NHTSA Complaint #10632498 — 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA (AND A NUMBER OF TOYOTA MINI-VANS) ARE PLAGUED WITH A DEFECTIVE AND COSTLY REPAIR ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR HATCHES ON A NUMBER OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE HANDLE THAT OPERATED THE HATCH IS VERY FRAGILE AND BREAKS FREQUENTLY. THIS PLASTIC HANDLE BREAKS ON A 1-2 YEAR BASIS AND THE REPAIR COST IS OVER 400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HANDLE. OPENING THE HATCH IS NOT POSSIBLE WHEN THIS BREAKAGE OCCURS AND ANYTHING THAT WAS PLACED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO RETRIEVE. ALSO, WHEN THE HATCH IS CLOSED AND THE LATCH IS BROKEN, NONE OF THESE VEHICLES CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THEIR SPARE TIRE WHICH IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND IS REMOVED USING A TOOL THAT IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE WHEN THE HATCH IS OPEN. SO, WHEN THE HATCH BREAKS, YOU ARE STUCK ON THE ROAD IF YOU HAVE A FLAT. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS. IT IS ONE THING TO CHANGE A TIRE - IT IS ANOTHER TO NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE A TIRE DUE TO TOYOTA'S IGNORANCE. I HAVE HAD 4 HANDLES THAT HAVE BROKEN TO THE TUNE OF 1600 DOLLARS FOR A 1 DOLLAR PIECE OF PLASTIC. SOMEONE NEEDS TO SLAP TOYOTA AROUND AND GET THIS ON A RECALL LIST. VARIOUS U-TUBE AND OTHER FORUMS GO INTO THE TOYOTA HATCH PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER CONTACTING TOYOTA AND REQUIRING THEM TO FIX THEIR TIME BOMB JUST WAITING TO EITHER HURT OR LEAVE BUYERS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR