DPF Information

Q & A

Information about the DPF issue and Toyota’s actions to support customers

1. How do I know if my vehicle is experiencing a DPF issue?

This issue may present as:

• substantial white smoke discharged during the DPF regeneration process; and/or
• the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) in the dashboard instrument cluster may illuminate; and/or
• in some cases, as a precautionary measure, a reduction in engine power (‘limp home’ mode).

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 Guest Experience Centre. You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet which is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.

2. What has Toyota done to address the DPF issue?

Toyota has completed a Customer Service Exercise (CSE) for the DPF issue. The CSE involved proactively contacting all owners of potentially affected vehicles and giving them the opportunity to present their vehicle at their convenience and have the CSE performed free of charge. This means that, customers with potentially affected vehicles were contacted by letter using available details and were requested to contact their closest/preferred Toyota Dealer.

Toyota Dealers:

• Reprogrammed the engine control module with the latest level software for the ECU; and
• Replaced the DPF with updated hardware.

All inspection work and replacement, if required, was completed free of charge to our customers. In addition to the CSE, as part of our commitment to ongoing customer satisfaction, we have extended the warranty on the DPF system to 10 years from the first delivery date of the vehicle when new, with no limitation on kilometres for the following vehicles:

This DPF warranty extension was introduced in August 2020. Involved customers were notified by letter using available details.

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 even if their vehicle is not eligible for the extended warranty.

For other vehicles fitted with a DPF system that do not fall within the production period above, please note that:

• Enhancements were made to the DPF system in Prado, HiLux and Fortuner diesel vehicles produced from June 2018 onwards.
• As part of Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement, further improvements to the DPF system have been made to all diesel Prado, HiLux and Fortuner vehicles produced from 1 May 2020 onwards. This includes an all new DPF system fitted as standard to these vehicles.

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 Guest Experience Centre. You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.

3. What is meant by ‘no limitation on kilometres’ if my extended warranty is for 10 years?

The DPF system warranty period of 10 years starts from the first delivery date of the vehicle when new. The odometer reading or the mileage of your vehicle during this 10-year period does not affect your warranty coverage. The rights under this warranty period for the DPF system are in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

4. What is the first delivery date and where can I find my vehicle’s first delivery date?

The first delivery date is the date on which the vehicle was first registered in a motor vehicle register in a state or territory within Australia. To find out the first delivery date of your vehicle, you can refer to your service logbook or contact your closest/preferred Toyota Dealer.

5. I’m scheduled to pick up my new Prado/Fortuner/HiLux, but I’m concerned it is affected by the DPF issue?

The previous Customer Service Exercise (summarised above) applied to the following vehicles:

Customers with potentially affected vehicles were contacted by letter using available details. 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 Guest Experience Centre.

You may also wish to refer to the DPF information Booklet which is available at http://toyotamanuals.com.au.

6. Does my vehicle need a DPF manual regeneration switch?

The DPF manual regeneration switch is now fitted as standard across the range of Toyota diesel vehicles as part of Toyota Australia's initiative to standardise features across vehicle models. 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 Toyota Dealer or the Guest Experience Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm AET).

7. 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.

8. What if I haven’t been contacted and I have a DPF concern or issue?

For any further queries please contact your closest or preferred Toyota Dealer or contact the Guest Experience Centre on 1800 869 682 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm AET).
Learn more about our Complaint Handling process.

Information about the Class Action

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

Information about Toyota’s appeal

12. Has Toyota decided to appeal the decision of the Federal Court of Australia?

Yes, Toyota lodged its appeal on 10 June 2022.

13. What are the grounds for appeal?

Toyota’s appeal includes 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.

14. 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.

15. Will Toyota seek special leave to appeal 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, has also asked the High Court of Australia for special leave to appeal the decision of the Full Federal Court.

Important additional information about the class action

The Federal Court of Australia (Sydney) made its final orders following the initial trial judgment in the DPF class action. Copies of the 16 May 2022 Court orders can be found here and the 27 May 2022 Court orders can be found here.

If at any time during the period between 1 October 2015 and 23 April 2020, you acquired a Toyota HiLux, Fortuner or Prado fitted with a 1GD-FTV engine or 2GD-FTV engine, you may be a group member in the class action filed in the NSW Federal Court.

The next steps in the class action will include:

• a registration process for all group members to register their interest in receiving any money under the initial trial judgment; and
• assessment of group member eligibility to receive money for reduction in value and excess GST.

Important information about the registration process and assessment of eligibility is available here, or on the class action page of the Federal Court’s website.

16. 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 managed by Gilbert + Tobin (the lawyers representing the interests of the group members). If you have any questions about the communication you have received or are unsure what to do, you can contact Gilbert + Tobin by submitting your query at: www.toyotaclassaction.deloitte.com.au or calling them on 1800 324 984.

17. 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 Gilbert + Tobin (the lawyers representing the interests of the group members). If you have any questions, contact Gilbert + Tobin by submitting your query at: www.toyotaclassaction.deloitte.com.au or calling them on 1800 324 984.

18. Toyota has appealed the initial trial judgment. Will the registration process proceed?

Yes, unless the Court orders otherwise, registration will proceed.