What Is the Toyota Lawsuit?
The Toyota lawsuit is not one case but a group of separate lawsuits against Toyota companies over vehicle defects and data practices. The most searched case is a pair of proposed class actions over the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission. Other cases cover airbag control units, a hands-free phone echo and driving data shared with insurers.
The lead UA80 case is LeBoutheller v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., et al., filed December 12, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. No multidistrict litigation (MDL) combines the UA80 cases, and a court has not certified any class in the sources reviewed.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation are the named defendants in the UA80 case. Each Toyota case has its own court, parties and status, so being in one case does not place you in another.
“This action arises from Defendants' failure, despite its longstanding knowledge of this material and manufacturing defect, to disclose to Plaintiff and other consumers that the Class Vehicles are predisposed to defects in their UA80 8-speed automatic transmissions and torque converters (collectively referred to as the "Transmission Assembly") and related software.”
Source: Source: LeBoutheller v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., et al., Case No. 4:25-cv-01389, Class Action Complaint, Document 1, paragraph 2 (E.D. Tex. filed Dec. 12, 2025)
Why Are People Filing Toyota Lawsuits?
People are filing Toyota lawsuits because owners say specific vehicle systems failed early or collected data without clear consent. The UA80 plaintiffs say the transmission overheats, burns its fluid and wears out sooner than a buyer would expect.
Other plaintiffs say an airbag control unit could fail under electrical stress, or that a phone system echoed so badly it was hard to use. A separate plaintiff says his driving data reached an insurer, which raised his premium.
These are allegations, not findings. Toyota denies wrongdoing in the cases that have settled, and no court has ruled that the UA80 transmission is defective.
What Injuries Are Included in the Toyota Lawsuit?
The injuries included in the Toyota lawsuit are mostly economic and privacy harms, not physical injuries. Five distinct categories of alleged harm appear across the cases, each tied to a different vehicle system or data practice. A plaintiff in one category does not automatically share the claims of the others.
Transmission Failure and Repair Costs
A transmission is the part of a vehicle that passes engine power to the wheels through a set of gears, and a transmission failure means it can no longer shift or hold gear normally.
The UA80 complaint alleges a design flaw that builds excess heat, burns transmission fluid and causes premature wear. It also alleges that stalling can follow, and that repairs are costly.
The complaint lists symptoms such as slipped gears, delayed shifts, harsh shifting, burning smells and loss of power. Toyota had not publicly responded to the UA80 complaints in the sources reviewed.
Reduced Resale Value
Diminished value is the drop in what a vehicle is worth because of a known problem, even when the problem is repaired.
The UA80 complaint alleges that the defect lowers the intrinsic and resale value of the class vehicles. Plaintiffs describe this as an ascertainable loss, a loss they say can be measured in money.
Whether a court accepts that theory is unresolved, since no class has been certified.
Airbag Control Unit Defect
An airbag control unit is the electronic module that decides when airbags and seat belt pretensioners deploy in a crash.
The airbag case concerned ZF-TRW control units that plaintiffs said could be vulnerable to electrical overstress. Overstress is excess electrical energy that can damage a circuit.
Toyota denied the allegations and agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims.
Loss of Driving Data Privacy
Driving data privacy refers to control over information a connected vehicle records, such as location, speed, braking and cornering.
The data sharing plaintiff alleges Toyota and a data aggregator collected driving behavior and passed it to insurers. He alleges the data included location, speed, braking and cornering events, as well as images and sounds.
He also alleges that an insurer used the data to raise his rates. Toyota's position is that drivers accept connected services terms when they activate the technology.
Hands-Free Phone Echo
An echo defect is a fault in which a caller hears their own voice repeated, which can make a hands-free call hard to understand.
The Echo plaintiffs alleged that the hands-free phone system in certain 2014 to 2019 Toyota models produced an echo that made calls difficult. The harm alleged was loss of a working feature, not injury.
Toyota denied the allegations. The case ended in a settlement that is now final.
Who Qualifies for the Toyota Lawsuit?
You may qualify if:
- You own or lease a vehicle named in the proposed UA80 transmission class, such as a 2017 or newer Highlander, a 2019 or newer RAV4, a 2017 to 2024 Camry, or a covered Lexus ES, NX, RX or TX model
- You are an owner or lessee of a Toyota vehicle with a recalled ZF-TRW airbag control unit and your VIN is confirmed on the official settlement website
- You own a model year 2018 or newer Toyota with connected services and believe your driving data reached an insurer without your consent
- You are a California resident who owned or leased a 2012 to 2015 Toyota Camry covered by the California air conditioning odor settlement
You may not qualify if:
- Your vehicle is not named in a proposed class definition or settlement vehicle list
- Your claim depends on the hands-free Echo case, which is final and offers owners an outreach program rather than a claim form
- You accepted Toyota connected services terms that include an arbitration clause, which a court applied to the data sharing plaintiff and which may limit a class claim
- A deadline in your own state or in a settlement has passed, which only an attorney or the administrator can confirm
These lists describe who may qualify, not who does. Only a qualified attorney reviewing your vehicle records, or the official settlement administrator, can confirm eligibility and deadlines for your situation.
What Is the Current Status of the Toyota Lawsuit?
The current status of the Toyota lawsuit differs by case, and no single docket tracks all of them. Two UA80 transmission class actions are pending, the data sharing case is stayed for arbitration, and the airbag and Echo cases are settled. The entries below describe each proceeding on its own.
LeBoutheller v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., et al.
The LeBoutheller UA80 transmission case is a proposed class action filed December 12, 2025, in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint seeks to represent current and former Toyota and Lexus owners and lessees of 2017 and newer vehicles with the UA80 8-speed transmission.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division |
| Case Number | 4:25-cv-01389 |
| Filed | December 12, 2025 |
| Defendants | Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.; Toyota Motor North America, Inc.; Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Alleged Defects | Transmission overheating and fluid burn (mechanical), early upshifts and torque converter clutch engagement (software) |
| Class Certified | No, a proposed class only |
Secondary sources reviewed through mid-2026 reported no certification, settlement or claim form for the UA80 cases. They also reported a third federal case in California, whose caption could not be confirmed.
Pszwaro et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., et al.
The Pszwaro case is a second UA80 proposed class action, filed in the District of New Jersey and reported on February 17, 2026. Its named plaintiffs come from New Jersey, New York and Indiana and own 2018 to 2024 Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
| Court | U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey |
| Named Plaintiffs | Edward Pszwaro (NJ), Javier Diaz (NY), Amanda Peterson (IN), Christopher Hovey (IN) |
| Plaintiffs' Counsel | Joseph Santoli, Esq. and Bruce H. Nagel, Esq. |
| Class Certified | No, a proposed class only |
| Consolidation | No consolidation order found in the sources reviewed |
Siefke v. Toyota Motor North America, Inc., et al.
The Siefke data sharing case is stayed. On December 2, 2025, Judge Amos Mazzant granted Toyota's motion to compel arbitration and stay the litigation. The same relief went to Progressive and Connected Analytic Services.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division |
| Case Number | 4:25-cv-00406 |
| Filed | April 21, 2025 |
| Defendants | Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and others; Progressive and Connected Analytic Services (CAS) also named |
| Plaintiffs' Counsel | Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group; Steckler Wayne & Love PLLC |
| Claims | Invasion of privacy, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Federal Wiretap Act |
| Status | Stayed, claims sent to arbitration |
The court found that the plaintiff accepted Toyota's Connected Services terms, which include a mandatory arbitration provision and a class action waiver.
In re ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation
The Toyota airbag settlement belongs to MDL 2905, a federal multidistrict litigation in the Central District of California before Judge John A. Kronstadt. The settlement resolves claims against the Toyota defendants only and does not resolve claims against other automakers.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Central District of California |
| Case Number | 2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR (MDL No. 2905) |
| Judge | John A. Kronstadt |
| Settlement Amount | $78.5 million in cash and credits, plus an extended new parts warranty and loaner vehicle program |
| Final Approval | Granted, reported as November 28, 2023 |
Kesselman v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., et al.
The hands-free Echo case is final. The official settlement website states that the court approved the settlement on March 24, 2026, and that no appeals were filed.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Central District of California |
| Case Number | 2:21-cv-06010-TJH-JC |
| Class Counsel | Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP; Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. |
| Final Approval | March 24, 2026 |
| Benefit | Outreach program, not a cash fund |
How Much Is the Toyota Lawsuit Settlement Worth?
The Toyota lawsuit settlement is worth $78.5 million in cash and credits in the airbag control unit case, and no cash fund in the hands-free Echo case. No settlement exists for the UA80 transmission cases.
These figures come from published settlement terms and press reports, not a guarantee of any individual payment. Only the settlement administrator can confirm what a specific owner may receive, and a pending lawsuit may end with no payment at all.
Under the airbag settlement, owners of recalled vehicles can generally claim reimbursement for rental cars, towing, childcare, repair costs and lost wages tied to the recall repair. Reports describe a residual cash payment of up to $250, but sources disagree on the claim deadline, listing December 16, 2026 and December 11, 2028, so the official website should be checked before filing.
The Echo settlement benefits class members through an outreach program that teaches owners to adjust phone settings. Reports of about $7,000 per plaintiff describe service awards to class representatives, not payments to ordinary owners.
Latest Toyota Lawsuit Updates
The latest Toyota lawsuit updates and news, including new filings, rulings, and case-count reports, are tracked below as they're confirmed. No settlement date has been set as of November 2026; the Toyota UA80 transmission class actions in federal court remain in active pretrial litigation. Every verified development is listed in the timeline below, in order.
Full Toyota Lawsuit Timeline
Court Grants Final Approval of Toyota Hands-Free Echo Settlement
The official Toyota hands-free Echo settlement website states that the court approved the Kesselman settlement on March 24, 2026, and that no appeals were filed. The settlement is now final.
Pszwaro UA80 Transmission Class Action Reported in New Jersey
A second UA80 transmission class action, Pszwaro et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., was reported on February 17, 2026, in the District of New Jersey. Four plaintiffs from New Jersey, New York and Indiana joined the complaint.
LeBoutheller Files UA80 Transmission Class Action in Texas
James LeBoutheller filed a proposed class action against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Motor Corporation on December 12, 2025, in the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges defects in the UA80 8-speed transmission, torque converter and related software.
Judge Mazzant Sends Toyota Data Sharing Case to Arbitration
Judge Amos Mazzant granted Toyota's motion to compel arbitration in Siefke v. Toyota Motor North America on December 2, 2025, and stayed the litigation. Progressive and Connected Analytic Services received the same ruling.
Court Sets Deadlines in Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Class Action
CarComplaints reported on November 24, 2025, that Judge Andre Birotte Jr. set response deadlines in Caluwe v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., a Central District of California class action over the hydrogen Mirai. The schedule set a hearing on Toyota's motion to dismiss for March 20, 2026, and the outcome was not found in the sources reviewed.
Siefke Sues Toyota Over Driving Data Shared With Insurers
Philip Siefke, a Florida RAV4 owner, filed his proposed class action on April 21, 2025, in the Eastern District of Texas. He alleges Toyota and a data aggregator collected his driving data and shared it with Progressive.
California Toyota Camry Air Conditioner Odor Case Settles
CarComplaints reported on January 13, 2025, that the California Camry air conditioner odor class action settled after nine years in court. The settlement covers California residents who owned or leased certain 2012 to 2015 Camry vehicles and offers reimbursement of up to $100 for a charcoal air filter.
Judge Kronstadt Approves Toyota Airbag Control Unit Settlement
Judge John A. Kronstadt granted final approval of the $78.5 million Toyota settlement in In re ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2905, in a ruling reported as dated November 28, 2023.
Florida Jury Clears Toyota in Camry Air Conditioner Odor Trial
A Miami federal jury found on March 14, 2023, that Toyota did not conceal an alleged Camry air conditioner defect or violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The remaining class was limited to buyers of 2012 to 2014 non-hybrid Camry vehicles from Florida dealerships.
Court Approves Toyota and Denso Fuel Pump Settlement
A federal court in the Eastern District of New York granted final approval of the Cheng v. Toyota Motor Corporation fuel pump settlement in December 2022, in an order one report dates to December 20. Plaintiffs' counsel valued the relief between $212 million and $287 million, and the deal included an extended parts warranty of 15 years or 150,000 miles.
How to File a Toyota Lawsuit
The 6 steps below explain how to file a Toyota lawsuit.
- Identify which Toyota case fits your vehicle: The UA80 transmission, airbag, data sharing, Echo and Mirai cases cover different vehicles and different claims, so match your model year and problem to one case.
- Check your VIN on the official settlement website: For the airbag settlement, the administrator's website offers a VIN lookup tool that confirms whether your vehicle is covered.
- Document your symptoms and repair history: Keep dated notes of any transmission noise, shifting problems or warning lights, along with every dealer visit.
- Collect your purchase and repair records: Save your sales or lease contract, repair orders, invoices and any Toyota notice or recall letter.
- Review your connected services terms: If your claim involves driving data, check the terms you accepted, because a court applied the arbitration clause in Toyota's Connected Services terms to one plaintiff.
- Consult an auto defect or class action attorney: A qualified attorney can confirm your state's statute of limitations, explain whether to join a class or file individually, and review your records.
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What Evidence Do I Need for a Toyota Lawsuit?
The evidence you need for a Toyota lawsuit is mostly paperwork that ties your vehicle to a named case and shows what the problem cost you. Courts and settlement administrators generally ask for proof of ownership before anything else.
- Ownership proof: a sales contract, lease agreement, title or registration showing your VIN.
- Repair records: dealer and independent shop repair orders, invoices and warranty denials.
- Recall and notice letters: any recall notice or settlement notice mailed to you.
- Out-of-pocket receipts: rental car, towing, childcare and lost wage records tied to a repair.
- Connected services records: app screenshots, terms you accepted, and insurance quotes that mention driving data.
Needs vary by case, and an attorney or the administrator can say which records a specific claim requires.
What Did Toyota Allegedly Know About the UA80 Transmission Problems?
Toyota allegedly knew about UA80 transmission problems for years before the lawsuits, according to the plaintiffs. The complaint points to customer support program bulletins, dealer complaints, pre-sale durability testing and NHTSA complaints as evidence of that knowledge.
CarComplaints' summary of the New Jersey complaint lists technical service bulletins starting in August 2016, which plaintiffs say show early awareness. Three of the listed documents appear below.
| Document | Identifier | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tech Tip | T-TT-0410 | August 17, 2016 |
| Customer Support Program | JZC | April 18, 2019 |
| Technical Service Bulletin | T-SB-0087-23 | November 3, 2023 |
Toyota denies wrongdoing in the cases that settled. One secondary source reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not issued a safety recall for the UA80 transmission, though that report was not checked against NHTSA's own database.
How Does the Toyota Lawsuit Compare to Related Toyota Cases?
The Toyota lawsuit differs from older Toyota cases in court, vehicle, claim and outcome. Several earlier or parallel cases are settled, lost at trial or still pending, and each has separate rules for who can claim.
| Case | What It Is About | Court | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheng v. Toyota Motor Corp. (Denso fuel pump) | Alleged fuel pump defect in Toyota and Lexus vehicles | E.D.N.Y., No. 1:20-cv-00629 | Final approval December 2022; extended parts warranty |
| Cardenas v. Toyota Motor Corp. (Camry air conditioning) | Alleged odor and mold defect in 2012 to 2017 Camry vehicles | S.D. Fla., No. 1:18-cv-22798 | Jury found for Toyota March 14, 2023 |
| California Camry air conditioning case | Same alleged defect, California 2012 to 2015 Camry owners | California federal court | Settled, reported January 13, 2025 |
| Caluwe v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Mirai) | Alleged overstated hydrogen refueling availability for the Mirai | C.D. Cal., Judge Birotte | Motion to dismiss hearing set March 20, 2026; outcome not found |
| Kamran Mirai RICO case | Alleged concealment of hydrogen vehicle defects, seeking at least $5.7 billion | Federal court, filed October 2025 | Pending as reported; Toyota response not found |
Searching a Toyota model name can surface any of these cases, but the UA80 transmission cases, the airbag settlement and the data sharing case each have separate classes. Check the case caption before assuming a notice applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Toyota lawsuit about?
The Toyota lawsuit is about several separate cases against Toyota companies, led by proposed class actions over UA80 8-speed transmissions in Texas and New Jersey. Other cases cover airbag control units, a hands-free phone echo and driving data shared with insurers.
Is the Toyota lawsuit a class action or an MDL?
The UA80 Toyota lawsuits are proposed class actions, not an MDL, and no class has been certified in the sources reviewed. The Toyota airbag settlement is part of MDL 2905 in the Central District of California.
Did Toyota settle the airbag lawsuit?
Toyota settled the airbag lawsuit for $78.5 million in cash and credits in MDL 2905, and Judge John A. Kronstadt granted final approval. The settlement also includes an extended new parts warranty and a loaner vehicle program.
Is there a Toyota UA80 transmission settlement?
No Toyota UA80 transmission settlement existed in the sources reviewed, and the cases are proposed class actions that a court has not certified. Toyota had not publicly responded to the complaints in those sources.
What happened to the Toyota data sharing lawsuit?
The Toyota data sharing lawsuit was sent to arbitration and stayed on December 2, 2025, after Judge Amos Mazzant found the plaintiff accepted Toyota's Connected Services terms. Progressive and Connected Analytic Services received the same ruling.
Is the Toyota UA80 lawsuit the same as the hands-free Echo settlement?
No. The UA80 lawsuit concerns transmissions in 2017 and newer vehicles and is still pending, while the hands-free Echo settlement concerns phone systems in certain 2014 to 2019 models and became final on March 24, 2026.
How do I know if my Toyota is part of a lawsuit?
You can know whether your Toyota is part of a lawsuit by matching its model year and problem to a named case and checking the VIN on the official settlement website. Only an attorney or administrator can confirm eligibility.