Owners of 2012-2015 Camry XV50 models in California might get $100 if they owned, bought, or leased their car before May 31, 2024. The money will cover costs for replacing and installing a charcoal filter to fix the smell issue.
The problem started back in 2015 when a lawsuit was filed in Florida. Drivers complained about bad smells when they turned on their air conditioning. They said the smells stayed even after repairs. The lawsuit claimed the HVAC system had a design flaw that let moisture build up and mold grow. Toyota won that case, but a similar lawsuit in California was successful.
Toyota says it didn't do anything wrong, but it's settling the case anyway. If you got your car fixed after May 31, 2024, you'll get $100. If you had it fixed before then, you can get money back for the charcoal filter installation or A/C evaporator flushing.
The people who started the lawsuit will each get $7,500. The lawyers want $4.1 million in fees and $350,000 for expenses.
There will be a website where you can check if your car qualifies using its VIN number. You'll also be able to file a claim online.
This settlement shows how car companies sometimes have to deal with unexpected issues in their vehicles. Even though Toyota won the first case, they decided to settle the second one to avoid more legal trouble.
Source: Carscoops