On June 8, Bryan Banks' 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition caught fire, resulting in a total loss. The incident was attributed to an engine failure, and by the time the fire department arrived, the car was beyond saving. Banks' insurance covered the majority of the damages, but he sought additional compensation from Toyota through a warranty claim. Toyota's response from the Brand Engagement Center was peculiar. Banks received a letter from a 'Legal Claims Analyst' that not only declined assistance but also referenced CarFax reports and cautioned about the risks of exceeding 85 mph. This suggests that Toyota may deny warranty coverage if the vehicle's speed exceeds this limit, despite the car being designed for high performance and including a complimentary track day.
Banks was particularly perplexed by the emphasis on speed, as he noted that the owner's manual only mentions speed in relation to tire safety. He shared an in-car video of the fire and provided documentation of superficial accident damage from debris, which he believed should not affect the warranty claim. Toyota, however, cited a data packet indicating the car had reached 114 mph, labeling this as vehicle abuse.
Another owner, Sebastian R., faced a similar issue. His 2024 GR Corolla caught fire during a trip from California to Arizona, with only 9,210 miles on the odometer. His warranty claim was also denied without a clear reason, despite similar engine block damage. Both owners encountered difficulties in communication with Toyota, including incorrect contact information and duplicate records.
Toyota's stance on warranty coverage for high-speed incidents remains unclear. The company states that all claims are reviewed individually, but the handling of these cases raises questions about their claims process. Toyota's official stance on track events suggests that participation in high-performance driving events does not automatically void warranty coverage, unless the damage results from abuse or misuse.
