Lawyers from Beasley Allen and Blood Hurst & O’Reardon have initiated a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. This legal action has been filed in the Federal District Court for the Central District of California.
The lawsuit claims that the 2024 and newer models of Toyota Tacoma trucks have a defect in their transmission system. The vehicles in question are equipped with an Aisin-Toyota 8-speed automatic transmission. According to the allegations, this defect may cause the trucks to engage harshly or fail to shift into gear properly. It might also limit their power by entering “Limp Mode” and result in internal component damage or complete transmission failure.
Transmissions play a critical role by transferring power from the engine to the wheels, particularly in high-power vehicles where components must withstand considerable stress and heat without failing.
Toyota has stated that their transmissions were engineered to enhance fuel efficiency and deliver smooth acceleration. However, the lawsuit contends that these transmissions are constructed with substandard materials, leading to premature wear and unexpected failures.
The alleged defect presents a significant safety risk for drivers and other road users. The lawsuit further asserts that Toyota was aware of this problem as early as 2016 but did not initiate a recall or provide an extended warranty. Instead, Toyota issued a limited Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for specific 2024 Tacoma trucks, which the plaintiffs argue is inadequate.
According to the lawsuit, Toyota's TSB falls short because it requires owners of affected vehicles to present specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) before they can receive free replacements for both the transmission and torque converter.
There have been reports from some consumers who experienced similar transmission issues even after undergoing repairs. The legal team involved is continuing its investigation into additional incidents related to these claims.
Further updates will be provided as these cases progress and efforts continue to hold car manufacturers accountable for their products.