Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
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.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
194 thoughts onToyota, Lexus Class Action Says Dashboard Warranty Program is Misleading
I have the same issue. How do i participate in this class action. owner if a Lexus with dashboard ripped off everywhere and Lexus customer service is so u helpfull
The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!
RX330 – same issues as those above – same runaround from Lexus. How do I participate in this lawsuit?
I am the owner of a 2007 Toyota Solara. I too never received the mail notification of the extended warranty and when I called Toyota I was told I missed the 5/31/17 deadline and there is nothing they need to do as they have met the requirements set forth by law. I asked to escalate this and received a call this morning from the “Toyota Customer Experience Center” who told me the same thing. She said there is no one else at Toyota I can talk to about this as she is the last level to speak to. I told her the bottom line I am hearing from her is that they said they sent a letter; I never received it; and now sorry too bad for me I missed the deadline to get my dash replaced under the warranty program. This led me to look on line to see if anyone else did not receive notification of this ‘program’ and I see that I am not alone in this. I too would like to be part of the class action suit.
I am getting the run around no matter who I contact about my Lexus GX470 dashboard. I got the letter 1 1/2 years ago, took it into dealership and it was approved and ordered. I was warned it would take about 6 months since the manufacturer of the dashboard cannot keep up with demand. Since then I have called numerous times with same excuse. My husband called as well to Lexus customer service and was told their hands are tied! It’s been at least six months since we bothered to even try again. Well, today I called the dealership again and they said they have no record of me ever coming and no dashboard was ordered for my car!!! So I called Lexus customer service and they do have record of me coming to that dealership and they are investigating my case and I should hear from a case handler within 2 business days. Where is the breakdown? I understand a wait on backordered dashboards but when I asked the guy on the phone to be honest and answer if they were doing any replacements in a typical month he said no. He said they are few and far between!
How can I add my name to this class action suit against lexus/Toyota? Thank you. My lexus 350rx is cracked everywhere. Never got notification.
Thank you,
Lisa Nash
How do you participate in the class action suit against Toyota/Lexus?
My 2007 Lexus es 350 dashboard is gross. I’m the second owner of this car, so I didn’t receive the 2014 memo for the replacement program. My Lexus dealer acknowledges the air bag recall but they weren’t aware of the melting dashboard. Now, 3 years later, Lexus didn’t send a reminder, memo anything to the current owners that the program ended 5/31/2017. I wasn’t aware of the program and now I’m not qualified for the program anymore. Furthermore, If its a known issue, why is it up to the owner to report the problem? Sounds like Lexus just wants to shift the burden, and avoid its responsibility.
My situation is exactly like yours same car & everything. I’m so upset with Lexus right now and their unwillingness to help. I’ll never buy another lexus again which is really sad to say because I love that car.
My 2008I , is250 is ruined and devalued and unseeable as all 4 door panels and dash are deteriorating to the extreme.
2005 Lexus rx330…. Same issue, have been in contact with Lexus dealer as well as well as Lexus customer service for YEARS yet my dashboard is still completely ruined.
my 2006 lexus ES 330 had the same thing happen and its especially around the airbag area.