NHTSA Complaint #11140666 — 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL, DRY CONDITIONS ON PUBLIC ROADWAY, THE FRAME OF THIS 2003 SEQUOIA BROKE. THE AFFECTED AREA IS WHERE THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM FROM THE BACK AXLE JOINS THE MAIN VEHICLE FRAME. THE VEHICLES ROCKED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND VERGED ON BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. NO INJURIES OCCURRED DURING THE EVENT BUT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION AND RESEARCH THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY COMPROMISED FROM CORROSION. AFTER TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED, OWNER WAS TOLD VEHICLE HAD "RUST TREATMENT" IN 2013, NO FURTHER CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFERED. THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFINITELY UNSAFE AND THE CORROSION TREATMENT HAS ONLY GIVEN OWNERS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. OPERATION OF THESE "RUST PROTECTED" VEHICLES LEAVES OWNERS FACING UNSEEN RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH FROM FRAME FAILURE. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REMOVED FROM SERVICE TO PROTECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC.