| Address: Ashok Nagar, Chennai |
I am filing this complaint against Toyota Kirloskar Motor and their authorized dealer for selling a premium vehicle fitted with substandard tyres that nearly caused a fatal accident for my family.
Vehicle & Purchase Details:
Vehicle: Toyota Innova Crysta
Vehicle Cost: ₹26+ Lakhs
Registration No: TN09DR0***
Purchase Date: September 26, 2025
Servicing Dealer: EPIC Toyota, Erunkancherry, Chennai
Current Odometer: Approximately 3000 km
Incident:
Within just 3000 km of purchase, the front left tyre (Apollo Apterra H/LS TL) burst from the sidewall during a family trip. Four family members were in the vehicle. We narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal accident that would have killed my entire family.
Devastating Impact on My Family:
This life-threatening incident has shattered our sense of safety and trust:
Family trip completely ruined: Our planned family trip, which we had been looking forward to, collapsed entirely. We had to abandon all our plans mid-way and return home in a state of shock and panic. All the excitement turned into a nightmare.
Severe panic attack and trauma: The near-death experience caused me to suffer a severe panic attack. It took two full days for me to recover from the shock. My family members, who witnessed the tyre burst and the vehicle going out of control momentarily, are still traumatized. The thought of what could have happened - losing all four family members in one accident - is unbearable.
Cannot drive my own car: I have completely lost confidence in driving my ₹26+ lakh vehicle. The car is now sitting idle because I am genuinely terrified of the remaining Apollo tyres. How can Toyota expect me to risk my family's lives on tyres that have already failed once at just 3000 km?
Ongoing mental stress: The fear and anxiety have not subsided. I purchased a Toyota expecting reliability and safety. Instead, I got a vehicle that I am now scared to drive. This is not what I paid ₹26+ lakhs for.
My Grievances Against Toyota:
No choice of tyre brand: When I purchased this premium vehicle costing ₹26+ lakhs, I was not given any option to choose the tyre brand. Toyota fitted Apollo tyres by default without informing me about the quality or seeking my consent. For such a significant purchase, I deserved to know what safety-critical components were being fitted.
Tyre quality directly affects safety: The quality of tyres is directly proportional to the safety of passengers. A premium vehicle manufacturer like Toyota should only partner with the best tyre manufacturers with proven safety records - not compromise on such critical components.
Inadequate vendor quality checks: Toyota has a responsibility to ensure all OEM parts, especially safety-critical components like tyres, meet the highest quality standards. This incident raises serious questions about Toyota's vendor quality assessment process. How did such a defective product pass Toyota's quality gates?
Poor after-sales support: When I reported this issue to EPIC Toyota on November 28, 2025, they simply forwarded the complaint to Apollo Tyres. Apollo rejected the warranty claim citing "external impact." Neither Toyota nor the dealer took ownership of this safety issue. I am being pushed from pillar to post while my car sits unused and my family lives in fear.
Pattern of complaints: A quick internet search reveals numerous similar complaints about Apollo tyre failures on Toyota vehicles. This indicates a systemic issue that Toyota has chosen to ignore, putting countless families at risk.
My Demands:
Immediate tyre replacement: Toyota must replace all four Apollo tyres on my vehicle with premium quality tyres (MRF/Bridgestone/Michelin) at no cost. I will not drive my family on Apollo tyres ever again.
Compensation for trauma and suffering: Appropriate compensation for:
The severe panic attack and two days of recovery
Ongoing mental trauma and fear experienced by all family members
The ruined family trip and wasted expenses
Loss o[censored]se of my vehicle due to fear of driving with Apollo tyres
Review OEM partnership: Toyota must review their partnership with Apollo Tyres and consider alternative tyre suppliers with better safety records. Consumer safety should not be compromised for cost savings.
Consumer choice: Toyota should offer customers a choice of tyre brands at the time of vehicle purchase, especially for premium vehicles like Innova Crysta. Consumers have a right to know and choose what safety components go into their vehicles.
Safety audit: Conduct an immediate safety audit of all vehicles fitted with similar Apollo tyre batches and issue necessary recalls if required.
Supporting Documents:
Apollo Tyres Technical Inspection Report rejecting warranty
Vehicle purchase invoice
Service records from EPIC Toyota, Erunkancherry
As a Toyota customer who paid ₹26+ lakhs expecting premium quality, reliability, and most importantly SAFETY, I feel completely betrayed and cheated. I bought a Toyota for my family's safety and comfort. Instead, I nearly lost my entire family, suffered panic attacks, had our trip ruined, and now I am too scared to even drive the car I worked so hard to buy.
A tyre burst at just 3000 km is not normal. Either the product is defective or Toyota's quality standards are severely compromised. Either way, I deserve justice and protection as a consumer.
I request the consumer forum to take strict action against Toyota and ensure that no other family has to go through this horrifying experience.
Contact:
VijayKumar Anbu
Ashok Nagar, Chennai
Email: vijayakumar.[protected]@gmail.com
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