We have purchased a used 2025 Toyota Camry from Elgin Toyota in Illinois on 2/28/2026.
On Friday, March 6, 2026, at approximately 11:50 AM, my husband, Timothy Bradac, left his place of employment (Amazon in Oak Creek). While traveling southbound on the interstate at highway speed, the rear bumper cover suddenly detached from the vehicle and flew off.
He safely pulled off the interstate at approximately 12:26 PM and called me in a panic to explain what had happened. I immediately asked if he had struck any road debris or run over anything while driving. He confirmed that he had not.
This occurred after the Highway 11 exit in Racine and before any Kenosha exits on the interstate. When Tim was still driving, he saw in his rear view mirror a semi-truck had run over the bumper cover, making it unsafe for him to retrieve any remaining pieces from the roadway.
I instructed him to return home immediately and park the vehicle safely under our carport.
Following this incident, I contacted two separate body shops to obtain repair estimates. Both shops expressed significant concern and stated they had never seen a bumper cover simply detach from a vehicle under normal driving conditions—especially on a recently purchased vehicle that should have been inspected prior to sale. One body shop owner specifically advised that we contact the dealership immediately, as this type of issue should not occur if the vehicle had been properly inspected.
Frankly, I am extremely concerned and alarmed by this situation. We had been in possession of the vehicle for less than one week. If this had occurred during heavy traffic or rush hour, the detached bumper could have caused a serious accident or injury to other drivers on the interstate.
For documentation purposes, I do have Ring camera footage showing the 2024 Toyota Camry leaving our home on the morning of March 6, 2026, at 6:19 AM with the bumper cover intact. Additional footage may also be available from Amazon in Oak Creek showing Timothy Bradac leaving work at approximately 11:50 AM with the bumper still attached. Interstate traffic cameras may also show the bumper detaching from the vehicle and being struck by a semi-truck at approximately 12:20 PM between the Highway 11 exit in Racine and the Kenosha exits.
Given the seriousness of this situation, I would like answers regarding how this could occur on a recently purchased vehicle that was represented as inspected and safe to drive.
I contacted the Dealer on Sunday 3/8/2026 via email and was told to bring in the vehicle for inspection. Tim and Jenna Bradac dropped off the vehicle at Elgin Toyota for inspection on 3/11/2026. We were given a free rental which I am grateful for.
On 3/12/2026, service representative, Ron, who was fantastic, called me and said since the pre inspection was done, they would not pay for fixing this vehicle. I asked for the Manager to call me. I received a call from Manager, Joe Ballin, who said he was not liable. I explained that this is unacceptable that a critical safety component—the rear bumper—completely detached from the vehicle only six days after purchase, despite your claims that it was inspected and “fine.” This clearly demonstrates a preexisting defect and constitutes a breach of the implied warranty of merchantability under both Illinois and Wisconsin law. A vehicle sold in such a condition is unsafe for operation, placing both the driver and the public at significant risk. Any inspection report or verbal assurances do not absolve the dealership of liability for selling a defective vehicle. I requested for them to cover the charges associated, and Joe denied this request.
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On Friday, March 6, 2026, at approximately 11:50 AM, my husband, Timothy Bradac, left his place of employment (Amazon in Oak Creek). While traveling southbound on the interstate at highway speed, the rear bumper cover suddenly detached from the vehicle and flew off.
He safely pulled off the interstate at approximately 12:26 PM and called me in a panic to explain what had happened. I immediately asked if he had struck any road debris or run over anything while driving. He confirmed that he had not.
This occurred after the Highway 11 exit in Racine and before any Kenosha exits on the interstate. When Tim was still driving, he saw in his rear view mirror a semi-truck had run over the bumper cover, making it unsafe for him to retrieve any remaining pieces from the roadway.
I instructed him to return home immediately and park the vehicle safely under our carport.
Following this incident, I contacted two separate body shops to obtain repair estimates. Both shops expressed significant concern and stated they had never seen a bumper cover simply detach from a vehicle under normal driving conditions—especially on a recently purchased vehicle that should have been inspected prior to sale. One body shop owner specifically advised that we contact the dealership immediately, as this type of issue should not occur if the vehicle had been properly inspected.
Frankly, I am extremely concerned and alarmed by this situation. We had been in possession of the vehicle for less than one week. If this had occurred during heavy traffic or rush hour, the detached bumper could have caused a serious accident or injury to other drivers on the interstate.
For documentation purposes, I do have Ring camera footage showing the 2024 Toyota Camry leaving our home on the morning of March 6, 2026, at 6:19 AM with the bumper cover intact. Additional footage may also be available from Amazon in Oak Creek showing Timothy Bradac leaving work at approximately 11:50 AM with the bumper still attached. Interstate traffic cameras may also show the bumper detaching from the vehicle and being struck by a semi-truck at approximately 12:20 PM between the Highway 11 exit in Racine and the Kenosha exits.
Given the seriousness of this situation, I would like answers regarding how this could occur on a recently purchased vehicle that was represented as inspected and safe to drive.
I contacted the Dealer on Sunday 3/8/2026 via email and was told to bring in the vehicle for inspection. Tim and Jenna Bradac dropped off the vehicle at Elgin Toyota for inspection on 3/11/2026. We were given a free rental which I am grateful for.
On 3/12/2026, service representative, Ron, who was fantastic, called me and said since the pre inspection was done, they would not pay for fixing this vehicle. I asked for the Manager to call me. I received a call from Manager, Joe Ballin, who said he was not liable. I explained that this is unacceptable that a critical safety component—the rear bumper—completely detached from the vehicle only six days after purchase, despite your claims that it was inspected and “fine.” This clearly demonstrates a preexisting defect and constitutes a breach of the implied warranty of merchantability under both Illinois and Wisconsin law. A vehicle sold in such a condition is unsafe for operation, placing both the driver and the public at significant risk. Any inspection report or verbal assurances do not absolve the dealership of liability for selling a defective vehicle. I requested for them to cover the charges associated, and Joe denied this request.