2004 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT MOST OF ITS LIFE IN NH/ME. IT IS NOW REGISTERED IN FL. IT HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR ABOUT 16 MONTHS. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH TOYOTA AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. THE RUST IS BAD ENOUGH THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER CAN BE FLEXED BY HAND. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO FIND LARGE CHUNKS OF RUST IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS OVER NIGHT. I HAVE CLEANED AND TREATED THE RUST MYSELF AS WELL AS SEVERAL COATS OF PAINT TO TRY TO STOP/SLOW THE RUST BUT IT HAS NOT DONE MUCH GOOD. TOYOTA HAS VOICED PROBLEMS WITH EVERY OTHER FULL-FRAMED VEHICLE THEY HAVE INCLUDING THE OLDER PICK UPS, TUNDRA, SEQUOIA, AND MOST RECENTLY THE 05-08 TACOMA'S. I AM ON SEVERAL TOYOTA FORUMS AND THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON A FEW VEHICLES. IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE RUST BELT THE FRAMES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. I DO HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES I CAN SEND IF NEEDED. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF 04 V8 4RUNNER SPORT AND IT JUST PASSED THE 200,000 MILE MARK. THE SUV RUNS GREAT STILL, BUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT SO BAD THAT IT IS BECOMING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WE HAD TO WELD A PATCH FOR THE RADIATOR SUPPORT AND THE FRONT TOW/TIE DOWN HOOK BROKE OFF, THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME.THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE FOR TOYOTA AND DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T RECALL THE 4RUNNER WHEN THEY RECALLED THE OTHER TOYOTAS OF THE SAME YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I HAVE 2 OTHER TRUCKS 1988 F250 AND 2004 F550 THAT HAVE NO RUSTED OUT HOLES IN THE FRAMES ONLY SURFACE RUST. SO IT ISN'T JUST BECAUSE I LIVE IN NY.

I WAS BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. I THEN SHIFTED INTO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 1 FOOT AND THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE (I WAS MANEUVERING MY CAR). WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE WENT TO MAXIMUM POWER (INSTANTLY). I JAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND THE REAR TIRES STARTED TO SPIN AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AS THE TIRES WERE SPINNING. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM.. MY CAR HAS TO REMAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS BECAUSE A TOYOTA FACTORY REP HAS TO VISIT THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE CAR. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING "ACCELERATION PROBLEM" THIS PAST WEEK AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT A LOCAL STORE. I'D ALREADY SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A HALT, BUT AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH SHOCKING SPEED. I INSTINCTIVELY THREW THE GEAR INTO PARK; IT STOPPED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE STEPS LEADING TO THE STORE ENTRANCE. THE CAUSE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A FLOOR MAT (I DON'T HAVE ANY) NOR "STICKING" GAS PEDAL (THE CAR HAD ALREADY COME ALMOST TO A HALT BEFORE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED). THE BRAKES WERE USELESS AND FELT LIKE THEY WERE DISENGAGED; ACCELERATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL (THIS IS STILL CLOUDY IN MY MIND). I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IN 2004. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD ANY PROBLEM. I WONDERED WHAT I MIGHT HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM AFTER SO MANY YEARS WITHOUT ANY. I REALIZED I'D NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, UNTIL RECENTLY, ONLY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WAS NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE SUDDEN FORWARD SURGE FELT EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DROPS BENEATH THE SPEED AT WHICH IT'S SET; IT SURGES FORWARD, ON "ITS OWN." I BELIEVE THERE'S A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP. MY CONCERN IS TWO-FOLD: FIXING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IN MY OWN TOYOTA, AND HELPING IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM SO IT CAN BE FIXED BY TOYOTA BEFORE ANOTHER TRAGEDY. *TR

I OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO PLACE MY BAG DOWN. THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF GEAR DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THEN I HAD TO JUMP INTO THE ROLLING CAR TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE CALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

FRAME RUST

ROUGH IDLE AT MORNING START UP. VSC, TRAC OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATE. OBD II CODE OF P0306, MISFIRE CYLINDER #6. HAVING TO REFILL ENGINE COOLANT ON A WEEKLY BASIS. PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOYOTA SUPER LONG LIFE ENGINE COOLANT IS SLOWLY LEAKING INTO CYLINDER #6. ROUGH IDLE NOTICEABLE AT MORNING START UP BECAUSE THE FLUID BUILDS UP TO A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OVERNIGHT. ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $3000. *TR

ON 8/22/2011, PHIL BACHMAN TOYOTA IN JOHNSON CITY, TN REPLACED A LEAKING LEFT FRONT CALIPER ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE SATURATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE FLUID COVERED MY TIRE AND WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL HAD SEVERAL KNICKS FROM SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED RELATED TO THE BRAKES AND THIS ISSUE. ON 3/16/12, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER; THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT PHIL BACHMAN DID THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY. ON 1/31/13, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS WITH THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER, AND IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003 AND 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE--BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EACH TIME, MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 25 MPH AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

FRAME RUST. THE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA 4R 4D 4X4 SR5/SPT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED UNDER THE RADIATOR CROSS MEMBER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE OUTSIDE IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THIS WILL QUICKLY BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE EVERYTHING IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100K MILES WHEN THE RUST WAS DISCOVERED.

WE HAVE A MELTING DASH IN OUR 4 RUNNER. IT CAN BURN TO THE TOUCH AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER PAST YEAR. IT IS STICKY TO TOUCH ALSO AND HAS A BAD ODOR ALSO. WE MADE COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA BUT NO OFFER TO REPAIR. I CALLED DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA CORP HAS NOT GIVEN THEM APPROVAL FOR PARTS TO REPLACE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SUMMER MONTHS GETTING HOTTER AND IT MAKING OUR AIRBAGS GO OFF OR DASH COULD CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE SAFETY RECALL THEY DID ON 2004 4RUNNERS TOYOTA. I CALLED OVER A YEAR AGO AND NO ACTION HAS TAKEN PLACE. THE RECALL WAS OVER THE GAS PEDAL AND DASHBOARD, I ALSO HAVE A CASE NUMBER AND HAVE CALLED MANY TIMES AND THEY ONLY TELL ME TO WAIT. THEY DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO CHECK THE CAR AND I ALSO WENT IN PERSONALLY SO THEY COULD ORDER THE PARTS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN, THE GUY TOLD ME TO GIVE IT SIX MONTHS AND NOW IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CALL. I KNOW THIS RECALL WARRANTY ENDS THIS YEAR 2017 AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE TOYOTA DON MCGILL IN HOUSTON DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR THE YEAR TO END SO ONE CAN PAY FOR THE CHANGES TO BE MADE, WHICH IS UNFAIR BECAUSE THIS IS A TOYOTA RECALL. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP BECAUSE THIS HAS TAKEN OVER A YEAR TO FIX NOW AND THE TOYOTA DON MC GILL IN HOUSTON HAS BEEN NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL AND THEY NEED TO FIX IT I ALREADY DID MY PART I HAVE CALLED, I HAVE A CASE NUMBER AND I HAVE GONE PERSONALLY TO TALK TO THEM AND ORDER THE PARTS.

2004 4RUNNER LIMITED, FRAME RUSTED OUT. *TR

FRONT CALIPER SEIZE UP L/F AND R/F 3 INCIDENTS 11/2012 02/2015 06/2015

FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY POOR BREAKING SYSTEM I HAD TO REPLACE THE LINES THAT KEEPS MY TOYOTA STABILIZED. I PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED. NOW THE RUST HAS TAKEN OVER ON SIDES AND UNDER RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION LINES NOW LEAKING BADLY RUST HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM BUT WHEN I HAD IT INSPECITED MECHANIC BROUGHT ME OUT IN THE GARAGE TO SHOW ME.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A SUDDEN STOP, THE 4-RUNNER LURCHES TO THE LEFT, AND THEN, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, BACK TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ON A TRIP AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON SATURDAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I HAD TWO FROZEN PISTONS IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS, AND THE REAR SLIDES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS 2 YEARS AGO FOR FROZEN CALIPERS. THE WARRANTY FOR THAT REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR, SO I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $1200 TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN, AFTER HAVING SPENT $2000 2 YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN AND TOYOTA SHOULD EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS, OR FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR LURCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN OR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, IS QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT AT 55 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR ONLY (WITH NO LOSS OF STABILITY OR CONTROL AND NO WET CONDITIONS), SUDDENLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY A BEEPING NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD OCCURS ALONG WITH THE 4RUNNER PULLING REAL HARD TO THE LEFT. (ALMOST AS IF I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN...). ALSO FEELS LIKE BRAKE IS APPLIED DURING ALL OF THIS TO THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAUSING ME TO LOSE ACCELERATION - REGARDLESS OF HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER A YEAR AGO WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING AND I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. BOTH INSTANCES NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY DASH HAS STARTED TO CRACK AND IT IS IN THE AREA OF THE AIR BAG. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA TO ASK FOR INFO AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THE MATTER OR EVEN HELP PAY FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR MY SAFETY, SINCE IT IS IN THE AREA OF THE AIR BAG. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE DASH BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. IT IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT IT ALSO DEPRECIATES THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE LISTED MY CASE NUMBER AND ONE OTHER THAT I KNOW OF BELOW WITH TOYOTA. OTHER FROM RESEARCH- [XXX] MINE - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE #6 CYLINDER CAUSING MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE - APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS V6, 4.0L ENGINE LEAKING AT THE #6 CYLINDER - OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO HAVE HEAD GASKETS FAILING AT THE SAME LOCATION. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT ON TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, WHEN ADJUSTED AND LOCKED IN PLACE, HAS WAY TOO MUCH LATERAL MOVEMENT. THE SEAT "ROCKS" FROM SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1-2 INCHES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN YOU ARE STRAPPED INTO THE SEAT, WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND SEAT LOCKED IN PLACE. I HAD MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECK THE SEAT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SECURELY BOLTED/FASTENED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME IT WAS, BUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY THE SEAT FRAME, AND THAT THE WORD HE WAS GETTING IS THAT TOYOTA MAYBE INSTITUTING A SAFETY RECALL SOON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR ACCIDENT, I AM CERTAIN THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, PUTTING THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK OF HARM OR EVEN DEATH. *TR

VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED ALONGSIDE THE CURB WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED THE CURB, THE SIDEWALK ONTO THE UPHILL GRASSY LANDSCAPE, HIT AND SEVERED A TREE, AND ALMOST CRASHED THE HOUSE INCHES AWAY, THEN BOUNCED BACK TO THE STREET- ALL IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THE TIRES SPUN VIOLENTLY AND LEFT A THICK RESIDUE OF RUBBER AND THICK SMOKE THROUGHOUT. THE BRAKE WAS HARD AND STUCK , AS I MANAGED TO PUT THE STICK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO PARK. I WAS TRULY SHOCKED AND SHAKEN THAT I COULD HAVE HURT OR KILLED MYSELF OR OTHERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED- THE FIRST IN JULY 22, 2009 WHEN THE SAME ACCELERATION HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE, SURGED IN ABOUT 2 SECS. CRASHING INTO THE STORAGE AND THE GARAGE WALLS. REFERENCE: TOYOTA CLAIM NO.[XXX] (2009) AND NO.[XXX] (2012). IN BOTH CASES TOYOTA DISOWNED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WHILE TOYOTA ASSURES ME OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, I CANNOT IN MY RIGHT MIND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOR PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE EXCEPT TO RETURN IT TO TOYOTA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON OR ABOUT JULY 16, 2012 OWNER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD HAD VERTICAL CRACKS NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR VENTS. ON OR ABOUT 9/21/12, OWNER NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND HAS BEEN HOUSED IN GARAGES AT WORK AND HOME. *TR

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 04 4RUNNER. THE BRAKE CALIPERS RUST OUT, AND FREEZE, SIEZE, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ANY TIME THE BRAKE PADS NEED TO REPLACED. THIS ALSO DAMAGES THE ROTORS. TODAY, I HAD TO OVERHAUL THE ENTIRE FRONT END BRAKING SYSTEM, INCLUDING PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND HAD ALL NEW PARTS INSTALLED 2 YEARS AGO, AND THE TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE IS 56K. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, AS AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS TURNED UP MANY POSTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING. *TR

DRIVE SHAFT IS CLANGING, BANGING, CAUSING SLAMMING WITH THE BRAKING ACTION SURGING FORWARD SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. *TR

LINEAR CRACKS APPEARED SEEMINGLY OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH (TOYOTA CALLS IT THE SAFETY PAD). CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION, AND A SUNSHADE WAS USED DAILY. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN MATERIALS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT AND NOTICED THE LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE SEAT BELT UNDER HERSELF AND MANEUVER HERSELF OUT OF THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO BE CLEANED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER CLEANING THE BUCKLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

RUST. I WAS TOLD I MAY NOT PASS INSPECTION NEXT TIME BECAUSE OF THE BADLY RUSTED FRAME. ALONG WITH THAT ISSUE, THE REAR HATCH IS RUSTING OFF THE VEHICLE. IT CAN NO LONGER OPEN AND CLOSE BECAUSE THE LATCHING MECHANISM HAS RUSTED OFF. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS PRETTY MUCH RUST FREE. WHY HAS IT RUSTED AWAY SO BADLY?

TAKATA RECALL THIS YEAR THE EXACT SAME FRAMES WERE REPLACED ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA. MY FRAME AND CROSS MEMBERS ARE RUSTED OUT ON THE FRONT END AND THIS HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND ONLY HAS 92K MILES. MY 4RUNNER SHOULD NOT HSVE THIS MUCH RUST ON THE FRAME, AFTER IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY TAKEN CARE OF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN REPAIRED WITH NEW COMPONENTS IN THE DEFROSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,488.

MY DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP. IT SAGS AND I WAS USING VELCRO TO KEEP IT AS CLOSE TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR AS POSSIBLE SINCE IT WOULD SAG INTO MY LINE OF VISION. *TR

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED, HAS EXCESSIVE CHASSIS RUST AND ROTTED OUT AT SOME POINT ON THE SUB FRAME, CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND RECALL IS NOT AVAILABLE.I AM AFRAID THAT THE CHASSIS WILL BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED CRACKS WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,377.

SUV IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME AND ALL OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE METAL PARTS. FRAME INTEGRITY IS SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED. RUST IS EXPONENTIATING OVER TIME. RUST LEACHING TO OTHER MAJORS PARTS LIKE THE EXHAUST. TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AC, WHEELS, BRAKES, EXHAUST, STEERING, ETC ALL ARE COMPROMISED AND FAILING DUE TO RUST. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. RADIATOR REPLACED. AC LEAKING. OCT 2011 HEAT SHIELD RUST NOTED BY TOYOTA. FEB. 2014 HEAT SHIELDS WERE REMOVED BY TOYOTA. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE TRUCK DOESN'T NEED THE HEAT SHIELDS. THEY DID NOT MENTION THE FRAME RUSTING OR THE LIFETIME EXHAUST RUSTING. THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 4RUNNERS. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THAT SERVICE DEPT. BUT THE ONLY OTHER TOYOTA IS WORSE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS SERIOUS RECALL ASAP. I THINK THESE TRUCKS WILL START FAILING AND CAUSING DEATHS SOON. NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS TRUCK OVER THE YEARS ALL MAY BE DUE TO RUST. BRAKES DON'T SEEM TO LAST AND THE TRUCK IS HARDLY USED. I BELIEVE RUST IS INTERFERING WITH THE BRAKES.

ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM REAR OF TRUCK. WORSE WITH REAR WINDOW OPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO HER HAVING AFTERMARKET FLOOR MATS, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,200.

I HAD A NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR'S INSTALLED AT 50,000 MILES,AT 70,000 MILES I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE CALIPER PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. HAD TO HAVE THE CALIPER, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS, REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $724. 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 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED STUCK. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD LOCKED AND FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,262.

EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE MY SKID PLATE CAME OFF AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES BROKE APART, LEADING TO MAJOR LEAK AND FIX - LUCKILY IT CAME OFF IN DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON HIGHWAY WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED. SHOCKS HAVE HOLES IN THEM FROM RUST AND CORROSION, AS DO SUPPORT BARS AND FRAME. CAN BREAK OFF PIECES OF THE FRAME IN MY HAND WITHOUT EFFORT. CONCERNED THAT FRAME COULD CRACK, SUPPORT COMPONENTS COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF CORROSION. OTHER TOYOTA MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR RUST, USING THE SAME COMPONENTS BUT ASSEMBLED IN DIFFERENT FACTORIES THAN THE 4RUNNER AND LAND CRUISER MODELS, TO MY UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA MUST ADDRESS BEFORE ANYONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO FIRST POSITION. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AND CAR WAS IN PARK. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT THE TIME AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.

THE EVENING OF 8/10/11 AS I WAS LEAVING WORK, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND A HIGH PITCHED ALARM-TYPE SOUND STARTED; VSC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. AT THIS POINT, I ASKED A NEAR BY SUPERVISOR TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE; UPON INSPECTION HE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OUT OF PLACE. HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND A COUPLE OF PARKING SPACES AS I WATCHED. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ASKED IF I HAD BEEN HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. HE THEN ASKED ME TO TEST IT TO SEE IF MY BRAKES NORMALLY RESPONDED AS THEY DID WITH HIM. WHEN I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE TO TEST DRIVE, I ALSO WENT ACROSS A FEW PARKING SPACES BUT WHEN I GOT READY TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. THE CURB OF THE END PARKING SPACE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, IT CAME TO REST AND THE TRUCK WAS LATER TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ON 8/11/11, TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND STATED THAT THE SKID CONTROL ACTUATOR/ECU ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST $3,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT BECAME TRAPPED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE FLOOR MAT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT ONLY THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MAT WAS REPLACED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HAD HARDLY BEEN WORN DOWN. I HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT I NEEDED MORE ROOM TO STOP, AND MY RATE OF DECELERATION HAD LESSENED. I DISCOVERED THAT MY INNER LOWER PISTONS ON MY FRONT CALIPERS HAD RUSTED AND FROZEN. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND ON A FORUM I AM PART OF (T4R.ORG) SHOWED THAT THIS HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS OTHERS. THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE INNER LOWER PISTONS TO FREEZE UP. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE AFTERMARKET CALIPERS THAT WERE INSTALLED BY MY LOCAL SHOP. *TR

EXTREME FRAME RUST ON MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. HAS ONLY 82,000 MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED. BODY IN GOOD CONDITION, NO RUST AT ALL. HAS A LOT OF RUST IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ALSO, TABS, LINES ETC. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TACOMA FOR FRAME RUST AND I AM AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS ON A TACOMA FRAME. IT IS BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW BECAUSE I THOUGH THE TOYOTA BRAND WAS A WELL BUILT VEHICLE, BUT ALL THIS RUST MAKES ME THINK DIFFERENT. I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS WITH WELL OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NO WHERE NEAR THE RUST THAT THIS TOYOTA HAS, AS A MATTER OF FACT THERE IS NO RUST ON THE FORD FRAME. I AM HOPING THAT I CAN GET SOME HELP FROM TOYOTA IN CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE MGR. WHEN IT HAD MUCH LESS MILES ON IT HIS RESPONSE WAS "WELL THE VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT" AND WOULD DO NOTHING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME STIFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LINKAGE TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, THE STEERING KNUCKLE, STABILIZER BAR, STEERING LINKAGE, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, WHEEL AND BEARINGS, AND THE ROTORS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER DASH BOARD HAS CRACKS ALL IN THE FRONT OF THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG (PASSENGER SIDE) THEY CONTINUE TO GROW BECOMING DEEP. THEY APPEARED AT ONE TIME, THIS VERY UNUSUAL, I HAVE OWNED A 1993 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER AND THE DASH BOARD NEVER HAS CRACKS AND IT WAS ALWAYS PARKED OUT SIDE. MY 2004 TOYOTA 4/RUNNER IS A GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY VIOLATION, ONLY CRACKS ON THE FRONT OF THE DASH BOARD ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX WHERE THE AIR BAG IS. I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE, TO REPLACE IT WILL BE ABOUT 1,000.00..I ALSO SENT A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE FIELD INSPECTOR WILL NOT LOOK AT MY 2004 4/RUNNER BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE YEAR...MY 2004 TOYOTA IS VERY CLEAN AND VERY WELL KEPT, AS STATED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA FIELD INSPECTOR WILL NOT SEE MY TRUCK...NO ONE CAN TELL ME THAT THIS WILL NOT DEPLOY THE AIR BAG...I AM A TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND I AM NOT GETTING CUSTOMER SERVICE. DO I NEED TO TAKE MY TOYOTA 2004 4/RUNNER TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT CARES...OR I SHOULD NOT BUY A TOYOTA VEHICLE. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE WHERE MANY OWNERS OF TOYOTA 4RUNNERS IN THE 2003-2004 YEAR RANGE ARE HAVING A CRACKED DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE AIRBAG. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE PLASTIC COULD CUT YOU IF THE AIR BAG GOES OFF AND WATER COULD GO DOWN CRACK AND GET INTO AIRBAG SYSTEM. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, TOYOTA WILL NOT ADMIT FAULT IN THE DASH. THIS IS TOO COMMON TO NOT BE A TOYOTA DEFECT. THIS SHOULD BE MADE RIGHT. *TR

TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2004, V6-SPORT EDITION DURING WARRANTY PERIOD 2009 (PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY), LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, REPAIRED BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AFTER A YEAR LIGHT RETURNED. CHECK ALL TIRES AT RECOMMENDED PRESSURE, LIGHT REMAINS ON. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR RECALL ON FLOOR MAT ISSUE ON MAY 8, 2011 AND ASKED TECH TO CHECK ON LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT, WAS TOLD THAT ALL TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED; HOWEVER, LIGHT WOULD NOT GO AWAY AND A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND COST IS $90. PERSONALLY, I FEEL PREVIOUS PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED...RECURRING ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND A CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME, SHE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO MAKE THE TURN( I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO PUT ON BRAKES) WHICH ENDED UP IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. I WAS GOING AROUND 45MPH AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT BUT MY HEAD AND UPPER BODY DID GET BRUISED AND BANGED UP PRETTY BAD. I DO HAVE A POLICE REPORT AND I'M WAITING TO GET THE COPY. *TR