NHTSA Complaint #10264007 — 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED AN EXTRA PROTECTION PACKAGE FOR THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD COVER THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WINDSHIELD INSTALLED AN ETCHING INTO THE GLASS TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE AGAINST THEFT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PERMANENT PLATE INSTALLED IN THE WINDSHIELD TO PREVENT IT FROM SHATTERING. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, A ROCK CRASHED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A LARGE SPIDER-LIKE CRACK AND A DIME-SIZED HOLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 2,000. UPDATED 4/28/09 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SECURITY ETCHING LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM DRIVER-SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD CONTRIBUTED TO THE WINDSHIELDS BREAKING WHEN A SMALL STONE HIT IT. HE BELIEVED THE ETCHING WEAKENED THE WINDSHIELD SUBSTANTIALLY. UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB