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
I have a 2019 rav 4, I had the coolant bypass replaced about 2 years ago.
My 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback just exhibited the same error message. Took to the dealer and $200 later found out it’s a Coolant Bypass Valve. Wanted $995 to repair and I said No.
My 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback just got the Engine Maintenance Required warning in April when I hit 70K miles. Cost me $600 to fix!
I purchased my 2020 RAV4 XLE Brand new with only 3 miles on it. When my bypass valve went out on it while it was still so new and they quoted me an insane amount for the estimate when the part was so cheap! I did my research. I got a hold of the Service Manager David and told him that if they did not replace that valve For me that I would go to the top.. I told him that the tech told me that the RAV4’s were having “that problem a lot.” I also told him he had “a well oiled moneymaking machine in your service department because every weekend it’s like a circus of cars.” David finally agreed to replace it after I would not give in. I believe I still had to pay something, but for the most part, they dropped most of the expense out I would have gone to the top!
I have a 2021 Rav4 XLE Premium with 40K miles. I got an “engine maintenance required” sign last week ago and a coolant valve problem was found at a Toyota dealer today. They said this is a common issue and they have many repair parts in stock. The estimated cost was $1034 + tax (diagnosis, parts, labor). I have not had it repaired yet.
I have a 2019 Toyota RAV4 that is presenting the same problem.
I was thinking the repair will fix the car. But finding out that it will not is so disappointing.
I have a 2020 RAV$ XLE Premium with 38K. So far – no problems, but now I hope I don’t have the problem, although it will always be on my mind
I have a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE (AWD). I got the message “Service Engine Maintenance, See your dealer message” June 13th. Brought the car to the dealer. Diagnosis was that the car needs P268115 Engine Coolant bypass valve circuit. They need to order the part and they already ordered 50. Will check if they can get me one from those 50, if not, there is a back order and would take 5 weeks! Got charged $412 for Service Inspection plus downpayment for the part. I will be charged an additional $510 for labor when they install it.
I bought a 2019 and now have a 2023
I have a 2020 Toyota Corolla SE with 38,000 miles and have this issue now. Dealer says its not covered under power train warranty and i dont have an extended warranty. We will most likely replace it our selves but its ridiculous.