NHTSA Complaint #10652131 — 2000 TOYOTA AVALON

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I NOTICED THAT THE EYEGLASS COMPARTMENT THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE CAR BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT VISORS WAS HANGING DOWN AND COVERING THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I TRIED TO CLOSE IT SHUT BY PUSHING IT UP INTO PLACE, BUT IT KEPT FALLING DOWN. I PUT ON MASKING TAPE TO KEEP IT CLOSED, SINCE I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE USE OF MY INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THAT SAME DAY, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO GET NEW TIRES AT AN AUTO REPAIR PLACE. I DROVE DIRECTLY THERE AND ASKED THE AUTO MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE COMPARTMENT COVER ENTIRELY. HE REMOVED THE COVER, IT WAS HELD IN PLACE WITH TWO LITTLE SCREWS, AND HE ALSO FOUND IN THE CAR A TINY PIECE OF ALUMINUM, IN A V SHAPE, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN PART OF THE COMPARTMENT LOCKING MECHANISM. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 14 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE PUT ANYTHING IN THAT COMPARTMENT. I MAY HAVE OPENED IT ONCE TO SEE HOW IT WORKED WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR. I AM GLAD THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, AND THAT THIS COVER IS NOW COMPLETELY GONE FROM THE CAR. THIS CAR DOES HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE. *TR