NHTSA Complaint #10484680 — 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

EVERY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THEM REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE (AT A COST OF $175.00 PER HANDLE) AND I HAVE TO REPLACE ONE FOR A SECOND TIME. THE HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CRACKS EASILY AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS. ALL OF THE HANDLES WERE BROKEN DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL USE. NO UNDUE OR EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS EXERTED WHEN THE HANDLES WERE BROKEN. WHEN THE HANDLES ARE BROKEN, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF MY FAMILY AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN TIME. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE, FRUSTRATING AND INCONVENIENT, IT CAN LEAD TO A DEADLY SITUATION. THERE IS NO REASON THAT EQUIPMENT AS IMPORTANT AS DOOR HANDLES SHOULD EVER BREAK UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR