1999 Toyota Towing Hitch Kit Other / unspecified Problems

FRAME RUST ON 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - VIN#[XXX]. TOYOTA CASE # [XXX]. ON MAR. 7, 2013 THIS VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE OK AND THEN TREATED WITH A RUST INHIBITOR AS PART OF A TOYOTA RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER DOING THIS SERVICE WAS TOYOTA OF SCRANTON, IN PA. 3 1/2 YEARS AND 11,000 MILES LATER THIS VEHICLE FAILED THE PA STATE INSPECTION DUE TOP SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST THROUGH. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND IN SOME AREAS IN THE REAR VERY LITTLE SOLID METAL REMAINING IN THE FRAME. THE TRAILER HITCH IS ATTACHED TO THE DAMAGED FRAME MAKING AN ACCIDENT WHEN TOWING A TRAILER HIGHLY LIKELY. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE HAS GONE FROM $5,000 TO 500 AND I WILL SELL THE VEHICLE FOR SCRAP AND PARTS. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE ROTTED FRAME. I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOW THOUSANDS OF UNSAFE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, TUNDRA, AND TACOMA VEHICLES OPERATING ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION SHOWED THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. I OFTEN PULL A 5000# SKI BOAT, AND 2 HORSE TRAILER BEHIND MY SEQUOIA. I WILL NOT RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, MY HORSES, AND FELLOW MOTORISTS BY DRIVING THIS CAR. BUT, HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE? HOW MANY BELIEVE THE TOYOTA RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE AND THEIR VEHICLES ARE SAFE? I BELIEVE TOYOTA KNEW THE RUST TREATMENT WAS SIMPLY A WAY TO BUY SOME TIME AND THEY ARE NOW REJECTING CASES "THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS EXPIRED" WAS WHAT [XXX] MY TOYOTA CASE MANAGER'S TOLD ME. SHE DIDN'T OFFER ANY HELP, NO BUYBACK, NO FRAME REPLACEMENT, AND SHE DIDN'T SAY I SHOULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOW PUTTING THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AT RISK, AND ALL WHO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. THE ISSUE WILL BE MOST ACUTE IN THE AREAS OF THE US WHERE HIGHWAYS ARE SALTED AND TREATED FOR WINTER DRIVING. DRIVER'S IN UPSTATE NY, NH, MAINE, MI, WI, MN, ETC. ARE AT HIGH RISK AND TOYOTA KNOWS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

NHTSA ID

10920107

Incident

Oct 20, 2016

THE PLASTIC PART ON THE REAR LATCH FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOW LIKE GUM. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL TOYOTA LATCHES AND IT COSTS ABOUT $280.00 TO FIX. I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513636

Incident

May 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 2009 TOYOTA TOWING HITCH KIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS RAISED BY THE JACK IN ORDER TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. THE JACK BENT ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT STATED IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE USED THE JACK. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE JACK MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE TECHNICIAN OFFERED TO REPLACE THE JACK WITH ANOTHER ONE OF THE EXACT MODEL. THE JACK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10464348

Incident

Jun 29, 2012

I HAVE A 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA, BOUGHT NEW IN APRIL 1999. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005, I HAD TO HAVE THE HORN FIXED BECAUSE TO MAKE THE HORN FUNCTION, YOU HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT COST ME $399.35. THE DEALERSHIP LISTED "POOR CONTACTS IN CLOCK SPRING; REPLACE CLOCKSPRING". I NOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE VEHICLE. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP WITH THE EXPENSE AS THE WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES? IN ALL THE YEARS AND WITH ALL THE CARS WE HAVE OWNED (WE KEEP THE CARS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS) THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH HORNS NOT WORKING; THAT IS WHY I FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS INHERENT WITH THIS MODEL IF NOT OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. (PLEASE NOTE; THE EQUIPMENT CHOICES PICKED ARE TO FILL IN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM THE CHOICES GIVEN; NOT NECESSARILY CORRECT. THE PARTS NUMBERS ARE LISTED ELSEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342583

Incident

Apr 30, 2010

BRAKING TOOK MUCH LONGER TO STOP. CERAMIC PADS WERE INSTALLED. BRAKE PEDAL NOW GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN STOPPED. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA ON 2/25/2010. THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN STOPPED. TOYOTA CHECKED IT ON 4/05/2010 AND SAID ALL THEIR NEWER TRUCKS LOOSE VACUUM AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THIS ISN'T NORMAL (4/07/2010). TOYOTA INSPECTED BRAKES AGAIN ON 4/12/2010 AND SAID IT'S NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AT A STOP. I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA W/ 40K MILES. TOYOTA SHOWED ME A 2007 TACOMA THAT DID THE SAME THING. MY PEDAL NEVER WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT. MANY MECHANICS TELL ME IT'S NOT SAFE FOR THE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. IF YOU FEEL THIS IS SAFE OK. IF THIS IS NOT SAFE PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10326215

Incident

Feb 22, 2010

Mileage

39,000 mi

HEAD GASKET REPLACED BY TOYOTA (SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN V06) AT 109,574 MILES. REPLACEMENT HEAD GASKET FAILED SUDDENLY AT 189,000 MILES, DRIVING ON LEVEL GROUND (40 MPH), AND WITHOUT WARNING (NO OVERHEATING OR LEAKS). UNDRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT REPEATED HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THESE PICKUPS (1990-95). CALLED TOYOTA CORP, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE GASKET AGAIN AT NO COST BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THESE VEHICLES WERE "FIXED" WITH THE REPLACEMENT GASKET. THIS TRUCK DOES NOT HAUL OR PLOW AND HAS BEEN MECHANICALLY WELL MAINTAINED. THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, THIS ISSUE MOST CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED BY TOYOTA! *TR

NHTSA ID

10209644

Incident

Nov 20, 2007

Mileage

189,000 mi

WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST AT STARTUP, ROUGH IDLE, LOSS OF POWER, OVERHEATING. REPLACED RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT. COOLANT RUNNING OUT OF EXHAUST. DETERMINED TO BE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. NEED NEW ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10175789

Incident

Dec 8, 2006

Mileage

192,000 mi

WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE TRAC SYSTEM LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON AND THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY; WE TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH SEEMED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEN ABOUT 9 MO TO A YEAR LATER THE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON AGAIN AND THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE, TOYOTA STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID AND THE MASTER CYLINDER AT OUR COST BECAUSE WE HAD TAKEN IT ELSEWHERE AND THEY FELT THAT IT HAD CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID, WHICH OUR MECHANIC STATED IN WRITING WAS NOT. ALTHOUGH WE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE TOYOTA FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY; WE GOT THE VEHICLE REPAIRED THROUGH OUR OWN MECHANIC AND THEN SHORTLY LATER THE BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN A CRASH ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE SEQ WOULD BE REPAIRED VIA INS THERE WAS A CODE THAT SHOWED UP ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT SHOWED THAT BRAKES INDEED DID FAIL; HOWEVER WHEN TAKING IT TO TOYOTA THE SAME CODE DID NOT SHOW UP. THE VEHICLE DID WELL, HOWEVER WE LIVE BY A DIRT ROAD AND WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD OR GOING AROUND A CORNER QUICKLY THE TRAC SYSTEM LIGHTS GO ON AND NOW THE VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT WON'T GO WHEN THE TRAC SYSTEM IS ON AND YOU SLOW DOWN OR START UP AGAIN--AT PRESENT THE SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF; IT HAS REALLY NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167915

Incident

Oct 22, 2004

1996 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PURCHASED NEW BY ME WITH APPROXIMATELY 89,000 MILES. AT APPROX 88,000 MILES, THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM FAILED. IN PARTICULAR, THE OPENING MECHANISM BROKE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF IMPENDING PROBLEMS. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM EITHER INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NECESSARY TO CRAWL OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR (AND BACK IN TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR). THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE PANEL AND SEAT. THEREAFTER, THE DOOR OPENING MECHANISM WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. TOTAL COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR WAS APPROXIMATELY $750 PLUS THE ADDITIONAL $350 COST TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED DOOR PANEL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10157970

Incident

Aug 10, 2005

Mileage

88,500 mi

BOTH 02 SENSORS WENT OUT ALONG WITH FUEL SENSOR WITH UNDER 2000 MILES. THEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT UNDER 5000 MILES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ARE OFF THEN ON ??? DEALER SAID WORKING PROPERLY? DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE FIXED 18 DAYS LATER? THEY SAID PARTS WERE BAD AND NOT THE RIGHT PARTS FOR THE CAR? CAR STALLS AND ACCELERATES. IT GET 12MPG SINCE 02'S AND FUEL SENSORS FIXED. BAD GAS MILEAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10142608

Incident

Oct 24, 2005

Mileage

2,000 mi

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND SHIFTS IN SPEEDS LOWER THAN 40 MPH. PROBLEMS NOTICED FROM TIME CAR WAS PURCHASE TO CURRENT. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CAR FOUR TIMES AND DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CHANGES GEARS SEVERAL TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH. ORIGINALLY THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS LURCHED,JERKED, AS IF SOMEONE WAS HITTING FROM BEHIND. TSB 00505 WAS APPLIED ON JULY 28, 2005 BY THE DEALER. IT CHANGED THE SHIFTING PROBLEM SO THAT IT ISN'T A JERK BUT SOUNDS LIKE A BUMP FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ALSO CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATED. MANY INSTANCES MADE ME UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SAFETY: PULLING OUT WHEN THERE'S A BREAK IN TRAFFIC, HESITATION HAPPENS SIGNIFICANTLY LONG ENOUGH FOR THERE NOT TO BE A BREAK ANYMORE; COMING TO FOUR WAY STOP, WHEN ITS MY TURN TO GO, HESITATION CREATES CONFUSION TO OTHER DRIVERS. THE PROBLEM IS ALSO DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE DRIVER IS TRYING TO SECOND GUESS THE VEHICLE TO ALTER THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10136838

Incident

Jul 2, 2004

Mileage

50 mi

PURCHASED TRUCK NEW IN 2001. EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR OUT SINCE NEW 6,000 TO 10,000 MILES PER SET. NOTICED A LOOSENESS IN FRONT END EARLY ON AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME WENT ON INCLUDING WOBBLING AND LURCHING WHILE BRAKING. AT 36,000 + MILES TOYOTA REPLACED COMPLETE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WITH A HEAVER DUTY SYSTEM AT NO COST. FRONT END STILL FELT LOOSE. AT 52,000 MILES DEALER REPALCED FRONT ROTORS AND SECOND SET OF PADS SINCE SYSTEM UP DATE AT MY EXPENSE. STILL THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE. AT 76,000 MILES F/L WHEEL ASSEMBLE BREAKS OFF THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING OVER A SMALL SPEED BUMP AT LESS THEN 10 MPH DAMAGING FENDER AND DOOR. A TOYOTA DEALER FIXED THE TRUCK. THE FRONT END STILL FEELS LOOSE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT CHECK OR WORK ON THE TRUCK BECAUSE I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT WAS THE DEALER DID NOT RETURN TO ME THE REPALCED PARTS WHICH I REQUESTED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD ME HE DID NOT HAVE TO GIVE MT THE DAMAGED PARTS AND THAT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO HIM BECAUSE HE WAS FRIENDS WITH THE LOCAL CONSUMER REP. I WAS CONTACTED BY A CONSUMER REP AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BUT PUT A NOTE IN THE DEALERS FILE. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY OFFICIAL REPORT SINCE FILING MY COMPLAINT. MY TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID

10124132

Incident

Feb 15, 2005

Mileage

76,128 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A VERY STRONG VIBRATION, SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED, SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE AIR BAGS SYSTEMS NEVER ACTIVATED. THE COMPUTER HAVE AN IMPACT CODE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10111837

Incident

Oct 22, 2003

Mileage

36,680 mi

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF GRINDING BRAKE NOISE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WITH "UPDATED" VERSIONS AND REPLACED BRAKE FLUID. WHEN FIRST DRIVEN AFTER "UPDATE" BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR AND CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP. PEDAL SOON BECAME LESS SPONGY, BUT REQUIRED MORE PRESSURE AND MORE PEDAL TRAVEL TO STOP CAR THAN IN THE PAST. DEALER SERVICE WRITER SAID PEDAL FELT NORMAL. AFTER TWO OR THREE CLOSE CALLS CONSUMER FIN REAR ENDED ANOTHER STOPPING CAR, CAUSING OVER $12,000 IN DAMAGE TO SUBJECT CAR AND CAR THAT IT HIT. NO INJURIES. AFTER COMPLETE REPAIRS OWNER TRADED IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS STILL TOO HARD TO STOP. SALESMAN NOTICED THE SAME THING WHEN HE DROVE CAR TO BACK LOT AFTER TRADE IN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10104611

Incident

Aug 28, 2004

Mileage

31,500 mi

I BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN, PUT A HITCH ON IT AND IT SCRAPES THE GROUND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, STEEP DRIVEWAYS, ETC WITHOUT ANY LOAD ON THE HITCH MOUNT. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AIR SHOCKS IF TOYOTA WANTS TO ADVERTISE THAT THE VAN CAN TOW TRAILERS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW DUE TO THE TRUNK SPACE REQUIRED FOR STOWING THE REAR FOLDING SEATS. A HITCH CAN NOT BE MOUNTED ANY HIGHER OR CLOSER TO THE BUMPER BECAUSE OF THE SEAT STORAGE AREA. *JB

NHTSA ID

10098821

Incident

May 27, 2004