Brake Light problems of the 2004 Toyota Sequoia

We have had 2 rear end collisions in our 2004 Toyota Sequoia in less than 10 months of ownership. We have never had a rear end collision in 12 years of driving other model suvs, and 20+ years of driving all types of vehicles. I believe there is a safety design flaw in the rear brake lights of the Sequoia. The large red lights on the right and left side of the tailgate do not function as brake lights. They only light up when the headlamps are illuminated. Therefore, the largest red light surface area on the back of the car does not illuminate when brakes are applied. I believe this leads drivers to miss the fact that the brakes have been applied. The only driver eye-level brake lights are on the side panels and the high-mount light over the tailgate, which is fairly small. The proportional size of the side eye-level brake lights is significantly smaller than the red lenses on the tailgate. We request that NHTSA look into this matter, because the design defies common sense and we believe has led to two rear-end collisions in less than a year. We are seriously considering selling this vehicle because I have lost confidence that it is safe for my family.

Dashboard lights came on ie. Gas light comes on and gas indicator went to empty regardless of the amount of gas in the tank, brake light cam ES on. All of this is sporatic and has no pattern. We have friends that the same thing happens on thier 2004 Sequoia.