Affected Years: 2018, 2019, 2020 Toyota Highlander. Our law firm is also investigating 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Toyota Highlander for the same issues.
These issues seem to arise from defects in the Wiring Harness/ECU.
If you purchased a Toyota Highlander and it has had some electrical system issues, Guardian Lemon Law wants you to know that you are not alone. In fact, your SUV could legally be considered a lemon if it meets the requirements that we will outline below. We understand that it is frustrating and confusing to try to figure out if your Highlander is a lemon under the California Lemon Law. So, if you have faced these issues or issues with the electrical system in your Toyota Highlander, please reach out to our team today for professional guidance on filing a lemon law claim. Our pros will help you understand the process, to let you know that we can sue Toyota for selling you a defective, lemon Toyota Highlander.
Please know that when you need a lawyer experienced in Toyota Highlander electrical glitches lemon law cases, Guardian Lemon Law is ready to help you get this issue resolved. We are here to assist you in getting this resolved, including representing you in court against Toyota. And we want you to be sure to ask us about our Zero-Fee Guarantee.
California Lemon Law Basics
What is commonly referred to as the Lemon Law in California is more accurately a bill that was passed into law by the California legislature in 1970. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, as it was known at that point, is now commonly called the Lemon Law. Many consumers believe it is only meant to cover newly purchased cars. However, it applies to new and used automobiles that were bought or leased, as long as they are sold with a factory warranty remaining. The primary focal point of the law is that it holds the manufacturer of the product responsible for honoring their express warranty on the item they have built and sold. Any item you are trying to have deemed a lemon must qualify by meeting the eligibility requirements for coverage under the Lemon Law. When you need a Toyota Highlander lemon law attorney, Guardian Lemon Law should be your first call. We bring decades of combined experience and expertise in resolving lemon law issues to each claim we handle.
How Could I Be Compensated For My Lemon Law Issues?
When you hire Guardian Lemon Law, and we win your lawsuit for a Toyota Highlander that is a lemon, you will at least receive a replacement of the vehicle you are having issues with, or receive a refund for the purchase price of your vehicle. When we file your Toyota Highlander electrical glitches lemon law lawsuit, the choice of which compensation is awarded to you is yours.
If you choose the refund of the purchase price, or what most people call a buyback of the automobile, you are entitled to the full cost you paid for the vehicle, including the cost for the title, fees, etc. The manufacturer will reduce the offer for the miles you placed on the vehicle before the issues began, which result in the lawsuit. This is similar to paying for the mileage you put on a rental car. If you choose to have the vehicle replaced, the unit must be the same model or financially equitable to the model they are taking back.
The other items that we will pursue as part of the damages are your out-of-pocket expenses. Things like lost income while handling the issues and taking the vehicle to Toyota to deal with, as well as any related expenses like towing, car rental fees, or ride share expenses when you did not have the car. In California, the manufacturer is also responsible for the legal fees incurred by the customer that the court deems to be reasonable.
How Do I Know If My Toyota Qualifies Under Lemon Law?
For any vehicle to qualify as a lemon and be eligible for replacement or refund, there are a few criteria that must be met:
- The vehicle cannot have been used improperly or abused in any manner
- The vehicle must be covered under the manufacturer’s new car warranty or certified pre-owned warranty
- There have been a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue with the car. This is defined as two attempts for safety issues and four attempts for non-safety-related defects. Or the car was unavailable for use because of the lemon issue for a total of 30 days
- The defect that exists on the vehicle must be considered substantial, meaning it impacts the use, safety, or value
Guardian Lemon Law will provide you with a lemon lawyer to sue Toyota for electrical glitches in your car when the manufacturer cannot repair them.
The Specific Issues And Defects On The 2018-2020 Toyota Highlander
The majority of the issues relate to recurring 12V battery drain. The cause is often referred to as parasitic drain. There can also be malfunctioning sensors and electronics that are causing the issues. The results from these malfunctions and issues can vary from a minor inconvenience to a significant safety hazard as drivers have reported that:
- There can be random pre-collision warnings that are incorrect
- The backup camera can fail or freeze
- The vehicle will experience multiple sensor false alerts
- Unexpected vehicle shutdown
- Memory loss of programmable features in the vehicle
In short, owners of these vehicles who once trusted and relied on the technology and safety features become unable to trust the warnings and alerts that are generated after suffering many false alerts, having the backup camera fail, or experiencing the vehicle shutting off because of these issues that the dealership appears to be unable to repair.
What Do I Need To gather To File A Lawsuit For My Lemon Law Car?
Documentation and evidence to support Guardian Lemon Law’s claim are essential when we move to court. It is needed both as proof of your claim and as evidence of the damages your Toyota Highlander electrical glitches lemon lawyer is suing Toyota to compensate you for. The documentation you provide to your lemon lawyer should include:
- All original documents detailing your purchase and warranty
- The records for any repairs and regular scheduled maintenance for your vehicle
- All written or email documentation related to the repair efforts of your automobile, including dates of drop off and pick up, to help account for the time your vehicle was unavailable
- Any out-of-pocket receipts, things like towing costs or a car rental
Finally, you need a great lemon lawsuit attorney! These documents give Guardian Lemon Law a place to start the assessment of your claim.
The Time Limit To File A Lemon Lawsuit Or Claim In California
The Statute of Limitations in California for filing a Toyota Highlander defective electrical system lawsuit or Lemon Law claim, as of 2025, has two different limitations. The first one is one year from the expiration of your original factory warranty. The second time limit is six years from the date you took delivery of your vehicle. The earliest of the two dates is your time limit to file your claim or lawsuit. We encourage you to reach out to Guardian Lemon Law today to have a case review completed so that you know exactly how much time you have to make a decision.
Our Promise To Every Guardian Lemon Law Client
Our initial consultations with anyone who needs help will always be free. And there is no obligation for you to hire Guardian Lemon Law after that meeting. If you have been working with another law firm and they fail to meet your needs, you have the right to change lawyers. In these instances, we offer a free second opinion on your case. You can evaluate us and how we respond, and we will be forthright in what we tell you about your case, including the potential for getting compensation from Toyota.
Guardian Lemon Law offers a Zero-Fee Guarantee, meaning we will never ask for upfront legal fees before taking a case. You will never have to worry about out-of-pocket money being required before we go to work. The guarantee extends all the way to the end of the case. If we do not win your case, we will not bill you for our services and expenses. Please make it a priority to reach out to Guardian Lemon Law when you need a law firm that will take on Toyota and hold them accountable after you were sold a lemon Highlander.
