Consumers have a right to make informed decisions and to know if they are purchasing a defective vehicle. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. knowingly sold and falsely advertised cars with defective hands-free phone systems between 2007 and 2019.
The system suffered from what is known as the “echo defect”, which causes an echo to occur operating at high-end volume settings. This defect significantly limits the capabilities of the hands-free phone system, as it may only be operated properly at medium and low volumes, which is insufficient for many consumers.
Toyota has known about this defect since at least 2007, and numerous models’ owner’s manuals address it. Despite this recurring defect and the company’s knowledge of it, Toyota marketing has said that the cars allow “you to use your cellular phone without touching it.” The company regularly claims that Toyota vehicles are the best quality in their class.
Toyota failed to inform consumers of these issues, leaving it to them to navigate the glitches once their purchase had been made. These deceiving practices are deeply unfair and illegal. Toyota sells expensive cars – consumers are right to expect that they function with exceptional reliability.
In obscuring this defect and marketing Toyota vehicles as functioning at industry-leading levels, Toyota engaged in deceptive business practices, and consumers who suffered damages as a result deserve compensation.
Misrepresenting the functionality of a product is illegal. The law lays out clear financial penalties for companies that engage in these practices – penalties that are due to be paid to defrauded consumers. Our class action lawsuit lawyers are fierce advocates for those who have been illegally misled. Advertisements must be accurate – Toyota and companies engaging in similar practices must be held accountable. If you have suffered similar damages to those who purchased falsely advertised Toyota vehicles, contact us today.
Which Toyota Models Suffered from the Echo Defect?
Toyota demonstrated clear knowledge of this echo defect when their owner’s manual was updated to include references to the defect and suggestions to fix it. While the defect may likely have existed outside of these models as well, the models that directly reference it in owner’s manuals include:
- Toyota Highlander 2008-19
- Toyota 4Runner 2007-19
- Toyota Avalon 2008-19
- Toyota Camry 2007-19
- Toyota Camry HV 2007-19
- Toyota Highlander HV 2008-19
- Toyota Prius 2007-19
- Toyota Prius V 2012-17
- Toyota Sequoia 2008-19
- Toyota Sienna 2007-19
- Toyota Tacoma 2009-19
- Toyota Tundra 2007-19
Along with the explicit mention of this defect in these manuals, customers confused and surprised by this defect regularly posted on Toyota’s online forums. These customers had every reason to be upset – they had no reasonable opportunity to learn of this defect before making their purchase. If you experienced the echo defect with your Toyota vehicle or another vehicular product defect, contact our Toyota echo defect class action lawyers to learn more about pursuing compensation.
Did Toyota Break the Law?
Toyota has a legal mandate to abide by fair business practices when operating within California. Our consumer class action attorneys are proud to bring over 300 years of combined experience protecting consumers from fraudulent activity like Toyota’s. In obscuring the echo defect, Toyota violated:
- California Business & Professions Code §§ 17200. This portion of California’s Unfair Competition Law prohibits “unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading” advertising.
- California Consumer Legal Remedies Act. This act provides further protection against false advertising, specifying that companies may not represent products as having qualities that they do not have nor may they suppress facts to create a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding.
Due to these violations, consumers could not have reasonably avoided the damages they suffered due to Toyota’s actions. Toyota put its bottom line over the rights of consumers when it prioritized maximizing sales over addressing a known issue. The consumers who suffered harm as a result of this misguided prioritization deserve compensation. Contact our Toyota echo defect class action lawyers today to learn more about obtaining compensation as a victim of false advertising.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit advocates on behalf of a group of plaintiffs rather than one individual plaintiff. A class is a group that a judge permits to pursue legal action collectively. This group contains individuals who have suffered the same damages from the same cause.
When compensation is secured from a class action lawsuit, it is divided between members of the class. Our Toyota echo defect class action lawyers specialize in cases like these and we are proud to fight for numerous clients who have suffered harm.
If you have suffered from false advertising like Toyota’s, contact our consumer class action lawyers today.