Toyota issues recalls, faces class action, apologizes for cheating

Toyota recalls, class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently targeted Toyota with a class action lawsuit. The automaker also recently issued several recalls and apologized for cheating on certification tests. 
• Why: The class action lawsuit alleges Toyota failed to disclose a coolant bypass defect. The recalls involve defective camera displays, loss of motive power and doors that could open while a vehicle is in motion. 
• Where: The Toyota recalls affect vehicle owners across the United States and in Japan, Europe and the rest of North America. 

Toyota issued several recalls lately over concerns involving defective camera displays, loss of motive power and doors that could open while a vehicle is in motion. It also apologized earlier this month after an investigation by the Japanese government found it cheated on certification tests. 

Consumers also recently targeted the automaker with a class action lawsuit claiming it failed to disclose a vehicle defect.

Toyota recalls 2023 Crown vehicles over camera display defect 

Toyota issued a recall for about 13,000 of its model year 2023 Toyota Crown vehicles earlier this month over concerns the image on their camera displays could fail to work properly. 

The automaker says it is concerned the camera cases on the recalled Toyota Crown vehicles could allow water to enter, potentially causing a short circuit that could affect the image display. 

“If the rearview image does not display, there can be an increased risk of striking and injuring a pedestrian while backing the vehicle,” the Toyota Crown recall says. 

Toyota plans to remedy the issue by having its dealers inspect the serial number for the affected cameras and, if necessary, repair them at no cost. 

Toyota recalls vehicles over motive power loss concerns

Toyota issued a recall in May for approximately 102,000 model year 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles over concerns they could suffer a loss of motive power.  

The automaker says it is concerned the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles could suffer a loss of motive power due to machining debris being left in their engines when they were produced. 

“In the involved vehicles, this can lead to potential engine knocking, engine rough running, engine no start and/or a loss of motive power,” the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX recall says. 

Toyota says it is developing a remedy to resolve the issue. 

Toyota recalls Prius, Prius Prime vehicles over door-opening defect

Toyota issued a recall for 211,000 of its model year 2023-2024 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles in April over concerns their doors could open while the vehicle is in motion. 

The automaker says it is concerned water could enter the electronic rear door latches and cause unlocked doors on the recalled Prius and Prius Prime vehicles to open while the vehicle is in motion. 

The recall impacts 55,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles in the United States, while the rest of the affected vehicles are in Japan, Europe and the rest of North America. 

Toyota says it will remedy the issue by replacing the door opener switches for the left and right rear doors with improved ones at no cost to vehicle owners. 

Toyota fails to disclose defect in certain RAV4, Corolla vehicles, class action claims 

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota late last month over claims the automaker failed to disclose a coolant bypass defect affecting its model year 2019-2023 RAV4 and Corolla vehicles. 

The class action lawsuit argues Toyota actively concealed material facts about the vehicles’ defect from consumers, including that they were prone to suffering from the alleged issue and would require costly repairs. 

The consumers argue Toyota has also been unable or unwilling to adequately repair the RAV4 and Corolla vehicles affected by the defect despite the automaker allegedly being obligated to do so 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. 

Toyota apologizes for cheating on certification tests for 7 of its vehicle models 

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized earlier this month for cheating on certification tests for seven of its vehicle models. 

A Japanese government investigation into Toyota in January discovered the apparent wrongdoing. The automaker has since disclosed it used inadequate or outdated data during collision tests. 

Toyota says the automaker suspended production of three of the vehicle models, including the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross. 

The investigation exposed several other automakers, including Honda Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp., with both halting production of certain vehicle models in the wake of the discovery.  

Have you been affected by a recent Toyota recall or class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

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