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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221 thoughts onToyota class action alleges some vehicles contain defective coolant bypass valves
This happened to me also back in 08/2024 I had to pay about $400-$500 to get the part replaced
I have a 2020 toyota Corolla
Add me to the list. I just replaced my coolant bypass valve today to the tune of $700. Didn’t realize it was a known issue with these models!
I have a 2020 RAV4. and I have an engine maintenance required on my dashboard. Taking it to Jim Norton to see what the problem is. Sounds like the coolant bypass valve
I have a 2019 Corolla that I just had to replace the coolant bypass valve, which cost over $700. As soon as I called the service center about the engine maintenance light, they knew exactly what the problem was because “this happens to all Corollas and Rav4s.” It’s concerning Toyota hasn’t recalled these parts considering its a known issue. How do I join the class action lawsuit?
I bought a 2021 Toyota Corolla SE APEX , just got the infamous “engine maintenance required” message and can quite frankly not afford the 800$ price tag to repair something that Toyota knew was going to fail. It’s my only vehicle for the family unfortunately which is just myself, wife and child. Hopefully Toyota can muster the dignity to process a recall or repair because I’m left without a vehicle. Thanks Toyota!
Have a 2019 Toyota RAV4. Was purchased as a certified vehicle, with a drivetrain warranty. The coolant bypass valve failed one week after an inspection told me everything was fine. I’ve been quoted over $800 to fix it and told it is not covered by my warranty
Have 2019 RAV4. Coolant bypass just failed for no reason! Dealer’s projected repair cost is $750.00! Not going to finance huge automaker for his mistake out of my pocket. I’m not as reach as Toyota owner.