NHTSA Complaint #10597992 — 2014 LEXUS CT

WE NOTICED A FUEL SPILL UNDER CAR AS WE PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BROUGHT CAR INTO LEXUS DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD US THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAD NOT NOTICED ANYTHING UNUSUAL IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE FUEL TANK IS EXPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IS MADE OF PLASTIC. THERE IS NO SHIELD OF ANY KIND TO PREVENT A STONE OR ANY OTHER DEBRIS FROM CAUSING THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE AGAIN. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN TO US OR ANYONE OWNING THIS MODEL. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES VERY LUCKY TO HAVE DISCOVERED THE FUEL SPILL BEFORE THE TANK EXPLODED OR CAUGHT FIRE. THERE MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR