2004 Toyota Sequoia Latches & Locks Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. IN 2011, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE LATCH FRACTURED. THE LATCH WAS REPLACED BY CULVER CITY TOYOTA (9077 WASHINGTON BLVD, CULVER CITY, CA 90232); HOWEVER, THE LATCH FRACTURED AGAIN AND THE TAIL LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, THEY HAD TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,557.

THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED, MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. USE OF THE DOOR FOR ENTRY AND EXIT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. REPAIR OF THIS LATCH FAILURE IS EXPENSIVE ($400 - $700) AND INCONVENIENT. THE DESIGN OF THE PART AND THE MATERIAL USED (PLASTIC) APPEARS TO BE AT FAULT. A HEAVIER DUTY METAL PART IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM AFTER MARKET PARTS DEALERS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON AND WIDESPREAD JUDGING FROM A DISCUSSION WITH A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. *TR

REAR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE IS CORRODED AND FROZEN. DEALER MUST BREAK IN FROM THE INSIDE, REMOVE BACK PANEL TO REPAIR. DEALER HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER SEQUOIAS. HANDLE POORLY DESIGNED IF PRONE TO FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. $600 EXPENSE TO REPAIR. *TR