NHTSA Complaint #10671094 — 2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA

MY 2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE INTERNAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FROM DAY 1 OF PURCHASE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH TOYOTA AND HAVE HAD IN FOR SERVICE AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THE RECIRCULATION BUTTON (WHICH IS ELECTRONIC, NOT MANUAL) WILL AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH OFF WHILE DRIVING EVERY THREE (3) MINUTES AND ALLOW OUTSIDE AIR TO FLOW IN. WHILE QUITE ANNOYING AT TIMES, IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN I VISIT MY CABIN IN JULIAN CALIFORNIA IN THE WINTER, AND THE SWITCH TO OUTSIDE AIR BLOWS IN THE OUTSIDE 20 DEGREE F WEATHER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MILES DOWN A VERY DARK (NO LIGHTING) AND VERY CURVING ROAD POPULATED BY MANY DEER. MY ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON THE CENTER CLIMATE CENTER, AND NOT THE ROAD AHEAD. TOYOTA HAS GIVEN ME MANY EXPLANATIONS, SEVERAL WHICH WERE INCORRECT, AND NOW THEY JUST CONCEDE THAT IT'S WORKING EXACTLY AS DESIGNED. THEIR REHEARSED ANSWER IS THAT ALL CARS SHOULD ONLY BE DRIVEN WITH THE OUTSIDE AIR COMING IN TO AVOID RECIRCULATED MOISTURE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR. THIS DOES NOT WORK IN FREEZING WEATHER! I'VE BEEN ON THE WEB TO THE TUNDRA FORUM, AND OTHERS VOICE THE SAME COMPLAINT. AN AIR RECIRCULATION CONTROL WHICH WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED AND ALLOWS IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, DIESEL FUMES, ETC. IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS SHOWN ME THE OPTIONS WITHIN THE COMPUTER, AND THERE ARE APPARENTLY NO OPTIONS TO OVERRIDE THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR