Toyota finally comes clean on bad engines

[stuckincincy]

In the late '90's Toyoya narrowed coolant passages in their main-stream I-4 and V-6 motors to raise combustion chamber temperatures, to increase fuel efficiency. Oil collecting in the valleys of the cylinder head(s) got overheated and broke down. The resulting sludge eventually broke free and clogged oil passages, resulting in major engine damage.

 

If the settlement is finalized in court this February, 7.5 million Toyota/Lexus current and previous owners will receive notification of the settlement.

 

If you own an affected-class vehicle, read it over carefully.

 

 

"Toyota Agrees to Sludge Settlement for Consumers. Class Action Suit Brings Relief to 3.5 Million Toyota, Lexus Owners

By Joe Benton

ConsumerAffairs.Com January 8, 2007

 

Consumers saddled with sludge-clogged Toyota engines may soon get some help from the Japanese auto giant under the terms of a class-action lawsuit settlement that covers roughly 3.5 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles damaged by engine oil sludge.

 

An engine gummed up with oil sludge can cost thousands of dollars to repair and in many cases must be replaced. The class action settlement could potentially cost the automaker hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

The agreement will allow consumers whose claims have been denied by Toyota to submit those claims to a third-party mediator at no cost for binding arbitration.

 

The lawsuit, filed in a Louisiana district court, could receive final approval by the middle of February. Details of the settlement are being mailed to 7.5 million current and previous Toyota and Lexus owners.

 

The agreement provides owners of sludge-damaged Toyotas eight years plus 120 days from the original purchase date to file a complaint.

 

Toyota consumers who have repaired their sludge-damaged engines may be able to recover their costs. The car only needs to show evidence of oil sludge damage.

 

The terms of the settlement are transferable to future vehicle owners."

 

and

 

"Toyotas covered by the Louisiana settlement include the:

 

• Camry 4 cylinder from 1997-2001,

• Camry 6 cylinder from 1997-2002,

• Camry Solara 4 cylinder from 1999-2001,

• Camry Solara 6 cylinder 1999-2002,

• Sienna 6 cylinder from 1998-2002,

• Avalon 6 cylinder from 1997-2002,

• Celica 4 cylinder from 1997-1999,

• Highlander 6 cylinder from 2001-2002,

• Lexus ES 300 from 1997-2002 and

• Lexus RX 300 from 1999-2002."

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007...settlement.html