NHTSA Complaint #10157045 — 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE CRACKED WHEN I TRIED TO EXIT THE CAR. THE HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC. TOYOTA REPLACED THE HANDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON MAY 5, 2006, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER INSIDE, PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO EXIT OR HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU. I'M GRATEFUL I WASN'T EXITING FOR AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA. THE FIRST TIME YOU THINK IT IS A FLUKE BUT THE SECOND TIME MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT MY DOOR HANDLE BREAKING WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE TIME AND HAVE NEVER BROKEN A DOOR HANDLE. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY ASKED ME SUCH QUESTIONS AS WHETHER I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND IF I EVER OWNED ANY OTHER TOYOTAS. THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT RELEVANT TO THE PROBLEM. *NM