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A group of plaintiffs from five different states have filed a Toyota oil defect class action lawsuit, alleging that a defect in the design of pistons in a four-cylinder engine used in many of the company’s vehicles as well as its Scion subsidiary led to excessive oil consumption and the potential for serious accidents.
According to the class action lawsuit, the 2AZ-FE engines have been known to have oil consumption issues that Toyota was aware of since at least 2008. However, the alleged design defect does not generally occur until after the warranty period for new car buyers and so Toyota has repeatedly refused to repair the vehicles except at the owner’s expense. Owners of the following vehicles in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Washington would be members of the class:
2007-2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid;
2007-2009 Toyota Camry;
2009 Toyota Corolla;
2009 Toyota Matrix;
2006-2008 Toyota RAV4;
2007-2008 Toyota Solara;
2007-2009 Scion tC;
and 2008-2009 Scion xB
The problem reportedly manifests itself when owners take their vehicles in for scheduled maintenance including having the oil changed, according to the class action lawsuit. Several of the plaintiffs have alleged that the amount of fluid in the oilpan dropped to nearly nothing over the course of the roughly 5,000 miles between expected maintenance. One alleges that a local service center employee told her “that it was abnormal for a vehicle to be consuming oil at a rate that would deplete the entirety of her oil shorter than Toyota’s recommended maintenance intervals.”
More disturbingly, according to some of the plaintiffs, is when the oil consumption issues lead to no lubrication before a driver realizes it. Some noted that the engine was “making a knocking noise” which can be an indicator of impending failure. A major component of design defect-based class action lawsuits is the impact of the failure on an owner’s safety as well as those of its occupants. The plaintiffs’ class action lawsuit lawyers argue that because an engine failure can lead to serious accidents, it puts too many people at risk.
However, while there were more than a dozen reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the Toyota engine oil consumption issues, the auto maker never directly notified owners. Instead, it issued an internal service bulletin outlining a process where by owners would have to subject their vehicle to several oil consumption tests. If that demonstrated that the pistons were malfunctioning, and the car was under warranty, then the dealership would perform the repairs. Otherwise, the quoted price was several thousand dollars, according to the class action lawsuit.
The group of Toyota and Scion vehicle owners are seeking damages based on the decreased value of their vehicles. The class action lawsuit alleges violations of consumer protection statutes in the five states, breach of express warranty and common law fraud.
The plaintiffs are represented by class action lawsuit lawyers Jae J. Kim and Richard D. McCune, Jr. of McCune Wright LLP
The Toyota Oil Consumption Defect Class Action Lawsuit is April Lax, et al. v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 14-cv-01490, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
UPDATE: The Toyota Oil Consumption class action lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on December 16, 2015.
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286 thoughts onToyota Hit with Class Action Lawsuit over Oil Consumption Defect
Please help me file a class action suit in Ohio against Toyota for the 07 Scion TC engine locking up without any warning at all while driving on the highway
My RAV4 is 122k miles but now burns oil heavily. Toyota dealer checked and asked me to replace the piston ring and the cost will be $5300. This car totally makes me crazy and I felt that I was cheated by Toyota when I bought this car 8 years before. Now, Toyota’s unresponsible attitude totally hurt me.
Anyone know how to move forward for a lawsuit against Toyota? attorney or other toyota’s customers suffering from Toyota’s burning oil issue can connect with me, wenchao.zhang1978@gmail.com
I have a 2008 sicon tc and my oil is disapearing no leaks no smoke
I have a 2012 Scion xB with only 75k miles , I just found out four days ago when I went to get oil changed, I have an oil consumption issue. Of course the recall expired February 2022 so Toyota won’t cover the cost of a new engine. I feel recalls of this type should never expire, it’s not fair to the consumer. I’m the second owner now I’m stuck with the problem. Toyota should be ashamed.
The engine in my 2009 Toyota Matrix Xrs blew from oil consumption with only 77,000 miles on it. Latest oil change was performed by World Toyota of Lakewood less than 1800 miles before. Also contacted Toyota corporate and they admitted the engine was defective but wouldn’t cover its repair. This car is in brand new condition and has been meticulously maintained. Please advise me of any class action suits. Thanks in advance.
Hi, Michael,
Have you submitted lawsuit against toyota? My RAV4 is 122k Miles but now suffering the same issue -burning oil too much. I connected Toyota dealer for diagnosis and also called Toyota company. They also admitted this was engine design defect. I found many Toyota customer have the same issue, whether we can work together to fight agasint Toyota for compensation.
I had 2 Toyotas. Had to replace the engine on both for the same reason. I have a 2009 Camry. I change the oil regularly. Only use synthetic. Was totally unaware of the bulletin. I already replaced the motor. Cost me 4k. I’m going to try and get reimbursed the car has 64k miles
Have an 2009 Scion xB that’s driving me crazy as it seems to run on as much oil as fuel! Any fuel economy it can provide is offset by oil consumption! My cat converter is probably coked & soon to go as tailpipe stays sooty. It’s unbelievable that Toyota would not get ahead of this from 2007! I have always purchased Toyota since my 1974 Corona with a 20R in it, later my 1981 Corolla 1.8 liter 3TC. The 1985 Cressida had transmission issues that would bust the u joints on driveshaft but 5M-GE engine was awesomely reliable but this xB is just nuts! It runs on oil (none to change) instead of fuel.
We all need to come at Toyota at once if you want to do this with me email me at mcrfan8o5@yahoo.com we shouldn’t have to pay for Toyotas mess up
I will be emailing you.
Add me my 2007 camry went to hell cuz of the oil. Wasted so much money
Yes, I want in as well. Same issue and fighting with Toyota after telling them about this issue on several occasions. Now we have a 2007 Toyota Camry with a blown engine.
We never received any notice.
Oil disappears without any warning notification that the oil is low only made a ding when I turned a sharp corner I checked my oil it was completely dry there is no oil leak. I took it to Toyota dealership they said I need a new engine my piston rings are bad that’s ridiculous I’ve only had the car for 4 years and I maintain it, Toyota has past issues with defective piston rings but they say they can’t do anything for me. I have a 2018 Toyota Highlander I’m getting a lawyer
I can not find a lawyer who will take my case about oil burning up in engine in nc have rav4
Email me at mcrfan8o5@yahoo.com so far one person has emailed me but if everyone who thinks Toyota should fix their mistake email me if we all complain on the same day I think we can get them to do something it has to be more than just a few of us
I have sent you email regarding my RAV4.
I have 2008 Scion that just had the engine fail to this problem!!! I want to join a lawsuit!!! I never received anything from Toyota warning of this issue!!!
I want in the class action lawsuit! I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla and I keep getting oil changes and it is burning it fast. It’s messing up my engine.
Where is a class action law suit how do I get in on it
Add me