NHTSA Complaint #10199843 — 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA

COMPLAINING IN REGARDS TO THE LIFTGATE STRUT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE. THE LIFTGATE CAME DOWN ON MY HEAD AFTER ANTICIPATING THE STRUTS WOULD HOLD AND CONTINUE TO RAISE THE LIFTGATE. THIS INCIDENT IS A COMPLETE HAZARD TO CONSUMERS THAT TOYOTA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT. THIS HAPPENED TWO MONTHS AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, BUT STILL 10,600 + MILES BELOW THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. A TOYOTA DEALER HAD TOLD ME THAT THESE STRUTS ARE OFTEN CHANGED. THAT TELLS ME THESE STRUTS ARE ALREADY KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE AND AT $175 - 181.00 EACH STRUT, THEY'RE NOT CHEAP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO BUYERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS WHO HELP TAKE OUT GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK. A SIMILAR CONCERN HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY ANOTHER PERSON TO CONSUMER REPORTS.ORG. DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND WILL BE ADDRESSED TO TOYOTA. THANKS FOR THE HELP. *JB