Class Action Over Toyota Hybrid Brake Problems Allowed To Proceed By Court

A federal judge has rejected an attempt to dismiss a class action lawsuit against Toyota, which alleges hundreds of thousands of Prius, Camry and Avalon and other hybrid vehicles were sold with defective braking systems prone to intermittent failure, placing passengers and drivers at risk of an auto accident.

The complaint (PDF) was originally filed over the Toyota hybrid brake problems in February 2020, presenting claims on behalf of owners of certain 2010 through 2015 Toyota Prius and Prius PHV, 2012 through 2015 Toyota Prius V, 2012 through 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid, and 2013 to 2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid vehicles that contain the defective braking systems.

Problems with Toyota brake booster pumps have been reported for several years, with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) having recorded numerous statements from customers indicating the brakes on their Toyota vehicle consistently locked up, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly lunge forward or failing to engage when the brake pedal is depressed.

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The NHTSA also became aware of multiple accidents and injuries arising from the brake problems in certain Toyota vehicles.

On July 20, 2020, Toyota filed a motion to dismiss the class action complaint, arguing that the lawsuit did not contain sufficient facts to maintain the claims.

In an order and opinion (PDF) issued last week, U.S. District Court Judge Amos L. Mazzant denied the motion, allowing the Toyota class action lawsuit to proceed forward.

“After reviewing Plaintiffs’ complaint, the Motion, the response, the reply, the sur-reply, and the arguments of counsel, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have plausibly alleged sufficient facts to state claims for relief under the various asserted theories,” Judge Mazzant determined.

The complaint accuses Toyota of placing profits before the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of drivers and passengers whose brakes are defective, but must wait for the potentially life-threatening brake booster defect to occur before the manufacturer will address it.

According to one plaintiff named in the lawsuit, North Carolina resident Lois Felts, she was involved in a single vehicle collision on December 21, 2019, resulting from the brakes on her 2013 Toyota Camry failing to engage while driving at a low rate of speed.

According to Felts, she continuously applied the brakes but the vehicle would not stop, causing the vehicle to continue across a three-lane highway and crash into a curb. Felt’s reported her insurance carrier determined the vehicle a total loss.

Several other members of the class claim to have suffered financial losses after paying for brake services at dealerships throughout the timeframe Toyota denied the problem.

Despite several years and many other similar complaints of brake booster problems, Toyota failed to issue an recall, and has chosen to only extend the warranty and make repairs on vehicles that have experienced a brake failure, which could result in injuries or even deaths that could otherwise be avoided.

The lawsuit presents claims of breach of warranties, false advertisement, illegal sales practices, fraudulent concealment, unfair and deceptive trade practices, unjust enrichment and various other allegations on behalf hundreds of thousands of impacted vehicle owners across the nation.


61 Comments


Andy
BRAKE BOASTER FAILURE – 2014 PRIUS GEN 3. Dashboard lights illuminated: Brake, ABS and Traction. Brakes themselves felt spongy. Car felt very unsafe. I did find out that Toyota has a hidden Customer Support Program ZJB. However, the dealer found my diagnostic code to be c1202 and the Customer Support Program ZJB only supports repairs for codes c1391, c1252, c1256 or c1253. However, the exact same symptoms and safety issues were experienced and all the exact same warning lights also came on. The dealer’s diagnostics resulted in a $2,087 replacement of the brake booster.  The dealer did contact the Toyota district manager along the way.  He denied coverage based on the diagnostic codes reported BUT again I am arguing that my crazy expensive repair had the EXACT same symptoms, safety issues, and repair (e.g, brake booster replacement). The car clearly could not be driven. Note my Prius only has 92K miles. 

steve
I also had my ABS and traction control lights come on. Before I could take it in to the dealership to fix the problem, A car on the freeway stopped in front of me suddenly, I had to slam on the brakes, the car went into a spin and slammed into a guard rail, I know have a smashed up 2011 Prius that will take 5000.00 to fix the ABS,/accumulator,/pump assy/cylender assy, They said this all broke because of the accident, also another 2700.00 to fix the wire that goes to the wheel assy that was broken with this accident.. cars come and go. I’m glad I didn’t get hurt! This is a very dangerous car without the ABS and traction contole. DONT DRIVE IT with these lights on..

jeanie
I have a 2012 pruisv and my brake booster is going out but no codes yet. It makes a horrible noise when braking and skips/slides sometimes when coming to a stop. So Toyota will not approve the recall repair on my car because it has not completely failed and there aren’t one of there 4 codes related to this issue popping up. Quoted me 3,500 to fix.

Alison
Hi !! I just threw down $2300 on the parts that should have been recalled! I have a 2010 Prius and have responded to the many recalls my vehicle has had. When I called the Toyota customer service to see if we could come up with a reasonable solution and I was told that they had sent me a letter with an extension of warranty. I never ever received that letter but they told me they’ve “ done their part and there’s nothing else they could do”. I am a single mom of 3 young kids and my brakes have been “skipping “ and not correct. There’s been a number of times I simply didn’t feel safe . The lights went off on my dashboard which prompted me to get a mechanic to look at it. $2300 later on parts that should have been right from the beginning! Brake system !!!!

Deborah
Today I was notified by a Toyota Dealer that my brake booster and master cylinder needed to be replaced. I was never notified by Toyota that these parts were a part of a recall.

cheryl
how do i join suit

Marcia
I took my 2008 Prius in because all the warning lights came on regarding the ABS, and was informed the brake accentuator was failing and needed to be repaired at a cost if $3,000.00…….i was told there was a recall back in 2018 but i was never notified! I am never notified of recalls. I spoke with Toyota Corporation this morning and the gentleman was just there to listen to me cent about the repair and not to offer any solution! I feel TOYOTA needs to make said repairs, I Googled other complaints regarding same and found way too many people going thru the same problems at a cost of 3,000-5,000……TOYOTA needs to notify owners of these vehicles due to recalls!!! Thank you.

Adam
Toyota is well aware of this issue and has even issued a Customer Support Program (like a recall, but without the accountability). I am having these exact issues with my 2012 Prius but they are saying it is not part of this program, thought the symptoms and car make and year match exactly. I really didn’t expect this from Toyota and I’m very disappointed.

michelle
I am having the same issue with my 2009 Prius. Expensive repair $2550 to fix a known problem. This is unfair to me and my son.

Thomas
I just started researching Toyotas brake code that popped up on our 09 Prius because we have been quoted 1800.00 for repairs . From what I have learned in just a few minutes , it seem very clear that Toyota should have issued a safety recall on all veichles on the road regardless of year or mileage . With knowledge comes responsibility. I find it irresponsible that Toyota has not informed current owners about a life threatening malfunctioning brake system component. We have owned the auto for years , not knowing any thing at all about possible catastrophic brake failure till a problem code light came on . Many years ago I worked for Toyota as a line mechanic . We did warranty recalls at Toyota to insure product reliability and customer satisfaction . What happened ? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD KNOWLEDGE OF FOR YEARS AND DELIBERATELY KEPT TO THEMSELVES .

Jeff
292 filly ln my wife had a low speed collision with a other car. Notified Toyota they sent a rep, to Toyota dealer ship to check car out ans said he found no problem found with braked . so i brought the car home toed by the way two weeks later tried again no brakes.Toed back ti dealership no problem found .i still have car will not let death trap go to anyone else

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