NHTSA Complaint #10864331 — 2010 TOYOTA SIENNA

2010 SIENNA SPARE TIRE RECALL: MY SPARE TIRE COMPLETELY FELL OFF MY CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING - NOT SURE IF IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH BEHIND MY CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY APPLIED THE RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER, BUT THEY GAVE ME MY VEHICLE BACK WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 2 WEEKS WITH 4 KIDS IN MY CAR WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, MADE WORSE BY INCOMPETENT DEALER PERSONNEL. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW SPARE TIRE. AFTER ESCALATING THE ISSUE THROUGH THE TOYOTA CALL CENTER, THEY ARE NOW OFFERING ME A USED SPARE TIRE AS A REPLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE SHOULD NOT BE CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO CARRIER FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH BEHIND MY CAR. RECOMMEND THAT NHTSA FORCE TOYOTA TO MAKE SPARE TIRE REPLACEMENT PART OF OFFICIAL RECALL OR EDUCATE DEALERS ON HOW TO AUTHORIZE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT.