toyota motor co toyota motor sales,usa,inc Failure to accept responsibility for defective brake vacuum power booster that failed in Oct 2012 torrance California

   The brake vacuum power booster in my 2007 Toyota Highlander failed inOct.2012.The vehicle was purchased new by me in 2007 and had 47,000 miles on it in Oct 2012 when the failure occurred.  I was on a major highway in Rhode Island when it happened and I went to the nearest service station and they verified what my auto manual indicated,a failed vacuum power booster.  When I returned to New Jersey I called several local Toyota dealers who verified that I would have to pay for the part and installation $1200 and I would not get reimbursed because there was no recall on the part and I was passed the warranty period.Ihad the job done by my long time (30 years) service station for $928.70 which included their purchase price of $677.94 for the OEM parts from a Toyota dealer.    After the fact of the repair,I discovered that 4 different Toyota dealers I contacted all carried at least 20 of the particular part in stock because it was a common failure item.Icotend that it is either made that way on purpose to generate income,or it is a poorly designed item and therefore defective.   Given the above information and the fact that I also purchased two Toyota Corrolas brand new (2007 & 2011) I asked Toyota to reimburse me for the part in Oct. 2012 and they refused.Since then I corresponded with Toyota offices in Japan and they referred the case to the company office I noted herein. Viz. Toyota Motor Sales,USA,Inc.      I do have the original failed part.