NHTSA Complaint #10443638 — 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA FROM A DEALER. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 70K MILES ON IT AND LOOKS TO BE IN GREAT SHAPE INSIDE AND OUT. HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT WITH SEVERE RUST AROUND THE JOINTS AND WELDS OF THE UNDERFRAME. I HAVE LIVED IN NE FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED MY FAIR SHARE OF CARS AND TRUCKS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME THAT IS THIS RUSTED ON A FAIRLY NEW CAR. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I USED IN THE SNOW/DIRT/ROAD ALL YEAR LONG AND THE FRAME LOOKED BRAND NEW WHEN IT WAS SOLD. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TALKING TO OTHER SEQUOIA OWNERS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR LACK OF QC. THE TOYOTA TUNDRA FROM THE SAME YEARS WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED AND YET THE SEQUOIA OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH EXPENSIVE TRUCKS THAT CAN'T PASS INSPECTION AFTER 6 OR LESS YEARS ON THE ROAD. TO ME, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I REALLY HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. *TR