Toyota Australia has agreed to pay $750 million to settle the long-running diesel particulate filter (DPF) class actions covering HiLux, Prado and Fortuner diesels. If you bought one of these vehicles between late 2015 and early 2020, or bought one privately from its first owner since, you could be in line for a payment.
Three things to know up front. The deal is not final: it still needs approval from the Federal Court of Australia. Individual payout amounts have not been announced. And no money has been paid to anyone yet. We cover the latest in our news story, Toyota agrees to $750 million DPF settlement.
What the settlement covers
The $750 million deal settles two related proceedings. Toyota says it covers 264,170 vehicles acquired in Australia between 1 October 2015 and 23 April 2020.
The affected vehicles are any Toyota HiLux, Toyota Prado or Toyota Fortuner fitted with either the 2.8 litre 1GD-FTV or the 2.4 litre 2GD-FTV turbo diesel. That second engine matters: the 2.4 litre HiLux is included, not just the 2.8.
| | Williams class action | Taylor class action | |---|---|---| | Started | 2019 | 31 July 2025 | | Who it covers | Buyers of an affected vehicle (new or used, from a dealer or retailer) between 1 Oct 2015 and 23 Apr 2020 | Second owners who bought privately between 24 Apr 2020 and 31 Jul 2025 from the original new buyer, and still own the vehicle | | Main exclusions | Bought at auction or for resale | Bought at auction, from a dealer, or for resale |
The exact rules are on the official class action site, toyotaclassaction.com.au. The run sheet above is a summary, not the full eligibility criteria.
How we got here
The Williams case, run against Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, began in 2019. The complaint: the DPF, which traps soot and is meant to burn it off during regeneration, could block up in normal Australian driving. That brought foul white smoke, higher fuel use and repeated unscheduled visits to the dealer.
In 2022 the Federal Court found the vehicles were not of acceptable quality and that Toyota engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct. It set the loss in value at 17.5 per cent of the average retail price. The lead applicant's reduction in value damages came to $7,474.59.
In March 2023 the Full Federal Court upheld the main findings but cut the loss in value to 10 per cent. In November 2024 the High Court said that cut should not have happened, but sent the case back to the trial judge to reassess damages, taking into account Toyota's effective repair from May 2020. The High Court also ruled the right to loss in value damages passes with ownership of the vehicle, which is why the Taylor case exists.
A reassessment hearing had been set to start on 19 October 2026. The settlement was reached before it began.
Does Toyota admit fault?
Toyota's statement says it agreed to settle, apologised "for any inconvenience or discomfort" and noted a free fix has been available since 2020. It does not describe the settlement as an admission of liability. That said, the court findings on acceptable quality and misleading conduct were not challenged in the High Court and remain in place.
What happens next
The Federal Court has to approve the deal. Before that, group members are normally sent a formal notice explaining the terms and how to object. A hearing date has been reported but is not yet confirmed on the official class action site, so watch that site for the notice.
How the $750 million gets split has not been published. Earlier court findings point to the factors likely to matter: the vehicle's average retail price, what you paid, whether you still own it, and whether Toyota's 2020 field fix was applied. The litigation funder, Balance Legal Capital, has said it will ask the court to deduct a funding commission and costs before money is paid out. The court decides whether that deduction is allowed and how big it is.
Timing for actual payments is not confirmed. Expect a claims assessment process run through the administrator after approval, not a cheque next month.
What owners should do now
- **Check if you registered.** The class action site said owners had to register by 4pm on 26 August 2026 to receive money from any settlement. If you missed it, contact the solicitors (Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan) through the official site and ask where you stand. - **Finish your registration.** If you started a form on the Deloitte group member portal but never submitted it with documents, do it now. - **Keep your paperwork.** Contract of sale, registration papers, VIN, finance documents and every service and DPF repair invoice. Records of time off work for DPF visits may matter for consequential loss claims. - **Think before you sell.** The High Court found that selling the vehicle ends your right to loss in value damages. Other claims may survive, but get advice first. - **Beware of scams.** Only use toyotaclassaction.com.au, Toyota's own DPF class action page, or the Federal Court website. Nobody legitimate will ask for an upfront fee or bank details by text message.
What it means for used buyers
If you are shopping for a 2015 to 2020 HiLux, Prado or Fortuner diesel today, the settlement does not travel with the car to you. The Williams class covers purchases up to April 2020 and the Taylor class closed at 31 July 2025, so a buyer now is not a group member.
What you can still do is check the vehicle's DPF history. Ask a Toyota dealer to confirm by VIN whether the 2020 field fix (updated catalyst, modified injector and new software) has been fitted. Toyota offers that repair free. A vehicle with the fix and a clean service record is a far safer bet on paper than one with a history of repeated regenerations.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, speak to the class action solicitors or an independent lawyer.
Cartell Assessment
Seven years after the first filing, owners are finally close to a payout. But $750 million spread across more than 264,000 vehicles, minus funder costs, works out to well under the 17.5 per cent figure some owners pinned their hopes on. If you registered, sit tight and read the court notice when it arrives. If you did not, act now rather than waiting for a payment that may not come.
AU Outlook
The 1GD-FTV engine family still powers today's diesel HiLux and Prado, now with updated hardware and 48V mild hybrid help in some versions. The legal precedent from this case, especially that loss in value damages follow ownership of the vehicle, will shape how future Australian Consumer Law claims against carmakers play out.
