Toyota Class Action Settlement Benefits Owners of Toyota Siennas Equipped with Run-Flat Tires
In September 2005, we filed a class action case against Toyota alleging that the run-flat tires on the 2004 and 2005 Toyota Sienna All Wheel Drive minivans had defective tires. The tires on these vehicles are known as “run-flat” tires and are designed to be driveable for up to 100 miles at no more than 50 mph even after being punctured. The vans have no spare tire. Goodyear/Dunlop and Bridgestone manufactured the tires. The problem was that the tires wear out on average in about 15,000 miles! The tires also wore unevenly making for a rough riding van. Thousands of owners across the country complained about the tires. Nevertheless, until the lawsuits were filed, Toyota did nothing for owners.
In May 2006, KABO and co-counsel negotiated a nationwide settlement with Toyota under which Toyota will, for the first time, provide a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty on the tires on the Sierra AWD vans. Toyota agreed to replace tires under the warranty that exhibit uneven wear and that wear prematurely (down to a tread depth of 3/32”). Toyota will also reimburse owners who went out-of-pocket for run-flat tires or non run-flat tires. The estimated value of the benefits of this settlement to Sienna owners and lessees is in excess of $45 million.
For more information on the settlement, owners may go to www.rftprogram.com.
