by Battery problems in Toyota bZ4X
Toyota and Subaru’s first major step into the electric vehicle market has not been as successful as expected. The Toyota bZ4X model attracts attention with its unusual design, but unfortunately, not due to its quality. In the US, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the company, alleging that the 12-volt batteries in these cars fail quickly, and that the manufacturer knew about the problem even before sales began.
The lawsuit, filed in California, concerns models from 2023-2025. According to the documents, the 12-volt batteries in these electric vehicles are prone to rapid discharge and complete failure. Although the cars are still under warranty, and dealers replace the batteries, the lawsuit claims that the new batteries are just as unreliable.
This battery is responsible for secondary systems such as climate control, radio, lights, and windshield wipers. When it fails, the car essentially becomes immobile.
Owner’s complaints
The lawsuit features only one plaintiff – John Wade, who purchased his car in March 2023. Within a few weeks, he began to encounter problems: first, warning indicators appeared on the dashboard, and then the car completely shut down. After replacing the battery, the problem recurred two more times, and even “jump-starting” didn’t help.
Wade was forced to send the car to the dealer on a tow truck, where they replaced the battery again. However, in December 2024, this battery also failed. Trying to solve the problem on his own, Wade spent $4800 on a home charging station, as he believed the cause might be insufficient charge.
Toyota now has until July 3rd to officially respond to the lawsuit. This situation raises questions about how effectively companies are solving problems with early electric vehicles, especially when they concern such basic components as the 12-volt battery system. The problem could affect consumer trust in new models, especially during a period when the electric vehicle market is becoming increasingly competitive.
