NHTSA Complaint #11549166 — 2018 TOYOTA TUNDRA

While descending a steep grade towing an 8,000lb travel trailer using appropriate hill descent braking techniques, an error message came on the dash indicating a trailer wiring, type, or connection fault. From this point forward, I had no trailer brakes and was left with truck brakes only. I got the truck/trailer combination to the bottom of the grade safely, however this could have been catastrophic for an inexperienced driver or in a different situation. Upon further investigation, this is a common problem with Toyota Tundra’s, and acknowledged by Toyota in TSB # T-SB-0036-19 issued on April 1, 2019. The dealer and Toyota Customer Service will not acknowledge this, and states it is something only covered under the 3 year warranty. My question for you, the NHTSA, is how would this not be considered a safety issue, when the issue comes on unexpectedly under less than ideal circumstances, especially when Toyota has acknowledged that there is a problem with their brake controller. This is a safety issue, not a warranty issue. Toyota will be held accountable for any injury or death caused by my vehicle in this situation.