Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP18-002, 16823-16827 [2022-06217]

Download as PDF 16823 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices number of invitations is based on the need to recruit 1,500 participants, 750 of whom are either non- or part-time seat belt users. Based on corporate experience with online panels, the marketing research firm providing access to their panel of participants estimates a participation rate of 20%. Furthermore, NHTSA research has shown that while most drivers reported wearing their seat belts every time they drive, approximately 20% are either non-users or part-time users.3 Finally, NHTSA estimates that 90% who qualify and read the consent form will provide consent and complete the study. To obtain a sample of 750 consenting participants in the non/part user group, requires a universe of 20,850 potential respondents. Of the 20,850 invited panelists, we expect 20% or 4,170 volunteers who are interested and qualify. Of the 4,170 who are interested, we expect 20% or 834 volunteers will be non- or part-time seat belt users. Of the 834 volunteers who are non- or part- time seat belt users, we expect 90% or 750 to consent and complete the study. The marketing research firm will provide a link to the consent form to the first 834 non- or part-time seat belt users and to the first 834 full-time seat belt users who are interested and qualify. (Once the firm reaches 750 completions from full-time users, which is expected to occur before the 750 completions from non- or part-time users, they will no longer provide links to the informed consent to qualified full-time users.) Frequency: This study is a one-time information collection, and there will be no recurrence. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,057. The total estimated burden associated with this collection is 1,057 hours. The sample of potential participants will receive an email invitation from Schlesinger Group, a marketing research firm that specializes in providing sampling pools of panelists, with screening questions to determine eligibility. The 20,850 potential participants are expected to spend 1 minute each in reading the invitation email for an estimated 348 hours. Those who are interested (estimated to be 20%, or 4,170 individuals) are expected to spend 1 minute each in completing the screener form for an estimated 70 hours. Schlesinger will provide electronic links to the consent form to the first 834 full-time seat belt users and to the first 834 part-time/non-users who qualify based on the screening questions. The 1,668 eligible participants are expected to spend 5 minutes each reading and completing the consent form for an estimated 139 hours. The estimated 1,500 consenting participants will each spend 20 minutes completing the experiment for an estimated 500 hours. The total burden is the sum of the burden across the invitation/screening, consenting, and completing the experiment for a total estimate of 1,057 hours. The details are presented in Table 1 below. TABLE 1—ESTIMATED BURDEN HOURS BY FORM Form khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Form Form Form Form 1599 1604 1600 1601 Description Participants Estimated minutes per participant Total estimated burden hours per form ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... Invitation Email .............................................. Screener Form .............................................. Informed Consent Form ................................ Experiment Form ........................................... 20,850 4,170 1,668 1,500 1 1 5 20 348 70 139 500 Total ........................................................ ........................................................................ ........................ ........................ 1,057 Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: NHTSA estimates that there are no costs to respondents beyond the time spent participating in the study. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 3 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2019, December). The 2016 motor vehicle occupant VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29. Issued in Washington, DC. Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan, Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development. [FR Doc. 2022–06260 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2019–0105] Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP18–002 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation. AGENCY: safety survey: Seat belt report (Report No. DOT HS PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Denial of petition for a defect investigation. ACTION: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a petition submitted on August 7, 2018, by Mr. Gary Weinreich (the petitioner) to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The petition requests that the Agency investigate alleged ‘‘premature and excessive frame corrosion’’ in model year (MY) 2002 through 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner bases his request upon his own experience with a MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA’s online complaint database. After reviewing the information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and field data regarding underbody corrosion in SUMMARY: 812 798). Author. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/ dot/43608. E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 16824 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices Toyota 4Runner vehicles, NHTSA has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to pursue further action. Accordingly, the Agency has denied the petition. Mr. Gregory Magno, Vehicle Defects Division—D, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202–366–5226). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By letter dated August 7, 2018, Mr. Gary Weinreich (the petitioner) submitted a petition requesting that the Agency ‘‘perform a high-priority investigation’’ of ‘‘premature and excessive frame corrosion’’ in model year (MY) 2002 through 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner bases his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA’s online complaint database. On August 17, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition DP18–002 to evaluate the petitioner’s request for an investigation. ODI has reviewed the following information as part of its evaluation: (1) Information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle; (2) facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner; (3) consumer complaint data regarding underbody corrosion in third- and fourthgeneration Toyota 4Runner vehicles. Scope: The petitioner’s request for an investigation of premature frame corrosion in MY 2002 through 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles includes both third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles that ranged from 12 to 17 years in age when the petition was filed. Toyota sold approximately 745,000 third-generation (MY 1996 through 2002), and approximately 603,000 fourth-generation (MY 2003 through 2009) 4Runner vehicles in the United States.1 Petitioner’s vehicle: On May 24, 2018, the petitioner experienced a front suspension failure while driving on the highway in a 2005 Toyota 4Runner vehicle that was nearing 13 years of service.2 He reported the incident to NHTSA in a Vehicle Owner khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1 The analysis here will focus on the fourthgeneration vehicles, which includes the Petitioner’s vehicle, except where otherwise indicated. 2 The front attachment bracket for the left lower control arm detached from the frame. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 Questionnaire (VOQ) submitted on May 26, 2018 (NHTSA ID 11098055): Yesterday, my wife and I and two friends riding with us narrowly escaped a fatal accident when the front suspension separated from the frame due to the corrosion problem. At highway speed, the vehicle began shaking violently and the steering was unable to properly control the vehicle. The vehicle went off the road after coming close to hitting an oncoming vehicle. The petitioner alleged that this failure resulted from premature and excessive frame corrosion and provided service history information and photographs as supporting evidence.3 ODI reviewed the information provided by the petitioner, as well as additional details contained in a lawsuit he filed against Toyota in December 2018.4 ODI found that the petitioner’s vehicle had a history of general corrosion concerns throughout the undercarriage that were not isolated to the frame. The photographs showed that the vehicle undercarriage was seriously corroded at the time the incident occurred. The information indicates severe general corrosion of the vehicle undercarriage consistent with many years of severe use and exposure, but ODI has not found evidence showing a design or manufacturing defect in the vehicle. The vehicle service history information that the petitioner provided supports these observations. Concerns with underbody corrosion on his vehicle were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ‘‘severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.’’ Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ‘‘rust on shocks/struts and other components,’’ ‘‘rust on exhaust system,’’ ‘‘both splash shields severely rusted,’’ and ‘‘undercarriage very rusty.’’ 5 On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing a routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the 3 Gary Weinreich letter to Stephen Ridella, Ph.D., Director, Office of Defects Investigation, August 28, 2018. 4 Gary Weinreich v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18–cv–03294–RMG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division. 5 Records provided by petitioner indicate that Toyota did not service the vehicle after October 2013. PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 petitioner of a concern with ‘‘excessive frame corrosion’’ on his vehicle. The service history further indicates that corrosion concerns in the petitioner’s vehicle were first observed in other underbody components (e.g., drive shaft transmission, exhaust, splash shields) and grew progressively worse over several years before the observation of ‘‘excessive frame corrosion’’ and subsequent suspension link failure. Photographs provided by the petitioner show that the vehicle’s underbody was in poor condition when the failure occurred, with heavy corrosion throughout the vehicle underbody and multiple visible perforations in frame structural members. The petitioner lives less than a mile from the ocean, where exposure to marine salts may lead to increased vehicle corrosion rates if vehicles are not regularly cleaned. While no information was provided regarding the use, care, and maintenance of the petitioner’s vehicle, ODI has not received evidence that the vehicle received any repairs to address the noted corrosion concerns prior to the May 2018 front suspension failure. Class action lawsuit: The petitioner cites a class action lawsuit settled by Toyota in 2017 6 as evidence of the defect in his vehicle and states that 4Runner vehicles ‘‘were not included in the class-action lawsuit simply because there were insufficient complaints known to the counsel representing the class at the time it was formed.’’ ODI has reviewed the referenced lawsuit and does not agree with the petitioner’s claims. The vehicles covered by the class action were equipped with frames manufactured by a specific supplier alleged to be using a defective electrocoating process over a certain manufacturing period. The subject 4Runner vehicles were not equipped with frames manufactured by that supplier. Starting in 2008, Toyota conducted multiple service campaigns and warranty extension programs to address concerns with premature frame corrosion in certain vehicles equipped with frames supplied by Dana Holding Company (Dana).7 The combined field actions covered MY 1995 through 2010 Toyota Tacoma, MY 2000 through 2008 Tundra, and MY 2001 through 2007 Sequoia vehicles (‘‘Dana frame 6 www.toyotaframesettlement.com. 7 In December 2009, Dana announced its agreement to sell its Structural Products Business to Metalsa, S.A. de C.V, https:// dana.mediaroom.com/ index.php?s=26450&item=69875. E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 16825 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices vehicles’’).8 Toyota took these actions after identifying quality concerns with the electrocoating processes in certain frames supplied by Dana that could lead to premature corrosion failures. In 2011, Dana settled a lawsuit with Toyota for warranty claim costs related to premature frame corrosion.9 These issues were presented in other litigation as well. A class-action lawsuit filed in Arkansas on October 3, 2014, alleged that MY 2005 through 2009 Toyota Tacoma vehicles lacked adequate rust protection on the vehicles’ frames, leading to premature corrosion failures.10 A separate class-action lawsuit filed in California on March 24, 2015, made similar claims.11 The lawsuits were consolidated in a second amended complaint filed on November 8, 2016. The consolidated complaint covered MY 2005 through 2010 Toyota Tacoma, MY 2007 through 2008 Toyota Tundra, and MY 2005 through 2008 Toyota Sequoia vehicles. The second amended complaint stated that the vehicles that were the subject of the lawsuit were all equipped with frames manufactured by Dana using ‘‘the same defective process.’’ The complaint alleged that, ‘‘The frames on the Toyota Vehicles are materially the same for purposes of this lawsuit and suffer from the same defect. All of the frames were manufactured by the same corporation (Dana Holding Corporation) pursuant to the same defective process.’’ The class action was settled in May 2017. The terms of the settlement included extending warranty coverage to 12 years from first use for a Frame Inspection and Replacement Program. The settlement was widely reported by news media.12 Both third and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles were built in Japan and are not equipped with frames manufactured by Dana. Although private litigation can be a relevant source of information to consider in the course of examining a potential vehicle defect in many cases, the petitioner has not demonstrated that the litigation he cites here supports the grant of his petition. Complaint analysis: The petitioner alleged that his analysis of NHTSA’s complaint database revealed evidence supporting his claim of premature and excessive frame corrosion in MY 2002 through 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles, and that differences in field experience between third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles provide further evidence suggesting a design or manufacturing defect in the fourthgeneration products. The petitioner claims that third-generation Toyota 4Runners ‘‘do not appear to experience the premature and excessive frame corrosion.’’ 13 The petitioner stated their belief that ‘‘Any frame specification changes between generations may help identify the root cause(s) of the problem.’’ 14 ODI’s analysis of consumer complaint data related to frame corrosion in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles has not found evidence of a failure trend indicating a potential design or manufacturing defect leading to premature failures. Rather, the data Probability Distributions of Vehicle Ages In Frame Corrosion Complaints to NHTSA, MV 1996-2002 tends to show complaint trends occurring late in vehicle life in high corrosion regions. Relatively few complaints involved suspension detachments, and those that did were spread among multiple suspension links, each occurring in older vehicles operated in high corrosion regions. Finally, ODI finds no meaningful difference between frame corrosion complaint trends and related suspension detachment allegations in third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles. 4Runner complaint trends lag trends for the Dana frame vehicles by several years. Through the end of 2008, the year of Toyota’s first field action for Dana frame vehicles, NHTSA had received 150 complaints for Dana frame vehicles and just 3 for 4Runner vehicles (none involving the subject fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles). By the end of 2010, NHTSA had received 716 complaints for the Dana frame vehicles and just 36 for 4Runner vehicles (only 5 involving the subject fourth-generation vehicles). Figure 1 shows the vehicle age distributions of frame corrosion complaints to NHTSA for Toyota 4Runner vehicles, Toyota Dana frame vehicles, and peer body-on-frame vehicles. The chart on the left shows the distributions for MY 1996 through 2002 vehicles (i.e., third-generation 4Runner compared with peers) and the chart on the right shows the distributions for MY 2003 through 2009 vehicles (i.e., fourthgeneration 4Runner compared with peers). Probability Distributions of Vehicle Ages In Frame Corrosion Complaints to NHTSA, MV 2003-2009 1: 1=+----------------1 115" 1~ ,.J1°" !!! 5% 110%+---------111""'- +--------/---.l.'-------;1"'---"---"I,;:---"-,-- -------1 I ,. j 5" °" ..,.,-~l::;::!l~;.,,,......:;::!::;:.:_~~~~~~~~►...it-1 L_ 0123456789WllUllWBMD~wwnnnu 0 1 2 3 4 5 Vehide Age (Years) 6 7 8 9 roll ll llM B ~D ll ~ Vehicle Age (Years) 1-Peer Body-on-Frame --II-Toyota Dana Frame -+-Toyota Genl 4Runner ....,..Peer Body-on-Frame ~Toyota Dana Frame -+-Toyota Gen4 4Runner 8 The subject Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia vehicles were all manufactured at assembly plants located in the United States. Dana did not supply frames for any products manufactured in Japan. 9 Dana Holding Corporation Reaches Settlement with Toyota on Warranty Claims Related to Divested Structural Products Business, January 12, 2011, https://dana.mediaroom.com/ index.php?s=26450&item=69927. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 10 Burns v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Case No. CV 14–2208 (W.D. Ark.), https://www.toyotaframe settlement.com/. 11 Brian Warner et al v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18–cv–02171–FMO–FFM, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, https://www.toyotaframesettlement.com/. PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 12 Reuters, Toyota to settle U.S. truck rust lawsuit for up to $3.4 billion, November 12, 2016, https:// www.reuters.com/article/us-toyota-settlementidUSKBN1370PE. 13 Gary Weinreich letter to Stephen Ridella, Ph.D., Director, Office of Defects Investigation, August 28, 2018. 14 Ibid. E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 EN24MR22.063</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Figure 1. Probability distributions of vehicle ages in frame corrosion complaints to NHTSA for MY 1996-2002 vehicles (left) and MY 2003-2009 vehicles (right). 16826 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices In both age groups, the complaint age distributions for the Toyota 4Runner vehicles lag the distributions of the Toyota Dana frame and peer body-onframe vehicles by several years. The complaints peak at 15 years-in-service for the third-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles, 6 years after the peak for the Dana frame vehicles and 4 years after the peak for the peer body-on-frame vehicles. The complaints also peak at 15 years-in-service for the fourthgeneration Toyota 4Runner vehicles, 6 years after the peak for the Toyota Dana frame vehicles and 5 years after the peak for the peer body-on-frame vehicles. Figure 2 shows the cumulative age distributions of frame corrosion complaints to NHTSA for the same vehicle sets. The 4Runner complaints occur later in the vehicle age than the Toyota Dana frame and peer body-onframe complaints. Only about 3 percent of the complaints for the thirdgeneration 4Runner vehicles occurred within 10 years-in-service, compared Cumulative ProbabUity Distributions of Vehicle Ages In Frame Corrosion COmplalnts to NHTSA, MY 2003-2009 Cumulative Probability Distributions of Vehicle Ages In Frame Corrosion Complaints to NHTSA, MY 1996-2002 lllll'K lllll'K t- f- !- IJ I:JI - '!! 1i! 20K ~ t °" with 43 percent of the Toyota Dana frame vehicle complaints and 21 percent of the peer body-on-frame vehicle complaints for the same model year range. For the MY 2003 through 2009 vehicles, approximately 6 percent of complaints for the Toyota 4Runners occurred within 10 years, compared with 45 percent for the Toyota Dana frame vehicles and 47 percent for the peer body-on-frame vehicles. '!! 20K 10K °" 01234S6789rouuuunauuu~nnnN 0 1 2 3 4 s 6 7 s 9 rou u au n au u u Vehicle/Ip (Years) VehideAp (Years) rovma Dana Frame -+-Tovota Gen4 4Runner ,....,_ BodV'<!n-frome .,._,_ BodV'<)n-Frame ..... Figure 2. Cumulative probability distributions of vehicle ages in frame corrosion complaints to NHTSA for MY 1996-2002 vehicles (left) and MY 2003-2009 vehicles (right). ODI’s analysis of consumer complaints received by NHTSA through March 7, 2022, identified a total of 1,024 records that appear to be related to frame corrosion in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles, including 70 involving alleged detachments of front or rear suspension links. Both the overall complaints and those reporting suspension link detachments primarily involve older vehicles in high-corrosion states. No patterns or trends were identified for any specific suspension link. The radiator support bracket was the most common location for frame perforation damage in reports that included sufficient information to assess damage location. This part can be serviced separately and does not present any crash avoidance or crashworthiness safety concerns. The complaints describe general underbody corrosion damage indicative of normal, end-of-life wear-out failures from long duration exposures to severe, corrosive environments. Table 1 provides a breakdown of the complaints reporting suspension detachments by the suspension component. The detachment failures include two minor crashes and no verified injury allegations. TABLE 1—DETACHMENTS WHILE DRIVING BY SUSPENSION LINK khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Alleged crashes Alleged injuries Lower Control Arm, Front ................................................................................ Lower Control Arm, Rear ................................................................................. Upper Control Arm, Rear ................................................................................. Lateral Control Rod, Rear ............................................................................... Sway Bar, Rear ............................................................................................... Unknown .......................................................................................................... 15 38 6 2 2 7 13.1 14.1 13.3 10.5 13.5 16.3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total .......................................................................................................... 70 14.1 2 0 ODI’s analysis of NHTSA complaint data finds similar age-adjusted trends in the field experience of the third and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles. The third-generation 4Runner vehicles have more than double the allegations of suspension link detachments than the fourth-generation 4Runners. The difference appears to be attributable to VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 the greater exposure time of the thirdgeneration vehicles. Analysis of suspension link failures by vehicle age showed similar rates for the third- and fourth-generation products through 15 years of service. In both generations, the failures are concentrated in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months. 96 PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 percent of the failures involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (‘‘Salt states’’). Complaints for both generations of 4Runners appear to have been influenced by news about Toyota’s field actions for the Sequoia, Tacoma and E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 EN24MR22.064</GPH> Average age (yrs) Count Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices Tundra vehicles equipped with frames supplied by Dana. Toyota’s field actions were referenced in 203 of the fourthgeneration 4Runner complaints. Furthermore, 699 or two thirds (68 percent) of the fourth-generation 4Runner complaints were received after news of NHTSA opening this defect petition evaluation on August 7, 2018. Conclusion: After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related failure of frame structural components in the vehicles that the petitioner has identified. Contrary to the petitioner’s primary allegation, the vehicles are not equipped with frames manufactured by the same supplier as Toyota products that have been included in previous field actions by the company addressing frame corrosion concerns. The frames in those vehicles exhibited failure trends before reaching 10 years in service, several years prior to the current trends evident in the subject 4Runner vehicles. Analysis of the age distributions of corrosion-related suspension link failures in the subject 4Runner vehicles shows late-life patterns after well over 10 years of exposure to severe corrosion environments. Incidents of corrosion damage that have resulted in failure of underbody components while driving appear to have developed progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and repair. This appears to be indicative of normal wear and tear failures, and we have not found evidence of a defect related to premature or excessive corrosion failures. ODI has not identified any serious crashes or injuries associated with corrosion-related failure of frame structural components while driving in a population of vehicles that currently ranges from 15 to 19 years old. Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR 1.50 and 501.8. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Anne L. Collins, Associate Administrator for Enforcement. Internal Revenue Service khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES [FR Doc. 2022–06217 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P Internal Revenue Service Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program—Availability of Application for Federal Financial Assistance Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This document provides notice of the availability of the application package for the 2023 Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program. SUMMARY: Application instructions are available electronically from the IRS on May 1, 2022, by visiting: IRS.gov (key word search—‘‘VITA Grant’’). Application packages are available on May 1, 2022, by visiting Grants.gov and searching with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 21.009. The deadline for applying to the IRS through Grants.gov for the Community VITA Matching Grant Program is May 31, 2022. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. ADDRESSES: Internal Revenue Service, Grant Program Office, 401 West Peachtree St. NW, Stop 420–D, Atlanta, GA 30308. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Alley, at 470–639–2933, or at the Grant Program Office via their email address at Grant.Program.Office@ irs.gov. DATES: Authority for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program is contained in the Taxpayer First Act 2019, Public Law 116–25. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Carol M Quiller, Chief, Grant Program Office, IRS, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education & Communication. [FR Doc. 2022–05721 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program Availability of Application Packages This document provides notice of the availability of application SUMMARY: Jkt 256001 Carol M Quiller, Chief, Grant Program Office, IRS, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education & Communication. [FR Doc. 2022–05720 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900–0016] Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice. 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 packages for the 2023 Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. DATES: Application instructions are available electronically from the IRS on May 1, 2022, by visiting: IRS.gov (key word search—‘‘TCE’’) or through Grants.gov by searching the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 21.006. The deadline for applying to the IRS for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program is May 31, 2022. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. ADDRESSES: Internal Revenue Service, Grant Program Office, 5000 Ellin Road, NCFB C4–110, SE:W:CAR:SPEC:FO:GPO, Lanham, Maryland 20706. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lorraine Thompson, at (240)613–6085, or at the Grant Program Office via their email address at tce.grant.office@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program is contained in Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978, Public Law 95–600, (92 Stat.12810), November 6, 1978. Regulations were published in the Federal Register at 44 FR 72113 on December 13, 1979. Section 163 gives the IRS authority to enter into cooperative agreements with private or public non-profit agencies or organizations to establish a network of trained volunteers to provide free tax information and return preparation assistance to elderly individuals. Elderly individuals are defined as individuals aged 60 and over at the close of their taxable year. Because applications are being solicited before the fiscal year budget has been approved, cooperative agreements will be entered into subject to the appropriation of funds. BILLING CODE 4830–01–P AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16827 Agency Information Collection Activity: Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits, Government Life Insurance Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16823-16827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06217]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2019-0105]


Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP18-002

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect investigation.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a 
petition submitted on August 7, 2018, by Mr. Gary Weinreich (the 
petitioner) to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The 
petition requests that the Agency investigate alleged ``premature and 
excessive frame corrosion'' in model year (MY) 2002 through 2006 Toyota 
4Runner vehicles. The petitioner bases his request upon his own 
experience with a MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit 
settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of 
underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA's 
online complaint database. After reviewing the information provided by 
the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action 
lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and field data regarding underbody 
corrosion in

[[Page 16824]]

Toyota 4Runner vehicles, NHTSA has concluded that there is insufficient 
evidence to pursue further action. Accordingly, the Agency has denied 
the petition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregory Magno, Vehicle Defects 
Division--D, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey 
Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-366-5226).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By letter dated August 7, 2018, Mr. Gary 
Weinreich (the petitioner) submitted a petition requesting that the 
Agency ``perform a high-priority investigation'' of ``premature and 
excessive frame corrosion'' in model year (MY) 2002 through 2006 Toyota 
4Runner vehicles. The petitioner bases his request upon a corrosion-
related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 
4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota 
products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner 
vehicles that he found in NHTSA's online complaint database.
    On August 17, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) 
opened Defect Petition DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner's request 
for an investigation. ODI has reviewed the following information as 
part of its evaluation: (1) Information provided by the petitioner 
regarding his vehicle; (2) facts related to the class action lawsuit 
cited by the petitioner; (3) consumer complaint data regarding 
underbody corrosion in third- and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner 
vehicles.
    Scope: The petitioner's request for an investigation of premature 
frame corrosion in MY 2002 through 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles 
includes both third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles that ranged 
from 12 to 17 years in age when the petition was filed. Toyota sold 
approximately 745,000 third-generation (MY 1996 through 2002), and 
approximately 603,000 fourth-generation (MY 2003 through 2009) 4Runner 
vehicles in the United States.\1\
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    \1\ The analysis here will focus on the fourth-generation 
vehicles, which includes the Petitioner's vehicle, except where 
otherwise indicated.
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    Petitioner's vehicle: On May 24, 2018, the petitioner experienced a 
front suspension failure while driving on the highway in a 2005 Toyota 
4Runner vehicle that was nearing 13 years of service.\2\ He reported 
the incident to NHTSA in a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) submitted 
on May 26, 2018 (NHTSA ID 11098055):
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    \2\ The front attachment bracket for the left lower control arm 
detached from the frame.

    Yesterday, my wife and I and two friends riding with us narrowly 
escaped a fatal accident when the front suspension separated from 
the frame due to the corrosion problem. At highway speed, the 
vehicle began shaking violently and the steering was unable to 
properly control the vehicle. The vehicle went off the road after 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
coming close to hitting an oncoming vehicle.

    The petitioner alleged that this failure resulted from premature 
and excessive frame corrosion and provided service history information 
and photographs as supporting evidence.\3\ ODI reviewed the information 
provided by the petitioner, as well as additional details contained in 
a lawsuit he filed against Toyota in December 2018.\4\
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    \3\ Gary Weinreich letter to Stephen Ridella, Ph.D., Director, 
Office of Defects Investigation, August 28, 2018.
    \4\ Gary Weinreich v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., Case 
No. 2:18-cv-03294-RMG, in the U.S. District Court for the District 
of South Carolina, Charleston Division.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ODI found that the petitioner's vehicle had a history of general 
corrosion concerns throughout the undercarriage that were not isolated 
to the frame. The photographs showed that the vehicle undercarriage was 
seriously corroded at the time the incident occurred. The information 
indicates severe general corrosion of the vehicle undercarriage 
consistent with many years of severe use and exposure, but ODI has not 
found evidence showing a design or manufacturing defect in the vehicle.
    The vehicle service history information that the petitioner 
provided supports these observations. Concerns with underbody corrosion 
on his vehicle were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point 
vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that 
inspection noted ``severe and excessive amount of rust on the 
undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.'' Two years later, 
on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer 
observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: 
``rust on shocks/struts and other components,'' ``rust on exhaust 
system,'' ``both splash shields severely rusted,'' and ``undercarriage 
very rusty.'' \5\ On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to 
experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair 
facility performing a routine oil change and brake maintenance informed 
the petitioner of a concern with ``excessive frame corrosion'' on his 
vehicle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Records provided by petitioner indicate that Toyota did not 
service the vehicle after October 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service history further indicates that corrosion concerns in 
the petitioner's vehicle were first observed in other underbody 
components (e.g., drive shaft transmission, exhaust, splash shields) 
and grew progressively worse over several years before the observation 
of ``excessive frame corrosion'' and subsequent suspension link 
failure. Photographs provided by the petitioner show that the vehicle's 
underbody was in poor condition when the failure occurred, with heavy 
corrosion throughout the vehicle underbody and multiple visible 
perforations in frame structural members.
    The petitioner lives less than a mile from the ocean, where 
exposure to marine salts may lead to increased vehicle corrosion rates 
if vehicles are not regularly cleaned. While no information was 
provided regarding the use, care, and maintenance of the petitioner's 
vehicle, ODI has not received evidence that the vehicle received any 
repairs to address the noted corrosion concerns prior to the May 2018 
front suspension failure.
    Class action lawsuit: The petitioner cites a class action lawsuit 
settled by Toyota in 2017 \6\ as evidence of the defect in his vehicle 
and states that 4Runner vehicles ``were not included in the class-
action lawsuit simply because there were insufficient complaints known 
to the counsel representing the class at the time it was formed.'' ODI 
has reviewed the referenced lawsuit and does not agree with the 
petitioner's claims. The vehicles covered by the class action were 
equipped with frames manufactured by a specific supplier alleged to be 
using a defective electrocoating process over a certain manufacturing 
period. The subject 4Runner vehicles were not equipped with frames 
manufactured by that supplier.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ www.toyotaframesettlement.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Starting in 2008, Toyota conducted multiple service campaigns and 
warranty extension programs to address concerns with premature frame 
corrosion in certain vehicles equipped with frames supplied by Dana 
Holding Company (Dana).\7\ The combined field actions covered MY 1995 
through 2010 Toyota Tacoma, MY 2000 through 2008 Tundra, and MY 2001 
through 2007 Sequoia vehicles (``Dana frame

[[Page 16825]]

vehicles'').\8\ Toyota took these actions after identifying quality 
concerns with the electrocoating processes in certain frames supplied 
by Dana that could lead to premature corrosion failures. In 2011, Dana 
settled a lawsuit with Toyota for warranty claim costs related to 
premature frame corrosion.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ In December 2009, Dana announced its agreement to sell its 
Structural Products Business to Metalsa, S.A. de C.V, https://dana.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=26450&item=69875.
    \8\ The subject Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia vehicles were all 
manufactured at assembly plants located in the United States. Dana 
did not supply frames for any products manufactured in Japan.
    \9\ Dana Holding Corporation Reaches Settlement with Toyota on 
Warranty Claims Related to Divested Structural Products Business, 
January 12, 2011, https://dana.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=26450&item=69927.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These issues were presented in other litigation as well. A class-
action lawsuit filed in Arkansas on October 3, 2014, alleged that MY 
2005 through 2009 Toyota Tacoma vehicles lacked adequate rust 
protection on the vehicles' frames, leading to premature corrosion 
failures.\10\ A separate class-action lawsuit filed in California on 
March 24, 2015, made similar claims.\11\ The lawsuits were consolidated 
in a second amended complaint filed on November 8, 2016. The 
consolidated complaint covered MY 2005 through 2010 Toyota Tacoma, MY 
2007 through 2008 Toyota Tundra, and MY 2005 through 2008 Toyota 
Sequoia vehicles. The second amended complaint stated that the vehicles 
that were the subject of the lawsuit were all equipped with frames 
manufactured by Dana using ``the same defective process.'' The 
complaint alleged that, ``The frames on the Toyota Vehicles are 
materially the same for purposes of this lawsuit and suffer from the 
same defect. All of the frames were manufactured by the same 
corporation (Dana Holding Corporation) pursuant to the same defective 
process.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Burns v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Case No. CV 14-2208 
(W.D. Ark.), https://www.toyotaframesettlement.com/.
    \11\ Brian Warner et al v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., et al., 
Case No. 2:18-cv-02171-FMO-FFM, in the U.S. District Court for the 
Central District of California, https://www.toyotaframesettlement.com/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The class action was settled in May 2017. The terms of the 
settlement included extending warranty coverage to 12 years from first 
use for a Frame Inspection and Replacement Program. The settlement was 
widely reported by news media.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Reuters, Toyota to settle U.S. truck rust lawsuit for up to 
$3.4 billion, November 12, 2016, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-toyota-settlement-idUSKBN1370PE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Both third and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles were built in 
Japan and are not equipped with frames manufactured by Dana. Although 
private litigation can be a relevant source of information to consider 
in the course of examining a potential vehicle defect in many cases, 
the petitioner has not demonstrated that the litigation he cites here 
supports the grant of his petition.
    Complaint analysis: The petitioner alleged that his analysis of 
NHTSA's complaint database revealed evidence supporting his claim of 
premature and excessive frame corrosion in MY 2002 through 2006 Toyota 
4Runner vehicles, and that differences in field experience between 
third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles provide further evidence 
suggesting a design or manufacturing defect in the fourth-generation 
products. The petitioner claims that third-generation Toyota 4Runners 
``do not appear to experience the premature and excessive frame 
corrosion.'' \13\ The petitioner stated their belief that ``Any frame 
specification changes between generations may help identify the root 
cause(s) of the problem.'' \14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Gary Weinreich letter to Stephen Ridella, Ph.D., Director, 
Office of Defects Investigation, August 28, 2018.
    \14\ Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data related to frame 
corrosion in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles has not found 
evidence of a failure trend indicating a potential design or 
manufacturing defect leading to premature failures. Rather, the data 
tends to show complaint trends occurring late in vehicle life in high 
corrosion regions. Relatively few complaints involved suspension 
detachments, and those that did were spread among multiple suspension 
links, each occurring in older vehicles operated in high corrosion 
regions. Finally, ODI finds no meaningful difference between frame 
corrosion complaint trends and related suspension detachment 
allegations in third- and fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles.
    4Runner complaint trends lag trends for the Dana frame vehicles by 
several years. Through the end of 2008, the year of Toyota's first 
field action for Dana frame vehicles, NHTSA had received 150 complaints 
for Dana frame vehicles and just 3 for 4Runner vehicles (none involving 
the subject fourth-generation 4Runner vehicles). By the end of 2010, 
NHTSA had received 716 complaints for the Dana frame vehicles and just 
36 for 4Runner vehicles (only 5 involving the subject fourth-generation 
vehicles).
    Figure 1 shows the vehicle age distributions of frame corrosion 
complaints to NHTSA for Toyota 4Runner vehicles, Toyota Dana frame 
vehicles, and peer body-on-frame vehicles. The chart on the left shows 
the distributions for MY 1996 through 2002 vehicles (i.e., third-
generation 4Runner compared with peers) and the chart on the right 
shows the distributions for MY 2003 through 2009 vehicles (i.e., 
fourth-generation 4Runner compared with peers).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MR22.063


[[Page 16826]]


    In both age groups, the complaint age distributions for the Toyota 
4Runner vehicles lag the distributions of the Toyota Dana frame and 
peer body-on-frame vehicles by several years. The complaints peak at 15 
years-in-service for the third-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles, 6 
years after the peak for the Dana frame vehicles and 4 years after the 
peak for the peer body-on-frame vehicles. The complaints also peak at 
15 years-in-service for the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles, 
6 years after the peak for the Toyota Dana frame vehicles and 5 years 
after the peak for the peer body-on-frame vehicles.
    Figure 2 shows the cumulative age distributions of frame corrosion 
complaints to NHTSA for the same vehicle sets. The 4Runner complaints 
occur later in the vehicle age than the Toyota Dana frame and peer 
body-on-frame complaints. Only about 3 percent of the complaints for 
the third-generation 4Runner vehicles occurred within 10 years-in-
service, compared with 43 percent of the Toyota Dana frame vehicle 
complaints and 21 percent of the peer body-on-frame vehicle complaints 
for the same model year range. For the MY 2003 through 2009 vehicles, 
approximately 6 percent of complaints for the Toyota 4Runners occurred 
within 10 years, compared with 45 percent for the Toyota Dana frame 
vehicles and 47 percent for the peer body-on-frame vehicles.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MR22.064

    ODI's analysis of consumer complaints received by NHTSA through 
March 7, 2022, identified a total of 1,024 records that appear to be 
related to frame corrosion in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner 
vehicles, including 70 involving alleged detachments of front or rear 
suspension links. Both the overall complaints and those reporting 
suspension link detachments primarily involve older vehicles in high-
corrosion states. No patterns or trends were identified for any 
specific suspension link. The radiator support bracket was the most 
common location for frame perforation damage in reports that included 
sufficient information to assess damage location. This part can be 
serviced separately and does not present any crash avoidance or 
crashworthiness safety concerns. The complaints describe general 
underbody corrosion damage indicative of normal, end-of-life wear-out 
failures from long duration exposures to severe, corrosive 
environments.
    Table 1 provides a breakdown of the complaints reporting suspension 
detachments by the suspension component. The detachment failures 
include two minor crashes and no verified injury allegations.

                              Table 1--Detachments While Driving by Suspension Link
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Average age       Alleged         Alleged
                                                       Count           (yrs)          crashes        injuries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower Control Arm, Front........................              15            13.1               2               0
Lower Control Arm, Rear.........................              38            14.1               0               0
Upper Control Arm, Rear.........................               6            13.3               0               0
Lateral Control Rod, Rear.......................               2            10.5               0               0
Sway Bar, Rear..................................               2            13.5               0               0
Unknown.........................................               7            16.3               0               0
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................              70            14.1               2               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ODI's analysis of NHTSA complaint data finds similar age-adjusted 
trends in the field experience of the third and fourth-generation 
4Runner vehicles. The third-generation 4Runner vehicles have more than 
double the allegations of suspension link detachments than the fourth-
generation 4Runners. The difference appears to be attributable to the 
greater exposure time of the third-generation vehicles. Analysis of 
suspension link failures by vehicle age showed similar rates for the 
third- and fourth-generation products through 15 years of service. In 
both generations, the failures are concentrated in states with the 
greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months. 
96 percent of the failures involved vehicles owned or previously 
registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat 
road surfaces in winter months (``Salt states'').
    Complaints for both generations of 4Runners appear to have been 
influenced by news about Toyota's field actions for the Sequoia, Tacoma 
and

[[Page 16827]]

Tundra vehicles equipped with frames supplied by Dana. Toyota's field 
actions were referenced in 203 of the fourth-generation 4Runner 
complaints. Furthermore, 699 or two thirds (68 percent) of the fourth-
generation 4Runner complaints were received after news of NHTSA opening 
this defect petition evaluation on August 7, 2018.
    Conclusion: After reviewing the available data, ODI has not 
identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related 
failure of frame structural components in the vehicles that the 
petitioner has identified. Contrary to the petitioner's primary 
allegation, the vehicles are not equipped with frames manufactured by 
the same supplier as Toyota products that have been included in 
previous field actions by the company addressing frame corrosion 
concerns. The frames in those vehicles exhibited failure trends before 
reaching 10 years in service, several years prior to the current trends 
evident in the subject 4Runner vehicles.
    Analysis of the age distributions of corrosion-related suspension 
link failures in the subject 4Runner vehicles shows late-life patterns 
after well over 10 years of exposure to severe corrosion environments. 
Incidents of corrosion damage that have resulted in failure of 
underbody components while driving appear to have developed 
progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and 
repair. This appears to be indicative of normal wear and tear failures, 
and we have not found evidence of a defect related to premature or 
excessive corrosion failures.
    ODI has not identified any serious crashes or injuries associated 
with corrosion-related failure of frame structural components while 
driving in a population of vehicles that currently ranges from 15 to 19 
years old. Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.
    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR 1.50 
and 501.8.

Anne L. Collins,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2022-06217 Filed 3-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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