1997 Toyota 4 Runner

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH A 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. SHE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE POLICE HAVE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA TWICE TO REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION FOR A TOYOTA RECALL. BOTH BEFORE THE RECALL AND AFTER THE RECALL THE REAR END WAS SAGGING AND WAS NOT STABLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE. BOTH CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEATH. *NLM IN SPEAKING WITH INVESTIGATIVE SHERIFF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 38-51 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED 2-3 TIMES DOWN A 50-70 FOOT DROP. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DAMAGED REARWARD AND THE DRIVER SLID OUT OF THE SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS DAMAGE. UPON INSPECTION THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL FASTENED. THE INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER STATED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE SEAT THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A VEHICLE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELT OR SEAT. CW

WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO SEE ANY OF THESE THINGS AS SAFETY HAZARDS. ESPECIALLY DOOR LOCKS, TIRES, SEATBELTS. AND WE WERE NEVER TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT "BRAND NEW" IN 1997. WE FOUND THAT OUT IN ERROR AT THE DEALERSHIP (AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA) WHEN THEY ACCUSED US OF NOT SERVICING OUR VEHICLE. THE SUV WAS CLEARLY A LEMON ALL ALONG. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED BUT THE DEALERSHIP CONVENIENTLY HAS NO RECORDS OF US, EVEN WHEN PROVIDED WITH DOCUMENTED PROOF (RECEIPTS). THERE COMPUTER SAYS "WE DID NOT COME INTO SERVICE OUR VEHICLE." THE 1997 4-RUNNER IS A SAFETY HAZARD. (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: P265/70R16)

SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER. AIRBAG DEPLOYED TO SOON. SHE WENT FACE FIRST INTO THE DASH & WINDSHIELD WAS KNOCKED UNCONSIOUS. SHE HAS NECK & BACK INJURIES STILL TODAY. THE SEATBELT IS STILL LAYING ON THE SEAT. LAP PART HELD HER NOT THE SHOULDER STRAPE HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD & BROKE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFOMATION. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE 1997 4RUNNER ARE TOO SHORT. THE ALR ENGAGES ONCE THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED. ONCE THE ALR IS ENGAGED THE SEAT BELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND NO LONGER PERMIT FORWARD TRAVEL. THE BELT MUST BE REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED BEFORE THE ALR DISENGAGED. REAR OCCUPANTS MUST NOW BELT AND UNBELT SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP. I FEEL THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANAGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HE DISPLAYED THAT THE 1998 MODELS ALSO HAVE VERY SHORT REAR BELTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT ALSO HAS ALR, BUT IT HAS TWICE AS MUCH SEATBELT LENGTH BEFORE THE ALR ENGAGES.