NHTSA Complaint #11298630 — 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

WHILE HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE. AFTER CALLING FOR BACKUP THE MECHANICS WERE ABLE TO CUT THE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS BEFORE A TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY, SO I HAD TOYOTA REPLACE THE HOIST AT MY COST TO REPAIR (UNWARE OF THE RUST AND FRAME ISSUES). THE 4RUNNER WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE HOIST WAS BAD BEFORE THAT DATE BECAUSE I NEVER HAD TO USE THE HOIST. THE HOIST WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. I'M REPORTING THIS NOW SO THAT OTHER OWNERS CAN CHECK THEIR HOIST AND FRAMES. THE FRAMES ARE DANGEROUS (RUSTED AND FALLING APART) AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE CAUSE OF SOMEONE'S ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL DEATH. I'VE CONTACTED MY STATE SENATOR TO LOOK INTO THE FRAME INVESTIGATION AND WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG. HOPEFULLY, I WILL HEAR BACK SOON. TOYOTA'..SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT WARNING OWNERS AND MAKING THIS RIGHT.