In April 2025, Toyota and Subaru faced a class-action lawsuit alleging that their electric vehicles (EVs), the 2023–2025 Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, have defective 12V batteries that fail prematurely, stranding drivers and raising safety concerns. Filed in California’s Eastern District Court, the case claims the automakers knew about the issue before selling these EVs but failed to fix or disclose it. For owners, this means unexpected breakdowns, costly towing, and frustration. Could you be affected? Contact a class-action attorney for a free consultation today! This blog explores the Toyota Subaru 12V battery lawsuit 2025, its legal claims, safety risks, and steps you can take.
Understanding the Toyota and Subaru 12V Battery Lawsuit
The lawsuit, John Wade v. Toyota Motor North America Inc., et al., targets the 12V battery systems in 2023–2025 bZ4X and Solterra models. Unlike the high-voltage batteries that power EV motors, the 12V battery runs secondary systems like lights, wipers, radio, windows, and air conditioning. It also activates a relay connecting the main battery to the drivetrain, making it essential. If it fails, the vehicle becomes inoperable—or “bricked,” as a YouTube commentator described. The complaint alleges:
- Rapid Battery Drain: The 12V lead-acid batteries die quickly, sometimes within weeks, due to parasitic drain from faulty software or hardware.
- Known Defects: Toyota and Subaru allegedly knew about the issue before sales began but sold the vehicles without warnings or solutions.
- Faulty Replacements: Warranty replacements use the same defective batteries, leading to repeated failures.
- Consumer Harm: Owners face towing costs, repair delays, and safety risks from sudden shutdowns.
The lead plaintiff, John Wade, purchased a bZ4X in March 2023. Within weeks, his vehicle’s dashboard lit up with warning lights, and it shut down, requiring roadside assistance. The 12V battery failed again at 2,000 miles, and a third time at 5,000 miles, even after two replacements. Wade spent $4,800 on a Level 2 charger, mistakenly thinking it would help, but the issue persisted. The lawsuit seeks damages, free repairs, and a recall, potentially impacting 48,000 U.S. owners. Toyota must respond by July 3, 2025.
Why It’s Serious: The YouTube video notes, “It’s quite stressful… you’re stuck on the side of the road,” highlighting the real-world impact on owners.
Why This Lawsuit Matters
This lawsuit is a wake-up call for the EV industry and consumers:
- Reputation Risk: Toyota and Subaru, known for reliability, face backlash for using “cheap” lead-acid batteries, as the video calls them a “joke” for modern EVs.
- Industry Trend: Similar 12V issues plague other EVs, like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, suggesting a broader design flaw.
- Safety Concerns: Dead batteries can disable critical systems, like brakes or lights, posing risks, as one owner noted on X: “Does this mean the brake system will malfunction?”
- Economic Stakes: With 48,000 vehicles sold by 2024, a recall or settlement could cost millions, affecting the $150 billion U.S. EV market.
X Sentiment: Owners on X (e.g., @FRS_Newsline) report being “stranded repeatedly,” amplifying frustration, though these claims await court validation.
For perspective, read our blog on Trump’s 2025 lawsuits to see how high-profile cases shape industries.
Legal Claims: Breaking Down the Case
The lawsuit rests on consumer protection and warranty violations under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Key allegations include:
- Defective Design: The 12V system’s DC-to-DC converter or software fails to shut off electrical loads, causing parasitic drain.
- Breach of Warranty: Replacement batteries don’t fix the issue, violating promises of defect-free repairs.
- Failure to Disclose: Toyota and Subaru allegedly concealed known defects, misleading buyers about reliability.
- Safety and Financial Harm: Sudden shutdowns create safety risks, and owners incur costs for towing or chargers, like Wade’s $4,800 expense.
Legal Precedent: Pelletier v. Endo (2022) supports claims of financial harm in warranty disputes, strengthening the case. The plaintiffs argue that Toyota and Subaru’s inaction undermines consumer trust in EVs.
Expert Opinion: “Proving prior knowledge of the defect is critical,” says automotive attorney Lisa McInturff. “Wade’s early failures suggest systemic issues.”
Why Are 12V Batteries Failing in EVs?
The lawsuit points to several causes:
- Lead-Acid Batteries: Unlike Tesla’s lithium-ion 12V batteries, Toyota and Subaru use lead-acid batteries, which cost $100–$150 but struggle with EV demands. The YouTube video suggests sodium-ion batteries, costing $50 more, could prevent issues.
- Parasitic Drain: Software or hardware flaws keep systems active when parked, draining the battery. A Reddit user noted, “It’s like the car never fully sleeps.”
- High Electrical Load: EVs’ screens, sensors, and background processes tax 12V batteries more than in gas vehicles.
- Early EV Design: As Toyota and Subaru’s first EVs, the bZ4X and Solterra faced teething issues, including debunked range claims in Europe.
Comparison: Hyundai’s 2025 ICCU recall for 145,351 EVs addressed similar 12V drain issues, showing industry-wide challenges.
Compare this to our Girl Scouts lawsuit blog for another case of consumer trust under fire.
Toyota and Subaru’s Potential Defenses
Toyota and Subaru face a tough defense against the lawsuit:
- Consumable Item Argument: They may claim 12V batteries are consumable, like tires, and failures aren’t defects. However, repeated failures weaken this stance.
- Owner Misuse: Low mileage (e.g., Wade’s 5,000 miles in two years) could be blamed, as batteries degrade when unused. A Reddit user suggested, “Repeat failures might be user error.”
- Warranty Fulfillment: Free replacements under the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty may be argued as sufficient, but the lawsuit counters that replacements don’t solve the problem.
- Lack of Specificity: The lawsuit doesn’t pinpoint the exact defect, which could delay or complicate liability findings.
Challenges: Toyota’s $300 billion revenue in 2024 can cover potential damages, but reputational harm could hurt EV sales. Subaru, with $30 billion, faces similar risks.
Impacts on EV Owners and the Industry
The lawsuit’s outcome could reshape the EV landscape:
- EV Owners: A victory could secure free firmware updates, battery upgrades, or reimbursements for costs like towing or chargers. A loss might leave owners footing post-warranty bills.
- Auto Industry: A precedent could push automakers to adopt lithium-ion or sodium-ion 12V batteries, raising EV costs by $50–$100.
- Consumer Confidence: Repeated failures could deter EV adoption, especially for Toyota and Subaru, lagging behind Tesla and BYD.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The NHTSA may investigate, as it did with Hyundai’s ICCU issues, leading to recalls.
Global Context: Toyota’s delayed solid-state battery plans, reported in March 2025, add pressure to resolve early EV issues.
See our food contamination lawsuit blog for how product defects spark legal action.
What Can Affected Owners Do?
If you own a 2023–2025 bZ4X or Solterra, take these steps:
- Document Failures: Keep records of battery issues, warning lights, repair receipts, and towing costs, as Wade did.
- Use Warranty: Request free battery replacements at Toyota or Subaru dealers under the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
- Check for Updates: Ask dealers about software fixes or service bulletins addressing 12V drain.
- Consult a Class-Action Attorney: Firms like Keller Rohrback L.L.P. offer free consultations, typically charging 25–40% contingency fees.
- Join Online Forums: Reddit’s r/Solterra or r/electricvehicles communities share advice and lawsuit updates.
Expert Tip: “Consistent documentation can make or break your claim,” says consumer attorney Lisa McInturff.
The Toyota Subaru 12V battery lawsuit 2025, filed April 8, 2025, challenges the reliability of the bZ4X and Solterra, exposing flaws in their 12V battery systems. By alleging known defects and safety risks, the case could force Toyota and Subaru to rethink EV design, benefiting owners and the industry. If you’re impacted, a class-action attorney can guide you. Share your experiences below, and stay tuned for updates on this critical case!
If the lawsuit succeeds, you could receive reimbursements for towing, repairs, or chargers (e.g., Wade’s $4,800), free battery upgrades, or a recall fix.
Sources
- Carscoops: “Toyota Sued Over A Recurring 12V Battery Problem That Kills Its EV” (carscoops.com, 2025)
- CarComplaints.com: “Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X Dead 12V Battery Lawsuit” (carcomplaints.com, 2025)
- MyCarVoice.com: “Toyota and Subaru Face Lawsuit Over Failing 12-Volt Batteries” (mycarvoice.com, 2025)
- TopSpeed.com: “Toyota bZ4X And Subaru Solterra Hit By Class-Action Lawsuit” (topspeed.com, 2025)
- Yahoo Autos: “Toyota And Subaru Dragged To Court Because A Simple Component Keeps Failing” (autos.yahoo.com, 2025)
- YouTube: “Lawsuit Targets Toyota and Subaru Over 12V EV Battery Failures” (youtube.com, 2025)
- InsideEVs.com: “Hyundai’s ICCU Problem: Here’s What We Know” (insideevs.com, 2025)
- Reddit: “Toyota and Subaru Dragged to Court for Faulty 12-Volt Battery” (reddit.com, 2025)
- Electrek.co: “Toyota’s ultra-long-range EV batteries may have just hit a speed bump” (electrek.co, 2025)
