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A federal 
class action lawsuit claims that 2005 to 2011 Toyota Scion xB and tC models are plagued with a design defect that causes their rear hatch door handles and panels to break off during normal use. Toyota has allegedly known about the Scion’s defective door handle since 2007, but has failed to disclose it to customers and refuses to recall the vehicles to repair the defect, the class action lawsuit says.
According to the Toyota Scion class action lawsuit, “Toyota knew or should have known that the Class Vehicles are defective, not fit for their intended purpose and unsafe when they are driven within their normal and/or expected range of operation. Nevertheless, Toyota has actively concealed and failed to disclose the Defect to Plaintiffs and the Class Members, both prior to and after the time of purchase.”
The Scion class action lawsuit says that when the defective door handles break, “consumers have been, and will continue to be, forced to deal with an unsafe and illegal situation. First, when the Defective Door Handle breaks, consumers are regularly unable to open their back door, either from the outside or the inside… In addition, the holes left in the rear hatch when the handle breaks allow exhaust fumes to enter into the Vehicle, further creating a safety hazard.”
The Scion class action lawsuit goes on to say that Toyota’s refusal to remedy the problem has forced many consumers to tape or glue the defective Scion door handles bank on their vehicles or purchase expensive replacement parts.
“Indeed, driving around any metropolitan area, it is not uncommon to see numerous [Scion xB and tC models] with the door opening mechanism missing or fastened to the Vehicles via a homemade remedy. Moreover, as a result of Toyota’s abject failure to manufacture and sell a Vehicle that could withstand the routine and normal opening and closing of the rear hatch without breaking, and is concomitant refusal to provide relief to its customers, the Defect has spawned a cottage industry, with third-parties manufacturing parts to try to fill Toyota’s void,” the class action lawsuit says.
The Toyota Scion defective door handle class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all current and former owners and lessees of a model year 2005-2011 Toyota Scion tC or xB models purchased or leased in the United States. It is seeking damages, interest, restitution and more.
A copy of the Toyota Scion tC and xB Defective Door Handle Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Salvatore Amata, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation, Case No. EDCV12-168-VAP (SPx), U.S. District Court, Central District of California
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101 thoughts onToyota Scion Defective Door Handle Class Action Lawsuit
We need in on this as well. Quoted over $300 to fix the latch on our XB. We are in Florida…thanks!
I would like to become part of the lawsuit as well. Anyone who could help, please email me. I own a 07 scion TC and mine broke as well. I had to quick fix it myself because they wanted $300 for a new hatch panel but I want in.
Thank you
My back hatch broke off of my 2007 Scion tC a few months and is currently being held on by duck tape. My local Toyota preferred body shop quoted me $260 which I cannot afford at the moment. This has been forcing me to drive around in my first personal big purchase which I was once so proud of and now it’s an embarrassment! Considering is this such a common issue Toyota should have found a better method years ago considering is seems to be an on going issue to save people the hassle which myself along with anyother are dealing with. And not only that but to help better the Toyota brand which obviously has given many of us a sour taste in our mouths.
My hatch handle broke on my Scion XB. I put duct tape on it. Very embarrassing. I had no idea this was so common. I would love to have it repaired, but there’s no way I will pay that kind of money. Would like to be in the lawsuit too. I just want it fixed.
My 2007 Scion tc also had a broken hatch door handle. I had it repaired, quite expensively, at Toyota about 3 months ago, at a cost of $271 ($115 installation and $156 for the garnish parts). I’d be interested in recouping that unexpected cost.
My 2006 Scion latch has broken twice very upset about this had to duck tape it the Toyota does not have a recall and should. Very inconvient.
How can I become part of this lawsuit being in Hollywood – Florida? My 2006 scion tc has a broken hatch door. I was told in the Toyota-Scion Hollywood Dealer that the parts will cost me about $130 PLUS installation to fix this problem that toyota already has been ignoring since 2007! It is Ridiculous and clearly is against the consumers best interests. They also urged me to do it as soon as right away because the lead lights on the handle is “very sensitive” to the water that could be getting into the light’s host and that will cost me around $500.oo if I have to replace it (???)…
Yea, mine broke off about a week ago, granted I did buy an aftermarket one for 25 bucks non painted, cause i wasn’t going to pay toyota a stupid amount of money for something they messed up in, it wasn’t even that hard to replace it myself, took me about 30 mins or so to do it
I forgot to mention that mine broke ON MY WEDDING DAY ! They were loading gifts and things in the hatch. Go to that Facebook page like it. Tell them u would like to join the suit. They will give u a link to the law firm doing the suit . Go to their Facebook page Shepherd Finkelman Miller & Shah ,LLP tell them u want to be apart of it. They wanted me to send them my email so they can contact me so hopefully if we all do this we can get our money back .
I have the same problem. My handle broke off my 2009 tC and the only thing holding it on was the seal at the top. Super glue holds for a little while, but its embarrassing driving around with grey duct tape on my black car.