NHTSA Complaint #10064040 — 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER

COMPLAINT: DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SEVERELY ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN IN 'FORWARD DRIVE' ON A HILL. TOYOTA STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED AND FOUND VEHICLE OPERATING TO SPECIFICATIONS. *JB MY OBSERVATION IS THAT THE TOYOTA 2002 4RUNNER IS AN UNSAFE AND DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT I INTEND TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE TOYOTA 2002 4RUNNER IS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I LIVED IN A FLAT AREA (MORRIS PLAINS). RECENTLY WE MOVED TO A LOCATION WITH A STEEP DRIVEWAY (700 FEET). SINCE MOVING TO OUR NEW HOME MY WIFE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE SEVERELY ROLLS OPPOSITE THE DESIRED DIRECTION WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL WHILE AT A STOP ON A STEEP HILL. THE PROBLEM IS EXAGGERATED WHEN THE ROADS ARE SLICK, AS THE CAR ALSO SPINS SIDEWAYS DUE TO LOSS OF MOMENTUM FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS FORCED TO COMPENSATE CREATING TOTAL LOST OF TRACTION AND DRIVER CONTROL. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE TOYOTA ADVERTISED IT AS THE VEHICLE THAT CAN TAKE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD. TOYOTA ACTUALLY SHOWS A VEHICLE CLIMBING A VERY STEEP MOUNTAIN. THAT IS FALSE ADVERTISING! WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSED TO HANDLE STEEP HILLS SAFELY UNDER A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE CAPABILITY. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK ON A HILL WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN GOOD FAITH, I HAVE PROCEEDED TO ADDRESS THE MATTER WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AN INJURY OR DEATH HAS TO OCCUR PRIOR TO THE MANUFACTURER RECALLING THE PRODUCT FOR CORRECTION. TOYOTA HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE 2003 4RUNNER BUT WILL NOT CORRECT IT ON PREVIOUS VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY DON'T PERCEIVE IT AS A PROBLEM.