Toyota power liftgate class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Zach Hughes filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
- Why: Hughes claims Toyota failed to disclose an alleged defect in power liftgates on its model year 2014-2021 RAV4s.
- Where: The Toyota power liftgate class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
A new Toyota class action lawsuit alleges the automaker failed to disclose that its model year 2014-2021 Toyota RAV4s have a defective power liftgate.
Plaintiff Zach Hughes’ class action lawsuit claims the power liftgates in the vehicles have poorly designed and/or manufactured hinges that can cause the liftgates to prematurely fail.
Hughes says Toyota is aware of the alleged defect, has actively concealed material facts regarding the defect from consumers and has been unable or unwilling to repair the class vehicles.
“Knowledge and information regarding the Defect were in the exclusive and superior possession of Defendants and its dealers, and this information was not disclosed to Plaintiff and members of the Class at the time of purchase, or otherwise,” the Toyota class action states.
Hughes wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased or leased a model year 2014-2021 Toyota RAV4 and a subclass of California consumers who are current or former owners and/or lessees of the class vehicle.
Toyota has long known about power liftgate defect, class action says
Hughes argues Toyota has long been aware of the alleged power liftgate defect due to pre-production and pre-sale testing, failure mode analyses, bench testing, warranty and post-warranty claims and consumer complaints via forums and through its dealers.
The class action lawsuit claims further that Toyota “refused” to take action to correct the defect in the event it manifested outside of the vehicles’ warranty period.
“Because the Defect can manifest shortly outside of the warranty period for the Class Vehicles — and given Defendants’ knowledge of the Defect — Defendants’ attempt to limit the warranty is unconscionable and unenforceable,” the Toyota class action says.
Hughes claims Toyota is guilty of unjust enrichment, fraudulent concealment, breach of express warranty and breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, and of violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
The plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive relief along with an award of punitive damages for himself and all class members.
Toyota recalled more than 1.8 million of its model year 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles in November over concerns an issue with certain replacement 12-volt batteries could present a fire hazard.
Have you had problems with the Toyota power liftgate in your RAV4? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Alison M. Bernal of Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet LLP and Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf.
The Toyota RAV4s power liftgate class action lawsuit is Hughes v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., Case No. 5:24-cv-00912, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- GM issues truck recall due to potential tailgate unlatching issue
- Recall issued for Honda, Acura vehicles due to potential air bag defect
- Hyundai, Kia can ask court to consider whether cities can sue over car thefts
- Jury says Chrysler doesn’t need to pay damages in defective headrest trial
Search Keywords
toyota power lift gate
40 thoughts onToyota class action alleges RAV4s have potential power liftgate defect
2019 Adventure same —
Yes! Finally, after being told by numerous Toyota service centers that I had no problem, then after warranty was told $2000 to repair. I have had problem since near day 1 on my 2015. What’s really interesting, after many complaints my service record was wiped from my Toyota user account.
Don’t trust your Toyota dealer – mine is a shit show
The lift gate on my 2016 RAV4 had problems off and on and this week it stopped working completely.
I have had issues with the 2019 RAV4 lift gate getting stuck opening or closing.
2020 RAV lift gate frequently won’t open or shut. Sometimes just stops in the middle
I have had nonstop issues with my Toyota liftgate
2018 toyota rave
We have a Toyota 2019 RAV4 that the power lift gate hangs up intermittently.
We have a 2020 Rav 4 and have problems with the tailgate opening and closing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
I have a 2019 Toyota Rav 4 XSE and my lift gate keeps failing, I have taken it into the dealership 3 times with no resolution. I was told yesterday I have to pay to have the back hatch fixed that it’s not covered under my warranty. The door doesn’t shut all the way and hangs all crooked, unfortunately, it’s been raining, and the water is pouring in through the gap.