Toyota Lawsuit Settlement 2026, $78.5 Million Airbag Control Unit Class Action, Claim Up To $250 By December 2028

The Toyota airbag control unit lawsuit settled for $78.5 million after the federal court approved the class action agreement in November 2023. Owners and lessees of 2011-2019 Toyota Corolla, Avalon, Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia vehicles can file claims for reimbursement and cash payments, with the claim deadline set for December 11, 2028.

An appeal filed in December 2023 must be resolved before the settlement administrator begins distributing payments. The lawsuit claimed ZF-TRW airbag control units in these vehicles could fail during collisions due to electrical overstress.

What The Toyota Airbag Settlement Covers

The class action lawsuit alleged Toyota equipped certain 2011-2019 vehicles with defective ZF-TRW airbag control units. These electronic components control airbag deployment and other safety systems during crashes.

Plaintiffs claimed the airbag control units were vulnerable to electrical overstress, a condition that could prevent airbags from deploying when needed. The defect allegedly put drivers and passengers at risk during collisions.

Toyota denied all allegations but agreed to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation. The settlement received final court approval on November 16, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:19-ml-02905).

Who Qualifies For The Toyota Settlement

You qualify if you currently own, lease, or previously owned or leased one of these vehicles as of July 31, 2023:

2011-2019 Toyota Corolla, 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 2012-2018 Toyota Avalon, 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon HV, 2012-2019 Toyota Tacoma, 2012-2017 Toyota Tundra, or 2012-2017 Toyota Sequoia.

The settlement covers vehicles purchased or leased anywhere in the United States, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and all U.S. territories. Use the VIN lookup tool at airbagcontrolunitsettlement.com to verify your vehicle’s eligibility.

Similar product defect settlements like the Rheem Water Heater Defective Drain Valve Class Action Settlement, Claim Up To $1,500 Available For Owners follow the same claims process requiring documentation and proof of ownership.

How Much Money You Can Receive

The settlement provides two types of compensation. First, you can claim reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to completing the Toyota airbag recall.

Eligible expenses include rental car costs if Toyota didn’t provide a loaner vehicle, towing charges to reach the dealership, childcare expenses while your vehicle was being serviced, and documented lost wages from taking time off work.

Second, class members may receive up to $250 in residual payments if funds remain after all expense reimbursements are paid. This payment comes from whatever money is left over in the $78.5 million settlement fund.

Payment amounts depend on how many valid claims are filed. More claims mean smaller individual payouts. The Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Class Action Settlement, Claim Deadline May 16, 2026 uses the same pro-rata distribution method when total claims exceed available funds.

Critical December 2028 Deadline

The claim filing deadline is December 11, 2028. You must submit your claim form online at airbagcontrolunitsettlement.com or mail it postmarked by this date.

An appeal was filed on December 28, 2023. Claims will not be paid until this appeal is fully resolved. Settlement payments typically distribute 60-180 days after all appeals are finalized.

The settlement also provides an extended warranty for recalled vehicles that complete the airbag control unit recall. If Toyota issues future airbag control unit recalls for these vehicles, the settlement includes a rental car reimbursement and loaner vehicle program.

Common Mistakes When Filing Claims

Many Toyota owners miss out on settlement money because they don’t realize they qualify. You don’t need to have experienced airbag problems to file a claim.

Keep all documentation related to the Toyota recall. Save rental car receipts, towing invoices, and childcare payment records. If you took unpaid time off work, get written verification from your employer.

Class members who do nothing will not receive settlement benefits and will lose the right to sue Toyota about these airbag issues. Filing a claim is the only way to get compensated.

How To File Your Toyota Settlement Claim

Visit airbagcontrolunitsettlement.com and complete the online claim form. You’ll need your vehicle identification number (VIN) found on your driver’s side dashboard or door jamb.

Upload copies of receipts and documentation proving your out-of-pocket expenses. If you don’t have receipts, you can submit a signed affidavit explaining your expenses.

You can also request a paper claim form by calling the settlement administrator at 833-747-5737 or writing to Toyota Airbag Control Unit Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.

What Is The Current Settlement Status

The settlement received final court approval in November 2023. An appeal filed shortly after must be resolved before payments begin.

Check the official settlement website regularly for updates on the appeal status and payment timeline. The settlement administrator will post notices about when claim payments will start.

Large class action settlements like the Google Class Action Lawsuit, $700 Million Settlement Could Pay Over 100 Million Users often take years between court approval and actual payment distribution due to appeals and administrative processing.

Last Updated: January 30, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Need Help? Contact the settlement administrator at 833-747-5737 with questions about your claim.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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