This letter is to advise the public of a very serious problem that occurred with our Toyota 4 runner. This vehicle is a very good vehicle over all and has given us barely no trouble what so ever, we take great care of the car and were caught by surprise when we were almost set on fire while preparing to ride off. We were at a motor cycle shop looking at 4 wheelers and dirtbikes with our children and nephew, as we were preparing to leave the car was on, and my asthmatic son began to gasp, my wife began to cough and noticed the passenger seat was smoking. To make a long story short, we made it out ok getting the kids out and, then ourselves as we tried to find and contain the fire. Nearby citizens helped trying to prevent a possible explosion using a extinguisher, fire department came completely put out the fire. This occurred in March and our experience with the repair is brutal. From what we discovered at dealerships and used car parts, that model car has been requiring that part, therefore this problem has been occurring to other 1997 4-runners to the extent that places have been completely sold out of the part in many states. We did purchase ours through the dealer, to no surprise we aren't first to have to purchase the part, this is not a transmission problem, nor is it a routine car problem. I wrote Toyota and never received a response, I know it is an great company, with quality vehicles. We paid 29,000+for this car in cash....definitely not to watch it burn up...all of the sudden over something completely due to manufacturing. Please help us in this matter we have already spent over $3,000 and no one feels its fair. My 7 year old resulted with breathing problems for over a month, as well did my wife. My 12 Y/O had stinging in his eyes for 2 days, my nephew had trouble breathing and I burned myself and inhaled soot & fire extinguisher fumes, resulting in chest pain. Thanks for your attention in this matter. We deserve our money back at the least for repairs.

- Timberlake, NC, USA