NHTSA Complaint #10328346 — 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA

TOYOTA (2004 SIENNA) SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER ON DRIVERS SEAT. TOYOTA (JUDY FAUL) INTERVIEWED ME/MY CASE AND SUBMITTED TO TERRENCE CHU (REGULATORY AFFAIRS). HE WROTE ME A LETTER 3 MONTHS LATER AND SAID TOYOTA WAS NOT AT FAULT BECAUSE I HAD A TOWEL (8"X8" BABY BURP CLOTH) ADJACENT TO MY LEG (LEFT OUTER THIGH) AND THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES "NOT TO USE AN INSULATING OBJECT" WITH THE SEAT HEATER OPERATING. HE NEVER CONTACTED ME FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO ANYONE AT TOYOTA. THE DEALER (PEORIA, IL) SAID THEY WILL REPAIR FOR $1337, BUT WILL NOT SUPPORT ME TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THE FAULTY HEATER CREATED. I CAN SEE THEIR LOGIC IF SITTING ON A STACK OF TOWLES, BUT NOT A RAG, OF WHICH THE CONSISTENCY IS LESS THAN THE SKI PANTS WORN (WITH THE HEATER OPERATING) OR MY WIFE SWEATER DRESSES IN THE SAME MANNER. PERSONAL FRIENDS (TORRY OLSEN) HAD THE SAME YEAR VAN AND THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA REPAIRED THEIRS AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATER ELEMENT IS STILL HOOKED UP (AND DANGEROUS) AND TOYOTA WILL NOT SERVICE UNLESS WE PAY. *TR