2004 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

MY 4RUNNER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON WITH IT. THE TROUBLE CODE INDICATED #6 CYLINDER MISFIRE. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE SENSORS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF COOLANT. CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET FOR #6 HAD FAILED. LOOKING ON LINE I SEE THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS AROUND THE 120K MILES MARK. ISN'T TOYOTA REQUIRED TO REPORT THESE TO NHTSA AND SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS? THIS PROBLEM SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO AN EARLIER TOYOTA ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL. A HEAD GASKET SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING NORMAL USE OF A VEHICLE ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS USED VERY LIGHTLY AND NOT OFF ROAD.

TOYOTA FRAME RUSTING. THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE REAR CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. WHEN LOOKING AT THE FRAME RAIL YOU CAN SEE DAYLIGHT THROUGH THE WELDS. THERE ARE OTHER SPOTS ON THE FRAME RAILS THAT ARE RUSTED JUST AS BADLY I'M NOT ABLE TO GET PICTURES OFF

THE DASH BOARD OF THE VEHICLE HAS CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE COVER OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I AM CONCERNED WHETHER THIS WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF IT SHOULD NEED TO DEPLOY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

BOUGHT 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER IN 1-15 FROM DEALER AFTER OWNING 4 PRIOR 3RD GENERATION ONES AND THIS ONE IS PLAGUED WITH EXCESSIVE RUST BEYOND NORMAL WEAR IN FRAME (SOME HOLES), SUSPENSION, STEERING RACK AND SHAFT, BRAKE COMPONENTS, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING STEEL UNDER THE BODY HAS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY WHILE BODY REMAINS RUST FREE. I KNOW 95-03 TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS WERE UNDER FRAME AND BRAKE LINE RECALL DUE TO SAME ISSUE BUT FROM THE HUGE NUMBER OF POSTINGS ON INTERNET OF PROBLEM BEING JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE IN 3RD AND 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER. YES THE FRAMES WERE A DIFFERENT STYLE BUT THE FRAMES IN THESE 4RUNNERS ARE EVEN WORSE AS PROBLEMS WITH RUST DUE TO DESIGN ARE EATING THEIR WAY FROM INSIDE OUT MAKING IT MORE OF A SILENT KILLER AS IT GOES UNNOTICED UNTIL RUST BREACHES ALL THE WAY THRU FRAME AND BY THAT POINT IT IS NOT ONLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE GETTING TO THAT POINT. THIS IS MAJOR PROBLEM AS NOTED IN 1000'S IF NOT MORE NOTED CASES ON INTERNET FORUMS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY LEAVING ALL THESE PEOPLE STUCK WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND KIDS THAT THEY PUT IN THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS AT RISK OF FRAME, BRAKE, STEERING, SUSPENSION FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, AND DEATHS. I'VE CLEANED, SPRAYED RUST PREVENTATIVE OILS AND PAINTS ON AREAS OF CONCERN AND RUST MAKES ITS WAY BACK THRU IN WEEKS TIME. THE MANY OF OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE ARE STUCK WITHOUT RESOURCES TO BUY ANOTHER DAILY DRIVER AND HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE CHANCE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF POTENTIAL FAILURE AT ANYTIME. TOYOTA IS AWARE AND OBVIOUSLY KNEW THEY HAD RUST ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL YEARS BUT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE SAME ISSUES WITH NEWER MODELS NOT INCLUDED ON ORIGINAL FRAME RUST RECALL AND ITS TIME THEY ARE FORCED TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY FRAMES AND UNDERBODY STEEL COMPONENTS.

2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SINCE HE HAD INTERIOR PACKAGE, INCLUDING A SPORT ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL COULD NOT BE MODIFIED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SILVER WOULD HAVE TO BE STRIPPED OFF THE PEDAL AND THEN MODIFIED, BUT THE SILVER PART OF THE PEDAL WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD THEN HAVE THE SILVER SPORT PACKAGE ON ALL THE OTHER PEDAL INTERIOR PEDAL, BUT WOULD HAVE A THINNER, BLACK, ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER CHOSE NOT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. *JB

THE TAILGATE OF THE SUV OPENS IT WHILE DRIVING. THE TAILGATE CLOTHING LATCH SOUNDS AS IF IT HAS CLOSED, BUT HAS NOT. THIS RESULTS IN THE TAIL GATE OPENING UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS BEGAN AFTER HAVING A REPAIR ON THE BACK WINDOW SYSTEM, THAT WAS A RECALL FROM TOYOTA. ALSO, THERE'S NO PROTECTION FROM THE EDGE OF THE TAILGATE RUSTING. I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS IS IN EVERY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FROM 2004. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS FOR ME, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A WAY TO REPORT IT.

WENT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND WAS OFFERED A 28 POINT INSPECTION. AT DEALERSHIP, IRA TOYOTA, MILFORD, MA 28 POINT INSPECTION TELLS US THERE IS HOLES AND RUST IN THE FRAME AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THIS 4RUNNER HAS BEEN KEPT IN MINT CONDITION WITH RECEIPTS TO PROVE. DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE TO LEARN MANY 4RUNNERS AND TUNDRA'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR JUST THIS REASON. UPDATED 7/23/15*CN *TR UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN

TOOK MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FOR A OIL CHANGE AND FREE 28 POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY THE AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED BROKEN AND HAD HOLES SIMILAR TO THE TACOMA RECALL. CALLED TOYOTA CALIFORNIA AND ALL THE WOULD DO IS OFFER A $500 SERVICE ALLOWANCE TO ONE OF MY OTHER TOYOTA'S (CAMRY) THE CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND NOW WILL NOT EVEN PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE GONE TO OTHER WEB SITES AND FOUND MANY OTHER 2004 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

FRAME IS ROTTING IN SEVERAL SPOTS. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON TACOMAS, BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER WHICH HAS THE SAME FRAME.

DRIVING HOME AND MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE ABS MODULE HAD FAILED. HE SAID THAT ONLY MY FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

CYLINDER 6 MISFIRES CAUSED BY OIL LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 6 COMBUSTION CHAMBER AROUND SPARK PLUG. THE ISSUE IS TRACED BACK TO A HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THE 2004 4RUNNER V6 ENGINE. CYLINDER 6 IS THE WEAK POINT WHERE SUCH FAILURES OCCUR ESPECIALLY AT START UP AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2004 V6 4RUNNER'S HEAD GASKET WHICH REQUIRES MANY HOURS OF LABOR TO REPAIR AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE FRACTURES ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD APPEARED TO BE MELTING, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE THAT HINDERED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

SEVERE CRACKS ON DASH PANEL ON PASSENGER AIRBAG AND WHOLE DASH. *TR

FRONT SUPPORT FRAME UNDER RADIATOR RUSTED THROUGH. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO FIX. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE QUESTION IS HOW WOULD THIS HOLD UP IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 85,000 MILES AND THIS HAPPENS. IT IS IN A AREA WHERE SALT IS USED. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD, MANY LIKE ME WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN OF A BROKEN FRAME UNLESS THE SKID PLATE WAS REMOVED.THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME LISTED IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE LOCAL HIGHWAY, SMELLED TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING. PULLED OVER TO FIND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE RADIATOR AREA. I WAS NEAR THE GARAGE THAT WORKS ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THERE. SKID PLATE WAS REMOVED AND THE TRANSMISSION LINES THAT RUN ALONG THE RADIATOR SUPPORT FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. THE MECHANIC SERVICING THE VEHICLE SAID I WAS LUCKY, THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND OR FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA DEALER WAS CONTACTED, SAID, THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT NO RECALL OR NOTIFICATIONS SENT THE OWNERS TO INSPECT THIS ITEM FOR RUST THROUGH. WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND, THE FRAME UNDER THE RADIATOR WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED THROUGH ALSO. ( LISTED IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT.) *TR

THERE IS LOT OF RUST ON FRAME, UNDER CARRIAGE AND ITS ALSO IN THE SUSPENSION. ITS ALSO CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY DUE TO RUST. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS CERTIFIED USED FROM PRESTIGE TOYOTA OF NJ WITH ONLY 5000 MILES IN AUGUST OF 2005, I PURCHASED THIS TOYOTA BECAUSE OF THEIR STELLAR REPUTATION IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY BUT I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 109,000 MILES AND AT THE WAY THIS RUST IS PROGRESSING, I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE CAR VERY SOON. I CANT RISK BEING ON THE ROAD WITH MY FAMILY AND HAVE THIS RUST BUCKET FALL APART ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL BUT HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING COME THROUGH YET. PLEASE INCLUDE MY CAR IN ANY VEHICLE SAFETY RECALLS, OR CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST TOYOTA. THANK YOU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN NORTH CAROLINA VSC LIGHT TURNED ON, TSC LIGHT TURNED ON, ABS LIGHT TURNED ON, BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. CAR WAS DRIVABLE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN BRAKING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. LIMPED HOME WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN HER CAR SEAT AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT INCIDENT AS GIVEN TIME OF DAY AND LOCATION FROM HOME, VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC MADE TRAVEL POSSIBLE. SEVERAL TIMES THOUGH I CONTEMPLATED STOPPING AND CALLING A TOW SERVICE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, IT'S A $3000 PART THE ABS MODULE AND $700 INSTALLATION PRICE. *TR

8/6/14-STARTED MY 2004 4-RUNNER TO LEAVE WORK AND A HIGH-PITCHED ALARM SOUND STARTED AND THE VSC, ABS, AND OTHER DASH LIGHT SYMBOLS CAME ON. I REVERSED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, AND BRAKE, AND NOTHING OTHER THAN THOSE THINGS WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I PULLED FORWARD AND PULLED INTO ANOTHER SPOT AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO LET HIM HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON TO SEE IF HE KNEW WHAT IT MAY BE. HE ASKED ME TO REVERSE, PULL FORWARD, AND SEE WHAT ELSE I HEARD/SAW, SO I DID SO DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 5 PARKING SPACES AWAY) ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE 4TH LEVEL OF THE PARKING GARAGE I WAS IN. I STARTED TO BRAKE TO TURN LEFT AND NO BRAKES. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PETAL AS HARD AS I COULD WITH BOTH FEET AND NOTHING, SO I PUSHED THE PARKING BREAK AND AS IT CAME TO A STOP, I PANICKED AND THREW IT INTO PARK. I WAS WITHIN 1 FOOT OF THE CONCRETE WALL 4 STORIES OFF THE GROUND. GOT IT TO A LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD THEM I JUST GOT NEW BRAKES 6 WEEKS AGO, COULD THEY HAVE POSSIBLY GONE BAD? THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE THAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THE USED PART AND LABOR IS $3000 AND THE NEW PART AND LABOR IS $5500.00. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND ARE BEING TOLD "RARE DEFECT". THIS "RARE DEFECT" COULD HAVE BARRELED ME THROUGH A CONCRETE WALL OR WORSE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN THE PARKING GARAGE WITH ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS AT A MINIMAL SPEED. I WAS LEAVING DURING A LUNCH BREAK. HAD I BEEN LEAVING AND THIS OCCURRED AFTER WORK, I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS "RARE DEFECT"? I HAVE A CALL INTO THEM AND OF COURSE, NO CALL BACK YET. SO, I'M CURRENTLY STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAD A RECALL FOR AN ACCELERATION ISSUE AND A "RARE DEFECT" FOR A BRAKE ISSUE. *TR

CRACK IN THE VINYL DASH STARTING AT THE DRIVERS SIDE A-PILLAR AND CONTINUING OVER THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON THE LEADING EDGE AND ENDING ABOUT THE MID POINT OVER THE RADIO. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSABLITY AND RECALL THIS ITEM FOR SAFETY REASONS.

I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURE. UNDER 50K I HAD A FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER FAIL. THEN AGAIN AT 99K THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FAILURE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THEIR BRAKE CALIPER DESIGN ON 4-RUNNERS. TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY, I ALWAYS BOUGHT TOYOTA'S, BUT NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS LAST INCIDENT. TOYOTA DOES NOT BUILD CARS LIKE THEY USE TO. *TR

THE ENTIRE FRAME AND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED FROM FRONT TO BACK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME NEAR THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOOTS ON THE FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT RATHER ABOUT A REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE/SOLD BY THE FOLLOWING OUTFIT: PH: (954) 970-8820 FAX: (954) 970-8819 BRIAN@FEBESTPANAMERICA.COM WWW.FINESTAUTOPARTS.COM THE CALIPER (NEW) I PURCHASED FROM THEM WAS NOT ONLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA CONTRARY TO THE COMPANY DESCRIPTION "GERMAN EFFICIENCY FOR JAPANESE CARS" AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR SITE WHICH MAY NOT CONSTITUTE A CRIME THESE DAYS BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (MISSING BRAKE FLUID SUPPLY CHANNEL IN THE CASTING) IS A CLEAR HAZARD AND AN OBVIOUS INDICATION OF TOTAL ABSENCE OF QUALITY CONTROL. SAFETY-RELATED ITEMS MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR FOR IMPORT INTO THE US, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, THE PUBLIC IS NOT PROTECTED. *JS

SUFFERED SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF VSC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. VSC, ABS, BRAKE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 1 MILE, THEN LOST MOST BRAKING CONTROL. NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO HAVING MINIMAL BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD TO USE EVASIVE STEERING AND EMERGENCY BRAKE MANEUVERS TO SLOW AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON AUTO REPAIR BLOGS THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VSC/ABS SYSTEM IN MOST TOYOTA VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY CAMRY'S. REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART COSTS $3200 AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY ANY MANUFACTURER. PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED ON ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES USING THE VSC/ABS SYSTEMS BEFORE MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,444.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: 105S RUGGED TRAIL, AND TIRE SIZE: P265/65R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CRACKING AROUND THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE DOT NUMBER AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

WHILE APPROACHING A RED STOP LIGHT, THE ABS, BRAKE! VSC OFF, VSC TRAC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD BUZZER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. 1 BLOCK LATER I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT THAT WAS LUCKILY EMPTY, BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK, I HAD NO BRAKES...ZERO!!! I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, THAT IT'S THE ABS MODULE AND UNATTAINABLE WITH TOYOTA AT $2500 PLUS THE INSTALLATION. WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A USED ONE, BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND VERY HARD TO FIND. THIS SENDS OFF A FEW RED FLAGS IN ITSELF. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION, SOME HAVE NOT HAD AN OUTCOME AS MINE, AND HAVE HAD CRASHES AND INJURIES AND I WONDER HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT TOYOTA HAS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THIS PROBLEM, DOING NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMER, NO RECALLS, NO WARNINGS AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I FIND THIS FRIGHTENING AND WONDER HOW MANY INJURIES AND DEATHS IT WILL TAKE BEFORE TOYOTA OPENS THEIR EYES AND STEPS UP TO REMEDY THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS NOW WORTHLESS AND UNDRIVABLE UNTIL WE CAN HOPEFULLY FIND A PART, AND AM FORCED TO RENT A VEHICLE UNTIL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED. I'M HARDLY IN A POSITION TO PAY FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN IT REALLY IS A FAULTY ITEM ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S REVOLTING THAT TOYOTA ISSUES A RECALL FOR FRONT FLOOR MATS, BUT NOTHING FOR A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. HOW MANY INJURIES/DEATHS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE TOYOTA TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY AND DOES SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER ASIDE FROM CHARGING A SMALL FORTUNE FOR A PART THAT IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE? I AM THANKING GOD DAILY THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY...I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS, HAD I BEEN. I'M DONE WITH TOYOTA AND WILL TAKE THIS TO ANY LEVEL NEEDED FOR RESOLUTION BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR DIES. *TR

1.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 10-15 MINUTES WITH RADIO ON (NOT RUNNING) (BATTERY TESTED GOOD/700, 701, 691 OUR OF 75 CA) 2.) 4RUNNER WOULD NOT START, BATTERY ISSUE, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED. 3.) DROVE 4RUNNER 10 MINUTES, PARKED, TUNED OFF AND STARTED BACK UP JUST FINE. 4.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 3 HOURS, STARTED 4RUNNER, BUZZER/WARNING SOUND EMITTED AND BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON. 5.) TRIED DISCONNECTING BATTERY TO SEE IF SYSTEM WOULD RESET AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA DEALER TO NO AVAIL. 6.) BACKED 4RUNNER OUT OF PARKING SPOT, LIGHTS AND BUZZER STILL IN EFFECT, AND 4RUNNER HAD NO BREAKS. 7.) TOOK 4RUNNER TO DEALER, DEALER CLEARED CODES, BATTERY TEST, RESET BRAKE SYSTEM, TEST DROVE, ALL WORKED. 8.) DROVE 4RUNNER APPROXIMATELY 10-11 MILES, HIT BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, WARNING/BUZZER SOUND, CRASH - NO FATALITIES. 9.) CODES FROM DEALER C1223, C1251, C1256; BRAKE FLUID LEVEL GOOD. 10.) DEALER REPLACED ABS AND MASTER CYLINDER. $3,356 REPAIR COST. 11.) DEALER (FROM MULTIPLE DEALERS IN THE ORLANDO, FL MSA) INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND ONLY BY UNACCEPTABLE ODDS DO YOU AVOID CRASH, DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. 12.) TOYOTA HAS NO SAFEGUARDS FOR EARLY INDICATION PROBLEM COULD OR MAY OCCUR. 13.) TOYOTA HAS NO MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREVENTING OR RECOGNIZING A POSSIBLE FATAL MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. 14.) TOYOTA HAS NO ECONOMICAL SOLUTION TO RESOLVE/REPLACE THE ABS PUMP/MASTER CYLINDER AND IS IN THE TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. 15.) TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM ORLANDO, FL MSA DEALERS FROM WHAT I AM TOLD AND HAS DISREGARDED, NEGLECTED, REFUSED, DECLINED TO ADDRESS. *TR

VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED AND UNSAFE HAD IT LOOKED AT , MY AUTO SHOP SAID IT IS UNSAFE CANNOT SELL THE CAR IN THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 4 YEARS AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A HEATED GARAGE THROUGH THE WINTERS, HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED WAS I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED OUT. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE SO I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT , HAVE TRIED TO SELL IT TO DEALERS AND NO ONE WILL BUY IT WITH THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MATTER. *TR

INSPECTION OF UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE REVEALED EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST AND PERFORATION THROUGH THE SIDES OF THE FRAME. LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT RUSTED THROUGH, CONTROL ARM SUPPORT RUSTED THROUGH. DEALER INSPECTED AND VERIFIED, NO PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATED COMMON PROBLEM IN NORTHEAST VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BELLINGHAM (360-676-0600, LOCATED AT 1100 IOWA ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98229) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. *TR

I PURCHASED FOUR (4) NEW BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A SIZE P265/65R17 110T M&S FOR MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN 08/2011. I HAD APPROX 10,000 MILES ON THE NEW TIRES. TIRES ARE NOW DRY ROTTED/CRACKED ON THE SIZE WALL, ALL AROUND THE WHEEL/FRAME (ON ALL 4 TIRES). *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE IN FRIGID WEATHER AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WENT ON, FOLLOWED BY VSC TRAC LIGHT AND VSC OFF LIGHT GOING ON. WENT TO SERVICE STATION THEY CHECKED CAR AND WERE ABLE TO TURN OFF ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO EMPIRE TOYOTA IN ONEONTA NY 1/18 AND WAS TOLD LOW BATTERY CAUSED PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS AND BATTERY CHANGE COST $202.33. I/29 SAME 3 LIGHTS GO ON. RETURNED TO DEALER, TOLD COMPUTER SENSED A FUTURE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAR DESIGNED TO DISABLE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (A PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM) BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE FUTURE EXHAUST EMISSION PROBLEM. PRICE QUOTED ON CATALYTIC REPAIR WAS $2,200. REPAIR OFFER DECLINED, ENGINE LIGHT RESET - DEALER REFUSED TO TURN VSC SYSTEM STATING IT COULDN'T BE DONE UNLESS CAT. WAS REPLACED; CHARGER ANOTHER $86.40 FOR DIAGNOSIS OF SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DRIVE VEHICLE THROUGH ICE & SNOW WITH THIS " VSC -SAFETY FEATURE" INTENTIONALLY SHUT OFF. TO DATE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT GONE PACK ON INDICATING TO ME THERE HAS BEEN NO CAT PROBLEM, YET MY SAFETY HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY COMPROMISED. *TR

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST. UNSAFE BODY STRUCTURE. MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE FRAME DUE TO RUST ISSUE.

DASH BOARD CRACK RECALL 2 YEARS ALL DEALER SAYS IS THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS

MY WIFE WAS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE TAKING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND AN ALARM START TO SOUND, THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ON SCHOOL SPEED ZONE AND NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF HER AND THE VEHICLE STOP BY IT SELF BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED, SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER ON THE FREEWAY TO TAKE OUR SON TO OTHER SCHOOL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAD HAPPEN IF THE BRAKES WOULD FAILED WHILE SHE WAS AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. WE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 4 RUNNERS OWNERS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THIS CAN END UP TAKING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES, BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONS IN THIS VEHICLE, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CERTAINLY EXIST AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SINCE THEN OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN USELESS IN STORAGE. *TR

I STARTED MY VEHICLE @ 3PM WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AS SOON AS IT STARTED THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A ALARM IN THE DASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE CLOCK IN THE DASH SAID 1:00 INSTEAD OF 3:00. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE I HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND FOUND THAT A BAD GROUND CABLE ON THE BATTERY CAN SEND A LOW VOLTAGE SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER AND SHUT DOWN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS RECALL! *TR

AFTER READING ONLINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF CYLINDER #6 FAILING WITH A HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHICH RESULTS IN A 2500-4000 $$ REPAIR BILL. TOYOTA HAD A MAJOR RECALL FOR THE 2ND GENERATION 4RUNNER BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET ISSUES. THEY REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE B/C THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 4RUNNER V6 ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

UNDERBODY FRAME RUSTED OUT IN SEVERAL PLACES. *TR

VEHICLE HAS ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RUST ON FRAME METAL PARTS WITH EXCESSIVE CHIPPING AN CORROSION. ALSO, OF ALMOST MORE CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG SENSORS ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH, AS IF THEY WERE SACRIFICIAL ANODES. FRAME FAILURE DUE TO ABNORMAL RUST COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. SENSOR FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS (BEHIND FRONT BUMPER) WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO DRIVER OR OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AMOUNT OF CORROSION. *TR

DASHBOARD COVER DEVELOPED HAIRLINE SURFACE CRACKS. DASHBOARD COVER WAS STILL SOFT TO TOUCH AND RETAINED A SPONGE TYPE FEEL. THE THIN SKIN OF OVER THE SPONGE-LIKE CORE IS WHAT CRACKED. OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ARE REPORTED ON TOYOTA OWNERS FORUM WEB PAGES. THE DASHBOARD COVER IS DEFECTIVE. *JS

DRIVING TO CORAL GABLES AT AROUND 20 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN FOUR LIGHTS COMES ON AND LOUD BEEPING NOISE. VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON AT THE SAME TIME, BRAKE PEDDLE IS HARD AND NO BRAKES AT ALL. I HAD TO GO INTO NEUTRAL TRY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO TRY AND STOP AND PULL OVER, I HAD TO TOW MY TRUCK HOME, I CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY I NEED TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY COSTING $2600.00. *TR

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THRU MAKING HOLES AND IF NOT REPAIRED WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL WHICH IS CRIMINAL BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALL OF THEIR OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES OF ALL AGES HAVE "RECALLS" BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO SO AS "YET" ON THE 04. DEALERS AND BODY SHOPS AND INTERNET SEARCHES SITE THOUSANDS OF THESE 4RUNNERS ARE AFFECTED. *TR

ON JUNE 20, 2013 APPROX. 10:30-11:00 AM, WALKED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO HOUSE NOTICE SMELL OF BURN, OPENED DRIVER DOOR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COMPLETELY BURN, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BURN, PASSENGER SUNVISOR BURNED, CARPET BURNED. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR TECHNICAL ISSUES, AUTO CHECK UPS DAILY.....CONTACTED INSURANCE CO. AND NOW THEIR SAYING IT MAY BE FIXABLE OR TOTALED. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE. NOW IT HAS SPREAD ALL ACROSS THE DASH TO THE DRIVER SIDE. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY. THIS TRUCK IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN HOME AND UNDER COVERED PARKING AT WORK. I ALSO HAVE A 2003 TUNDRA WITH MORE MILES AND DASHBOARD IS FINE. THE TUNDRA IS NOT PARKED COVERED. MY MOTHER HAS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. PARKED IN THE SUN ALL DAY IN TEXAS. DASHBOARD IS FINE. THIS HAS TO BE A TOYOTA QUALITY ISSUE ON 2003 AND 2004 4-RUNNERS. ONLINE THESE ARE THE YEAR MODELS THAT SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

DRIVERS DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WOULD NOT PERMIT DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK, THOUGH ALL ELECTRIC AND MANUAL ACTIONS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR APPEAR TO WORK, LATCH HANDLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS CONDITION WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN NEW IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. ALL OTHER DOORS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD OPEN FROM THE INSIDE IF LOCKED. DRIVERS DOOR LATCH FAILED PROHIBITING DRIVER FROM EXITING THE CAR AND WAS REPLACED. REPLACEMENT LATCH WOULD PERMIT EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE IF THE LOCK WAS ACTIVATED. *TR