NHTSA Complaint #10467143 — 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA

THE VEHICLE (2000 TOYOTA SIENNA) WAS STOPPED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE SHIFTER SHEARED OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON TAKING OFF THE STEERING COLUMN COVER, I NOTICED THE SHIFTER HAD BROKEN OFF THE COLUMN IN THREE AREAS WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE ALUMINUM HOUSING THAT SURROUNDS THE STEERING COLUMN. I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY NOR DRIVE THE CAR FROM THE STOPPED LOCATION. THE SIENNA WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT TOYOTA HAD MADE TWO REVISIONS TO THIS PART AND IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE THIS PIECE BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON AN ARTERIAL OR IF SOMEONE WERE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO THE LOWER GEARS WHILE UNDER MOVEMENT. *TR