Toyota coolant bypass valves class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Geri Barrientos and Michael Foerst filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor North America Inc.
- Why: Barrientos and Foerst claim Toyota failed to disclose a coolant bypass valve defect affecting its model year 2019-2023 RAV4 and Corolla vehicles.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
Toyota failed to disclose that its model year 2019-2023 RAV4 and Corolla vehicles contain defective coolant bypass valves that fail prematurely, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiffs Geri Barrientos and Michael Foerst’s class action lawsuit claims Toyota “actively concealed material facts about the defect from consumers, including, among other things, that the vehicles were prone to the defect and require costly fixes to repair.
“At all relevant times, Defendants knew, or through the exercise of reasonable care had reason to know, that the coolant bypass valves in the Class Vehicles were defective and that the existence of this Defect would materially affect Plaintiffs and the Class’s … decision to purchase the Class Vehicles,” the Toyota class action says.
Barrientos and Foerst want to represent a nationwide class and Florida and California subclasses of consumers who bought or leased a model year 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 or Corolla vehicle.
Toyota coolant bypass valves can’t be repaired by automaker, class action claims
Barrientos and Foerst argue Toyota is unable or unwilling to “adequately repair” the Corolla and RAV4 vehicles when the alleged coolant bypass valve defect manifests, despite allegedly being obligated to by warranty.
“Despite the existence of the Warranties, Toyota failed to inform Plaintiffs and Class Members of the Defect and failed to adequately repair the Defect,” the Toyota class action says.
Barrientos and Foerst claim Toyota is guilty of breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty of merchantability, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment, and of violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and California’s Unfair Competition Law, Consumers Legal Remedies Act and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
The plaintiffs demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of punitive damages for themselves and all class members.
A consumer filed a separate class action lawsuit against Toyota earlier this year over claims the automaker falsely advertises the value of its prepaid ToyotaCare Plus maintenance plan.
Have you purchased or leased a model year 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 or Corolla vehicle? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are 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 coolant bypass valves class action lawsuit is Barrientos, et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., et al., Case No. 4:21-cv-06770, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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272 thoughts onToyota class action alleges some vehicles contain defective coolant bypass valves
My partner bought a 2019 Toyota Rav4 brand new during later 2019. She paid off the vehicle over a year ago. Four weeks ago she ordered a FIXD gizmo that scanned the vehicle because there was a “maintenance” light turned on. With the scanner we learned it was the Engine Coolant Bypass Valve that needed repair/replacement. I took the vehicle to their Service Dealer and was told it would cost $229 just to scan the vehicle. I mentioned some Service Program by Toyota that if the vehicle qualified the vehicle would receive free service, however, the attendant stated that a scan would have to be done before confirming approval. We could use some advice/assist.
I saw this message on my 2020 Corolla at 44k mi. I looked up what the message meant and went to my nearest car part store to purchase a new valve. Then had to pay for an actual diagnostics because when I got back in my car after buying the part, the message had conveniently disappeared. And then had to pay for the maintenance.
I own a 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback which I purchased used in 2021. All my service is done at a Toyota Dealership, and as a teacher when big repairs come up it hurts. Anyone that lives paycheck to paycheck The service main message was coming on , but also the engine maintenance message was flashing too. I went in for service and they hit me with a $900 repair for the coolant bypass valve. Now Toyota sent out a letter stating the repair will be no-charge, “Great!, where was this when I needed it?” So, the letter says I can get reimbursed. I was told that if I log on to my owners account I can see the campaign and submit my reimbursement. Although, when I did that nothing populated. Sadness. I lost the letter with address to send the info for reimbursement
You received a letter about this?!? How can I get info on it because my warning message just popped up this week. I am also a teacher that lives check to check and this summer has been very rough financially! My son had an accident with a stove and I had to have surgery so my money is already stretched tight! Another $900+ to fix my car is not possible or right now.
I have a 2021 rav4 xle .110,000 miles and it just came on even spent $167 for a diagnosis when I knew what was wrong. I will be emailing Toyota too