NHTSA Complaint #10133262 — 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

THE LOCKING LUG NUTS ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEELS BREAK AND FRAGMENT WITH SHARP METAL SHARDS WHEN THEY ARE REMOVED WITH THE MATCHING LOCK LUG SOCKET AND 1 FOOT WRENCH WITHOUT ANY ABNORMAL TORSION. THE EQUIPPED LUG WRENCH IS EXACTLY 12 INCHES LONG (LEVER LENGTH). THE LUG NUTS WHEN BROKEN CANNOT BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE TIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE: ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEW MATCHING SOCKET AND THE 12" WRENCH. THE ORIGINAL LOCKING LUG NUT HAD TO BE DRILLED OFF BY THE DEALER. THE PERSON APPLYING THE TORQUE WEIGHS 153 LBS. PATRICK VANSCHOYCK, M.D.*AK