Lexus RX Defective Headlight Class Action

The headlights in 2004-2009 Lexus RX vehicles contain a dangerous defect that can cause them to suddenly and unexpectedly fail, according to a federal class action lawsuit filed against Toyota Motor Sales on November 30, 2010.

The Lexus RX class action lawsuit alleges Toyota knew or should have known that the headlight assemblies in these vehicles “contain numerous distinct and serious latent design and/or manufacturing defects that causes them to be highly prone to condensation or moisture,” but continues to fail to do anything about it. As a result of these defective parts, including defects in the headlamp housing, water and moisture are able to enter the headlight assembly and damage the interior components, including damaging the Electrical Control Unit. This can lead to serious safety hazards such as loss of illumination from one or both headlamps at unpredictable intervals, exposing drivers and those who they share the road with to significant and unreasonable danger, including traffic accidents that can result in injury or death, the lawsuit says.

According to the Lexus RX defective headlight class action, the majority of vehicle owners are unaware of the defect because they are either unaware of the problem or because the condensation dries out before it can be detected. For the few Lexus RX owners who have detected headlight condensation and complained to Toyota prior to headlight failure, they were told the headlights were functioning as designed and instructed to let the condensation dry, the lawsuit says. This, however, does not remedy the damage already incurred to the Electrical Control Unit.

In addition to the safety hazards these defective headlights pose, they can also cost consumers hundreds, and in some instances, thousands, of dollars both to diagnose and repair the headlight defect and the related damage it causes, the lawsuit says.

The Lexus RX defective headlamp class action further charges that Toyota knew about the defects due to numerous consumer complaints and a secret technical service bulletin it issued to only its dealers acknowledging the defect. Despite knowing about the defects, the lawsuit says, Toyota has failed remedy the problem by either recalling the vehicles to repair the defects, offering its customers a suitable repair or replacement free of charge, or reimbursing vehicle owners and leaseholders who paid to have their headlights diagnosed or repaired.

The Lexus RX defective headlight class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of anyone who has purchased or leased a 2004-2009 model year Toyota Lexus RX vehicle in the United States. It also includes a subclass of the same consumers who live in California. It is seeking class certification, damages for class members, and an order requiring Toyota to notify class members about the defective headlight assemblies, among other relief.

A copy of the 2004-2009 Toyota Lexus RX Defective Headlight Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.

Updated December 7th, 2010

UPDATE: On April 21, 2011, the Lexus RX defective headlight class action lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed.

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