Toyota Owners Are Suing Over Frustrating Bluetooth Problems

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A car is one of the most expensive purchases you can make, and for people who aren’t homeowners, it is probably the most you will spend on a single possession. Because of that, drivers expect their vehicles to perform to their expectations in all ways – which, in 2021, includes any built-in technologies. Bluetooth is an important feature in modern cars, allowing people to safely use their mobile devices hands-free. A group of Toyota owners is unhappy with Bluetooth problems in their vehicles and are suing the Japanese automaker.

The Bluetooth problems Toyota owners are having

CarComplaints.com explains that the affected Toyota owners have filed a class-action lawsuit against the automotive giant that alleges when a consumer uses Bluetooth for calls, the person on the other end hears an echo of their own voice.

The suit claims this issue is the result of defective hands-free phone head units.” All Illinois law firm filed the suit and represents all Illinois residents who purchased or leased a “class vehicle” within the time frame covered by the lawsuit.

The affected Toyota models

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Camry Is Perfectly Safe for Your Teen

There are a number of Toyota models that are affected by the alleged Bluetooth problems and, as a result, are considered a “class vehicle” in the class action.

The lawsuit lists various makes of the Toyota 4Runner, Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Sienna, Avalon, Camry, Tacoma, Tundra, and Yaris as the affected models.

There are exceptions to that list, however. The 2018 Toyota Camry are excluded from the lawsuit, and in order for a specific vehicle to be included in the class, it must not have been “initially equipped with Apple CarPlay” and cannot have “had a head unit replaced at Toyota’s expense” resulting from a 2017 Technical Service Bulletin from Toyota.

That TSB alerted owners of “a Bluetooth echo in 2018 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles” and offered to bring the vehicle to a dealer to have the Panasonic head units replaced.

What has happened in the lawsuit so far

But the plaintiff, who has reportedly leased multiple 2019 Tundras with the Bluetooth issue, says that the TSB didn’t go far enough.

Toyota subsequently issued a “Tech Tip” with the subject “Bluetooth Hands-Free Call Echo” letting owners of other vehicles on the above list know of the Bluetooth problem on the 2016-2018 model years but failed to issue a similar recall for those models.

The Tech Tips claimed the echo issues were a result of the phone volume being too low and recommended that the user should increase the phone to max volume using the volume up button on the side of the phone after initiating the call. Then, he should lower the volume on the head unit to 45 or lower. The lawsuit alleges that the advice doesn’t address “the underlying problems in the hands-free phone systems.”

The plaintiff also criticizes Toyota’s advised fix because it requires the user to initiate the call, then “find the phone, pick it up and adjust the volume while driving,” which is the distraction that drivers look to avoid by using Bluetooth to make and receive calls while in the car.

When Toyota started offering Apple CarPlay in some 2019 and all 2020 models, according to the lawsuit, it fixed the problem, and those vehicles don’t have the Bluetooth echo.

If you think you’re affected and may qualify to join the lawsuit, you can contact the law firms handling the case, Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., the Law Office of Richard S. Cornfeld, LLC, Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP.

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2021 Is a Great Year for Luxury Midsize SUVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that purchasing trends have been shifting toward SUVs for years now. Manufacturers have definitely taken notice of this trend, which is why many of them have dedicated significant resources to improve their current SUV offerings. The 2021 model year showed fantastic results, especially among the luxury SUVs sector according to one trusted reviewing site. 

Read on to learn more about how Consumer Reports decides on which vehicles to recommend, and which luxury midsize SUVs made it on their coveted recommendation list. 

The Consumer Reports recommendation standards

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Consumer Reports is among the most trusted review websites as they do not rely on advertisements or backdoor deals with car manufacturers when reviewing vehicles. They are completely independent and instead depend on subscription fees to bring the best information to consumers when they make decisions about large purchases. 

When it comes to vehicles, Consumer Reports will add a checkmark and the word “recommended” next to the names of vehicles that meet their strict criteria. To get a “recommended” label, a car must score well on the Consumer Reports road test, predicted reliability ratings, owner satisfaction, crash test safety ratings, and available safety equipment. It’s not easy for vehicles to get the “recommended” label, but those that do provide an overall excellent value for most people. 

RELATED: Consumer Reports Recommends a Variety of Luxury Compact SUVs for 2021

Within the luxury midsize SUV segment of the market, Consumer Reports has placed their recommendation label upon seven excellent vehicles. It’s not hard to fathom that the 2021 BMW X5 came in the top spot with a road test score of 98/100 from Consumer Reports, and an overall score of 84/100.

The reviewers at Consumer Reports have even gone as far as to say that it’s among the best SUVs they have ever tested. Their recommendation mostly comes from how fun it is to drive, the improved trouble spot ratings from previous years, and the super comfortable yet classy interior. 

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne also received CR’s recommendation, scoring an impressive 87 on their road test and an 81 overall. The Cayenne’s driving experience and comfort were the main factors for its high score, though it does suffer a bit in terms of acceleration from a complete stop. 

Many didn’t see the 2020 Infiniti QX60 coming, and it was a pleasant surprise for a recommendation despite its slightly low predicted reliability score. Its score of 79 on the road test and overall score of 71 was thanks mostly to the superior standard safety features and quietness of the cabin, but it suffers a bit from less-than-stellar visibility. 

Lexus had a fantastic year for luxury midsize SUVs, as it made the recommendations list three times with the Lexus RX, Lexus RX L, and Lexus GX. The 2021 GMC Acadia took the final recommendation spot. 

A wide variety of recommendations

Lexus may have three recommended luxury midsize SUVs this year, but the other four recommended midsize SUVs come from different manufacturers, adding quite a bit of diversity to the list. GMC, Infiniti, Porsche, and BMW all also received the coveted CR recommendation in this category this year. 

This year’s Consumer Reports recommendations aren’t just diverse in the number of brands on it, it’s also diverse in the range of starting prices. The cheapest vehicle on the list, the 2021 GMC Acadia, starts at $29,800 and can go all the way up to $48,600. The most expensive starting price on the list goes to the 2021 Porsche Cayenne, which starts at $67,500 and goes up to a whopping $166,200. 

Despite the variety, if you’re in the market for a luxury midsize SUV, you can’t go wrong with any of Consumer Reports’ recommendations in 2021. 

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The Nissan Rogue Transmission Lawsuit Is Bigger Than We Expected

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Something has been going on with Nissan and the team responsible for designing the Rogue’s transmission. People have been complaining about the Nissan Rogue having serious transmission problems for nearly a decade. Recently, we published an article about a class-action lawsuit concerning “classic broken transmission symptoms” plaguing the Rogue. However, we had to update our readers and let you know that the lawsuit facing Nissan is a lot bigger than we first expected.

Transmission lawsuit names Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Rogue

According to a report published by Car Complaints on April 4, 2021, Nissan is now facing a class-action lawsuit due to long-going transmission problems plaguing the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Rogue.

Plaintiffs report that both vehicles “lurch, jerk, shake, and stall” because of these transmission problems. As a result, the 2015-2016 Pathfinder and 2014-2016 Rogue are prone to stalling. The report blames faulty continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) produced by Nissan subsidiary Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO).

Car Complaints stated that “. . . the Rogues and Pathfinders are dangerous to drive due to severe delays when trying to accelerate.” One plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit claimed that her 2016 Nissan Rogue “. . . frequently jerks and forces her to pull to the side of the road.”

This made the plaintiff afraid for her safety and the safety of her family when driving her Rogue, the report continued. Despite the plaintiff taking her Rogue to Nissan for regular service, the problems with her transmission persisted. The plaintiff added that she would not have purchased the Rogue or at least been willing to pay less for it if she had known about the transmission problems.

Both the Nissan Rogue and Pathfinder have had transmission issues for years

RELATED: The Nissan Rogue Is a Great Compact SUV for Tall Drivers

One of the biggest questions that should be answered is why hasn’t Nissan done anything about this long-standing transmission issue? According to some quick research, it seems both the Nissan Rogue and Pathfinder have had transmission problems as far back as 2013.

As early as January, Edmunds accumulated seven pages of complaints about the Rogue’s transmission problems. Entitled “Fight for recall of CVT for Nissan Rogues and the like,” owners of the Rogue posted to a forum-style forum page on Edmunds‘ website.

One owner wrote: “After reading these postings it makes me wonder. I have a 2008 Rogue with [sic] almost 70,000 miles. On acceleration, I hear a noise that sounds [like] a beehive at a distance. Once I reach the speed I want it goes away. Also, my car will shudder as if it wants to turn off and I was told that is normal for a car with this type of transmission. Are they pulling my leg?”

This shows that the Rogue has possibly been plagued with similar transmission problems well over two decades ago. As has been the problem with Nissan throughout history, there were many complaints about how technicians did little to fix the transmission problems. Others claimed that Nissan seemed disinterested in doing anything about it.

As for the Pathfinder, Edmunds reported in April 2014 that “Nissan North America is recalling approximately 3,065 2013 Nissan Pathfinder crossover vehicles equipped with a continuously variable transmission to fix a transmission fluid leak.”

According to Steve Yaeger, a Nissan North America spokesman, these transmission problems didn’t cause any injuries (only annoyed owners to the point of wishing they had bought a Toyota or Honda). Nearly two decades later, the Pathfinder still has transmission problems.

What you need to know about this class-action lawsuit

The Nissan Rogue | Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images

So that you’re completely informed, this is not the first class-action lawsuit laid against Nissan concerning Rogue transmission troubles. In February 2018, a class-action lawsuit claimed that the 2013 Nissan Rogue’s transmission was defective, according to TopClassActions.com. Originally filed in California state court in January, the case was transferred to federal court in February 2013.

On April 8, 2021, yet another class-action lawsuit was leveled against the Japanese auto manufacturer. According to ClassAction.org, “Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of people who own or lease certain Nissan Rogue vehicles.”

This class action “was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee: Eliason, et al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., et al,” according to the Car Complaints article.

If you’re an owner of a Nissan Rogue or Pathfinder with a faulty transmission, plaintiffs are represented by Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC, and Keller Rohrback L.L.P.

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Audi R8 V10 Decennium vs. Porsche 911 Turbo S: Which Supercar Is Faster?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Not only can the Porsche 911 Turbo S stop like a supercar, but it has the necessary speed to qualify as one, too. However, in the realm of restrained supercars, the Audi R8 V10 Decennium isn’t exactly slow. But which one is faster? That’s what YouTube team Throttle House decided to find out.

The 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium celebrates the V10 with speed

2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium | Audi

Originally, the R8 was only available with a 4.2-liter V8. However, in 2010 it gained a detuned version of the Lamborghini Gallardo’s V10 engine. So, for 2020, Audi decided to celebrate a decade of V10s with the R8 V10 Decennium.

The Audi R8 V10 Decennium is a limited-edition model based on the mid-engine supercar’s range-topping V10 Performance trim, Car and Driver reports. The Decennium trim is essentially an appearance package, giving the R8 V10 Performance some blacked-out exterior trim, bronze wheels and bronze-painted engine manifold, and copper stitching. But it does also come with a carbon-fiber center console, as well as carbon-fiber mirrors, side blades, and a wing. And, most crucially here, it’s still a 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance.

The bronze-painted V10 engine in a matte-black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium
2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium engine | Audi

For 2020, the R8 got an updated steering system, new tires and wheels, and some interior and exterior styling updates, Automobile reports. Performance models like the Decennium also have stiffer suspension and an optional carbon-fiber anti-roll bar. And, crucially, the 2020 R8 also got more power.

The 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium, being a Performance model, has an upgraded version of the standard R8’s 5.2-liter V0. So, instead of 562 hp, it makes 602 hp and 413 lb-ft, Car and Driver reports. The 5.2-liter V10 is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard AWD. And with that, the 2020 R8 V10 Decennium goes 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.2 seconds, Road & Track reports.

How fast is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S? Very

A red 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S parked on a dirt parking space by rolling green hills
2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S | Porsche

As fast as the 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium is, on paper, the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S is even faster.

Like the R8, the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S has AWD and a dual-clutch transmission. However, instead of seven speeds, it has eight. And rather than a naturally-aspirated mid-mounted V10, the Turbo S has a rear-mounted 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. A flat-six engine that’s rated at 640 hp and 590 lb-ft.

The rear 3/4 view of a red 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S parked by a road through rolling green hills
2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S rear 3/4 | Porsche

While the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S is more powerful than the Audi R8 V10 Decennium, it’s also about 60 pounds heavier, Motor1 reports. However, that’s of little concern to the stopwatch. The 2021 911 Turbo S goes 0-60 mph in 2.2 seconds, a full second faster than the R8 V10. And it’s officially the second-fastest car that Car and Driver has ever tested.

Throttle House’s test procedures

RELATED: The 2021 Audi R8 LMS GT2 Color Edition Pops

The speed tests Throttle House ran were fairly straightforward. Both the 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium and 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S lined up for a ¼-mile drag race from a standing start. Faster car wins.

On paper, then, this test seems like it’s in the bag for the Porsche. Because while both supercars have launch control, the 911 Turbo S is simply faster in a straight line on paper. And not just in terms of 0-60 mph time, either. Car and Driver estimates the Audi R8 V10 Decennium could run the ¼-mile in 10.7 seconds. But the 911 Turbo S can do it in 10.1 seconds.

RELATED: Can the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Out-Race a (Dodge) Demon?

However, test times are often ‘best of’ results. And not every launch is perfect. So, the R8 V10 isn’t necessarily out of the fight just yet.

Which is the faster supercar: the Audi R8 V10 Decennium or the Porsche 911 Turbo S?

RELATED: New vs. Used: $155k 2021 Porsche Panamera GTS vs. $26k 2010 Panamera 4S

Unfortunately, in this case, the on-paper results hold up. The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S beat the 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium in the ¼-mile drag race. And not just barely, but by over a car length. Throttle House co-host even described the 911 Turbo S as “alarmingly quick.”

It’s possible a rolling race or a standing-start race without launch control could have given different results. But if the goal is speed, the Turbo S is the better-equipped supercar.

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