Class action regarding failed head gaskets 2005-06 Tacomas & 2004-06 4Runners, would you help?

I'm just curious as to what is considered abnormal failure rate in 05-06 Tacomas? Kinda like everyone knows to be wary of early 2000 model F-250s

 

This thread brings up a really great issue (and the precedent set by Toyota with the LSC regarding rusty frames)...

To what extent is there an obligation (legal or otherwise) for a company to produce a functioning product. Is there a price threshold? Does a $10,000 purchase have different rules than a $10 purchase? Is there a safety threshold? Is a frame held to different standards than an engine?

In our economy companies compete with each other for customers. We all make choices in our purchases based on a number or factors (price being the big one for many) so if a company continues to provide great service people tend to continue to purchase from them. One would hope that Toyota continues to be one of the few car manufacturers that provides a quality product as well as service that is beyond the competition.

These of course are hopes.

Is there legal recourse for a faulty head gasket? Maybe, but I'm not nearly fluent enough in the legal world to know. It would be cool if Toyota admitted they screwed up and gave a low flat rate for affected trucks.

 

I don't think a class action suit is very realistic. There simply aren't enough failed gaskets out there for it to be worth it. Look at a single frame settlement. Not all the frame settlements, just one of many. That single settlement involved well over 100,000 frames being replaced. The head gasket issue only covers 1-2 production years. Of all those only a small percentage are failing.

 

Does the vin indicate whether or not its an early 06?

 

I was getting the symptoms on my 05 with 130k last year, but then my jackass brother rolled it almost killing us. I upgraded so maybe he saved me in the end? I was prepared to shell out 1500 or so, not the end of the world or something I would sue over.

 

I don't think it would be that far off from 300. Around here it is $100 for a hot tank and deck. I don't think it would even require a deck because the heads don't warp but always good to do. I'm not sure how much the oem gasket would be but I've used fel pro in the past with good results for usually around $100 with the whole gasket set. I had a 4 cylinder head hot tanked, decked, and valve seals changed for $250 which I would probably do for extra piece of mind.
Of course now I have more money than time so I'd prob just have a trusted mechanic do it. People that take it to the dealer must love throwing away money.

 

I see the problems as this:
-the trucks are now over a decade old
-gasket failures happened, usually, well outside the warranty period

The drivetrain warranty, when I bought, was 60k/5 years. A warranty is the manufacturer stating "this engine/trans/diff will work flawlessly for 5 years or 60k. After that, we promise nothing and it's not our problem." It doesn't matter that it fails at 61k or 350k, its outside of the guarantee and not their problem. There's too many variables to go much longer on a warranty without it biting the manufacturer (I know I know, there's the 100k/10yr out there. I'm at 38k, so if my window motor fails now, tough luck to me because that warranty ended at 36k. These claims become a slippery slope because in some ways, it's expecting a warranty beyond what the manufacturer provided. If people want bigger/longer warranties, expect car prices to climb.

Also, a redesign does not necessarily point to knowledge of a specific fault, or imply they redesigned to fix it. Unless it's in writing that the redesign was due to a head gasket problem, you're SOL. All they need to do is claim it was for efficiency or cost. Along those lines, I can't file a lawsuit against GM because the radiator failed on my 2004 GTO at 90k, claiming "they redesigned and used a new cooling system in the 2005 model, showing they knew these radiators frequently failed." (which they did lol).

On top of that, I would recommend sticking to your lawsuit and yours only. Class actions are not beneficial to the plaintiffs. The money is pocketed by attorney fees and plaintiff's get a fraction. If the repair cost you $3000 and you file a small claim, you may or may not win and get $3000. If you go class action, you'll get like $23.50. Many attorneys also have no interest in class action unless they're a major firm. It's just too much time and work, and class action firms have poor reputations (not always, but often).

 

If it's out of warranty they don't and shouldn't have to fix anything. But some brands will some won't.

 

Maybe if it was happening with less then 100k miles, on a 5year old truck. But the fact they are 10+ years, over 100k miles, the service history varies between each complainant, I don't see how a class action lawsuit for a wearable item will gain any traction.

If you could find even a third of affected model years to of had a bad head gasket, then maybe.

Good luck.

 

Not really. Looking at my logs, extremely minor problems started in 2008. With excessive vapor from tail pipe. VERY VERY SLOWLY, enough not to notice until you go back and do literal analysis of data, coolant loss grew gradually. The signs were so minor (now looking back undetectable unless you did data analysis) a friend who has been a master mechanic building custom 1/4 mile cars for 40+ years.... I literally picked him up for lunch one day a couple years ago. He got in the truck, shut the door, and said how long your head gaskets been bad? I laughed and said, my head gaskets are not bad. he said, YAH! THEY ARE! We did pressure tests. compression tests, ect... He swore there was a leak, between on either cylinder 5 or cylinder 6. He just knew it. It did not fire right. I laughed it off until 2016 I had a notable issue, I brought it to a Toyota dealership, they ran standard pressure tests and compression tests, etc and declared it in PERFECT CONDITION! I know I had coolant lose and bubbles. They said they ran every test, it was fine! A couple hundred dollars later, I picked up the truck.

I started having symptoms again, the tested, said it was fine! I said change the head gaskets! They said you do not need to. I said I am paying for it, I want them changed, I will pay for it and I want work done to Toyota spec! I got a call the next day from a rather excited tech, basically saying "WOW!" you were right we found the failure in the head gasket! (I was not right, Jason was)

Anyway, NO I did not get 10+ years use out of it.

 

I dont think a lawsuit is in order, but a recall perhaps. Its a design flaw and it affects every 05 and 06 taco out there. But they wont do anything because its not a safety issue and they wont get sued for it... OR WILL THEY?

 

2016-2006 = 10+....

 

gotta say, ^ he's right. Now, you may have been having some small issues for a long time, but you still got 10+ years of use in the truck. Not necessarily 10 flawless years, but 10 years still before replacing the head gasket (and even then the truck was still serviceable, by the way you describe it).

 

The truck is only 'serviceable' as you describe it, becau

I totally get your point. It is very solid. But here is the thing. This same exact issue happens at the same exact location, on the same model engines, manufactured in the same time span, that are installed in SEVERAL models and types of vehicles (Tacoma's, FJ's, Tundra's, GX Lex, 4Runners.... etc) And at almost the exact same mileage.

My RX300 Lexus locked up on the interstate due to sludge at 46,000 miles. It was METICULOUSLY maintained. All service and maintenance was free, done by the dealership, on time or before hand, and checked afterwards by me.

They wanted to rebuild the motor. I insisted on a new motor. I signed the warranty ticket when I picket it up, right at $17,000.

Guess what... years later... problem discovered on those EXACT engines.

I do not believe in coincidences. So one and some lawyer is going to bring this up at some point. I just do not want to wait 10 years.

Just trying to help.

In any case, forget the sad stuff... Happy 4th everybody!

 

Sir, I do not know if this will help out but Toyota has known about the Head Gasket Problem since at least mid 1990's. I had a 1990 4 Runner, purchased new. At about 55,000 miles the Head Gasket Leaked. I noticed it when the Temp Gage went all the way over. Luckly, I was near my house and made it home. It cost me around $1700 incl towing at the time since I was out of warranty. Then a friend mentioned to me about a Head Gasket Recall. I looked into it by calling Toyota in California at the time. Sure enough, my 4Runner was covered by the recall. Luckly, I saved all the paperwork, had it repaired at the dealer, and was reimbursed for everything, even the tow. So Toyota has a History of Head Gasket Problems and they are aware of them. Good Luck

billo

 

Anything that's not a 7.3L - fixed it for you.

 

A class action lawsuit for a failed head gasket? It's a failed head gasket fix it. My shitty neon blew the head gasket and I fixed it. Simple. My dad always told me if it has a front and back door, 2 tits, or rubber tires, it's going to cost you money. Fact of life. Trying to sue a company over a failed head gasket is a Ridiculous. That's like me starting a class action lawsuit for my old 99 prerunner. Fuel pump died at 550k miles, what a piece of shit lol. Gaskets break down and fail. Some engines are more prone to it that others. The dodge neon would blow head gaskets on a hot enough day. The little 3.8 pushrod v6 that chevy used for years wouldn't blow a head gasket if a nuclear explosion happened in the combustion chamber.

 

The drivers door sticker tells you the month and year it was made. Mine was built in July 2006. So far so good. As far as a class action, as has been stated, the lawyers would be the big winners. I was involved in a class action against Dish one time over price gouging. It was one of those deals where you didn't have to do anything, just kick back and wait for a check. Months later, I received a check for $1.98. I shit you not. One dollar and ninety eight cents!

 

help/don't help ?

if there is real traction for a class action suit, it is the law firms job to develop a case, not tacomaworld

your lawyers do all the work in a class action, you don't need to come to the forums begging for help,
you will only get a very skewed perspective from .01 percent of owners from forums

1) lawyers contact vehicle registry info and get mailing addresses for ALL owners of affected vehicles

2) lawyers mass snail-mail and contact ALL owners for info about the problem from owners

3) lawyers develop a suit based on that

coming to tacomaworld, you will just get a mountain of crap and maybe good advice hidden inside