Current and Former Owners and Lessees of certain Toyota vehicles with a hands-free phone system echo defect could receive benefits from a Class Action Settlement

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 

A federal court authorized this Notice

Toyota has agreed to a class action settlement to resolve claims that 2014-2019 4Runner, 2015-2018 Avalon, 2015-2018 Avalon HV, 2014-2019 Highlander, 2014-2019 Highlander HV, 2016-2018 Mirai, 2016-2019 Prius, 2017-2019 Prius Prime, 2015-2019 Prius V, 2014-2019 Sequoia, 2015-2017 Sienna, 2014-2019 Tacoma, 2014-2019 Tundra, 2015 Venza, and 2018-2019 Yaris vehicles ("Subject Vehicles") contain a defect in the vehicle's hands-free phone system. Specifically, when the driver of the Subject Vehicle uses the hands-free phone system to make or receive a call, the person on the other end of the call hears an echo of their own words ("Echo Issue"). The Settlement provides an Outreach Program, which shall educate Class Members on how to adjust the hands-free phone system settings on their cell phones in order to fix the alleged Echo Issue.

What is this lawsuit about?

Plaintiffs allege that the Subject Vehicles contain a defect in the vehicle's hands-free phone system which causes the Echo Issue. Toyota denies the allegations brought against it in the lawsuit but has agreed to the Settlement to resolve the case. The Court has not decided who is right. This notice is to inform Class Members about the Settlement and available options.

Who is Included in the Settlement?

Class Members include persons or entities who, as of August 18, 2025, owned, purchased, or leased a Subject Vehicle in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington.

What Are the Settlement Benefits?

The proposed Settlement provides injunctive relief through an Outreach Program, which will educate the Class Members on the existence of the Echo Issue as well as clarification and disclosure of a procedure to address the alleged Echo Issue by adjusting the volume settings on cell phones and in the Subject Vehicles. You can find more information on the Settlement by accessing the website, www.ToyotaEchoSettlement.com where you can: (i) view settlement documents; (ii) determine whether you are included in the Settlement, and/or (iii) access the Volume Adjustment Protocol Settlement Website for educational materials.

The Volume Adjustment Protocol Website, www.ToyotaVolumeAdjustmentProtocol.com, has an instructional video and other materials that provide instructions and guidance regarding the Volume Adjustment Protocol.

What are my options?

DO NOTHING. If you are a member of the Class and choose to do nothing, you will still receive benefits from the Outreach Program provided under the Settlement, and you will give up the right to sue Toyota for injunctive relief about the issues in the lawsuit. This is a mandatory Rule 23(b)(2) Class and Class Members cannot opt out (exclude themselves) from the Settlement. You are not required to appear before the Court to participate in the Settlement. 

OBJECT. You may object to the Settlement by January 14, 2026. If you wish to object to the Settlement, the Court will consider your views. For more information and the requirements, visit the Settlement website.

GO TO THE FAIRNESS HEARING. The Court will hold a hearing on March 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., to consider whether to grant final approval to the Settlement. The hearing date may change, so please check the Settlement website regularly for updates. You do not need to attend but may attend at your own expense.

To represent the Settlement Class, the Court appointed as Class Counsel Mike Arias, Craig Momita, and M. Anthony Jenkins of Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP, and Kevin Green, Thomas Rosenfeld, and Daniel Levy of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C.

Questions about the Settlement? Call toll-free 1-888-835-5756 or visit
www.ToyotaEchoSettlement.com

Questions about the Volume Adjustment Protocol? Visit 
www.ToyotaVolumeAdjustmentProtocol.com

URL: www.ToyotaEchoSettlement.com, www.ToyotaVolumeAdjustmentProtocol.com

SOURCE United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division