2010 Toyota 4Runner

Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally file a complaint against Toyota regarding their failure to notify me of a recall related to the clear coat peeling from my vehicle’s paint. I was never informed of this issue through a recall notice, nor did it appear in my vehicle’s history. I only became aware of the recall when a friend, who owns the same make and model in the same color, experienced the same problem and was able to have it repaired under the recall. When I contacted my local Toyota dealership, I was told that I am now outside the recall window and that the repair can no longer be completed under the recall. However, had I been properly notified in a timely manner, I would have taken my vehicle in for the necessary repairs. I believe Toyota’s failure to send me the recall notice has unfairly prevented me from receiving the repair I was entitled to. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in addressing this matter, as Toyota’s lack of proper notification has left me with an unresolved defect. Please advise on the next steps I can take to ensure Toyota takes responsibility for this issue. Thank you for your time and assistance. Best regards, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] UANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pictures attached). The miles to go reading seems to be increasing with each incident (1st incident showed 25 miles, second incident 65 miles, then 85 miles today). No low fuel indicator light or warning has appeared on ANY of these 3 occasions. This is a very dangerous situation potentially causing loss of life as drivers have SECONDS to navigate their vehicle off the highway, while quickly losing speed and loss of steering. No indication that fuel is low, while instead providing incorrect (inflated) dashboard data. Vehicle is going into the shop tomorrow. Found multiple reports of this same incident on [XXX] [XXX] ) which indicate problem with sending unit. Please review and consider further action or communication to other 4Runner owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 4Runner was involved in a collision where the airbags did not deploy, and I was knocked unconscious from hitting the steering wheel. The vehicle now shows an SRS fault code and is subject to an open Takata airbag recall. Toyota corporate initially stated they would cover towing for the recall repair, then reversed that decision, claiming an airbag fault does not prevent the vehicle from starting. Because of the failed airbag deployment and recall defect, the vehicle is unsafe to drive until the recall is completed. Toyota’s refusal to provide towing prevents me from safely completing a federally mandated safety recall. I am requesting NHTSA assistance in ensuring Toyota fulfills its obligations under federal recall law.

I own a 2010 Toyota 4Runner VIN # [XXX]. I bought the vehicle late last year and found that the vehicle paint was peeling. I took my 4Runner to the one and only dealer here in Laredo, Texas. They told me to take it to their company body shop. The body shop looked at my 4Runner, took pictures and submitted everything to Toyota. This was late November or early December 2021. I called the body shop back in January. The body shop manager told me it had been approved to paint all the metal panels on the truck, but that I would have to wait until May of 2022. In May of 2022 I physically went back to ask the body shop manager about the truck getting painted. He said that it would not be painted until August, but that if I did not want to wait I could “take it somewhere else”. After waiting all of this time I did not want to start all over again somewhere else, so I told him that I would leave it there. Sometime in late June or early July 2022 I physically went to check with the to see if my truck could be painted, and the body shop manager told me that he did not know when but I was the "fourth one in line". I did not want to lose all my “wait time” and have to start all over again. I am very concerned that my 2010 4Runner will not get the paint job that Toyota already knows it needs before the expiration date of December 11, 2022. I have reached out to Toyota Brand Engagement Center and have spoken to them to exhaustion about the fact that it appears that my truck will not get painted (case# [XXX]). Toyota refuses to provide me with documentation that the claim for paint was submitted and approved (documentation I can use to protect myself should the expiration date come and go without getting painted). Toyota also refuses to extend the expiration date of the paint program to allow for paint job approvals that have not been completed. I have tried to make a claim on my own insurance which was subsequently denied. They said to contact Toyota. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The undercarriage of my truck is so rusted, that parts are starting to fail. I can not install new tires on the truck at this point until $3000 of rust-damaged parts are replaced and possible frame replaced. I was told that the damage is so extensive, the costs outweigh the repairs, and that in the near future the truck will not be driveable.

Heated seat on drivers side was hot but heater was turned off. After a 1/2 hour drive smoke started coming out of the center console. Driver parked and exited the vehicle and called for help. Fire department arrived and put water on the fire then disconnected the battery. The insurance company determined the vehicle is a total loss. There were no personal injuries. Toyota Case #211004001272 I am not pleased that Toyota is treating this as a claim instead of a safety concern when I clearly stated this is a safety concern.

IN 2017 I WAS REPORTING THAT THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IN 2018 THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT AN EXTENDED WARRENTY REPAIR (MILAGE WAS LESS THEN 100,000). IN MARCH 2021 THE BAKE LIGHTS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT BUT THAT THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

I was told the paint on my 4 runner was recalled, but because it was a salvage title they where very rude and told me sorry but they can't fix it. I was so upset because when you spend 40,000. on a vehicle and something recalls it shouldn't matter if its a salvage title or not. So I left. I recently was getting some work done at a different dealership because a friend works there and I was explaining to him the situation and he said that isn't right and I needed to look more into and see about having Toyota fix the problem. I have sense called them back and they are still giving me the same run around and are still very rude. I haven't asked for a manager or anything but wanted to see if there was anything I could do first. It just upsets me because it runs so well but the paint looks horrible on it and it isn't my fault they have bad paint on there. Please help me

RUST HOLE IN FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR TRACK ARM MOUNT. CREATED A WEAK SPOT IN THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR AXEL MOUNTS. DUE TO NOT ENOUGH RUST PREVENTION FROM MANUFACTURE.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 70 MPH WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT UNINTENTIONALLY ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT, HOWEVER, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO HEAT UP. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THEY WAITED, THEY ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THEY NEEDED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATED SEATS BURNED THEIR SKIN HOWEVER, NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TOYOTA WORLD OF NEWTON (66 ROUTE 206 NORTH, NEWTON, NJ 07860 PHONE: (973) 383-0200) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE INFORMED THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V743000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,200.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000. *BF *AS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUCKEYE TOYOTA (740-654-3943, LOCATED AT 1903 RIVERWAY DR, LANCASTER, OH 43130) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND DAMAGED THE SUSPENSION. THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ALSO RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE HEAT SHIELD, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM (WHICH WAS ALSO RUSTED) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 241,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD IT TOWED TO IRA TOYOTA OF DANVERS (99 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923), BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE JUNE 26, 2019 AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TIMING CHAIN COVER OIL LEAK I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN COVER IS LEAKING BY THE SERVICE AT THE TOYOTA DEALER. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED IT'S QUITE FREQUENT AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A DECADE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO $2000 OUT OF POCKET. DO A QUICK SEARCH AND YOU WILL DISCOVER THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT AND FREQUENT AND TOYOTA IS TRYING TO TREAT IT AS A NORMAL WEAR ISSUE. WHICH IT IS NOT. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL OF THE TIMING CHAIN COVER IN THE 2010 TO PRESENT 4RUNNERS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

03/04/2019- I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DRY ROAD IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. A GRADUAL TURN, AND I STRESS GRADUAL, CAME UP AND UPON TURNING THE WHEEL TO TAKE THE SLIGHT CURB THE VSC/ ANTI SLIP BRAKING KICKED IN AND THE COMPUTER 'SENSED' I LOST CONTROLLED AT WHICH POINT IT TOOK OVER AND LOCKED THE BRAKES UP. THIS ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMPUTER TOOK AWAY ALL OF MY CONTROL, STRAIGHTENED MY CAR OUT SENDING ME OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIED UP RIVER BED TOTALLING MY TRUCK COMPLETELY. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT END DESTROYED, THANK GOD I WASNT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IT COULDVE BEEN MUCH MUCH WORSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IVE READ MULTIPLE, ALMOST IDENTICAL STORIES INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS, UNPREDICTABLE AND HAS LEFT ME VEHICLELESS IN A FINANCIAL BIND. I WILL ALSO MENTION THIS WASNT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED UNWARRANTED. THIS JUST HAPPENED TO BE THE FIRST TIME IT CAUSED SERIOUS ISSUES.

MY FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. THE UPPER REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF THE FRAME. THE FRAME IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM IS RUSTING AWAY WITH A LARGE HOLE JUST IN FRONT OF THE BRACKET. IN A MATTER OF TIME THE BRACKET WILL SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE FRAME WELD SEAMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE REAR AXLE ARE EITHER MISSING OR FULL OF POROSITY. ALSO, THE REAR SWAY BAR RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE RECENTLY.

WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE ENGINE SEEMS TO QUIT FOR ABOUT 5SEC THEN IT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS COULD HAPPEN ANYTIME.

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT RATED HIGH, EVEN THOUGH IT COST MORE MONEY THAN COMPETITOR MODELS. RELIABILITY IS WORTH IT TO ME. HOWEVER, THE FRAME STARTED HAVING SIGNIFICANT RUST AFTER JUST A FEW YEARS AND WAS CAUSING SOME EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. FIRE SHIELD RUSTED OFF AND WAS REMOVED. NOW THE MASSIVE SKID PLATE BRACKET RUSTED OFF. TOYOTA SERVICE JUST REMOVED THE ENTIRE UNREPAIRABLE SKID PLATE DUE TO THE LEVEL OF RUST. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH TO. THE MECHANICS SAID THEY WERE AFRAID TO SCRAPE OR CHIP ANY MORE RUST BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT OTHER STUFF WOULD FALL OFF AND MAKE THE VEHICLE EVEN MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THEIR OFFICIAL TOYOTA REPAIR ESTIMATE TO FIX THE RUSTING, FAILING FRAME AND MAKE IT SAFE AGAIN IS $17,783.71 WHICH IS HALF THE VALUE OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE! TOYOTA CORPORATE SAID, SORRY, WE HAVE RECALLED MANY OTHER RUSTING FRAMES ON OUR OTHER MODELS BECAUSE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, WE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR 4RUNNER THAT YOU PAID $34,500 FOR. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS THE SAME FRAME AS SOME OF THE OTHER RECALLED MODELS. THE TOYOTA CORPORATION TRIED TO COMFORT ME BY ENSURING ME THAT THEY LOGGED MY CASE WILL CONTACT ME VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL IF THEY EVER DO DECIDE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE GOOD ON MY $17,000 PILE OF UNSAFE, USELESS RUST.

TAKATA RECALL