NHTSA Complaint #10971652 — 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

MY WIFE TURNED OFF THE KEYLESS IGNITION OF OUR VEHICLE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN DRIVE. SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. FORTUNATELY THE GARAGE DOOR WAS CLOSED OTHERWISE SHE MAY WOULD BEEN HIT BY THE CAR DOOR OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED INTO THE STREET. WE LIVE IN A CUL DE SAC WHERE CHILDREN PLAY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT IS HOW THE IGNITION IS SUPPOSED TO FUNCTION FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DRIVER. I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA REP WHO TOLD ME THAT WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND CONVENIENCE SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS. OUR OTHER TWO CARS HAVE KEYED IGNITIONS AND REQUIRE THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN PARK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. I KNOW THIS IS DANGEROUS. IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF AND NO ONE IS AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION.