NHTSA Complaint #10412419 — 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN OPENING THE LIFT GATE, THE SUPPORT STRUT FAILED AND THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFT GATE STRUT LOST ALL PRESSURIZATION AND THE LEFT SIDE STRUT DID NOT PREVENT THE LIFT GATE FOR FALLING. I REPLACED BOTH STRUTS. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL FOR THESE STRUTS BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I RECOMMEND THAT THE STRUTS SHOULD BE REDESIGNED TO PREVENT SUDDEN LOSS OF PRESSURIZATION AND POSSIBLE INJURY. THE NEW DESIGN SHOULD PROVIDE FOR A SLOWER DROP OF THE LIFT GATE WHEN PRESSURIZATION IS LOST IN ONE STRUT. THANK YOU! UPDATED 10/11/2011 *LN *TR