NHTSA Complaint #10266702 — 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS

1. AFTER I OPENED THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC GARAGE DOOR AND WAITED FOR MY WIFE TO ENTER FROM OUR HOME AND SEAT HERSELF IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT I STARTED THE VEHICLE, GEARED IT INTO REVERSE TO PREPARE TO BACK OUT OF OUR ATTACHED INDOOR GARAGE. 2. AS I STARTED TO BACK UP, PROCEEDING NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 18 INCHES, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE SOUND ACCOMPANIED BY A TREMOR AND SHATTERING GLASS AT THE SAME MOMENT. IMMEDIATELY I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND BOTH OF US EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR GAS PRESSURIZED STRUT HAD EXITED WITH SUCH FORCE THROUGH THE REAR HATCHBACH TRUNK LID WINDOW SHATTERING THE GLASS AND THE IMPACT OF THE STRUT HAD DAMAGED THE METAL RAILING OF THE GARAGE DOOR. HAD ANYONE BEEN IN THE PATH OF THE STRUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT LEAST TWO FEET INSIDE THE OPEN GARAGE DOOR. THE REAR TRUNK LID DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANY PART OF THE GARAGE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. 3. UPON MY INSISTENCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AND EVENTUALLY REPAIRED. I HAVE MOST OF THE OLD PARTS AT MY HOME. *TR