NHTSA Complaint #10344322 — 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA

A 7-YEAR OLD BOY WAS CLIMBING FROM THE BACK SEAT TO THE DRIVERS SEAT OF A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VAN AT THE TIME, THE VAN WAS NOT RUNNING, THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION.. YET SOMEHOW, THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND PUT INTO GEAR. AS THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET, THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, THROUGH A FENCE AND INTO A RAVINE WITH THE CHILD INSIDE. THE CHILD ALSO USED THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE EVENT (WHICH SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE). NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE PROPERTY IS EXTENSIVE. IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION AND STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED ON THIS VAN OR IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED DEFECT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE TRANSMISSION LOCK APPEARS TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. *TR