Toyota Lawsuit Says 2019-2023 RAV4, Corolla Models Plagued by Coolant Bypass Valve Defect

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges 2019-2023 model year Toyota RAV4s and Toyota Corollas are equipped with defective coolant bypass valves prone to premature failure, potentially causing engine overheating and even catastrophic failure.

Want to stay in the loop on class actions that matter to you? Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.

The 96-page Toyota lawsuit shares that the alleged defect can cause coolant to leak out of a vehicle’s closed-loop coolant system, harming its ability to properly regulate engine temperature. This can cause overheating, stalling, increased emissions, and total engine failure and also allows coolant to leak into and damage surrounding engine components, including a vehicle’s electrical system, the complaint relays.

Further, a coolant leak can corrode the sensor on the RAV4 or Corolla coolant bypass valve, which can cause it to remain in the open or closed position and be unable to properly direct coolant throughout the engine, the case adds.

The lawsuit accuses Toyota of actively concealing its knowledge of the defect from RAV4 and Corolla buyers and lessees and refusing to correct the problem without cost when it manifests outside of a vehicle’s warranty period.

“Because the Defect can manifest shortly outside of the warranty period for the Class Vehicles—and given Defendants’ knowledge of the Defect—Defendants’ attempts to limit the warranty is unconscionable and unenforceable,” the case contests.

When an engine is warming up, the coolant bypass valve directs the flow of coolant to circulate throughout the engine block rather than back to the radiator, the suit explains. This helps the engine reach its optimal running temperature and is critical to achieving optimal gas mileage and emissions output, the case highlights.

Once an engine reaches optimal operating temperature, the coolant bypass valve allows more coolant to flow through either the radiator to maintain the optimal engine temperature or to the passenger cabin to provide extra heating, the lawsuit shares. If the coolant bypass valve is malfunctioning, parts of the engine that need coolant the most will not receive it, per the complaint.

According to the lawsuit, the coolant bypass valve in 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4s and Corollas is “insufficiently manufactured and/or designed” as it can crack and leak coolant. Once a leak begins, the coolant comes into contact with an electrical connector near the valve and corrodes and damages the component, the filing says. Once this occurs, a vehicle’s engine can no longer communicate with the coolant bypass valve during operation, the suit states.

“Thus, the coolant bypass valve cannot redirect engine coolant to the radiator to help cool the engine during operation, which can cause the engine to overheat and damage the engine components.”

The case mentions that when the alleged coolant bypass valve problem manifests, a driver will see a dashboard message stating, “Engine Maintenance Required” and “Visit Your Dealer.” The lawsuit says this message cannot be dismissed from the dashboard by the driver and that it obstructs a significant portion of the speedometer.

“Consumers have also reported that the ‘Engine Maintenance Requirement’ message blocks other important, safety-related messages that are intended to display in the same area of the dash occupied by the message,” the case claims.

Had Toyota disclosed the apparent coolant bypass valve issue, drivers would not have bought or leased their cars or would have paid less for them, the complaint asserts.

The Toyota class action lawsuit looks to cover all persons in the United States who bought or leased a 2019-2023 Toyota RAV4 or Toyota Corolla.

Are you owed unclaimed settlement money? Check out our class action rebates page full of open class action settlements.