Numerous unexpected service and repairs have been required as a result of thousands of Toyota customers discovering a defective diesel particulate filter (DPF) in their brand-new vehicles.
Owners voiced complaints about the engine’s increased wear and tear as well as the foul-smelling emissions.
Anyone who purchased a brand-new Hilux, Landcruiser Prado, or Fortuner between 2015 and 2020 may be affected by the problem.
“Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Australia for many years so it affects a lot of vehicles,” Carsales editor-in-chief Mike Sinclair said.
Over250,000 people may get compensation of up to $14,000. It could become one of Australia’s largest class-action lawsuits, with the company potentially paying out a compensation bill of up to $2 billion.
Toyota has already lost the case at the Federal Court, but the automaker appealed on Monday.
Toyota said they’re aware “customers have experienced inconvenience and discomfort from the issue” and it’s committed to “free-of-charge repairs”.
The company added that all identified faulty DPFs in New Zealand have been fixed for the customers that were impacted.
“They’ve already changed the cars themselves so (the faulty DPF is ) not happening on the latest models,” said Sinclair.