NHTSA Complaint #10345412 — 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, SHE NOTICED A RAT CRAWL FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, INTO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE SIGHT OF THE RAT ALMOST CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE RAT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE REAR SEAT AND SEAT BELTS, IN WHICH THE RAT HAD CHEWED THROUGH. THE DEALER ALSO CLEANED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER ABOUT POSSIBLY HAVING A WIRE MESH INSTALLED OVER THE AIR INTAKE TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE RODENTS FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, HE WOULD HAVE TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.