in value of the RAV4 vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective battery.  

Do you own a Toyota RAV4? Have you had issues with the battery? Tell us about it in the comment section below! 

The plaintiffs are represented by Tarek H. Zohdy and Cody R. Padgett of Capstone Law APC, Russell D. Paul, Abigail Gertner, and Amey J. Park of Berger Montague PC, and Greg Coleman and Ryan P. McMillan of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman LLP. 

The Toyota RAV4 Battery Class Action Lawsuit is Guevara, et al., v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-05136 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. 

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