NHTSA Complaint #10934463 — 2013 TOYOTA SIENNA

THE 2013 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AT LARRY H. MILLER TOYOTA IN SPOKANE, WA. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED OTHER THAN EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS USED FOR NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY, NO GRAVEL OR OFF-ROAD USE. DURING THE 25,000 MILES (VEHICLE MILEAGE IS SLIGHTLY LESS) CHECKUP AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE TIRES WERE DISCOVERED TO BE TREAD-BARE WITH METAL THREADS VISIBLE IN IRREGULAR PATTERNS. THIS WAS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, THEREFORE THE TIRES ARE LIKELY DEFECTIVE. THE TIRES IN QUESTION ARE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400-02 RFT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS TIRE GOING TREAD-BARE ON OR BEFORE 20,000 MILES - THIS IS 1/2 TO 1/3 THE NORMAL LIFESPAN OF A TRADITIONAL TIRE AND OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND BE REIMBURSED FOR ASSOCIATED REPLACEMENT COSTS. THE TIRES IN QUESTION HAVE A 6-YEAR WARRANTY ON MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THE TIRE COMPANY DOESN'T WANT TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WORK WAS DONE PROPERLY FROM DAY 1 AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER TIRES, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE, IN LIKE NEW CONDITION, THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEITHER THE TIRE MANUFACTURER OR THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN, WITH LIMITED MOBILITY, AND ON A FIXED INCOME - ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.