NHTSA Complaint #11355358 — 2018 TOYOTA TACOMA

DESIGN DEFECT RESULTING IN INABILITY TO OPEN HOOD. BATTERY FAILED (SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY) BUT COULD NOT OPEN HOOD TO JUMP START. TOW OPERATOR COULD NOT OPEN HOOD EITHER, SO VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PER DEALER EMPLOYEE, DESIGN DEFECT RESULTS IN HOOD BUMPERS EASILY GOING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, PREVENTING ABILITY TO OPEN HOOD. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT WHEN FUEL IS OR MAY BE LEAKING, THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT A FIRE, ESPECIALLY WHEN OCCUPANTS ARE STUCK IN WRECKAGE PENDING EMS ARRIVAL. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME, LIKELY SAVING LIVES AND CERTAINLY PREVENTING CATASTROPHIC BURNS. THE BUMPER IS CLEARLY DESIGNED THIS WAY AS A COST-SAVINGS MEASURE, SO THAT THE BUMPER CAN BE USED FOR VARIOUS MODELS AND MAKES. THE BUMPER'S DESIGN HAS ALMOST UNLIMITED ADJUSTMENT, AND EASILY COMES OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE EASILY CORRECTED BY SECURING THESE BUMPERS WITH AN ADHESIVE OR OTHER MEANS.