Toyota Drivers Sue Over Frustrating Echoes and Each Won Approximately $7,000 | Carscoops

      A lengthy legal battle lasting six years over Bluetooth issues in Toyota cars has resulted in disappointment, as many owners will only receive an instructional video rather than any financial compensation.

      The class action lawsuit addressing the Bluetooth echo problem has now reached a settlement. Most affected owners will walk away with just a brief video tutorial instead of monetary restitution. The plaintiffs involved are set to receive about $6,800 each, while their attorneys will take home $3.15 million.

      Many individuals have faced poor call quality while driving or when speaking with someone in another vehicle. This led some Toyota owners to take legal action against the manufacturer due to frustrating echo issues. After six years since the problem first emerged, the dispute has now been resolved.

      Unfortunately, the resolution is less satisfying than some owners anticipated: nearly all will only obtain a simple instructional video.

      The lawsuit alleged that when using the Bluetooth hands-free function, callers on the other end would frequently hear an echo of their own voice. Such conversations can be quite problematic. The owners contended in court that this issue not only impaired usability but also reduced the overall value of their cars. Conversely, Toyota refuted these claims, asserting that the problem stemmed from incorrect usage of the feature.

      In terms of settlements, Toyota has officially maintained its stance but has agreed to compensate the 14 plaintiffs, each receiving roughly $6,800, as reported by CarComplaints. Meanwhile, their attorneys will receive $3.15 million. Toyota has not admitted any fault, continuing to refer to a bulletin sent to dealers prior to the settlement.

      This bulletin informs technicians that echoes during hands-free calls occur due to the hands-free volume being set too low. This guidance has been incorporated into a new tutorial video and "Outreach Program" introduced as part of the settlement. The video directs owners to maximize their device's volume before reducing the infotainment system's volume to 45 or lower. If the echo persists, they are advised to further decrease the volume.

      Looking ahead, it's worth noting that this issue affects nearly all Toyota models manufactured between 2014 and 2019. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Until that date, many Toyota owners involved in this situation may find themselves questioning whether six years of legal disputes were truly worth receiving a guide akin to those found on YouTube.