NHTSA Complaint #10969624 — 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

I STARTED THE 4RUNNER AND NOTICED THAT A FEW OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON (ABS, BRAKE, & A FEW OTHERS I CAN'T REMEMBER). I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ANYWAY TO RUN SOME ERRANDS (SHORT DISTANCE), AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY EITHER (NOT GOING INTO ECO MODE AND STRUGGLING TO REACH 40 MPH). I DECIDED TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED A SQUIRREL NESTED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FIREWALL. THE SQUIRREL ALSO USED THE INSULATION FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ALONG THE FIREWALL TO MAKE ITS NEST. I TOOK THE 4RUNNER TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE ELECTRIC RUNS WAS CHEWED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITH SOME DAMAGE ON THE MAIN HARNESS. I LET THEM KEEP THE 4RUNNER OVER NIGHT TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE DAMAGE. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS FOR $5,716.30. I DECIDED TO LET THEM KEEP THE 4RUNNER UNTIL THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC HARNESS WOULD TAKE 3 TO 5 DAYS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEN I WAS NOTIFIED (6 DAYS LATER) THAT THE ELECTRIC HARNESS WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND WOULD TAKE ANOTHER WEEK BEFORE THEY RECEIVE IT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A PHONE CALL SAYING THAT ALL THE PARTS WERE IN, BUT NOW THEY WOULD EITHER HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENGINE OR RAISE THE BODY TO INSTALL THE FIREWALL INSULATION. SO AN ADDITIONAL $2,219.66 FOR THAT PORTION OF IT. SURE MY INSURE PICKED UP THE TAB LESS MY DEDUCTIBLE, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I DROPPED THE 4RUNNER OFF MARCH 7, 2017 AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT SHOULD BE READY AROUND APRIL 5TH. HOPEFULLY NOTHING ELSE IS FOUND. I PURCHASED THE 4RUNNER BRAND NEW ON FEBRUARY 4, 2017 (DRIVEWAY KEPT). I TRADED IN A 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT I HAD FOR 11 YEARS THAT SAT OUTSIDE FOR THIS HEADACHE. MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE TACOMA. THE 4 RUNNER ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS INCONVENIENCE HAPPENED.