NHTSA Complaint #10682242 — 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA

THERE IS A SPARE TIRE RECALL ON 2004-2011 TOYOTA SIENNAS. THE "INTERIM" FIX REMOVES THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND STORES IT IN THE PASSENGER AREA. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2010. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR THE EXTRA CARGO SPACE AND THE SEVEN PASSENGER CAPABILITY. NOW AT BEST ITS A SIX PASSENGER VEHICLE WITH A PRETTY BIG TIRE UNSECURED IN THE PASSENGER/CARGO AREA. THE REASON FOR THIS RECALL IS THAT THE SPARE TIRE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED UNDER THE CAR AND NOW IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE CABLE IS DETERIORATED AND COULD ALLOW THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP ONTO THE ROAD. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT TOYOTA IS IN NO HURRY TO MAKE A PERMANENT REPAIR. IN THE EVENT OF REALLY HARD STOP OR COLLISION THIS LOOSE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE INJURY. *TR