Flawed Toyota RAV4 Batteries Cause Vehicle Fires, Suit Alleges

Toyota Motor Corp. and affiliated companies sold 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles without disclosing that their defective 12-Volt batteries can cause fires, a proposed class suit filed Thursday in California federal court alleges.

Flaws in battery design, manufacture, materials, or workmanship causes electrical shorts when the B+ terminal makes contact with the battery hold down frame, the suit alleges.

This may result in the sudden loss of electrical power, vehicle stalling, or an engine compartment fire, according to the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The defect has resulted in numerous complaints to authorized dealerships ...