Toyota Tacoma Class Action Lawsuit: Brake Defect and Recall Concerns

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Toyota's recall of Tacoma trucks fails to address a brake defect that could lead to brake failure.

Consumers Affected: Owners of 2024 and 2025 Toyota Tacoma trucks with four-wheel drive, 16-inch rear brakes, and 17-inch wheels.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks from model years 2024 and 2025 are at the center of a proposed class lawsuit that raises questions about the vehicles’ braking systems. According to the complaint, mud and dirt can accumulate inside the rear brake lines, potentially leading to brake failure despite a recall that Toyota issued earlier this year.

Toyota Tacoma Recall Targets Brake Line Defect

More than 106,000 Tacoma trucks equipped with four-wheel drive, 16-inch rear brakes, and 17-inch wheels are included in Toyota’s recent recall. The recall, initiated in February 2025, was triggered after the manufacturer identified the risk of dirt or mud entering the rear wheel assembly and wearing through brake lines, which could allow brake fluid to leak.

A free brake hose replacement is offered through Toyota’s recall program. However, the plaintiff claims this step fails to properly address the underlying design defect and leaves vehicle owners with lingering safety concerns and decreased vehicle value.

Consumers Allege Toyota Knowingly Sold Defective Tacoma Trucks

The complaint, filed by Ohio resident Michael Malainy, alleges Toyota sold affected Tacoma trucks despite knowing about the risk of rear brake system failure in specific models. Toyota is accused of violating federal and state consumer protection laws by selling vehicles with defective designs, failing to disclose the defect, and providing inadequate warranty repairs after the issue became known.

According to the filing, Toyota has long promoted its trucks as rugged, dependable, and capable of handling off-road conditions, which made the braking defect even more concerning to buyers who expected the vehicles to perform in dirt, mud, and similar environments.

“Unless Defendants are to issue a more comprehensive recall to truly fix the root cause of the defect, it is foreseeable, and should be expected, that the Class Vehicles’ braking systems will fail once again,” the complaint states.

Tacoma Owners Expected Reliable Performance

Michael Malainy purchased his 2024 Toyota Tacoma from a dealership in Kent, Ohio, believing the truck’s off-road capabilities would match Toyota’s advertised reputation for durability. The lawsuit alleges Toyota promoted the trucks as suitable for rugged use, even though the rear brake lines could be damaged when exposed to common driving conditions such as mud and dirt.

Malainy learned of the recall through Toyota’s mobile application and brought his truck in for the recommended brake hose replacement. Despite the repair, the complaint asserts that the defect itself remains uncorrected and has reduced the truck’s resale value, since the vehicle’s known defect history impacts its desirability in the used vehicle market.

Time, Expense, and Ongoing Risk Alleged by Plaintiffs

In addition to brake safety concerns, the complaint emphasizes the time and expense owners face when transporting vehicles to Toyota dealerships for inspections and repairs. While Toyota’s recall offers a free replacement, affected owners must arrange transportation and spend time away from work or personal obligations to complete the service.

The complaint also alleges that Toyota’s recall response amounts to little more than a temporary patch, rather than a comprehensive solution. Without a permanent fix addressing the root design flaw, plaintiffs believe Tacoma owners remain at risk of future brake problems, especially in off-road environments where mud and dirt exposure is unavoidable.

Other Toyota Defect Lawsuits Highlight Safety Concerns

This lawsuit is not the only legal complaint targeting Toyota’s vehicle safety and design practices. In December 2024, Toyota faced allegations involving defective door lock actuators, while another case filed in 2023 claimed the automaker concealed issues with coolant bypass valves in certain RAV4 and Corolla models. That complaint alleged Toyota knowingly failed to warn consumers about a part failure that could lead to engine damage and costly repairs.

In the Toyota Tacoma brake defect class action lawsuit, Malainy is seeking to represent all U.S. residents who purchased a 2024 or 2025 Toyota Tacoma with four-wheel drive, 16-inch rear brakes, and 17-inch wheels. He is suing for monetary damages for the loss of vehicle value, reimbursement for time and expenses tied to repairs, and injunctive relief requiring Toyota to conduct a more thorough recall that fully addresses the defect.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Malainy v. Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00949
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Stuart A. Carpey (Carpey Law, P.C.)

Do you own a 2024 or 2025 Toyota Tacoma? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.