More than anything else, Toyota is known for quality and dependability. The Japanese automaker has spent decades designing, engineering, and building vehicles that just don’t quit, which has earned this company an unimpeachable reputation. But even Toyota stumbles on rare occasions, and there appears to be a nagging issue with the bZ4X all-electric utility vehicle and nearly identical Subaru Solterra.
Singin’ The 12-Volt Blues
As reported by CarComplaints.com, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against these companies in the Eastern District Court of California. The reason for this legal wrangling? Well, these two all-electric SUVs (from the 2023-to-’25 model years) allegedly have a debilitating battery issue, but not the kind you’re probably thinking of. No, there’s nothing wrong with the huge packs that actually drive these vehicles, which is a relief because those energy reservoirs are hugely expensive to replace. Rather, the issue here is with the 12-volt batteries that power the secondary amenities, things like the power windows, infotainment system, headlamps, seat heaters, and the like.
Reportedly, some drivers have had their SUVs’ 12-volt batteries replaced multiple times, something that is not only annoying but costly as well if the warranty is expired. This lawsuit also alleges that Toyota and Subaru neglected to warn customers about this issue and, of course, failed to fix the underlying issue that prevents the 12-volt batteries from maintaining a proper charge level.
Wade-ing Into An Automotive Quagmire
Plaintiff John Wade purchased a bZ4X in March of 2023, and after just a few weeks of ownership, the vehicle’s instrument cluster lit up like a slot machine after hitting a jackpot. Eventually, the vehicle quit running because the 12-volt battery was depleted, something that necessitated a call for roadside assistance.
After rolling about 2,000 miles, the vehicle’s battery reportedly died again, and a jumpstart would not help this time. Toyota replaced the battery under warranty, but the same issues cropped up again soon after.
“The 12-volt battery equipped in plaintiff Wade’s class vehicle has failed three times after only about 5,000 miles of driving the vehicle,” this lawsuit alleges. “The 12-volt battery in plaintiff Wade’s vehicle has been replaced twice since March 2023,” which is far from optimal and an obvious safety concern.
TopSpeed’s Take
Toyota builds incredibly reliable vehicles, but even this Japanese automaker misses the mark on occasion. It’s curious how something seemingly so simple – yet critical to the operation of a vehicle – could slip through the cracks, but stranger things have happened. It sounds like there’s an issue with either the system that charges the 12-volt battery or there’s some sort of phantom power drain. It will be interesting to see how Toyota responds to this class-action lawsuit and how long it takes to correct the issue, assuming this is a widespread problem and not a one-off issue.
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