NHTSA Complaint #10533283 — 2006 SCION XB

I NOTICED A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE, THAT MY FINGERS WERE COVERED IN A BLACK MUSHY SUBSTANCE. THE SWITCH TO OPEN THE DOOR WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND WOULD BARELY OPEN. MY WIFE AND I DON'T USUALLY USE THE HATCH DOOR, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG ITS BEEN IN THIS CONDITION . WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE SCION UP TO THIS POINT.I FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S PRODUCT. I'M SERIOUSLY PLANNING ON TAKING THIS FLAW TO THE MEDIA SINCE THE DOOR MAY NOT EVEN OPEN IN AN EMERGENCY. THE OTHERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER $200.00 TO FIX IT. I FEEL IT IS A FLAW THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR AND NOT ME. THE PART WAS PROBABLY MADE IN CHINA AND IS JUNK.THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE CARPORT AND NEVER ABUSED. *TR