A proposed class action lawsuit filed Friday claims 2024 and newer Toyota Tacoma trucks with 8-speed automatic or automatic hybrid transmissions are defective.
Alleged defect
The complaint, brought by California resident Abdul Syed, claims the vehicles have an undisclosed defect. Syed asserts this defect “causes the vehicles to harshly engage or fail to shift into gear, limits forward motive power through ‘Limp Mode,’ and causes internal component damage and catastrophic transmission failure.”
The class vehicles, he claims, have an Aisin-Toyota AL80E, AL80F, or L580F 8-speed automatic transmission. Syed believes Toyota has long known of a design or manufacturing defect with the transmission in the affected vehicles. Yet, he claims, Toyota has continued to sell them.
Named plaintiff’s allegations
As further detailed in the complaint, Syed says he experienced the alleged defect in his 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport. With less than 100 miles on the odometer, he claims, his transmission experienced a harsh downshift and jerking between gears when approaching a stop sign.
When Syed accelerated from the stop, he reportedly experienced a delay in acceleration, harsh engagement of the drive gears, and a jolt. He has allegedly experienced the defect ten to fifteen times. Moreover, he claims, this occurs while he's entering the freeway or attempting to merge in traffic.
The lawsuit contends Toyota has failed to issue a recall for the issue. Further, Syed argues, Toyota has not issued a Technical Service Bulletin to address the root cause of the alleged defect or provide an effective remedy for it.
Relief sought
The complaint claims Toyota is liable for fraudulent concealment/omission, breach of express and implied warranties, unjust enrichment, and violation of California consumer, advertising, and unfair competition laws.
Syed seeks remedies including damages and return of the purchase price to the class members.
The case is Abdul Syed v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., et al., case number 5:24-cv-01963, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
