NHTSA Complaint #11316570 — 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE NOSE, SPINE, LEFT WRIST, RIGHT LUNG WAS PUNCTURED, AND 3 FRACTURED RIBS ON HER LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN A COMA AND HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *LN