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Toyota Motor Co. has reportedly agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it sold certain truck models with rust-prone frames.
According to the settlement documents, Toyota will pay approximately $3.4 billion to resolve the litigation. There are reportedly 1.5 million Toyota trucks that may be affected by the corrosion defect.
The Toyota truck frame class action lawsuit was initially filed in March 2015 by a group of truck owners who claimed that the frames on model year 2005 through 2009 Toyota Tacoma trucks were prone to corrosion.
The plaintiffs claim that the frames for certain Toyota Tacoma, Sequoia and Tundra trucks rust prematurely because rust protection measures were not properly applied when the frames were manufactured.
“As a result, the frames can suffer from excessive rust, leading to perforations in the frames that jeopardize their structural integrity, creating a significant risk to the safety of vehicles’ occupants in the event of an accident, among other problems,” the Toyota truck frame defect settlement documents state.
The plaintiffs assert that Toyota was aware of the truck frame defect but did not take adequate measures to address the problem.
According to the truck frame defect class action lawsuit, Toyota did offer warranty extensions and recalls, but the plaintiffs say that these measures did not cover all of the affected trucks. The complaint charged Toyota with a number of claims, including breach of warranty and violation of the Unfair Competition Law.
The parties commenced settlement negotiations in March 2016, and they filed their proposed class action settlement agreement on Nov. 8. If approved, the settlement will cover 2005 to 2010 Tacomas, 2007 to 2008 Tundras and 2005 to 2008 Sequoias.
Under the terms of the proposed Toyota class action settlement, Toyota has agreed to provide free frame inspection for all subject vehicles, and if the truck frame is found to have perforation from rust that is 10 mm or greater, Toyota will replace the frame.
The settlement documents indicate that each truck frame inspection costs about $60 per vehicle and each frame replacement costs about $15,000 per vehicle. Under the terms of the truck frame defect class action settlement, Toyota will provide these services at no charge to eligible Class Members.
Toyota will also compensate Class Members who have previously incurred out-of-pocket expenses to replace their truck frame, the class action settlement documents state.
Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the green “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.
The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy G. Blood and Paula R. Hearst of Blood Hurst & O’Reardon LLP, Ben Barnow and Erich P. Schork of Barnow & Associates PC, Philip J. Milligan of Milligan Law Offices, Michael L. Roberts of Roberts Law Firm PA, and Jeffrey S. Hurst of Monteleone & Mccory LLP.
The Rusty Toyota Truck Frame Class Action Lawsuit is Brian Warner, et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Case No. 2:15-cv-02171, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
UPDATE: The Toyota Rust-Prone Truck Frame Class Action Settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim.
UPDATE April 23, 2019: Toyota 4Runner owners with rust issues, check out the TCA 4Runner Rust Investigation. Submit your information to see if you qualify to participate in a class action investigation!
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45 thoughts onToyota Settles Rust-Prone Truck Frame Class Action Lawsuit
I would be great if someone went after Chrysler for the rusty Jeep frames. I had a great frame until I had to drive my Jeep in the winter twice. Toyota must have said hold my beer we can do worse.
I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma, rusted frame needing replaced. In 2014 I discovered the rust, contacted Toyota and was advised there was no recall for my truck. I scrapped and cleaned the frame and treated it with rust proofing hoping stop the rust.
Now, 2019, took the truck in due to a leak, was told the transmission line had a pin hole rusted through and would need to be replaced…, but that my frame was much worse. Sure enough, frame rusted inside out. Called Toyota and was told I could have had my frame replaced had I acted on there gracious offer to do so, but that expired in 2016. I was never informed, heck, after 2014 rust prevention, I would have jumped on the opportunity.
It seems the “good will” from Toyota is the issue, it allowed Toyota to avoid a “recall” and allows Toyota to place an end date on their “good will”. I think it’s time for NTSB to put the Toyota frame debacle to an end – make it a true RECALL.
UPDATE April 23, 2019: Toyota 4Runner owners with rust issues, check out the TCA 4Runner Rust Investigation. Submit your information to see if you qualify to participate in a class action investigation!
I own a 2005 Toyota 4Runner with severe frame corrosion in the rear frame area. Is there any update on this class action suit?
I have a 2006 Toyota Four Runner. I purchased the vehicle used a few years ago. I was told the vehicle has a rotten under carriage today and there’s maybe a class action lawsuit pending.
I own a 2012 Toyota Tundra double cab. I went in to CarMax to trade it in, but was told it was only worth $19,000 due to the undercarriage rust. Is there a current class action lawsuit for 2012 Tundra rust issues?
I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma double cab which was sprayed in 2009.put under warranty until 2019.but because previous owner wrecked it and salvage title was put on truck Toyota voided the warranty. Now I have a rusted in half frame and no help from Toyota.
We have a Toyota Tundra 2005, It hadshuge rust spots behind front suspension on passenger side and a large crack in the frame. body mount rusted away….we have been having it repaired by a mechanic. The mechanic can not believe how nice of shape the truck is in and cared for with such major frame damage on top of frame. He since called Toyota and we are waiting to see if it will fall under the repair of a new frame. He is calling back in 2-3 weeks. Our mechanic is waiting to hear if our vin is indeed covered. I read the lawsuit and it does not cover the 2005 Tundra…….we were thinking of buying a new loaded pickup…will wait to see how or if Toyota fixes this poor workmanship issue. We want this one fixed though first so we know how much integrity Toyota has by replacing the frame.
I have a 2004 Toyota Sequoia I took it in to have the frame rust proofing 2014 under the recall .Then in 2016 my car was up on a rack at a repair shop when we noticed that the material on the frame that was just put on was coming off and there was rust under it .I immediately called up the local dealership brought the car in and they agreed that it needed to be fixed again . I wentforth with the dealership for three months and the part never came in. they asked me to bring it back in to look at it which I did and they said to me that the frame had a huge hole in it the car was not safe to drive and it was junk .
I contacted Toyota corporate and got the runaround after going through about 4 people Toyota said that there was nothing they can do and refused to help me it would not let me talk to anybody up higher up .
what recourse do I have ?
Right now I have a car that is junk and not drivable .
Danny P
We offer a submission form on our website for you to fill out if you are seeking class action legal help. Attorneys will then review your submission to determine if you have a case. If they feel you qualify, they will contact you directly. You can submit your information here: https://topclassactions.com/start-a-class-action/.
Toyota REFUSED to do anything about my Tundras frame rust because the rust is in the front part of the frame and not the back. It has large rust holes in the frame behind the suspension mounts. They did however paint the rear of the frame where there wasn’t any holes, go figure….. They’re response was that its the consumers problem to have it repaired.
I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma bought in 2006 brand new found out today Toyota will not fix the frame that looks like Swiss cheese with all the rust holes in it because it is out of the recall period. Once again consumer gets screwed. Will never buy a Toyota again.