NHTSA Complaint #10567334 — 1994 TOYOTA RAV4

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME (APPROX. 30 MILE DRIVE), I WAS HEARING SOMETHING THAT WAS THUMPING, THINKING IT WAS JUST MY SEAT BELT HANGING OUT THE DOOR. I TRIED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND IT WAS TIGHT, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST MY SEAT BELT HANGING OUT THE DOOR. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT HANGING OUTSIDE THE DOOR. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO FIND A "L-SHAPED" BAR HANGING OFF THE CAR. IT WAS THE BAR THAT HELD THE GAS TANK. I NEVER EXPECTED SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT TO A CAR WOULD HAVE LET GO. ALL ALONG I AM THINKING IS IT STILL SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE THERE MUST BE A SECOND BAR HOLDING THE TANK UP. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THERE IS NOT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I WAS A VERY LUCKY GIRL AS THE METAL BAR WAS THE ONLY BAR HOLDING THE TANK UP. THERE SHOULD BE A ADDITIONAL BARS INSTALLED TO GIVE EXTRA PROTECTION IF ONE SHOULD FALL OFF OR BECOME LOOSE.