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A class action lawsuit alleges Toyota and Lexus manufacturers misled consumers with a warranty program promoted as a fix for millions of car owners with defective dashboards.
The complaint claims “[t]he warranty program made promises Defendants could not keep.”
The Toyota class action lawsuit states that the auto manufacturers released several models of vehicles that had a latent defect in the dashboard – that would “melt or degrade upon prolonged exposure to the sun.”
The complaint asserts that Toyota knew about this defect, but did not inform affected vehicle owners. Instead, Toyota would offer costly repairs, thereby obtaining “further profit from the Defect by shifting responsibility for repair costs and delaying reimbursement for any repair costs for years.”
Several previous class actions were filed against Toyota to rectify this defect, according to the complaint. In 2014, those class actions were dismissed, but only “on the basis that millions of owners of automobiles with defective dashboards would receive voluntary and comprehensive warranty coverage,” according to the complaint.
However, the class action lawsuit asserts that Toyota did not have enough parts in stock to make the necessary repairs for every consumer, and also required the repairs to be done only at certified Toyota dealerships. Because of these restrictions, this lawsuit contends that “most” consumers have not been able to get their warranty work done. More importantly, the warranty period will expire on May 31, 2017, without these consumer being able to complete their repairs.
“Toyota is now in breach of its Program by failing to timely implement the repair component of the Program, leaving millions of consumers with defective dashboards and without any remedy,” the class action alleges.
Plaintiffs Wanda Jeffers and Jill Gibson state that they are mother and daughter, and jointly own a 2009 Toyota Camry affected by the dashboard defect. They received a notice of the defect and warranty from Toyota, and say they contacted their dealership in Florence, South Carolina. The plaintiffs claim that they made “repeated contacts” with their Toyota dealership but their vehicle has not been repaired.
The misleading dashboard warranty lawsuit requests certification of a Class of all persons in the U.S. who own a vehicle affected by the defect. Affected vehicles include: the “2003-2005 Toyota 4Runner, the 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, the 2007-2011 Toyota Camry and Toyota Camry Hybrid, the 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna, the 2004-2008 Toyota Solara, the 2006-2008 Lexus ES 350, the 2003-2008 Lexus GX 470, the 2006-2008 Lexus IS 250/350, the 2007 Lexus LS 460, the 2004-2006 Lexus RX 330, the 2007- 2009 Lexus RX 350, and the 2005-2008 Lexus RX 400h.”
The class action seeks compensatory damages, including damages caused by the warranty delay.
Jeffers and Gibson are represented by T. Christopher Tuck, A. Hoyt Rowell III, and Robert S. Wood of Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC, Mark C. Tanenbaum and Mia Lauren Maness of the Law Offices of Mark C. Tanenbaum PA, and George D. Jebaily of Jebaily Law Firm PA.
The Toyota Dashboard Warranty Class Action Lawsuit is Wanda E. Jeffers, et al., v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 4:17-cv-00577, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Florence Division.
UPDATE: The Toyota Dashboard Warranty Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on May 22, 2018. Top Class Actions will let our viewers know if a new case is filed.
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193 thoughts onToyota, Lexus Class Action Says Dashboard Warranty Program is Misleading
I have a 2008 Lexus ES 350 and the dashboard gets really hot and is melting. I also have received a notification about the airbags possibly causing metal damage to my face and exploding if the airbags are released. I have had so many different recalls on this car since I have had it over the last 7 years.
I have a 2006 Toyota Solara Convertible that I noticed cracks in the dash this weekend. I went one line and found out about the warranty extension program. Ii called Toyota and they stated that notifications were sent out, but I never received anything from Toyota except sales brochures to trade in our car. But even if we had received the note and did not see any cracks, the instructions were to do nothing. So Toyota intentionally told customers to not bring in defective merchandise, and then when it did crack, they refuse to repair/replace because it is beyond their deadline.
This seems like a classic Catch-22.
I called Toyota and the representative explained to me the attorneys gave them the guidelines, and all they do is adhere to them. When asked who to appeal this illogical decision, he said their is no appeal process.
I am frustrated with Toyota. I used to think they were a good company, but my my experience is teaching me otherwise.
My Lexus 2006 IS250 dash is ruined and cracking, splitting and melting. When I purchase ‘its it looked actually new and undamaged now its melting.
I have a 2007 gs350. And my wife sister have one also. The oil light always comes on. After getting it checked I find out that the oil is coming out the pipe. Several people saying they are having the same issues. Lexus saying they aren’t gonna fix the problem.
My Lexus GX 470 dash is ruined and cracking, splitting and literally coming apart. Can you please tell me IF the recall on the dashes has been extended from May 2017? How can I get on such a list? Is Lexus Doing ANYTHING? Apparently not everyone got notified of the first recall. Please help. This not only looks terrible but it’s a SAFETY HAZARD. Thank you.
I have a 2007 Avalon that the trim piece under the dash has cracked in 2 places. I called Toyota and they wont fix the car because it is over 10 years old. With that being said I am the second owner of this car but it is all transferable . The lady on the phone said owners had until May 31 2017 well my dam dash didn’t start this until 2 weeks or so back. Now if something don’t happen before this problem gets worse you can bet I will go back to my Chevys. All the talk about how good Toyota suppose to be is going down the drain as far as customer service goes!!!!!!!!
My IS350 (2007) IS COMPLETELTY MELTED AND I HAVE RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUES!!
We own a 2008 Lexus RX350 that has had cracks in the dashboard for a couple of years. We are on the
wait list for replacement at our local Lexus dealership; have been for nearly two years. Have been told that
there are 600 people ahead of us on the list. Can we join this class action suit?
2004 Toyota Sienna. Crack in dashboard in front of passenger seat
I have a Toyota Avalon 2006 and I live in Northern Florida and my dashboard had cracked and split in several laces and melted from one end to the other. I have called our dealership several times about it and the first couple of years they didn’t have parts, then when I called they were non chelant about it and made no effort to come pick me up like they do for other repairs, They are suppose to if it is going to be all day, this is there is also a recall on the steering collom dropping on its own. So I couldnt bring the vehicle in because I cant sit up at the dealer all day being disabled. I don’t know what to do about it it looks teribble for having a luxury vehicle!!