Melody sent a message to Akio Toyoda President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation – email address that said:
Mr. Toyoda,
I'm sure you have people who read and respond to your email. I'm hoping you will read this one.
I was a proud Honda accord owner for 18 years. I put 250,000 miles on it without a problem. When I did need a new car, I thought I would try a Toyota. I loved my 2009 SCION XB. It was the perfect size for me. Recently I received 2 recalls on my car. One was the driver's door panel, could catch on fire because the electric window . The second recall was on the airbag. I set up an appointment to get both done on the same day, so I didn't have to miss so much work. My son had called the Visalia Toyota Dealership to ask them about it. He was told the airbag recall was no big deal, and they didn't have the part for it and told him, I could drive it as is. My son got very angry and told them, he did not want his Mom driving a car with a faulty airbag. He complained to the manager. The manager offered to pay for a cab to take me to and from work. I live 35 miles from my work. Finally the manager agreed to a rental car. When I arrived at the dealership, I was told by a man at the counter, that they would not have the part for the airbag recall for 5 months to a year. I told him, a 9 year old boy was killed and 9 others as well. He told me I could still drive the car, because it only happens upon impact. I said, I would have no way of knowing when an impact would occur. I do not feel safe driving the car. The manager overhead the conversation and stepped up and told the man at the desk, that I was to get a rental car for as long as it takes. My concern is that we were told by two employees, to go ahead and drive the car despite the airbag recall. Just last week another person has died from the faulty airbag. I'm now on my third month of having a rental car. I'm very disappointed in Toyota. I was telling everyone at work, how much I have loved my Toyota. Now I am telling about my present situation, having a rental care for possibly, up to a year. I was surprise Toyota's solution was a rental car for a year. I was told the recall part was recalled. I'm very concerned about the quality of the Toyota car. I may have to go back, and purchase another Honda. I wanted you to know, as the CEO that Toyota representatives are advising those who have an airbag recall, which is life threatening, to go ahead and drive the car and they'll call you when the part comes in.Thank you,
Melody
