NHTSA Complaint #11104672 — 2014 TOYOTA SIENNA

RECENTLY, AT APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES, THE UPPER HINGE OF THE FUEL FILLER DOOR (THE DOOR COVERING THE GAS TANK ACCESS) FAILED. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY PRESSURE EXERTED ON THE DOOR BY THE SAFETY SWITCH GOVERNING THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, DOCUMENTED HERE: HTTP://WWW.SIENNACHAT.COM/FORUM/67-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE-REPAIR-GEN-3/19274-FUEL-FILLER-DOOR-HINGE-BROKE-ANYONE-ELSE-HAVE-HAPPEN.HTML#. I BROUGHT MY VAN TO MY LOCAL DEALER REPAIR FACILITY, NOVATO TOYOTA, AT APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $380. I WAS TOLD THAT NEITHER TOYOTA NOR THE COMPANY PROVIDING MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT. IN ADDITION TO BEING CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN, IT CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT WILL PREVENT OPENING OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WHEN THE SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. PHOTO ATTACHED IS NOT MY VEHICLE, BUT A PHOTO FOUND ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE.