1995 Toyota 4Runner complaints

THE 4RUNNER SUDDENLY BEGAN DRIVING VERY ROUGHLY. THE SUV WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED US THAT AT 130, 000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (NHTSA # 600350) OUT FOR 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS TO CORRECT THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AND HEAD GASKET TROUBLE; HOWEVER, WE WERE INFORMED BY MARION AT TOYOTA CORP. THAT OUR 1995 SUV DOES NOT QUALIFY EVEN THOUGH WE ARE HAVING IDENTICAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO A DEFORMED MANUFACTURED HEAD GASKET. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. WE HAVE RECEIVED QUOTES AVERAGING AROUND $2,000.00. THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET IS STILL AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *NM

ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *JB

PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, DUE TO INFERIOR OR SUBSTANDARD HEAD GASKETS AT TIME OF MANUFACTURER AND ALSO AT TIME OF FACTORY RECALL (SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN). SHOULD BE USING THE BEST AVAILABLE, WHICH IS MLS (MULTI-LAYER-STEEL), NOT PLAYING SEMANTIC GAMES OVER "RACING" EQUIPMENT, OR "HIGH PERFORMANCE", WHICH ARE JUST TERMS WHICH TRANSLATE INTO "GREATER DURABILITY" FOR THE CONSUMER. WEBSITE: SEE HTTP://WWW.AA1CAR.COM/LIBRARY/2005/IC010532.HTM CONSIDER CLASSIC SITUATION OF SINGLE MOM WITH CHILD EN ROUTE FROM SKI TRIP THROUGH WILDERNESS HIGHWAY, OR DRIVING IN CRIME-RIDDEN AREAS WHICH IMPAIR DRIVER SAFETY. HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS NOT A ROADSIDE FIX AND STRANDED MOTORIST IS ALSO A SAFETY VIOLATION. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT MAJOR LINES OF VEHICLES EVERYWHERE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A RECALL, #05V389000 CONCERNING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO VERIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEMS.

I BOUGHT A 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN NOVEMBER, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS IN RUNNING CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND DROVE IT ABOUT 1,500 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER ALLOWING IT TO COOL DOWN AND PUTTING IN COOLANT IT DID START AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. RESEARCHING THE MATTER I CAME TO FIND THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE 4 RUNNER DUE TO A FAULTY COOLING SYSTEM LEADING TO A FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. TOYOTA WAS DOING THE FIRST ROUND OF GASKET REPAIR FOR THE OWNERS. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR THE MATTER THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR THE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL SAYING THAT MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AFTER 60 MONTHS AND/OR 60,000 MILES. NOW THEY WILL CHARGE UP TO $2,500 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IT IS WRONG OF TOYOTA TO INCLUDE SOME AND EXCLUDE SOME OF THE 4 RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINES AND FAULTS. AS A RESULT I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2,000 AND I HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *NM

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. WATER ENTERED ENGINE AND ENGINE STOPPED CAUSING OWNER TO HAVE TO HAVE HEAD REBUILT AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. COST TO OWNER TO REPAIR ENGINE WAS $1,071. *NM

I PURCHASED A USED 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT I JUST EXPERIENCED. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES FROM HOME WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND MAY HAVE CAUSED OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS NOT YET DETERMINED. FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY MUCH MORE THAN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HEAD GASKETS. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN ADMITTING THE PROBLEM, BUT IT LIMITED THE NUMBER YEARS. THE PROBLEM HAS OBVIOUSLY CONTINUED IN THE SAME MANNER SINCE THE CAMPAIGN BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT FACT. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE, AND PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM THE DANGER OF ENGINE FAILURE ON THE ROADWAY, AS WELL AS EXTREME REPAIR COST BY FORCING TOYOTA TO EXTEND THEIR CAMPAIGN OR ANNOUNCE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY 1995 4WD 3.0 V6 WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES. TAKEN TO SPITZER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. TOYOTA CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE CITING, "INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE" DESPITE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MODEL YEAR OWNERS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND RECALLS AFFECTING MODELS YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER 1995. *NM

1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH.*MR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED 3 1/2 TIME ACCORDING TO A WITNESS AND CAME TO REST ON IT'S SIDE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SHOULDER INJURY, THE DRIVER'S DAUGHTER WAS UNHURT BUT THE DRIVER'S DOG DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER THE WEEK EARLIER TO HAVE AN OLDER TIRE REPLACED AND THE OTHERS INSPECTED. (CONTINENTAL CONTRACT SUV TIRES). *NM

ENGINE OVERHEATS, ANTIFREEZE DISAPPEARING APPARENTLY INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE DEFECTIVE FAILED HEAD GASKET, ENGINE SKIPPING, HUGE WHITE SMOKE CLOUD EXITS THE TAILPIPE. ANTIFREEZE ENTERS THE ENGINE BLOCK THROUGH THE FAILED HEAD GASKET. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $2500 , REBUILT OR BEST CASE A NEW HEAD GASKET INSTALLED FOR $1000

ENGINE ON 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OVERHEATED. DISCOVERED WATER IN OIL, MECHANIC ADVISED POSSIBLE FAILED HEAD GASKET "IT'S COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE" BUT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE HEADS TO CONFIRM. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN # IS NOT COVERED AS I SEE MANY MANY OTHERS ARE NOT AS WELL. DEALER ESTIMATED $2,300 TO FIX, IF THERE WAS NOT HEAD DAMAGE. MANUFACTURE DATA IS MARCH 1995 WHY ARE SO MANY 4RUNNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS NOT COVERED?

AT 108775 MILES THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. 1990 THRUOUGH EARLY PRODUCTION '1995 VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. LATE PRODUCTION 1995 WERE SUPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A DIFFERENT GASKET AND WERE NOT COVERED. MY VEHICLE WAS A LATE 1995 PRODUCTION, BUT IT STILL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE GASKET HAD A SLOW LEAK AND CAUSED RUST IN ALL 6 CYLINDERS AND COOLANT PASSAGEWAYS. DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH HEAD GASKET BLOW OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FRO SERVICE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ENGINE OVERHEATED.*AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING AT 93000 EMAILED TOYOTA WITH VIN # THEY STATE MY VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL EVEN THOUGH RECALL WAS FOR SAME YEAR,SAME ENGINE AND SAME PROBLEM. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET IN 3.0L V6 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. A "KNOWN PROBLEM" CORPORATE REP AT TOY SAYS THE VIN # DOES NOT FALL IN THEIR 'IDENTIFIED POPULATION.' THE REP TOLD ME IT COVERED FROM LATE 1990 TO EARLY 1995 (MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN APRIL 1995. MY QUESTION IS IF IT TOOK TOYOTA YEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND ISSUE A SERVICE RECALL, HOW IS IT THEY FEEL THIS VEHICLE , MANUFACTURED IN EARLY 1995, WITH THE SAME, KNOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.....SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THEIR 'POPULATION'???*JB

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH RIGHT REAR WHEEL AXLE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OFF THE ROAD.*AK *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD, MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. THE AXLE BROKE JUST INSIDE THE WHEEL.*AK

I PURCHASED A 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH A V6 IN JULY OF 2003 DURING SUMMERTIME. WHEN WINTER APPROACHED, IT APPEARED THE THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN STUCK OPEN (HEATER WAS NOT WORKING). LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE (DEALER APPARENTLY DIDN'T KNOW) BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS AT $2500 AND NOW THE ENGINE BURNS OIL CONSISTENTLY AND THE POWER OF THE V6 IS JUST NOT THERE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA BY NOT REPAIRING OR TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF THEIR PROBLEMS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED OIL. THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. *AK

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS OVER 1000.00. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

HEAD GASKET BLEW WHILE DRIVING UP A LONG GRADE ON THE HIGHWAY. TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ NORMAL. I REALIZED IT WAS OVERHEATING WHEN ANTI-FREEZE STARTED SPRAYING ON MY WINDSHIELD. BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND CRACK BLOCK. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AT $8,000.*AK

I FEEL BLESSED TO BE SITTING HERE. I LIVE IN WINDSOR AND ON FEBRUARY 26,2004 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 3 TODDLERS TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I WENT AROUND A CORNER AND THE REAR SUSPENSION LOCKED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. IT FLIPPED OVER WITH ME AND THE TODDLERS IN IT.WE WERE ALL RESTRAINED. THEY WERE NOT INJURED HOWEVER I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AND SOME NUEROLOGICAL DAMAGE. I NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE CAR SAGGED BUT WAS ASSURED THAT THEY ALL DO THAT IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT YEAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS YEAR. I HONEST TO GOD COULD NOT STOP THAT CAR FROM GOING ANYWHERE . *LA

IN SEPT 2003, 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (3V2-E -V6) EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE. SAN FRANSICSO TOYOTA INVESTIGATED AND RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT $10,000. (PAPERWORK AVAILABLE.) TOOK TO INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REBUILT FOR $3000. IN DECEMBER 2003, 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER CONTINUES LOSS OF POWER. PALO ALTO TOYOTA INVESTIGATES AND DISCOVERS HEAD GASKET LEAK FOR VALVE #6. I INQUIRED ABOUT 4RUNNER HEAD GASKET RECALL. INFORMED THAT SERVICE NOTICE DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE VIN, EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA CAMPAIGN NOTICE IS CONSISTENT WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURE. DEALER DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVICE BREAKS FROM MFG. TOTAL PRICE PAID WAS $3800, AND DEALER PROVIDED NO CAR RENTAL. I BELIEVE FIRST TOYOTA DEALER INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ALL CAR FAILURE ARE CONSISTENT WITH TOYOTA SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTICES FOR HEAD GASKETS FOR VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD COVER COST OF HEAD GASKET PARTS AND LABOR AND INITIAL INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS BY SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA.*AK

MY 95 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS 90K MILES AND THE HEAD GASKET HAS BROKEN. THIS PROBLEM EXISTED W/ 89 - 95'S. TOYOTA DID A COMPLIMENTARY CAMPAIGN TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET @ TOYOTA'S EXPENSE, BUT OUR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED, DUE B/C OUR VIN # WAS 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE NEW ENGINES W/ THE CORRECTED PROBLEM. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, TOYOTA CORP. OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS,OUR LOCAL TOYOTA REGIONAL REP, BUT TO NO AVAIL WILL TOYOTA ASSIST US IN ANYWAY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A DANGER AND IF TOYOTA IS AWARE THEN THEY SHOULD ACCOMODATE THEIR CUSTOMER AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH. DRIVER AIRBAY DID NOT BEPLOY. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN WE CRASHED AND MY FACE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. MY FACE IS CUT UP AND MY NOSE IS BROKE IN THREE PLACES. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE. *AK

30 MPH HEAD-ON CRASH INTO A TREE IN GOLETA, CA. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CRASH RESULTED IN BROKEN ARMS, RIBS, AND SCALP LACERATIONS.*AK

1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, V6 3.0 LITER: ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY IDENTIFIED POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET LEAK. BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED LEAKS AT VALVES 1 AND 6, AND FOUND EROSION ON BOTH CYLINDER HEADS. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE DATE RANGE FOR THE "HEAD GASKET SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN", SO I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP MANAGED TO GET TOYOTA TO COVER ENGINE PARTS (HEAD GASKET, CYLINDER HEADS, AND VALVES). I PAID FOR LABOR, APPROXIMATELY $2,200. (THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PARTS WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $1,800.00). *LA

I PULLED OUT TO PASS SOMEONE, HIT THE BRAKES (WHICH WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABS) AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR BEGAN TO FISH TAIL AND SKID OUT OF CONTROL, THEN ROLLED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. FIRESTONE, SIZE# UNKNOWN DOT# UNKNOWN.. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

MY TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAD ITS HEAD GASKET CHANGED 5 MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS TO BE DONE AGAIN. I WAS TOLD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT GOING BY MY VIN NUMBER, TOYOTA HAD RESOLVED THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS THEY HAD BEEN PLAGUED WITH. NOW, NOT ONLY HAVE I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED ONCE BUT TWICE IN 5 MONTHS. *JB

ARMSTRONG DESSERT DOG, 31X1.5R15 DOTCH60GP4208. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED A 8 INCH LONG BULGE IN TIRE. TOOK TO AAA, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT "THE BONDING OF THE TIRE CAME LOOSE FROM THE STEEL BELT. CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. *AK *CB *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION SHUT DOWN. *AK

THE HEADGASKET BLEW. RECALLS ISSUED ON HEAD GASKETS FOR THIS YEAR, BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE. *AK

A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS LOOKING TO REPLACE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION ON MY DAUGHTER'S 1995 4RUNNER. THE TRUCK HAS 80000 MILES-THAT IS ONLY 10000 MILES PER YEAR AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROAD.*AK THE TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED; IT WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN A TOYOTA RECALL FOR BAD HEAD GASKETS WHERE THE UPPER HALF OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE IF IT ONLY LASTED 80000 MILES BUT OF COURSE IT IS OUT OF MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.

THE MANUFACTURER OF TOYOTA'S HAS A MANUFACTURE INITIATED RECALL COVERING BLOWN HEAD GASKETS FOR VEHICLES (TRUCKS WITH V6 ENGINES) MANUFACTURED JANUARY 1990 TO OCTOBER 1994 (5 YEARS). I HAVE A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MANUFACTURED IN JUNE 1995 THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL IN THE COVERAGE PERIOD OF DATES, IT IS ONLY OUT BY 6 MONTHS FROM THE RANGE. I FEEL THE COVERAGE PERIOD WERE /ARE NOT WIDE ENOUGH TO RESOLVE AN EXISTING PROBLEM. *NLM

IN APRIL, 2000 MY 1995 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER NEEDED A NEW BLOCK. WE WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD TOYOTA OF GARDEN GROVE DO THE WORK NECESSARY. TOTAL CHARGES WERE 5300. INSURANCE PICKED UP MOST OF THIS. THEN IN MAY OF 2003, THE SAME THING HAPPENED-ONLY THIS TIME WE WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WITH RENTAL CARS AND REPAIRS, OUR TOTAL IS UP TO 3200. WE WERE TOLD BY THE 2ND MECHANICS THAT THE FIRST MECHANICS WHO CLAIMED TO PUT IN ALL NEW ENGINE AND PARTS THAT THIS WAS NOT SO. THIS SEEMS ABSURB FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY 93,000 MILES ON IT TO NEED 2 ENGINES IN A 3 YEAR PERIOD. WE WERE COMPLETELY LIED TO BY TOYOTA OF GARDEN GROVE-THUS CAUSING US ALOT OF MONEY IN REPAIRS THIS TIME AROUND. I AM NOT A NEGLIGENT CAR OWNER-I MAINTAIN MY CAR BECAUSE I AM AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU LET THINGS GO. MY FATHER HAS WORKED AS A SERVICE MANAGER MY WHOLE LIFE SO I AM AWARE OF MAINTAINING A CAR. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMERS TWO SONS REMOVED TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAS TRANSMISSION IN STORAGE. *MR

WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICE A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND AFTER AWHILE IT DISAPATED. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND I NOTICED THE VEHICLE RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING NEAR THE #6 CYLINDER. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET "RECALL" DIDN'T APPLY TO ME BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE TOYOTA HAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT THEY ARE NOT BACKING UP. *JB

HEAD GASKET BLOWN, WHITE SMOKE, LOSS OF COOLANT, VERY COSTLY REPAIR. AS REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OTHERS ON THIS WEB SITE, TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ON LATER MODEL 1995 3.0L V6. BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1995 IT IS NOT COVERED. THE DEFECT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER, AND THOSE ARE COVERED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE LATER MODEL 1995 4 RUNNERS INDICATE THE DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED.*JB

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR. AT THE TIME I WAS IN A REMOTE LOCATION IN MONTANA. BOTH MECHANIC AND MYSELF CALLED TOYOTA AND BOTH WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON '95 4-RUNNER, BUT I WAS OFF BY 1 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH EXCLUDED ME FROM THE RECALL. GASKET REPLACED, THEN AT 89,129 MILES. ENGINE ROD BLEW. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME I WAS 30 MILES OUTSIDE MISSOULA, MONTANA, SO VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER IN MISSOULA. (PURCHASE WAS FROM CLASSIC TOYOTA IN MENTOR, OH.) I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT ONCE AGAIN, MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FIT RECALL. TOYOTA SERVICE MECHANIC OFFERED TO BUY VEHICLE FROM ME FOR $5000, TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 4,500-4,900 TO FIX. ONCE AGAIN TOOK BACK TO SAME INDIANA MECHANIC, CALLS WERE AGAIN MADE TO TOYOTA BY HIM AGAIN (ALSO BY MYSELF), TOLD SORRY WRONG VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OFF BY A DIGIT. ENGINE WAS REPLACED THEN AT 124,096 MILES ENGINE BLEW AGAIN. NO OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS CAR-JUST THE SAME ENGINE/GASKET COMPONENT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT OIL CHANGES AND DEALER RECOMMENDED ROUTINE CARE WAS TAKEN. I CAN NOT EVEN GIVE THE CAR AWAY, IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE SEPTEMBER 2002. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVEN TO BE HELPFUL OR COURTEOUS IN THIS ISSUE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA PRODUCT AGAIN. *JB

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIVATELY OWNED SERVICE AND OWNER WAS TOLD THAT A CYLINDER IS BLOWN AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, THIS WAS DUE TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED DURING THE LIMITED RECALL, BUT HAS SINCE HAD OIL LEAKAGE, ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY, WHITE/TOXIC BILLOWING SMOKE FROM EXHAUST AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS MY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER COMPONENTS INVOLVED DUE TO TOYOTA'S HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF ON THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT. OTHERWISE, VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. ALSO, NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, HAPPENED TO RUN INTO ANOTHER RECALL VICTIM AT ENTERPRISE RENTALS AND LOOKED INTO THE MATTER AS A RESULT OF THE CONVERSATION. I AM DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDING TOYOTA AS A RELIABLE/CONSUMER SENSITIVE COMPANY ANYMORE. A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD CHANGE MY MIND. AS OF NOW, MY VEHICLE IS FAILING AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *JB

THE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF CRACKING AROUND THE WHEEL CONTACT AREA AFTER ONLY 17000 MILES OF USE. AS A PRECAUTION I REPLACED THESE TIRES WITH NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THE NHTSA INFO ADVISED BRIDGESTONE WOULD REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. AS AN INITIAL ACTION, I HAD REQUESTIED A TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST INVOLVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $531.77. THE SUBJECT TIRES WERE INSPECTED BY THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER ON 2/14/03 AND FOUND TO HAVE CRACKS AS STATED ABOVE. BRIDGESTONES (CASE FILE 534305) RESPONDED WITH AN OFFER OF $100 COUPON ONLY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1994, TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED AT A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WILL NOT CERTIFY THAT THE TIRE ARE SAFE TO USE. BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE SHOWING CRACKS AT SIMILAR AREAS ON ALL THE TIRES, I FEEL THAT THE CRACKS ARE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. *JB

HEAD GASKET FAILIURE - TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR ALL SERVICE BULITINS AND RECALLS ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. ENGINE AND COMPONENTS ARE THE SAME AS OTHER RECALLED TOYOTA 4-RUNNERS. 95 TOYOTA 4RUNNER -

WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, CONSUMER'S CAR EMITTED CONTINUOUSLY LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. SMOKE SMELLED OF BURNT ANTIFREEZE. CAR IDLED ROUGHLY. IT WAS NOTICED THAT COOLANT LEVEL WAS EXTREMELY LOW. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED, CAR OVERHEATED. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT STEAM WAS ALSO COMING OUT OF ANTERIOR OF RADIATOR NEAR THE CAP. CAR WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND TOWED TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP IT WAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TALKED TO TOYOTA IN TORRANCE CA, WAS INFORMED THAT CAR WAS NOT PART OF RECALL OR EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR. CONSUMER HAS FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR THAT HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. CONSUMER'S CAR WAS MANUFACTURED NOV 94, THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE END OF SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT THAT COVERED 1990-EARLY1995 4RUNNER. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT INDEPENDANT MECHANIC FOR $2600. MECHANIC WAS THEN WORKING ON ANOTHER 4RUNNER WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT ANOTHER FRIEND WITH 96 4RUNNER ALSO HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT HER CAR WAS COVERED BY THE 1996 THROUGH EARLY 1997 4RUNNER HEAD GASKET SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE WITH THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO. IN FACT, CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW ANYONE WITH 4RUNNER WHO DOESN'T HAVE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER CHANGES INSTITUTED WAS NOT SUFFICIENT SINCE THE GASKETS CONTINUE TO FAIL. TOYOTA SHOULD JUST ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT RIGHT TO SAVE ITS GOOD

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB

THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE GASKET THROUGH ENGINE AND COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST.*JB

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED.*JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WAS TOLD VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN RANGE FOR "CAMPAIGN" SSCV06 OR BEFORE THE 10/94 MANUFACTURED DATE (VEHICLE HAS 12/94 MANUFACTURED DATE). CAUSING OVERHEATING, COOLANT CONSUMPTION, ROUGH STARTING, AND EXPENSIVE DAMAGE/REPAIR.