2003 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

MY 4RUNNER HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LEXUS GX470 AS WELL. THE 03-06 4RUNNERS HAVE THE SAME DRIVELINE AS THE LEXUS AND UNLIKE LEXUS, TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WAS EXHIBITING CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BEGAN YEARS PRIOR BUT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ERRATIC/UNPREDICTABLE/DIFFICULT TO PREDICT BRAKE APPLICATION . *TR

1. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FROZE. TOYOTA REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. 2. LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZE ON 05/05/2010 AT 95, 988 MILES. MY COST $490.73. LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FROZE ON 11/22/10 AT 102,712 MILES. MY COST $470.40. TOYOTA CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY AS THERE WAS NO REQUIRED RECALL ON THAT PART. THEY TREAT BRAKE CALIPERS LIKE TIRES AND BRAKE PADS. I KNOW THAT CALIPERS SHOULD NOT FAIL. A FROZEN CALIPER CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFICIENCY BY 25 % PLUS CAUSE INSTABILITY DURING BRAKING. I BELIEVE THE AVERAGE OWNER DOES NOT KNOW THAT CALIPERS SHOULD NOT FREEZE UP, SO THEY ARE BUYING TOYOTA'S DENIAL AS APPROPRIATE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000

1. FLAT TIRE, NEEDED TO GET SPARE OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. 2. BRAND NEW SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN DOWN, NEW SPARE TIRE HAS BRANDING MARKING ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, FROM THE HEAT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO HAS COMPROMISED THE SAFTY OF THE TIRE. 3. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *NM

THE DOOR LOCKS ON FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT SIDES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER AT BELL TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THERE ARE BAD ACTUATORS. CONSIDERING THAT THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT LOCKS ARE NOT OPERABLE, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT DOORS ARE SPARINGLY UTILIZED INDICATING THAT THERE IS A QUALITY ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION. *NM

SUNROOF BROKE IN OPEN POSITION. COST $1600 TO REPAIR. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2006. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPHILL, A STRONG ODOR WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PRODUCING THE ODOR. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE REPLACEMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MECHANIC MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES REPAIR, THE PEDAL WAS TOO LOW WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE RECHECKED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ALL THE BRAKE STANDARDS WERE CORRECT. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM.

THE FRAME IN THE REAR OF MY 03 4 RUNNER HAS RUSTED OUT NEAR THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON XLS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE THE JACK MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE JACK AND INJURED THE CONTACT'S HAND, CAUSING NERVE DAMAGE. IN ADDITION, IT DAMAGED THE DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL. PER THE CONTACT, THE BASE OF THE JACK HAD A NARROW WIDTH OF 1 3/4 INCHES AND WAS INCHES IN LENGTH. THE JACK WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO LIFT LARGER TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE JACK WAS TOO FLIMSY TO SECURE THE VEHICLE AND WAS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION TO REPLACE THE CURRENT JACK WITH ONE OF APPROPRIATE SIZE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF TOYOTA. TOYOTA INVESTIGATORS TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND THE JACK ,AND PROMISED A RESPONSE WITHIN 90 DAYS. THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA STATED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT FAULTY, AND THE INSPECTION WAS ADDRESSED TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE JACK WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE JACK SIZE IN RELATION TO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE LETTER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT SPOKEN TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.*AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHILD SEAT WILL NOT STAY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT IS SECURED IN THE VEHICLE BY THE LATCH SYSTEM AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN. THE CHILD SEAT WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SENT A REPLACEMENT BASE HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT BASE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL. THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED. DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, EDDIE BAUER, MODEL # 22-630-BAL. DATE OF MANUFACTURE: FEBRUARY 6, 2006.

ALL FOUR OF MY DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. EACH REQUIRED A NEW LOCK ACTUATOR TO BE INSTALLED ON EACH DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT 26,598 (7/16/04) - FRONT DRIVER, 50,327 (6/10/05) - REAR RIGHT, 67,878 (12/30/05) - FRONT RIGHT, 81,435 (05/2006) - REAR DRIVER. IF A USER DOES NOT NOTICE THE FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR - AS THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED, BUT IT IS NOT. *NM

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL SINCE I GOT IT. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING THAT I GET VERY DIZZY. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THERE A QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. IT SEEMS ALONG WITH THE SULFUR DIOXIDE THERE IS CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN, REGARDLESS IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS DUE TO BAD GAS. I LIKE MY 4RUNNER BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE IT KNOWING THAT NOT ONLY ME, BUT MY SON ALSO ARE BEING POISONED. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!!!! *TR

FOUL SMELLING EXHAUST - AMMONIA SMELL - VERY STRONG ON ACCELERATIONS UPHILL OR FREEWAY ON RAMPS. *JB

30 MONTH OLD 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT. WENT TO USE SPARE TIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT FOUND PLACES ON THE SIDEWALL WHERE THE RUBBER APPEARS TO BE MELTED. THE MARKS LOOK LIKE THEY CORRESPOND TO THE PLACES WHERE THE SPARE TIRE TOUCHES THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. IT LOOKS TO ME (AS A LAYMAN) THAT THE DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE. *JB

SUNROOF/MOONROOF LEAKS AROUND GLASS RUBBER SEAL--SEVERE CORROSION, METAL DEFORMED, EFFECTS OPERATION. *JB

VEHICLE WAS HIT WITH SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, RESTRAINED CHILD SUSTAINED SHOULDER/CLAVICLE INJURY. MINIMUM ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS $7000, NEITHER SIDE CURTAIN OR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE LIKELY PREVENTED INJURY TO DRIVER. *NM

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER MAKES A CLUNK SOUND THAT IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN BEGINNING TO TAKE OFF. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. PER THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, REMOVING THE DRIVESHAFT AND GREASING THE SPLINE YOKE QUIETS THE CLUNK FOR APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. THIS IS PARTLY TRUE, AS THE GREASING QUIETS IT, BUT IT DOES NOT GO AWAY AND THE CLUNK GET STRONGER EVERY DAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNTIL YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING REAR ENDED. TOYOTA STATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT NORMAL, AND IT IS ABSURD TO THINK IT IS NORMAL. THE CAR SHOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK AND COME TO A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED, BUT TOYOTA HAS YET TO PROVIDE A FIX. THE "CLUNKING" CHANGES YOUR DRIVING BEHAVIOR/HABITS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE CLUNK, BUT IN THE END, THE CAR CLUNKS WHEN TAKING OFF, AND CLUNKS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STATES NO DAMAGE IS BEING INCURRED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE CLUNKING, THIS MAY BE TRUE, BUT YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND SECURE WHEN THE VEHICLE CLUNKS AND SHAKES THE CAR AT VIRTUALLY EVERY STOP AND START. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIND A FIX TO ENSURE TOYOTA CUSTOMERS ARE SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, AND ARE SATISFIED WITH THE TOYOTA VEHICLE THEY DRIVE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER: JACK AND EQUIPMENT ARE NOT SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF TRUCK. I HAVE HAD TO USE THE JACK EQUIPMENT 2 TIMES TO CHANGE FLATS, THE FIRST TIME THE EQUIPMENT DOES NOT RAISE THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE WAND USED TO JACK IT UP BENT IN HALF. THE SECOND TIME THE WAND BENT AGAIN AND THE SCREWS TO CONNECT THE WAND WERE STRIPPED CAUSING AN UNSAFE PLACE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE EQUIPMENT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS SIZE TRUCK. *NM

MOONROOF RATTLE. I DID NOTHING WRONG AND IT STARTED TO RATTLE

I WAS SOLD PRE-OWNED TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITHOUT ITS BEING INSPECTED AND THEN I FELT ILL TREATED TO BE RECALLED TO SIGN A NEW PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH AN INCREASED INTEREST PERCENTAGE, JUST BECAUSE I AM BLACK! *NM

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 4 RUNNER FROM TOMS RIVER TOYOTA. ALL SERVICE OF THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THERE. OVER A YEAR AGO WE COMPLAINED LOW A LOW BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS DEFECTIVE. RECENTLY DEALER RECOMMENDED REAR BRAKE SERVICE. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. ON LAST SERVICE VISIT THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN REQUIRING A PAD SPACER BEING INSTALLED. BUT NOW DUE THE MILEAGE BEING OVER THE 50000 MILE WARRANTY, DEALER REQUIRES >$ 250. BE PAID BY OWNER TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. NO SUCH SERVICE BULLETINS WERE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE SEARCH. *NM

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER TRAILER HITCH CAME APART. *TS WHEN THE TRAILER CAME APART IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE TRAILER REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE SAFETY CHAINS . THE RECEIVER BALL SLID OUT OF THE RECEIVER OF THE HITCH DUE TO THE CLIP COMING OFF PIN AND PIN FALLING OUT. *NM

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, LIMITED V8 4WD- VEHICLE IMPACTED A BUMPER BARREL ON FREEWAY EXIT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED APPROXIMENTLY 50 MPH. POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE EXCEEDED $5000.00. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.*AK

I PRESENTLY HAVE MY 2003 4 RUNNER V8 LIMITED IN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR FOR AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. IN BOTH CASES THE AIR SUSPENSION STAYS IN THE FULLY INFLATED POSITION. THEY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR THE FIRST TIME IN (21 DAYS TO GET PARTS), AND THIS TIME THEY TELL ME IT?S THE AIR RELEASE PORTION OF THE COMPRESSOR. WHICH MEANS THEIR REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR AGAIN (7 DAYS AND COUNTING WAITING FOR PARTS). I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WOBBLING SOUND, THE PROBLEM WAS A DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURS ONCE IN A WHILE DURING ASSEMBLY. *AK

I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE PEDALS EVER SINCE 2-3 YEARS INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ISSUES. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF. I FEEL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, A GENTLE TAP DOESN'T PRODUCE A RESPONSE. ONLY A MILD TO HARD STEP ON THE BRAKES WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. IM VERY WARY OF THIS B/C I ALWAYS HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO GET A RESPONSE. I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOOSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO TAPPING. IN FACT, IF I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DROP ONE INCH, THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKE RESPONSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS SOME SORT OF BRAKE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON REPLACING THAT PART, I STILL FEEL THE SAME LOOSENESS IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY MOST SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES B/C I HAVE TO HIT IT HARD, MY VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S DRIFTING. THE WHEELS WOULD GO LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN GO STRAIGHT. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT FREAKS ME OUT. AT FREEWAY SPEED, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, WHETHER ITS LIGHT OR SOFT, SOMETIMES, THE CAR JUST DOES THE RANDOM DRIFT. I FEEL ITS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL AND PERHAPS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE TIRES. I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED OFTEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH,THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REAR SHOCKS BLEW THE SEALS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED AND WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. NITROUSENTERTRISES AFTER MARKET PRODUCT.

I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR( 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER) STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WITHIN A MINUTE. SINCE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE AND IT WAS RUSH HOUR, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD, PLUS I HAD NO POWER. FINALLY A POLICE CAR PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND HAD ME TURN OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTART. I WAS ABLE THEN TO PULL OVER WITH THE OFFICER'S HELP TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE "TRANSMISSION INPUT SPEED SENSOR(P0717)" HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT A CAR WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING (ESPECAILLY ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY). I WOULD FAR RATHER TO HAVE DAMAGE TO A TRANSMISSION THAN TO BE HIT IN THE REAR AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE I HAVE NO POWER.*AK

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN MAY 2003. IN ONE COLD MORNING OF JAN. 2005, I WAS DRIVING IT IN HIGHWAY THAT WAS STILL COVERED WITH SOME SNOW. ALL OF SUDDEN, AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON, FOLLOWED BY VSC LIGHTS, INDICATING THAT A VEHICLE SKID CONTROL FUNCTION WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF. AT THAT POINT, I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 50 MPH, NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FREQUENTLY I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I PULLED OVER, RESTARTED, AND RE-ENTERED THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD THE SAME RESULTS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE AND SIMPLY RESET THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CHECK AND VSC LIGHT ISSUES RESURFACED ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME WAS THAT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION ISSUE. NO INSPECTION WAS MADE. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IN JAN. 2010, THOSE LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND HAVE REMAINED TURNED ON. NO IMPACT ON ACCELERATION HAS BEEN OBSERVED. *TR

HVAC BLOWER FAN FAILED AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY VEHICLE MILEAGE EXCEEDS WARRANTY PERIOD. DEALER SAID THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO NOT CLEARING SNOW FROM HOOD, THEREBY BLOCKING AIR TO FAN. HOWEVER, VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND NOT SUBJECT TO ELEMENTS. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES AND THAT THEY WERE DUE TO SEEPAGE OF WATER INTO BLOWER HOUSING AND SUBSEQUENT FREEZING.*AK

EXTENSIVE AND SEVERE FRAME/CHASSIS RUST AND CORROSION THROUGHOUT . THIS IS A WELL-KNOW PROBLEM WITH BOTH 4RUNNER AND TACOMAS

AT CERTAIN TIMES I HAVE A SULFUR/EXHAUST SMELL THAT ENTERS THE VEHICLE. IT IS INTERMITTENT, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS EXHAUST FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME EMITTING BAD FUMES, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND ME. IT HASN'T LASTED LONG 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE AND IT'S GONE. BUT WHEN THE SMELL COMES IT'S VERY OVERPOWERING, MAKING ME WANT TO GAG AT TIMES. *NM

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE VEHICLE WOULD REV ITSELF UP TO A HIGH RPM, FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONLY AFTER THE MANAGER BORROWED IT OVERNIGHT AND EXPERIENCED IT HIMSELF, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEGINNING AGAIN. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (I WAS TOLD IT HAD THE WRONG KIND OF ANTIFREEZE; IT WAS GREEN AND IT NEEDS A RED KIND???). WHEN REPLACING THIS I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE PAPER THIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THIS REPAIR COST ME ALMOST $2000. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE REAR WINDOW TRIM HAS SHRUNK. I ALSO HAD THE SUNROOF REPLACED AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE REAR HATCH DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS THE REAR WIPERS (ALSO WHEN I HOOKED A TRAILER TO IT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MESSED UP BECAUSE THE TRAILER LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK; WENT TO AUTOZONE AND TESTED THE TRAILER AND IT IS FINE). THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO ACT FUNNY AGAIN, THE ENGINE REVS ITSELF TO HIGH RPMS (THIS IS NOT THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IDLES AS WELL). THE LAST INCIDENT WAS WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STREET PARKING SPOT AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WE LOST ALL POWER, WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL IT WAS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL YET I TRIPLE CHECKED AND IT WAS IN DRIVE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT ACTED NORMAL AND DROVE ABOUT 10 FEET THEN IT HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL (SULFUR?) WHICH IS SPORADIC. OF COURSE THE DEALER ALWAYS SAYS THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG, NOTHING IS COMING UP ON THE COMPUTER. LUCKILY NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED AS OF YET BUT I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT DECIDES TO PLAY THESE GAMES. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION. *TR

AAFTER THE OVERNIGHT TEMPORATURE DROPPED BEFOW FREEZING, BOTH OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER REAR DOORS FROZE TO THEIR WHEEL WELLS DUE TO A MINOR ACCUMULATION OF MUD IN THE WHEEL WELLS (LESS THAN 1/4 INCH THICK) WHERE THE DOOR BOTTOM EXTENDS. ALTHOUGH THE DOOR LATCHES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, AND THE DOORS COULD BE 'SPRUNG' AWAY FROM THE FRAME AT THE TOP, THE BOTTOM REMAINED FROZEN TO THE WHEEL WELL PROHIBITING OPENING. EMERGENCY EGREES WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT TWO FRONT WINDSHIELDS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER STATED, THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERE GLARE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

TOYOTA 4- RUNNER, 2003. WHEEL LUG BOLTS ARE BREAKING OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO BECOME LOSE. TOYOTA SAYS THE TIRE ROTATION SERVICE PEOPLE OVERTIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS. THIS SERVICE WAS 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE LUG BOLT BREAKING. I CONTEND THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO: A. THE LUG BOLTS ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE WEIGHT AND HP OF THIS VEHICLE. OR B. THE METALLURGICAL COMPOND OF THE BOLTS AND/OR NUTS IS NOT CORRECT. OR C. THE THREAD TOLERANCES OF THE BOLTS AN NUTS IS NOT CORRECT....TOYOTA REFUSES TO TEST THE DAMAGED BOLTS AND NUT THAT I SAVED TO SEE IF THIS COULD BE AN ISOLATED PROBLEM FROM THEIR SUPPLIER.

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THE SMELL CAN GET QUITE BAD AT TIMES, AND HAS CAUSED MY EYES TO BURN AND OTHER PASSENGERS TO FEEL NAUSEOUS. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON HAS COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT MAKES HIS TUMMY HURT. TAKING IT IN TO TOYOTA HAS NOT HELPED - THEY STATE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TAKING A LOOK AT IT. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LOOK QUICKER AND FIND A SOLUTION. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL TOYOTAS (THIS IS MY SECOND 4RUNNER IN A ROW) AND HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THE CARS AND SERVICE TO BE EXCEPTIONAL. HOWEVER, THIS HAS SOURED ME ON MY WONDERFUL 4RUNNER AND I WILL MOST DEFINITELY LOOK AT OTHER SUVS - PERHAPS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER NOW. *NM

THIS CONDITION COULD BE RELATED TO ITEM 2. THIS CONDITION STARTED LAST WINTER AND IS GETTING WORSE.) AFTER BEING AT A STOP AND RELEASING THE BRAKES, I GET A HARD SHAKE/THUD FROM THE DRIVELINE/BRAKES. THIS OCCURS IN 90% OF STOPS/STARTS. (E.G., IF IT WAS NORMAL, IT WOULD DO IT ALL THE TIME TO SOME DEGREE.) THERE IS NO METAL ON METAL NOISE, JUST THE SHAKE/THUD LIKE THE BRAKES ARE RELEASING TOO HARD OR THE DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH LASH IN IT. (CONDITION IS WORSE IF YOU COME TO A HARD STOP, BEFORE STARTING AGAIN.) 2) SOMETIMES (ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME) AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO FIRST GEAR HARD AND/OR THE CONVERTER/TORSEN DIFFERENTIAL IS UNLOCKING/LOCKING INCORRECTLY. IT WILL ACTUALLY ROCK THE VEHICLE FORWARD. SOMETIMES IT GIVES THE SAME SENSATION AS IN ITEM 3. (ACTUALLY, ON A FEW OCCASIONS I GET ITEM 2 PROBLEM FOLLOWED BY AN ITEM 1 PROBLEM. *AK

THE DESIGN FLAW OF THE GAS PEDAL CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONSUMERS RIGHT KNEE AND LOWER BACK. *TC *JB

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE VERY PASSENGER EDGE MIDWAY AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 9 MOS NEW. THE CRACK PROPOGATED INWARD. UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER, SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, REPLACED. YEAR AND A HALF LATER, SAME EXACT THING, SAME EXACT PLACE, NOT UNDER WARRANTY, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS A STONE CHIP AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW WINDSHIELD. I BEG TO DIFFER. *NM

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE GLASS MADE SCRATCHES ON THE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

LTR FM CHRISTINE IDLAND (NJ) RE A PROBLEM WITH HER 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER, IT EMITS A PUNGENT ODOR WHEN SHE PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR; REPLY ATTN DEREK DECOSMO/HADDON HEIGHTS OFFICE. *NM THE NJ OEP RAN TEST ON THE VEHICLE WHICH DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAME ELEVATED. THIS OCCURRED WHETHER THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED OR CLOSED. *NM

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB......*AK

CONSUMER STATED REAR SEATS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES SUDDENLY THE SEATS CAME UP. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BACKREST, MOVES OR HAS A PLAY MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. SPIDER WEB LIKE CRACKS OVER GLOVE BOX. *TR

ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL/EXHAUST ENTERING CABIN OF VEHICLE EVEN IF WINDOWS ARE UP.HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN AUG,2003. *AK

I CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TIRE/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SPORT EDITION. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, OR ALL DAY LONG IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE PULSING AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS OCCUR BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH, DISAPPEAR AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND RESUME AT 65 MPH. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MILES THE PROBLEM DISSIPATES. THE DEALER SAYS THE TIRES ARE BALANCED AND ALLIGNED. THE DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY "FIBERGLASS BELTS" IN THE DUNLAP TIRES THAT FORM A "SET." A REGIONAL TIRE CHAIN SPECIALIST STATES THIS IS "NONSENSE." THEY SUGGEST SYMPTOMS AND FACT IT ALWAYS OCCURS AT THE SAME SPEED SUGGESTS IMPROPERLY BALANCED TIRES OR ALLIGNMENT, OR TIRES "OUT OF ROUND," HOWEVER THE FACT THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS AFTER DRIVING SUGGESTS THESE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THE LEXUS VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND AUTO MAGAZINES NOTE A PROBLEM WITH "ENGINE VIBRATIONS.*AK