NHTSA complaint #11689172

Owner complaint summary

Component/System failed: The electronic control module (ECM) and related wiring were compromised by a dealer-installed Lojack anti-theft system. The device was spliced into wiring near the airbag system and ECM, causing repeated faults. The component remains in the vehicle and is available for inspection. Safety risks: 1. Wiring near airbags may interfere with deployment. 2. ECM faults risk stalling, loss of power, or emissions failure. 3. Hidden wiring increases short-circuit risk, especially near coolant areas. 4. These conditions place driver and passenger safety at risk. Problem confirmation & inspections: The issue has been reproduced in multiple dealer visits. One Toyota dealer identified the improper Lojack installation as the likely root cause. Service records are available. Warning lamps: Yes. Check engine lights and warning messages appeared within months of purchase and continue intermittently. Summary: The car was sold as a Toyota Gold Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle, advertised as thoroughly inspected and protected. In reality, it contained an undisclosed modification that created hidden defects, repeated ECM errors, and safety concerns. Concern: The ECM is covered by the 8-year/80,000-mile federal emissions warranty and the 7-year/100,000-mile Gold CPO warranty. Yet Toyota denied my arbitration claim as “ineligible.” If such cases are refused, it means dealers can install aftermarket systems, charge buyers, and avoid accountability. In that situation, the Toyota Gold CPO program becomes meaningless—a consumer deception rather than protection. Request: I respectfully ask NHTSA to investigate whether dealer-installed systems like Lojack pose systemic safety risks and whether Toyota’s warranty and arbitration processes are adequately protecting consumers.