NHTSA Complaint #10231201 — 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

WHEN ON A LONG HIGHWAY TRIP ON THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 7, 2008, MY HUSBAND NOTICED BLACK SPOTS ON THE REAR WINDOW OF OUR 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (121,000 MILES). HE CLEANED IT OFF TO SEE IF IT RETURNED AS WE RESUMED OUR JOURNEY. WHEN WE NEXT STOPPED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE BLACK SPOTS WERE ON THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CHECKED BENEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW TRANSMISSION FLUID DRIPPING OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO REPORTED THAT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, AND THAT IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR, AND THAT HE HADN'T EVER SEEN THIS ON A CAR OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. HE INFORMED US THAT TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY RECALLED TACOMA VEHICLES FROM THE SAME YEAR FOR SIMILAR CORROSION PROBLEMS. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. WE ARE LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS BEYOND REPAIR THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL, AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES. PLEASE HELP. *TR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE INCLUDING THE AXLE, DIFFERENTIAL, BRAKES, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM WERE CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. UPDATED 08/27/08. *JB