Toyota is facing a $5.7 billion class-action lawsuit filed in California by three Mirai owners on behalf of everyone who purchased or leased the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle since 2016, alleging the automaker misrepresented the reliability of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure supporting the vehicle.
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What the Lawsuit Alleges
The suit names Toyota, its dealer network, and its financing arm as defendants, alleging the companies marketed the Mirai despite what plaintiffs describe as a chronically unreliable hydrogen refueling network. The complaint also alleges undisclosed issues including failed refueling attempts, hydrogen leaks, and inconsistent acceleration performance, while claiming Toyota continued to promote the Mirai as a dependable zero-emission vehicle. Plaintiffs say a significant share of hydrogen stations were frequently non-operational, limiting the vehicle’s practical usability for many owners.
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Refueling Time Claims Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit takes particular issue with Toyota’s marketing claim that the Mirai could be refueled in approximately five minutes. Plaintiffs allege that in practice, drivers frequently encountered long wait times or non-functional stations. The situation reportedly worsened after Shell closed a number of its hydrogen refueling locations last year, further shrinking the already limited network.
RICO Allegations Add to the Case
Plaintiffs have also invoked the RICO Act, alleging Toyota knowingly ran a coordinated campaign to promote the Mirai and drive sales while allegedly failing to address known infrastructure shortcomings. As with any active litigation, these are allegations that Toyota has not been found liable for in court.
Toyota’s Response So Far
Toyota has acknowledged that hydrogen station access remains “a challenge” in some markets and has paused Mirai sales in select areas, including Sacramento. The company has offered affected owners service credits and rental vehicle assistance, though plaintiffs argue these measures don’t adequately address the core usability issues raised in the lawsuit.