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Toyota 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser Class Action Overview:
- Who: A dozen Toyota customers are suing the automaker.
- Why: The drivers say Toyota failed to disclose a dangerous defect in the frames of its model year 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
Toyota didn’t tell customers its model year 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles have a dangerous defect that causes the vehicles’ frames to rust and corrode, a new class action alleges.
Ten plaintiffs, all Toyota owners, filed the class action complaint against Toyota Motor Corporation Apr. 4 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
They say Toyota failed to disclose the “dangerous defect” in the frames of the vehicles and made misrepresentations regarding the true nature of those frames in its marketing and advertising campaigns.
“The excessive corrosion caused by the defect in the Class Vehicles poses a safety threat to both drivers and occupants of the Vehicles,” the class action states. “In fact, as a result of the defect, some Vehicles are no longer drivable, having failed to pass safety checks.”
The plaintiffs allege that Toyota was well aware of the defects but did nothing to cure them.
Instead, it went about marketing the vehicles in an expensive national campaign touting the advantages of the model when really they lack adequate corrosion protection, causing them to excessively and prematurely rust.
“The Defect not only reduces the value (including market value) of the Class Vehicle, but it subjects the Vehicles’ occupants to a significant safety risk,” the plaintiffs allege. “A vehicle’s frame forms the basis of a vehicle’s crashworthiness, including its ability to withstand or minimize damage to the occupant compartment in the event of an accident.”
Toyota Frame Lawsuit Claims Plaintiffs Discovered Defect After Purchase
The plaintiffs, all of whom own class vehicles with frames that have excessive and premature corrosion and rust, had no way of knowing the frames would rust, the class action alleges. They say it was only after they purchased their vehicles that the frame defect was revealed.
The plaintiffs are suing for fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment and violations of the consumer protection laws of the states of Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Utah.
They’re looking to represent anyone in the United States who purchased a Toyota FJ Cruiser, model years 2007-2014, and seeking damages, fees, costs, interest and a jury trial.
Meanwhile, Toyota was hit with a class action last month alleging it sells model year 2020-2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles with defective fuel tanks that can’t be filled to their advertised capacity.
Do you own a Toyota? Tell us your experience with the company in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Scott Edelsberg of Edelsberg Law, PA, Jason H. Alperstein, Jeff Ostrow and Kristen Lake Cardoso of Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert; Lesley E. Weaver and Joshua D. Samra of Bleichmar Fonti and Auld LLP; and Steven G. Calamusa, Geoff S. Stahl, Rachel A. Bentley and Dennis O. Cohen of Gordon & Partners P.A.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser Class Action Lawsuit is Elliot Nazos et al. v. Toyota Motor Corporation, Case No. 2:22-cv-02214, in the U.S. District Court Central District of California.
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71 thoughts onToyota Class Action Claims Automaker Didn’t Disclose Dangerous Defect in Cruiser Vehicles
My 2010 FJ CRUISER is not drivable, and is horrendously unsafe for myself as well as anyone else on the road. I was driving to work, and my assignment was 2.5 hours drive, my fuel tank fell, as I was driving, on a very sketchy highway, with high speed zone 55+, winding curves, up the side of a steep incline with the rocky side of a mountain on my right and sheer drop off the side to my left. My tank was mostly full.,.. and I’m so lucky there was no ignition, I didn’t explode somehow….. This needs to be addressed!
2010 FJ with 115,000 in NC. Excessive rust on frame. I would to join the class action.
I have a 2008 Toyota FJCruiser in Yellow. I love this vehicle and have had it undercoated with Corosion Free since I bought it. There is evedent rust in the frame and I would like to join this lawsuit.
I own a Toyota 2007 FJ Cruiser, Black Cherry Pearl in color, little did I know to the tune of only 49,057 miles, would I be told that my Car while still looks new, with no dents, or body rust or engine trouble that I would be told by Toyota that my car was no longer drivable, to take it home and park it, With no remorse or help from Toyota to help with fixing it, I am sickened by watching it sit everyday with a rusted frame, and not be able to drive it with so low mileage on it, I also would love to join this class action lawsuit to see if any help could be offered since I do not wish to even be rid of this vehicle that was so good to me until June of this year (2022) that I was told to park it! Being told by Toyota that it was way to dangerous to be on the highway, and if I should get into a collision, that the frame would not support or save my life! Please help us Toyota owners of a once in a lifetime and rare vehicle that serves us all no use by just sitting and rotting away in my driveway! Please Please Please help with this matter! We Toyota lovers love our cars! Thank You! P.S. Toyota told me to pay for the shipping from Japan for a frame to the purchase price of 18.000$ , and then could be more once taken apart to be rebuilt! 🤦🏼♀️🙆🏼♀️
The entire rear end in general is becoming a safety concern on my 2012 FJ Cruiser. The rear body mounts and bumper support tabs have completely disintegrated. The rear spring seats and bottom shock mounts look like they will need to be checked on every once in a while from now on.
I am the original owner of a 2007 FJ with only 40,000 miles. The car is in excellent condition except for the severely rusted frame making it too dangerous and unsafe to drive. I’m interested in this class action and would like to learn more.
Me too
Have a2007 Toyota fj the frame is so rusted that I can’t use it and I don’t want to sell it some one will get hurt…..how I can make Toyota pay for new frame?
A 2007 original owner with an FJ sitting and unable to be driven due to holes in the frame, way too dangerous. The dealership actually told me to sell it knowing what was coming, but instead I reported the VIN, the damage and the dealership that suggested I sell a vehicle they told me could be deadly very soon to The National Highway Safety Admin.
I contacted Toyota US and provided everything to them hoping they could help me get this fixed. The dealership was unwilling to help at all to get the frame replaced. I didn’t ask for any monetary help at all, they just said we can’t help. Toyota did get them to offer to get the work done for a mere $18,000, but I can’t swing that, and honestly shouldn’t have to. There is so much rust, so much to fix, I can’t even imagine how much It would take to restore this gently used vehicle with under 80k miles. I love it, miss driving it, and for now is In it’s favorite spot in the garage in limbo.
My 07 FJ’s frame is corroded beyond repair and Toyota is doing nothing. How do I join lawsuit. Thanks
I have a 2013 FJ Cruiser. While driving, the control bar came away from the rusted frame. My insurance will not do anything, they claim wear & tear. Toyota will not do anything. I stopped at a dealer they would not even look at it, too busy, so I drove to my dealer which to find out later I should not be driving that vehicle, I could have been killed. Toyota said my VIN has no recalls. I have called Toyota, service, Dept. of Supervisior, Customer relations Manager, Brand engagement advocate. I have not had the vehicle serviced anywhere but Toyota. No one made me aware of any problem. This happened Friday the 13th, My car is still at the dealership, It’s now a month without my FJ Cruiser.