Lexus Owner Files Lawsuit Against Toyota Over a Recall That Might Not Even Concern His Vehicle | Carscoops

      A man has filed a lawsuit against Toyota regarding a seat belt recall without first verifying if his car is part of the affected group, raising concerns about the validity of the case.

      The recall addresses second-row seat belts in around 41,000 models of Camry and Lexus vehicles. Toyota asserts that fewer than one percent are actually affected and is seeking the dismissal of the case.

      Recalls can be distressing, but they are often a result of a commitment to improve vehicle safety. Nevertheless, some owners continue using their cars for years despite outstanding recalls. Others, like the individual involved in this case, choose to pursue legal action before confirming if their vehicle is included in the recall.

      In early February, Toyota initiated a recall for certain 2025 Toyota Camry, 2025 Lexus NX, and 2024-2025 Lexus RX models, impacting approximately 41,000 vehicles. The company maintains that less than one percent have the defect that prompted the recall, which pertains to a potentially faulty second-row seat belt that may have been compromised during manufacturing.

      Toyota has assured that any vehicles with a defective seat belt will receive a replacement. Despite this assurance, the plaintiff, Mark M. from New York, who owns a 2025 Lexus RX, claims he deserves compensation for “hours of his time,” “a depreciated vehicle,” and “transporting himself and his defective class vehicle to a Toyota or Lexus certified mechanic.” However, there is a significant issue regarding his complaint.

      Toyota has informed the judge that the plaintiff has not verified whether his vehicle falls under the recall. In its legal response, the company noted that, “the plaintiff does not even allege facts showing that his vehicle is actually subject to the recall, even though he referenced a Toyota press release indicating that potentially affected vehicles can be identified by their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.”

      Despite this situation, the plaintiff argues that the proposed remedy is inadequate. This remedy involves a complete replacement of the seat belt for those potentially affected vehicles (which is less than one percent of the total).

      Clearly, the plaintiff believes that the vehicle’s value will decrease regardless of whether it receives a new seat belt. It remains to be seen how long this case will progress, as Toyota awaits a ruling on its motion to dismiss the lawsuit.