Toyota Hit With Class Action Over Defective Door Lock Actuators

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Toyota sold vehicles with defective door lock actuators, posing safety risks and costing owners significant money to repair.

Consumers Affected: Owners of Toyota vehicles with defective door lock actuators.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division

A group of Toyota owners is suing the automaker, claiming it knowingly sold vehicles with faulty door lock actuators that pose safety risks and cost owners significant money to repair. 

The lawsuit alleges that Toyota breached warranties and engaged in deceptive practices by failing to disclose the defect in vehicles including the 4Runner, RAV4, Highlander, Prius, Tundra, Camry, Tacoma, and more from 2005 onward.

The defect, which prevents doors from locking or unlocking using remote key fobs or power door lock buttons, can leave occupants vulnerable to theft, accidental door openings, or even entrapment during emergencies, the lawsuit alleges. According to the plaintiffs, the issue often arises just after the warranty expires, leaving owners to shoulder repair costs.

Toyota Door Lock Actuators Defective, Lawsuit Claims

Toyota drivers Jem Mixon, Terrence Logan, Ronald “RJ” Smith, Melissa Sindoni, Whitney Sexton, Clinton Mayberry, Carl Foster, and Keith Woodall filed the lawsuit against Toyota and its affiliates alleging breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and more. 

They report numerous issues stemming from the defective door actuators, saying they were not warned about the defect when purchasing their vehicles. All of the drivers experienced problems with their doors failing to lock or unlock, and some even found that their vehicle alarms wouldn’t activate, leaving their cars vulnerable to theft.

Owners who tried to fix the issue faced hefty repair bills—up to $1,500—only to have the replacement parts fail again.

Toyota Knew—and Did Nothing, Plaintiffs Allege

The lawsuit accuses Toyota of being aware of the door lock defect for years. Complaints poured in from customers, dealerships, and even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but Toyota allegedly failed to address the issue, according to the lawsuit.

Instead, Toyota reportedly treated the failing actuators as “wear and tear” items, which aren’t covered under warranty. Even when owners raised concerns within the warranty period, Toyota allegedly replaced the defective parts with equally failure-prone replacements.

The plaintiffs argue that Toyota’s actions—like refusing to offer free repairs or refunds for out-of-pocket costs—are unconscionable, given the safety implications. In some cases, malfunctioning locks left occupants trapped inside vehicles during emergencies, particularly endangering children in the rear seats.

Toyota and Other Automakers Face Legal Challenges

This lawsuit is just one of many legal battles Toyota faces; another class action lawsuit claims the Toyota Tacoma’s paint job is prone to peeling and fading. Toyota is also accused of misleading customers about maintenance plan cost savings,  and settled a $78.5 million lawsuit over defective airbags.

Toyota isn’t alone in facing scrutiny. Honda is embroiled in its own lawsuits, including one alleging peeling paint on certain models and another accusing the automaker of selling cars with faulty infotainment systems.

As car companies continue to grapple with these issues, consumer trust hangs in the balance, and owners are left demanding accountability for safety and quality in their vehicles. In the plaintiffs’ lawsuit against Toyota, they want to represent drivers of any affected vehicle and they are suing for breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, violations of state trade laws, fraudulent concealment, and more. They’re seeking damages, injunctive relief, fees, costs, and interest. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Mixon et. al v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al.
• Case Number: 4:24-cv-01018 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Sherman Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Bruce W. Steckler, Austin P. Smith, and Jack M. Kelley (Steckler Wayne & Love PLLC)
• David C. Wright and Todd A. Walburg (McCune Law Group)

Do you own a Toyota vehicle? Have you experienced problems with the door locks? Share your experience in the comments below.