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Toyota RAV4 Defective ECMs

About this Case

Plaintiffs brought suit alleging that 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4s contain defective Engine Control Modules (or ECMs) and transmissions that cause “harsh shift condition.” A harsh shift condition occurs when a vehicle lunges forward and backward when it tries to change gears. Such lunging jeopardizes personal safety and ruins the transmission. Plaintiffs alleged that Toyota had known for years about the condition, but failed to disclose this important safety defect.

Case Status

The parties reached a settlement of this case in 2011 and in 2012 the court granted final approval. The settlement provided current and former owners and lessees of 2001-2003 RAV4s with extended warranty coverage for a period of 10 years and 150,000 miles and oversight of reimbursement claims through an appeals process. Toyota also honored reimbursement claims for class members who paid for repairs to their ECM and/or transmission while within the extended warranty period.

Case Contact Information

  • Phone:
    For Reimbursement claims, contact Toyota directly: (800)331-4331
    To request a notice packet or claim form: 1-877-235-4599
    For appeal claims: (206)518-6228
  • Email: classactions@terrellmarshall.com

Class Counsel

  • Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC

    Beth Terrell

  • Rukin Hyland Doria & Tindall, LLP

    Steve Tindall

  • Andrus Anderson, LLP

    Jennie Lee Anderson

  • Ram, Olson, Cereghino & Kopczynski, LLP

    Michael F. Ram and Jeffrey B. Cereghino