NHTSA Complaint #10070892 — 1996 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE 5VZ-FE BI-METAL ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE THE AUTHORIZED DEALER (TOYOTA 101 OF REDWOOD CITY), THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS TO CRACK AROUND THE VALES. I AM AWARE THAT TOYOTA HAD A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS FOR THE 5VZ-FE V6 ENGINES FOR MOST MODEL TRUCKS (4RUNNER & TACOMA) MANUFACTURED IN THE 1990'S.THE RECALL WAS UNDER THE GUISE OF A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN SSC-X01. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS ARE THE CORE REASON FOR THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MY 4RUNNER'S ENGINE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES CORP. IN SAN RAMON, CA & TORRANCE, CA ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS COMPLAINING OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE & GOOD WILL WARRANTY, BUT RECEIVED UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA HAS NO INTEREST IN TAKING RESPONSIBILTY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. LEAVING CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. I AM SEEKING THE FAIR AND REASONABLE REPAIR OF MY ENGINE IN A TIMELY MANNER.