OWNERS
The purpose of this page is to provide information about Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and the DPF class action relating to certain HiLux, Fortuner, Prado & HiAce diesel vehicles.
The DPF issue may present as:
As always, if our customers have any concerns or questions with their DPF, we encourage them to please contact their closest/preferred Toyota dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre. You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet which is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.
The DPF issue has occurred because of a defect in the DPF system (DPF defect). In some cases, the DPF defect causes exhaust hard deposits to accumulate at the front portion of the DPF oxidation catalyst, affecting the heating performance of the catalyst, resulting in the issues.
A repair (DPF repair) is available free of charge to vehicle owners. The DPF repair involves fitting of a replacement system that incorporates changes made to address the DPF defect.
Vehicles that have been repaired by a Toyota dealer since 2020 may already have had the DPF repair. In that case, the vehicle will not require any further repair. If you are unsure whether your vehicle has had the DPF repair, we invite you to contact your local/preferred Toyota dealer.
As part of our commitment to ongoing customer satisfaction, we have extended the warranty to cover repairs required as a result of the DPF defect, until the DPF repair is completed in the vehicle, for the following vehicles:
| Vehicle model | Production Period |
|---|---|
| Prado | 5 June 2015 - 31 July 2020 |
| HiLux | 9 January 2015 - 29 May 2020 |
| Fortuner | 9 January 2015 - 29 May 2020 |
| HiAce | 12 February 2019 - 4 June 2020 |
Importantly, any warranty coverage does not limit our customers' rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) in any way. Accordingly, our customers still have rights under the ACL regardless of whether their vehicle is eligible for the extended warranty.
For other vehicles fitted with a DPF system that does not fall within the production periods above, please note that improvements to the DPF system have been made. This includes an all new DPF system fitted as standard to Prado, HiLux, Fortuner & HiAce, meaning that these vehicles will not require the DPF repair.
As always, if our customers have any concerns or questions with their DPF, we encourage them to please contact their closest/preferred Toyota Dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre. You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.
1. I'm scheduled to pick up my new Prado/Fortuner/HiLux/HiAce, but I'm concerned it is affected by the DPF issue?
Improvements to the DPF system have been made to all diesel Prado produced 1 Aug 2020 onwards, HiLux and Fortuner produced from 30 May 2020 onwards & HiAce produced 5 June 2020 onwards This includes an all new DPF system fitted as standard to these vehicles, meaning that these vehicles will not require the DPF repair
As always, if our customers have any concerns with or questions about their DPF, we encourage them to please contact their closest/preferred Toyota Dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre.
You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet which is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.
2. Does my vehicle need a DPF manual regeneration switch?
The switch offers drivers more flexibility to initiate a regeneration where the DPF cannot reach the optimum temperature to complete an automatic regeneration. If you have any questions about DPF manual regeneration switches, please contact your closest or preferred Dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm AET).
3. Why isn't this a recall?
Recalls are commenced where vehicles may potentially have a defect which presents a safety risk to consumers. There are no safety concerns associated with the DPF issue.
4. What if I haven't been contacted and I have a DPF concern or issue?
Where we have current contact information, Toyota Australia is contacting vehicle owners about the DPF repair.
For any further queries please contact your closest or preferred Toyota Dealer or contact the Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm AET).
Learn more about our Complaint Handling process.
The below video provides more information about Toyota vehicles retrofitted or factory fitted with a DPF manual regeneration switch.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) manual regeneration switches are fitted as standard production features on Prado, Fortuner and HiLux vehicles from June 2018, LandCruiser 200 vehicles from August 2015, LandCruiser 70 vehicles from August 2016, HiAce from June 2016, new generation HiAce from February 2019 and Granvia from July 2019 and Coaster buses from August 2006. If you have any questions about DPF manual regeneration switches, please contact your Toyota Dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm AET).
Toyota owners who have concerns or questions about their vehicle, if it is not fitted with a DPF manual regeneration switch, are urged to contact their nearest or preferred dealer or the Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm AET).
5. What about the class action against Toyota regarding DPF?
The class action concerns approximately 264,000 diesel HiLux, Prado and Fortuner vehicles fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that were purchased or leased between October 2015 - April 2020.
On 7 April 2022, judgment in the initial trial of the DPF class action was delivered in the Federal Court of Australia (Sydney). On 10 June 2022, Toyota Australia lodged an appeal (details below).
Since becoming aware of DPF concerns, Toyota has worked continuously on an effective resolution for affected customers. At every step, we believe that we have implemented customer focused and technically grounded remedies to resolve customers' concerns.
Any Toyota owners with questions or concerns about the DPF class action are free to seek independent legal advice.
6. Which Toyota customers are group members in the class action?
Customers who purchased/leased diesel HiLux, Prado and Fortuner vehicles from 1 October 2015 to 20 April 2020 that are fitted with a DPF.
7. What if I don't want to be a group member in the class action?
Customers should seek advice from their legal advisor regarding this matter.
8. Has Toyota decided to appeal the decision of the Federal Court of Australia?
Yes, Toyota lodged its appeal on 10 June 2022.
9. What are the grounds for appeal?
Toyota's appeal included challenges to the factual and legal basis for the award of damages, particularly in circumstances where many of the group members did not experience the DPF issue.
10. Has the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia announced the outcome of the appeal?
The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its decision on 27 March 2023. A copy of the judgment dated 27 March 2023 can be found here and orders dated 12 May 2023 can be found here
11. Is there an appeal of the decision of the Full Federal Court in the High Court of Australia?
Yes, Toyota filed a special leave application in the High Court of Australia on 24 April 2023. The Lead Applicant, Mr Williams, also asked the High Court of Australia for special leave to appeal the decision of the Full Federal Court. The High Court appeal hearing took place on 10-11 April 2024. The High Court has not yet announced the outcome of the appeal.
12. I received a letter, SMS and/or email from lawyers about a notice for the class action - what do I do?
Communications to group members about the class action are now managed by Quinn Emmanuael (the lawyers representing the interests of the group members) (this was formerly Gilbert + Tobin). If you have any questions about the communication you have received or are unsure what to do, you can contact Quinn Emmanuael by submitting your query at: www.toyotaclassaction.deloitte.com.au or calling them on 1800 324 984
13. I have not received a notice about the class action - why not?/ what do I do?
Communications to group members about the class action are managed by Quinn Emanuael (the lawyers representing the interests of the group members) (formerly Gilbert + Tobin). If you have any questions, contact Quinn Emanuael by submitting your query at: www.toyotaclassaction.deloitte.com.au or calling them on 1800 324 984