Toyota was ranked the worst automaker in the world for anti-climate lobbying by InfluenceMap, spending $808,500 to fund 207 climate-denying congressional campaigns between 2020 and 2024. Japan's government issued a formal correction order in 2024 after finding widespread intentional fraud in Toyota's vehicle safety certifications. Toyota's subsidiary Daihatsu halted all production after admitting it had forged safety test results for over 30 years.

Why are people boycotting Toyota?

Toyota faces boycotts for being the top auto industry funder of climate denial in Congress and for a decade-long pattern of safety test fraud. The company also donated $1 million to Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration. In January 2024, Toyota issued a Do Not Drive advisory for roughly 50,000 older Corolla and RAV4 vehicles, warning that defective Takata airbag inflators could explode and shoot metal fragments, causing serious injury or death.

What are the best ethical alternatives to Toyota?

Subaru and Honda consistently match or beat Toyota on reliability without the safety fraud or climate lobbying record. For buyers wanting an EV, Rivian builds American-made electric trucks and Polestar offers transparent supply chain reporting. Local used car dealerships are also worth exploring as buying used skips new manufacturing entirely.

Toyota

Flagged · Avoid

The world's largest automaker, ranked the worst in the industry for anti-climate lobbying while hiding decades of safety test fraud.

Last updated June 12, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:LaborOtherEnvironment

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism issued a formal correction order to Toyota in July 2024 after on-site investigations uncovered widespread, intentional misconduct in vehicle safety certification across multiple models — including the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, Yaris Cross, RAV4, Harrier, and Lexus LM — some of which were still in production. Overseas authorities were alerted.global.toyota2024-07-31
Toyota's subsidiary Daihatsu halted all domestic vehicle production after admitting it had forged safety test results for over 30 years. Toyota's CEO publicly apologized, acknowledging the scandal "shook the very foundations of the company."cnn.com2024-01-30
InfluenceMap ranked Toyota the lowest-scoring automaker in the world on climate policy — dead last among 15 major automakers — for actively lobbying against EV mandates and clean vehicle standards across the US, Europe, Australia, India, Japan, and Mexico.influencemap.org2023-10-01
Toyota's political action committee donated $808,500 to 207 congressional campaigns of climate change deniers between 2020 and 2024 — more than Ford and GM combined — making it the top auto industry funder of climate denial in Congress. Toyota donated $1 million to Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration.citizen.org2025-01-14
Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles over defective Takata airbag inflators for more than a decade. In January 2024 it issued a Do Not Drive advisory for roughly 50,000 older Corolla and RAV4 vehicles, warning the inflators could explode and shoot metal fragments, causing serious injury or death.npr.org2024-01-30

Ethical alternatives

Reliable Cars & SUVs

Subaru

Consistently top-rated for safety and reliability, with a strong reputation for all-weather performance and longevity.

♻️ Sustainable

Visit →

Honda

Long record of reliability and fuel efficiency, with fewer major regulatory scandals than most large automakers.

♻️ Sustainable

Visit →

Electric Trucks & SUVs

Rivian

American-made electric trucks and SUVs built from the ground up as EVs, not retrofits. A genuine alternative for truck buyers.

♻️ Sustainable

Visit →

Polestar

EV-only brand with a strong sustainability focus and transparent supply chain reporting.

♻️ Sustainable

Visit →

Pre-Owned Vehicles

Carmax

Buying used is the most sustainable choice — no new manufacturing emissions, and often far cheaper.

👗 Second Hand

Visit →

Local Used Dealerships

Find a local independent used car lot near you — keep dollars in your community.

📍 Local Business👗 Second Hand

Common Questions

Is Toyota ethical?: Toyota was ranked the worst automaker in the world for anti-climate lobbying by InfluenceMap, spending $808,500 to fund 207 climate-denying congressional campaigns between 2020 and 2024. Japan's government issued a formal correction order in 2024 after finding widespread intentional fraud in Toyota's vehicle safety certifications. Toyota's subsidiary Daihatsu halted all production after admitting it had forged safety test results for over 30 years.
Why are people boycotting Toyota?: Toyota faces boycotts for being the top auto industry funder of climate denial in Congress and for a decade-long pattern of safety test fraud. The company also donated $1 million to Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration. In January 2024, Toyota issued a Do Not Drive advisory for roughly 50,000 older Corolla and RAV4 vehicles, warning that defective Takata airbag inflators could explode and shoot metal fragments, causing serious injury or death.
What are the best ethical alternatives to Toyota?: Subaru and Honda consistently match or beat Toyota on reliability without the safety fraud or climate lobbying record. For buyers wanting an EV, Rivian builds American-made electric trucks and Polestar offers transparent supply chain reporting. Local used car dealerships are also worth exploring as buying used skips new manufacturing entirely.