NHTSA Complaint #10340951 — 2010 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

2007 TOYOTA SEQUOIA: LATCH ON REAR TAILGATE BROKE WITH 62K MILES AND 2.5 YEARS INTO OWNING NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM DEALER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY SEQUOIA AND SIENNA OWNERS (BASED ON VARIOUS BLOGS AND MESSAGE BOARDS THAT ARE FOUND ON THE INTERNET). THE PART APPEARS TO BE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CONNECTS OFF CENTER TO THE CABLE THAT ALLOWS THE REAR DOOR TO BE OPENED. THE DEALER CHARGES $254 FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. BASED ON HOW MANY COMPLAINTS EXIST REGARDING A PIECE THAT SHOULD WORK FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, IT SEEMS TO BE APPARENT THAT THIS PART HAS DEFICIENCIES IN ITS DESIGN. TOYOTA, AT THIS TIME, DOES NOT HAVE THIS ON ANY RECALL LIST AND DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A 2001 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER AND WORKED PERFECTLY FOR 7 YEARS AND 155K MILES BEFORE TRADING IT IN FOR THE EXISTING SEQUOIA. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FLAW IN THE DESIGN AND PROVIDE OWNERS WITH THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AT NO COST, WHICH SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE A REDESIGNED LATCH THAT WILL NOT FAIL TIME AFTER TIME. *TR