2003 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

MY 4RUNNER GOT REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY AND DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS I FOUND OUT THAT THE HITCH RECEIVER THAT WAS ORIGINAL INSTALLED (51909-35010) WAS SUPERSEDED TO AN 'IMPROVED' ONE (51909-35011). HOWEVER, WHEN I INSTALLED MY BICYCLE CARRIER, I REALIZED THAT THE UNIVERSAL FOOT WAS STANDING ONE INCH OUT OF THE HITCH RECEIVER CAUSING IT TO VIRULENTLY SHAKE AND BOUNCE AROUND. WHEN INSPECTING THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER MORE CLOSELY, I REALIZED THAT THE HOLE FOR THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN IS NOW ONLY 1.5 INCHES FROM THE END OF THE HITCH AWAY WHILE BEFORE IT WAS 2.5 INCHES. I COMPARED THIS TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS HITCHES (E.G. GMC, CHEVROLET, JEEP, ETC) AND THEY ALL HAVE A 2.5 INCH DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RECEIVER TO THE HOLE FOR THE PIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS IS THE CORRECT PART AND WHY THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN THAT WAY, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. IN MY OPINION, THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER IS UNSAFE AS IT ALLOWS MORE PLAY OF THE BALL MOUNT AND APPEARS LESS STABLE AS LESS MATERIAL IS AROUND THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN. SINCE I AM UNABLE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD HAVE A DETAILED LOOK IN THIS ISSUE. BEST REGARDS. *TR

MY 4RUNNER WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, AND THE BRAKES FELT WEIRD. I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD THE MECHANIC AT THE NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD IN NEWARK, DELAWARE, WHICH I ALWAYS USE, CHECK THE BRAKES, AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200.00. WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AT THIS TIME TO COME UP WITH SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2012. BUT, I NEED A CAR FOR MY JOB, SO I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AT SUNRISE TOYOTA NORTH (LOCATED AT 910 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, MIDDLE ISLAND, NY 11953, (631) 924-8100). THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA NEW IN 2003 AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED BY THE SAME DEALER AS PER SCHEDULE. I HAVE 300469 MILES BUT HAVE RUSTING FRAME EVEN THOUGH I WASH UNDER FRAME ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALER THAT IS JUST THW NATURE OF THE MAKE. I PLAN ON KEEPING MY CAR BECAUSE IT RUNS VERY WELL WITH LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS WITB EXCEPTION OF RUST. THE TACOMA OF THE SAME YEAR WAS TECSLLED.FOR THIS SAME REASON BUT NOT THE 4 RUNNER WITH THE SAME FRAME

DASHBOARD IS MELTING BECOMING STICKY AND CRACKING DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE. DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEIR IS A HIGH RISK THE DASHBOARD COULD FALL APART AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

MY 2003 4RUNNER WAS BROUGHT IN ON THE ABOVE DATE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TO FOX TOYOTA, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICING THE VEHICLE,THE TECH NOTICED SEVERE FRAME ROT AND BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME. THIS CONDITION WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. SERVICE ADVISOR THEN SUGGESTED THAT I CALL TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES BASED ON THE SAME FRAME. A SERIES OF CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PRODUCED NO RESULT. THEY ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO BE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AND TOYOTA IS WASHING THEIR CORPORATE HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND THEIR BASIC FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF FENDER BENDERS CAUSED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND GARAGE KEPT BOTH AT HOME AND AT WORK. I NOTICED A HAIRLINE CRACK FROM THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) ON THE TOP DASH PANEL EXTENDING TO THE MIDDLE (TOP OF THE STEREO). AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BOTH HERE AS WELL AS OTHER WEBSITES), I CALLED TOYOTA @ 1-800-331-4331 AND OPENED CASE # 1211091043 AFTER MENTIONING THAT THE ISSUE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD AND CITING ANOTHER CASE # BY A FORUM MEMBER (1208280716). HOWEVER, TOYOTA DENIED BEING AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS UNWILLING TO HELP CITING AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY CONDITION. MY CONCERN OF DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AS A RESULT DIDN'T APPEAR TO CONCERN THEM. I WAS GIVEN A CONTACT NAME OF THE NUMBER CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE HELP. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT NEWER MODELS USE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL (PLASTIC) FOR THE DASH PANEL. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET BUT I BELIEVE THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE DEFECT CALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL. *TR

THE DASH OF MY 4 RUNNER HAS SPLIT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FRONT. IT'S NOT FROM THE SUN BECAUSE MY CAR IS IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT AT WORK. I KEEP MY WINDOWS CRACKED WHEN I'M AT WORK IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. IT'S ON THE FRONT WHERE ALL MY GAUGES ARE NOT ON THE TOP. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I HAVE AND IT LOOKS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ONE PICTURE I SAW LOOKED JUST LIKE MINE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCATE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SAW ONE SPLIT LIKE IT HAS SPLIT. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU NEED PICTURES I WILL SEND THEM TO YOU. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU *TR

FRAME OF VEHICLE IS ROTTING OUT- NOT LIKELY TO PASS INSPECTION FOR VERY LONG. SIMILAR ISSUES TO FRAMES OF TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA FRAMES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. 4RUNNER SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. JUST DISCUSSED CONDITION OF FRAME WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY- RECOMMENDED FILING A COMPLAINT. *TR

THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SEVERE CORROSION. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION WAS IDENTIFIED TO ME BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN DURING RECENT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL CORROSION ON OTHER MODELS. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WEAKEN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH SITUATION AND POTENTIALLY DURING NORMAL VEHICLE USE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCUSSED WITH DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFERRED ME TO THE TOYOTA NATIONAL HOTLINE. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AT THAT DEPARTMENT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY OR REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR THIS CONDITION, NOR DO THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION FOR THE COSTS OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THE INFORMATION WAS DOCUMENTED IN TOYOTA CASE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EXTENSIVE PREMATURE FRAME RUST

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE YAW SENSOR WAS RE-CALIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO A BRAKE FAILURE IN WHICH THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500.

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS 3 FAULTY CALIPERS 2 ON FRONT AND ONE ON THE REAR. THE CALIPER USES A DUAL PISTON AND THE INTERIOR LOWER PISTON IS THE ONE THAT FAILED ON BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. THIS ISSUE IS KNOW TO THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA OWNERS WHO INQUIRE (ITS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG THOSE WHO OWN THEM.) THE FACT THAT BOTH FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND LOSING BOTH FRONT BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY IS CAUSE FOR GREAT CONCERN MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND EVERYONE ELSE. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT HAS TAKEN SOO MUCH EFFORT FROM US (THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES AND THEREFORE CALIPER) TO GET THIS LOOKED INTO. THE CALIPERS ARE OF A FAULTY DESIGN AND WILL FAIL PREMATURELY PUTTING HUMAN LIVES AT RISK. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? A PERSON TO DIE BEFORE THIS BECOMES CREDITED INFORMATION? JUST CHECK OUT T4R.ORG TO FIND ANY NUMBER OF IDENTICAL CLAIMS. *TR

BADLY RUSTED FRAME

THE DRIVER SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT THE ADJUSTMENT THREADS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, RESULTING IN THE OUTER TIE ROD DECOUPLING AND THE DRIVER WHEEL ASSY SWINGING OUT OF PHASE WITH THE PASSENGER TIRE, THUS IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANK GOD, AS A FREEWAY SPEED FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE. I SCANNED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR FAILURES AND GOT MULTIPLE HITS. THE DEALER DOES NOT SHOW THIS FAILURE IN ANY SAFETY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS THE LIMITED EDITION WITH A V8. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THE GOV.'T SHOULD LOOK AT IF MY CASE TURNS OUT NOT TO BE ISOLATED. CAR WAS ALIGNED BY A TOYOTA DEALER APPROX 1 YR AGO. *TR

ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 28, 2012, THE ABS/TRAC CONTROL/VSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND CAME UP WITH "NO SENSOR READING?. IT COST ME $150 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND A FEW WEEKS LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER THEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY O2 SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED MY COST WAS OVER $650. THE NEXT WEEK THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BUT LATER REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE AND BRING IT BACK. I SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I SAY SUFFERED BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK AND THESE LIGHTS CAME ON, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHTS WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AND ALLOW ME TO DRIVE. ON 8/24 THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. I COULD NOT SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON OVER 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT ALMOST CONSTANTLY OVER 3 DAYS. WHEN I CALLED TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/27, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT. LATER THAT DAY, THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY AGAIN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE HAD ON VARIOUS TOYOTA VEHICLES. I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS INSTANCE. *TR

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW, AND ONLY TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK APPROX 30 MILES A DAY..(NOW HAS 59,000 MILES).VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER...VEHICLE NEVER USED FOR TOWING OR NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, AND MAINTAINED LIKE A BABY...ALL OF A SUDDEN DEALER TOLD ME MY FRONT AXLE CV JOINTS ARE LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACING INCLUDING THE REAR SHOCKS? THIS IS FULLY LOADED 2003 TOYOTA LIMITED EDITION V8...SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL AT 59K MILES? WILL CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP OUT IN ANY WAY... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SECTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE CORRODED THROUGH. THE TECHNICIAN DECLARED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT (2525 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660, (423) 246-6611) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A VISUAL INSPECTION AND STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: TAS-906032087. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT AT 121,679 MILES. FIRST SET OF FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 70,452 MILES. TECH CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT FRONT CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR HIGH MILEAGE 4 RUNNERS. SAME TIME HAD RIGHT AXLE BOOT REPLACED AS WELL. $1,118.00 FOR THE WHOLE JOB! OF COURSE I ALMOST KEELED OVER BUT HAD TO HAVE THE WORK DONE, AND WANTED DEALER TO PERFORM THE WORK SO I WOULDN'T HAVE ISSUES LATER IF ANYTHING WENT WRONG. HAVE HAD ALL WORK DONE AT THIS DEALER AND THEY'VE STOOD BEHIND ALL THEIR WORK, BUT WAS STILL A BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE SHOT. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND KEPT CLEAN, INSIDE AND OUT. IN FACT, STILL LOOKS LIKE A NEW CAR. *TR

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD ALMOST REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. REPAIR SHOP SAID BRAKES ARE FINE AND THAT IS A COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE HAS A LOW GEAR SOUND WHICH BEGAN WHEN VEHICLE WAS RELATIVELY NEW AS I TRAVELLED DOWN SLIGHT GRADES. I NEVER COMPLAINED BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IT SEEMED ABNORMAL AND THERE ARE ONLY A VERY PLACES IN MY TOWN WHERE THE HILL WAS STEEP ENOUGH TO CAUSE IT. PLUS I ASSUMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRAC BRAKING SYSTEM AND MIGHT BE NORMAL. LAST WEEKEND ON A 5 HOUR TRIP EACH WAY THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO MANIFEST ITSELF AS I ACCELLERATED ON FLAT GROUND. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED LOW RPMS (UNDER 2000) UNTIL 50-60 MPH. HOWEVER THE SOUND WAS MUCH MORE NOTICIBLE WITH SOME ADDITIONAL VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION IS NOW WORSE, COULD IT BE A SPEED SENSOR PROBLEM? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED AND MADE A TURN UP A HILL. SUDDENLY, I FELT THE SEAT JERK BACKWARDS AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT OFF ITS TRACK. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I CHECKED THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESECURE IT TO THE TRACK, BUT I COULD NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT IS NOT LOCKED ANYMORE. WHENEVER I ACCELERATE OR COME TO A STOP, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE DRIVER SEAT COULD COME LOOSE AS IT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK ANYMORE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE NUMBER IS NVO11-06. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX, WITH A TOTAL COST EXCEEDING $1500 FOR CARS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE A 2003 MODEL VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED ON 6/2003, AND THIS TSB WAS ISSUED ON 10/2006 FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, WHICH MEANS THIS TSB WAS INVALID FOR ME AT THE TSB RELEASE. I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM AROUND 9/2011 BECAUSE I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. MANY OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR SEATBELT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT SECURE AND SHIFTS DURING NORMAL STOP OF ACCELERATION AND CAN CAUSE WHIPLASH. ALSO, I HAVE FELT DIZZINESS DURING HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE ROCKING MOTION BECAUSE THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE SEAT CAN BECOME DISLODGED, THUS RENDERING THE SEAT BELT USELESS DURING A CRASH. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE. I HAVE SURFED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTED THIS ISSUE HAVE RESORTED TO JERRY RIGGING A FIX TO THE SEAT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TT

LOWER INBOARD FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF BEING FROZEN AND NON-FUNCTIONAL LEADING TO EXCESSIVE BRAKING DISTANCE AND WEAR OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. CALIPERS ARE NON-REBUILDABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED CALIPERS BY RAYBESTOS. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DAMAGED TO POINT OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ALSO. *TR

WHILE DRIVING FRONT ABS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ACTIVATING. BRAKING DISTANCES WORSENED AS MY 03 4RUNNER WAS DRIVEN. IT TURNS OUT A PISTON IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FROZEN COSTING OVER $650 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN BRIEFLY CATCHING OR GRABBING ON SOMETHING, SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT TURN AS EXPECTED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE STEERING COUPLER WAS RUSTED, CAUSING IT TO BIND UP WITH THE JOINT WHEN TURNING. HE SAID THE PART IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, AND IT ROTS WITH THE ROAD WATER SALT, ETC. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE PARTS PLACE SAID THEY HAVE SOLD SO MANY OF THEM RECENTLY THAT IT WAS ON BACKORDER. THE PART HAS NOW COME IN AND WE WILL BE REPAIRING IT TOMORROW. WE REPLACED THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME REASON ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SIX MONTHS AGO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE FOR TOYOTA. I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON BOTH OF MY TOYOTA VEHICLES, AND HAS COST ME MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED TO LAST. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE CABLE THAT IS ROTTING FROM EXPOSURE, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THERE CAN BE NO RECALL RELATED TO SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS EXPECTED. THANK YOU.

THE ENGINE, VSC TRAC AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE ENGINE 02 SENSORS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT REPLACE OR REPLACE SINCE THERE ARE NO ADVISORIES ON THE PART. THERE IS A HIGH RISK THE ENGINE MAY UNDER PERFORM WHICH MAY CAUSE LACK OF CONTROL AND A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. LEADING TO INJURY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VSC TRACKING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO HANG VERY LOW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-ATTACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. ..UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF ALSO, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/28/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREAS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,364. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF

ETENSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTING.

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKING DISTANCES BECAME A LOT LONGER. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK MY FRONT BRAKES, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE CALIPER ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $750. I DID IT MYSELF. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE IMPLODED AND SPEWED OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE DRIVELINE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VEHICLE WITH A USED TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVELINE AT A COST OF $1,374. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CASE WAS FILED. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,664. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/12/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL JETS WERE PLUGGED WITH CARBON, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT SINCE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,160 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,160. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/181//

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS, WHERE SHE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES, WERE SEVERELY WORN AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAC TURNED OFF, THE DAY AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION TURNED OFF...THE TOYOTA 2003 4RUNNER FLIPPED OVER. THE VSC TRACTION SHOULD NOT BE TURNED OFF WHEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THE NECESSARY STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE THAT A SUV NEEDS NO MATTER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND ONE PASSENGER STILL SUFFERING FROM INJURIES FROM THE ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER TRUCK GOING 60 MPH. MY 4RUNNER WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN THEM, TOTALED, AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD I BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND BROKE MY SEAT FROM THE MOMENTUM. WHEN I AWOKE I HAD SLID INTO THE BACK SEAT (WHICH IS ALL THAT WAS REALLY LEFT OF THE VEHICLE). ALTHOUGH I AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE, I FEEL THAT AT THAT FORCE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *TR

ABS WARNING LITE STAYS ON, BRAKE LITE IS ON, VSC TRAC LITE ON. GOES ON & OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MOSTLY STAYS ON. BRAKES OCCASIONALLY FEEL CRUNCHY AND DO NOT STOP PROPERLY. AM CALLING FOR SERVICE TODAY. VEHICLE WILL BE PARKED UNTIL PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. *TR

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS THREE TIMES EACH. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE EACH. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER IS MALFUNCTIONING. ALL OF MY BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN SEIZING UP AND THE COST TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED IS EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH AN EXPENSIVE ONE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE EDITION HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SUCH AS REDESIGNING THE BRAKE CALIPERS FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS A ROTTED FRAME WHICH IS PERFORATED IN AT LEAST 3 PLACES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AWD V8 WITH ~99,990 MILEAGE. FRONT BRAKE CALIPER INNER PISTONS SEIZED AND INNER FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED TO APPLY FOR INDETERMINATE TIME PERIOD (APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES). HEAVY CORROSION OF CALIPER CONTACT SURFACES ALSO PREVENTED NORMAL TRAVEL OF OEM REPLACEMENT INNER BRAKE PADS. RESULTED IN REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AND INTERMITTENT BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION DUE TO THERMAL IMBALANCE OF THE ROTORS. PASSENGER SIDE INNER ROTOR SURFACE CORRODED BECAUSE NO BRAKE PAD CONTACT WAS OCCURRING. PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO FRONT WHEEL BEARING PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO UNBALANCED BRAKING FORCE ON THE BRAKE ROTORS AND INORDINATE TORQUE ON THE BEARING ASSEMBLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY BRAKE FLUID (I.E., THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN FLUSHED.) THIS IS A PERMANENT FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS IS ANTICIPATED. FAILED CALIPERS COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BUT WILL ULTIMATELY BE RETURNED FOR CORE CHARGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED IT; HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOTTOM TWO FLOATING CALIPER PISTONS WERE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 02/07/11

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (V6-4WD) HAD 2 FROZEN FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED BC INTERMITTENT SQUEALING NOISE AND INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES. ON EACH SIDE: OUTER BRAKE PAD BARELY HAD ANYTHING LEFT (LITERALLY LESS THAN PAPER THIN) + INNER BRAKE PAD LOOKED GREAT BC NEVER REALLY USED SINCE CALIPERS FROZEN. NEEDED BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED, ALONG WITH 2 CALIPERS (1 EACH SIDE). SO I BASICALLY HAD NO FRONT BRAKES FOR MONTHS AND NO WAY TO TELL UNLESS SOMEONE NOTICES THE OUTER PADS ARE WORN AND GOES TO REPLACE THEM. POOR DESIGN LEADING TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

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

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE, VSC TRAC AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES AND TWICE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE ENGINE 02 SENSORS HAD BEEN REPLACED EVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. JS

I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASH 1 FOOT LONG ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ONLY 15000 MILES ON TRUCK. ALOT OF OTHER POST ARE ON THE INTERNET WITH SAME CRACK OR MORE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. I AM WORRIED THAT SOMETHING WILL SPILL AND SHORT THE AIRBAG. FOR A TRUCK DROVE SO LITTLE AND ALWAYS IN THE DARK THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOYOTA PLACE 9670 TRASK AV GARDEN GROVE CA ASKED TOYOTA TO REPLACE IT THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. ANIKA FROM TOYOTA CAME TO LOOK AT A SHOWROOM CONDITION TRUCK AND SAID NO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT IF I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT. IT WOULD BE $1000.00. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AT THIS TIME. THEY DO NOT CARE. CALLED TOYOTA ON SAME DAY THEY SAID ANIKA SAID NO SO THAT IS AS GOOD AS IN STONE NOTHING MORE TO TALK ABOUT. THIS IS THE NEW TOYOTA MONEY OVER SAFETY. *TR

PREMATURE CORROSION OF FRAME VSC LIGHT ON ATRAC SYSTEM PERMANENTLY DISENGAGED

MY 2003 TOYOTA HAD EMISSIONS ISSUES IN THAT ALL FOUR OXYGEN SENSORS WOULD FAIL QUICKLY. IT TOOK ME TWO YEARS AND LOTS OF MONEY LATER TO DETERMINE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS IS BECAUSE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WICKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID HARNESS ALL THE WAY TO THE ECU AND ONCE THERE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ECU IS MOUNTED GETS INTO ALL OF THE OTHER WIRING HARNESSES OF JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER SENSOR. I WENT TO TOYOTA AND THE FIRST TECHNICIAN NEVER HEARD THAT HAPPENING BEFORE BUT ANOTHER OVERHEARD OUR CONVERSATION AND SAID "I BET YOU HAVE A 4RUNNER" SO YEAH ITS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THEY WANTED NEARLY $4500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. NEW ENGINE WIRING HARNESS $1500-$2000 AND ANOTHER $1000 FOR THE LABOR AND THE REST OF THE ESTIMATE IS FOR OTHER PARTS NOT SPECIFIED. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO CUT THE WIRE BELOW THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THEN SPLICE AND SOLDER BUT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE NEARLY ALL THE CRITICAL WIRING IN THAT CAR. I CANT GIVE AN EXACT DATE ON WHEN IT STARTED GOING WRONG BUT I CAN LOOK AT THE SERVICE HISTORY ON THE TOYOTA OWNER'S WEBSITE AND GIVE YOU THIS TIMELINE. 0-89,997 - NO, ISSUES WITH EMISSIONS OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. 89,997MI - 90K SERVICE DONE - TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE W/FLUSH DONE AT DEALER. 98,152MI - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES MAF SENSOR. 100,117 - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES O2 SENSOR AND A/F SENSOR BANK 2 POSITION 1 & 2 105,312 - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES BANK 1 POSITION 1 A/F SENSOR AND MAF SENSOR AGAIN. TOTAL COST $798.76. THERE ARE MORE BUT I HAVE CHARACTER LIMITS. I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN OBVIOUS BECAUSE YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE FLUID WHEN YOU UNPLUG THE O2 SENSOR FROM THE HARNESS BUT TOYOTA WAS CONTENT CHARGING ME $500-$700 EVERY 10K MILES WITHOUT ACTUALLY FIXING IT. CAR STILL REMAINED FUNCTIONAL BUT RUINED FUEL ECONOMY.

BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 4WD 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE..WITHIN A YEAR I NEEDED A NEW SERPENTINE BELT DUE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE AT START UP. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS AND TO BRING THE CAR BACK IF I HAD FURTHER ISSUES. THE NOISE CAME BACK BUT WAS IRREGULAR, IT WOULD COME AT START UP EVERY DAY FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN DISAPPEAR FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND SOUNDED SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLER PULLEY ON FRIDAY 07/16/10. IT SOUNDED LOUD AGAIN AT START UP AFTER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE BUT THE NOISE EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. HOWEVER MY SERPENTINE BELT ACTUALLY RIPPED LESS THAN A WEEK LATER (07/21/10) WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45MPH ON A CURVY ROAD. I FIRST LOST MY AC, QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY MY POWER STEERING...SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PULL OVER BUT BY THEN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN THE RIPPING PROCESS THE BELT BROKE A COOLANT HOSE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS NOW AND AM WAITING ON THE DEALER TO GET A NEW HOSE SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY RUN THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THE PULLEYS ARE ALL OK. HOWEVER SO FAR THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT ALL THE PULLEYS ARE FINE AND I AM HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THEM TO GET THEM TO DO THE RECOMMENDED FIX TO THE TSB EG012-13. A NOISE AT START IS ONE THING, BUT A YEAR AND 1/2 OLD BELT ACTUALLY RIPPING IS NOT NORMAL! I WAS FORTUNATE TO COME OUT OF THIS UNHARMED AND NOT DAMAGE MY CAR OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S. *TR