Toyota Highlander Lawsuit Investigation Looks into Hybrid Gas Tank Size
Last Updated on May 5, 2022
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- May 5, 2022 – Lawsuit Dismissed
- The lawsuit detailed in the previous update has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs. Court documents state no reason as to the dismissal.
For our open list of investigations, check out this page. - July 6, 2021 – Class Action Lawsuit Filed, Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to this investigation! At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org no longer need to hear from Toyota Highlander drivers who had issues with their fuel tanks. This is because a proposed class action lawsuit has been filed over the 2020-2021 models and is making its way through the court system. Any significant updates to the case will be posted to this page.
You can always sign up for our newsletter for the latest in class action news, check out our open investigations here and find out why you generally don’t need to do anything to join a class action lawsuit.
The information below was posted when the investigation began and remains for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who owns or leases a 2018-present Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicle and experienced poor gas mileage or had problems filling the tank to full.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether recent model years of Toyota’s hybrid Highlander were sold with fuel tanks that have less capacity than advertised. As part of their investigation, they need to speak to people who own or lease this vehicle to learn more about the fuel tanks’ size and to determine whether a class action lawsuit could be filed.
- How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
- A class action lawsuit could help drivers recover money for loss of vehicle value and other damages.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who owns or leases a 2018-present Toyota hybrid Highlander.
They’re investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed in light of complaints of poor gas mileage and issues filling the cars’ tanks to full. Specifically, they’re looking into whether the cars were sold with defectively designed gas tanks that hold less fuel than advertised – and whether drivers could get them replaced or get some money back.
The more people the attorneys can speak with, the better chance they have at getting a class action lawsuit on file.
How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
A class action lawsuit could hold Toyota accountable if they’re found to have sold a vehicle with defective fuel tanks that hold less gas than advertised. Consumers could get money back for loss of vehicle value (and other damages) and could force Toyota to offer a fix free of charge.
Driver Complaints: Low-Capacity Gas Tanks, Poor Gas Mileage, Problems Fueling Up
Below are complaints posted online from Highlander drivers who had problems with gas mileage and the size of their gas tanks [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:
I've only driven the vehicle 725 miles since I got it due to Covid-19 restrictions, and while it's averaging 35.6 miles per gallon (mostly ECO mode), the vehicle only shows about 420 miles DTE when refueled. This week I specifically waited for the low fuel light to go on and drove a few miles past just for good measure. I went to the gas station and only could pump 12 gallons before the pump shut off. I tried topping off the tank and eeked 12.5 gallons into the tank and showed DTE of 445 miles – far less than the 609 miles I expected... I’m pretty sure there’s a design defect in the Highlander Hybrid fuel tank preventing the last five gallons of gas being pumped thus cheating me out of 180 miles of range.”
— Jmotley, 2020 hybrid Highlander driver, ToyotaNation.com
I had tried to fill my tank from low fuel warning (~2.6 gal) to top off is around 12-12.5 gal with multiple gas stations. Toyota spec said the tank capacity is 17.1 gal which is couple gallons off for my car. I am not sure whether the gauge has issue or tank shape is problematic that prevented to get 17.1 gal. I submitted ticket to NHTSA for this issue and saw many people posted the same issue.”
— phamphon1985, 2021 hybrid Highlander driver, ToyotaNation.com
The distance to empty only reads 425 miles. With a full 17 gallon tank it should be around 600. When you fill it, it clicks off 3-4 gallons short of full, only holding about 14 gallons. The fuel gauge shows full. I then had to trickle in the remaining 3.5 gallons. How could it show full with 3.5 more gallons going in? Why is the tank not able to take the full ammount of fuel?”
— NHTSA ID Number 11385688, 2021 hybrid Highlander driver, NHTSA.gov
Traded in my 2019 Rav 4 Limited Hybrid for a 2020 XLE Highlander Hybrid for more space ( new addition to family) and at 4500 miles only getting 31.7 overall MPG. Very disappointed! My wife drives vehicle in mostly suburb driving..... we’ve done a few highway trips and likely get 32- 34 MPG on those trips going 65mph.”
— brbhighlanderhybrid, 2020 hybrid Highlander owner, ToyotaNation.com
Help This Investigation
If you’ve noticed poor gas mileage with your Highlander or had issues related to the size of your gas tank, attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to hear your story.
It doesn’t cost anything to get in touch – and you may be able to help get a class action lawsuit started against Toyota.
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