1996 Toyota 4Runner complaints

AS I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE POSTED, I HAVE THE CLASSIC 4RUNNER REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEEPAGE. MINE IS A 1996. SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A BAD CASTING FROM FACTORY. NEVER HAVE I RUN INTO THIS BEFORE. VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY WASHED, HARDLY ANY RUST ON ENTIRE VEHICLE, BUT FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASTING TO BE RUSTED THROUGH/POROUS ENOUGH TO SEEP GEAR OIL THROUGH THE INTERSTICES WHILE MAINTAINING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY (SAFETY ISSUE?!!!!!) IS A MAJOR FAILURE FOR TOYOTA AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED AND SHOULD BE REDEEMED BY COMPANY. I SEE FROM READING ONLINE BLOGPOSTS THAT I AM 1 OF MANY THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I'VE HAD MANY OTHER OLDER VEHICLES, ONE IN MY POSSESSION NOW (1989 FORD F-150 WHICH HAS BEEN USED IN WINTER BUT SAT ALL LAST SUMMER, AND HASN'T BEEN WASHED IN YEARS) THAT HAS NO PROBLEMS REMOTELY LIKE THIS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE TOYOTA PUT OUT FAULTY REAR AXLE HOUSINGS, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THESE---AS I'M SEEING THROUGH INVESTIGATION THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY TOYOTA OWNERS. SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND I'M AFRAID THEY WILL LOSE MANY CUSTOMERS (INCLUDING MYSELF) IF THEY CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE ISSUE. TOO BAD. THE TRUCK STILL RUNS AND LOOKS GREAT OTHERWISE. SEEMS LIKE A LARGE PRICE TO PAY AS FAR AS LOSS OF BUSINESS FOR TOYOTA, BUT TO NOT ADDRESS A SIMPLE MISTAKE LIKE THIS AND MAKE THE CUSTOMER HAPPY?-----THEIR CHOICE. IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND MAKE THEM REPAI

THE REAR END OF THE FRAME BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK BY THE REAR WHEEL GOING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY OUT OF CONTROL. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THERE WAS AN ON COMING SEMI & ANOTHER ONE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME, WAY TOO CLOSE OF COURSE. THIS SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME FOR I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY 4RUNNER FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1996 & PRIDED MYSELF FOR IT LOOKING LIKE NEW. ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED OVER THE YEARS. IT DOES NOT LEAK ANY FLUID OR BURN ANY OIL WITH 250,230 MILES ON IT. IN FACT I RECEIVE COMPLIMENTS REGULARLY ON IT'S EXCELLENT CONDITION. NO DOOR DINGS, KEEP IT POLISHED & IN THE WINTER RINSE THE UNDER BODY AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK TO KEEP THE SALT OFF. I HAD PLANNED ON DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 100,000 MILES. AFTER ESCAPING A NEAR DEATH ACCIDENT I NURSED IT OVER TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG BY SIMPLY LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT & ASKED ME TO COME LOOK AT IT. I WAS IN DISBELIEF AT WHAT I HAD SAW. A PORTION OF THE FRAME THAT KEPT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL IN PLACE WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHAT COULD BE DONE THEY SUGGESTED A NEW FRAME. I SAID CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST HE SAID HE WOULD CHECK & COME & GET ME. HE CAME BACK SEVERAL MINUTES LATER TO TELL ME IT WOULD BE A MIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED CORROSION OF THE FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,864 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250.884.

ON JULY 7, 2012, I WAS DRIVING MY 1996 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE FOUR TIRES WERE DUNLOP GRAND TREK AT21 P265170R16 (111S M+S 014814), PURCHASED NEW AND INSTALLED IN JUNE 2007. I DRIVE LESS THAN 8,000 MILES PER YEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. THE MILEAGE ON THE FAILED TIRE WAS ONLY 25,843 MILES. IT WAS PROPERLY INFLATED. I DID NOT STRIKE ANY OBJECT ON THE FREEWAY. THE SUV WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING ORDER AND WELL MAINTAINED. AT THE TIME OF THE TIRE FAILURE, I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE I-80 IN IOWA ON MY WAY FROM KANSAS CITY TO CHICAGO. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT MILEPOST 287.5, WEST OF DAVENPORT, IOWA. I TRIED TO CONTROL THE SUV, BUT I STRUCK THE MEDIAN MADE OF STEEL POSTS AND ANTI-CROSSOVER CABLES, FIRST SUSTAINING DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER?S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEN, THE SUV HIT A POTHOLE IN THE MEDIAN AND SPUN 180 DEGREES STRIKING THE POST AND CABLE BARRIER MEDIAN AGAIN WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH BENT THE FRAME AND CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO ALL BODY PANELS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. I CAME TO REST ALONG THE MEDIAN FACING BACKWARDS, IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE, AND MY PASSENGER SUSTAINED ONLY A VERY SORE KNEE THAT BUMPED AGAINST THE DASHBOARD. THE IOWA STATE PATROL ARRIVED AND HANDLED THE SITUATION (REPORT AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE). THE SUV WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE BOTH REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE BODY METAL WAS PULLED OUT. -- THE MECHANIC AT THE STORE SAID IT APPEARED THAT THE BAD TIR

AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, I INCREASED MY SPEED TO 60 MPH. AFTER GOING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO ROLL. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHERE I CHECKED TO SEE WHY THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS. TO MY SURPRISE THE REAR CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF OF THE FRAME DUE TO WHAT MY OPINION WAS RUST. AFTER RECEIVING A MORE DETAILED INSPECTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL SHOP, THE WHOLE FRAME WAS SHOWN TO HAVE HOLES DUE TO RUST. AFTER THIS DISCOVERY THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT I SHOULD INFORM TOYOTA ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP IN ANY WAY. WHEN I DID CALL TOYOTA THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO. *TR

I HAD A MECHANIC REPLACING ROTORS ON BRAKES AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP TODAY, HE TOLD ME THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS RUSTING AWAY. HE ADVISED ME TO AVOID HITTING ANY HOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD SINCE THE FRAME SUPPORTING THE GAS TANK IS VERY DAMAGED FROM RUST. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT TRUST DRIVING IT VERY FAR DISTANCES SINCE THINGS WERE GOING TO START FALLING OFF UNDERNEATH. *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 96 4 RUNNER LIMITED IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT LONG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY THE GAS TANK WHERE THE REAR BODY MOUNT AND TRAILING ARM MEET THE FRAME. BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE FRAME RAILS ARE ROTTED THROUGH. MY 4 RUNNER BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO RUST. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH ONLY MINIMAL SURFACE RUST. WITHOUT PERIODIC INSPECTION IT WOULD NEVER BE KNOWN THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED BECAUSE THE REST OF THE VEHICLEE IS NEAR PERFECT CONDITION. *TR

THE VEHICLE RIGHT REAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED (BROKE) FROM FRAME (STRUT ROD FASTENED TO THE FRAME). I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE BUT REGAINED, NARROWLY MISSING A LITTLE GIRL ON HER BIKE. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS ON TACOMA, TUNDRA, AND SOME SIENNA FOR PREMATURELY RUSTED AND BROKEN FRAMES. I CALLED TOYOTA IN LOCAL TOWN AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER HAS HAD NO RECALL. TO MY RESEARCH, THE 4-RUNNER HAS THE SAME FRAME AND BUILD AS THE TACOMA WITH NUMEROUS RECALLS. MECHANIC STATED THE BREAK SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE WITHIN ALL MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. I TRUSTED TOYOTA AS A VEHICLE THAT WAS SAFE AND DEPENDABLE. *TR

MY 4 RUNNER HAS AN EXTREMELY ROTTED FRAME THAT RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. TOYOTA SAYS THEIR SORRY BUT THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T WARRANT A REPAIR OR RECALL. JUST A LITTLE INVESTIGATING INDICATES THAT THEIR ARE MANY UNHAPPY 4 RUNNER OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THEIR TACOMA TRUCK WAS RECALLED FOR FRAME ROT PROBLEMS AND MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT BOTH FRAMES ARE VERY SIMILAR. *TR

DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE HOUSING RUSTED OUT. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK THIS PAST WEEK AND NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND WHERE THE SUSPENSION PARTS CONNECT TO THE HOUSING. THIS IS WHAT HOLDS THE DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE ASSEMBLY TO THE TRUCK. IF LEFT UNCHECKED THE COVER WILL EVENTUALLY RUST OUT AND LEAK OIL AND COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A CRASH IF THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP DUE TO NO FLUID. ALSO THE BRACKETS COULD RUST OUT CAUSING THE SUSPENSION PARTS TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE HOUSING CAUSING A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE ON 4RUNNERS AND WELL DOCUMENTED ON MANY INTERNET FORUMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND EXHIBITED MANY HOLES IN THE MIDSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 1996 LIMITED 4RUNNER. THERE WAS A REAR COIL SPRING RECALL. I TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPRINGS REPLACED AND WAS INFORMED BY THEIR MECHANIC THAT THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY WITH HOLES THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON IT AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE A SERVICE REP LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE 4RUNNER BACK AT A LATER DATE. I WAS NOT GIVEN A LOANER CAR EVEN AFTER I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. A FEW WEEKS LATER I DROVE THE 4RUNNER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION BY A TOYOTA SERVICE REP AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. HE STATED THAT THE 4RUNNER WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TOYOTA WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY THEN PERFORMED THE COIL SPRING RECALL AFTER THEY STATED IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS I MADE MANY CALLS TO TOYOTA WITH NO HELP. TO STOP ME FROM CALLING THEY STATED THEY WOULD GIVE ME $1000 TOWARDS A NEW OR USED TOYOTA PURCHASED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. MUCH DOCUMENTATION WAS DONE ON THIS PROBLEM AND NO ONE FROM TOYOTA HAS EVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT MY UNSAFE 4RUNNER BEING REMOVED FROM SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. *TR

ACCELERATOR STICKS. WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT STICKS WITHOUT MOVING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO MOVE IS BY PUTTING EVER INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL UNTIL IT SUDDENLY BREAKS FREE AND THE CARE LURCHES FORWARD. *TR

CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR ENGAGES. *TR

I HAVE A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT MY GAS PEDAL STICKING. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX IT AND SAID NOTHING IS WRONG! *TR

I HAVE A 1996 4RUNNER THAT WAS IN GOOD CONDITION UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BECAME A RUNAWAY VEHICLE, AND STRUCK A GAS STATION BUILDING, RESULTING IN SEVERE PROPERTY DAMAGE. I PAID $7800.00 TO FIX THE TRUCK AND INSURANCE COMPANY PAID TO FIX DAMAGES TO THE GAS STATION. I HAVE POLICE REPORT FOR THE ACCIDENT AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE MEDIA REPORT OF WORN/DEFECTIVE GAS PEDAL CAUSING SIMILAR ACCIDENTS. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING JUST LIKE THE TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT A RECALL SINCE BOTH VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME STRUCTURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

I-26 ROCKS EVERYWHERE FLYING UP CRACKING WINDSHIELD. HAVE A CRACK HALLWAY ACROSS FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH 5-7 CHIPS IN VARIOUS PLACES. CORRECTION SHOULD BE ROAD SEALED AND ROAD SWEPT. HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. *TR

WITHIN A ONE WEEK PERIOD, I EXPERIENCED SEPARATION IN TWO TIRES. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH TIRES PRIOR TO FAILURE, HOWEVER A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS DETECTED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES IN QUESTIONS WERE MANUFACTURED BY DEAN TIRE AND RUBBER. WILDCAT RADIAL LT. 265/75R16. DESIGN 8126. OTHER NUMBERS ON THE TIRE ARE 14589-2 AND R5512. *TR

TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED 1996 VINTAGE...STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BIGTIME *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT ISNT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR HONORED SINCE JANUARY 1, 2007. THE RELATED RECALL# IS 0V021000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115000.

HELLO, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT OVER THIS WEEKEND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIRE. THE TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SMASHING INTO A CEMENT CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY MANY MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME TIRES HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE TIRES BLOWING OR TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO PREVENT THESE TIRES FROM KILLING ANYONE. THANK YOU, TRUC NGUYEN BELOW IS JUST A FEW COMPLAINTS I FOUND WHILE DOING MY RESEARCH FOR YOUR REVIEW. THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE WARNED! CHERYL OF TAXARKANA TX (3/10/04): MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY NEW CAR, A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE TIRE BLEW FROM THE SIDEWALL AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE CENTER WALL UNDER AN OVERPASS. DID ABOUT $6,000 IN DAMAGE. THE POLICEMAN WHO DID THE REPORT SAID TIRE DEFECT. THE GENERAL MANAGER FROM M&M GOODYEAR SAID, TIRE DEFECT. SEVERAL OF GOODYEAR COMPETITORS (COOPER TIRE CO.) SAID TIRE WAS A DEFECT. CHARLES OF SOUTHSIDE AL (3/8/04): BOUGHT NEW SET OF REPLACEMENT GOODYEAR WRANGLE RT/S TIRES 02/22/04. 527 MILES LATER ON 03/03/04 THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWS OUT CAUSING ME TO LEAVE THE ROAD WITH MINOR DAMAGE. SEARS FINALLY REPLACES THE TIRE 3 DAYS LATER DUE TO NOT BEING IN STOCK. THIS WAS LAST SATURDAY. THIS MORNING ANOTHER TIRE BLOWS OUT ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE (NOW ONLY 686 MILES). THIS TIME NO WRECK BUT THE RIM IS DAMAGED. BERNAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE RESIDES AT THE DEALER WAITING ADDITIONAL INSPECTION.

OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. COOLANT IS LEAKING AND OIL SLUDGE IS BUILDING UP WITHIN THE MANIFOLD. IT IS USING 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND SMOKING WILL BADLY WHEN FIRST CRANKED. CAR CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH CAR. *JB

HAPPENED TO NOTICED FLUID AROUND RIM. REPEATED REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK. BELIEVE BACK SPACING OF SEAL AGAINST THE ABS RING IS OF A QUARTER OF INCH. CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND CREATE LOUD GRINDING HUM. BRAKES HAVE BECOME SOAKED IN GEAR OIL. CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SMOKE PROFUSELY. BELIEVETOYOTA IS AWARE OF ISSUE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AFTER GOING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ FILED BY: EVELYN PRITCHETT 540-286-7169. *AK RECALL # COULD NOT BE FOUND BUT THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COPY OF A SAMPLE RECALL NOTICE FOR 1996-1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING OR RUFF ROAD CONDITIONS. *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT 120 KMPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. DUNLOP#26560R16 DOT#DB72A16 . *LA *LA

RECALL 02V021000 CONCERNING REAR SUSPENSION. CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REAR SUSPENSION RECALL 02V021000 PERFORMED THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE . THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*AK *NM

HEAD GASKET BLEW ON 5VZ-FE ENGINE. THIS WAS EXACTLY 3 YEARS & 53K MILES AFTER THE TOYOTA SSC (SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN) X01. IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE FAULTY HEAD GASKETS ON MY 4RUNNER. ALSO REPLACED AT THE TIME WERE THE; TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, & THERMOSTAT. THE TRUCK HAS HAD ALL OF IT'S DEALER/MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED SERVICES AND OIL CHANGES. UPON TEAR DOWN THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT BOTH ALUMINUM HEADS WERE CRACKED BETWEEN THE VALVES AT 2-3 PLACES.

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE 5VZ-FE BI-METAL ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE THE AUTHORIZED DEALER (TOYOTA 101 OF REDWOOD CITY), THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS TO CRACK AROUND THE VALES. I AM AWARE THAT TOYOTA HAD A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS FOR THE 5VZ-FE V6 ENGINES FOR MOST MODEL TRUCKS (4RUNNER & TACOMA) MANUFACTURED IN THE 1990'S.THE RECALL WAS UNDER THE GUISE OF A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN SSC-X01. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS ARE THE CORE REASON FOR THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MY 4RUNNER'S ENGINE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES CORP. IN SAN RAMON, CA & TORRANCE, CA ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS COMPLAINING OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE & GOOD WILL WARRANTY, BUT RECEIVED UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA HAS NO INTEREST IN TAKING RESPONSIBILTY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. LEAVING CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. I AM SEEKING THE FAIR AND REASONABLE REPAIR OF MY ENGINE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

CONSISTENT BRAKE PAD CRACKING ON TOYOTA HIGH PERFORMANCE, TRD, BRAKES. THE TRD SEMI-METALLIC BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS AFTER HEARING AND FEELING GRINDING NOISES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. INSPECTION WITH THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THE CONTACT PORTION OF THE BRAKE PADS EXHIBITED HAIRLINE CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE PADS. THIS OCCURRED BOTH TIMES. TRD WARRANTED THEM AND REPLACED THEM BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEY ARE ONLY PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PADS AND NOT THE LABOR INVOLVED. ALEX BOLDMAN, A CALIFORNIA TRD REP HAVE DENIED HEARING REPORTS REGARDING ISSUES WITH THESE PADS. IN CONTRAST, A MATT FLORES, WITH DALY CITY TOYOTA, HAS HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS SO FAR. TRD DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKE PADS. *LA

I HAVE A 1996 4RUNNER AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN I GO DOWNHILL. I CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING LIKE A EARTHQUAKE. IT WAS VERY SERIOUS. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND I COULD HAVE DIED. IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. BRAKE PADS ARE OK. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE TO SEE SIMILAR PROBLEM. HTTP://TOYOTAOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=5&T=1147& *PH

THE 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HIT A STOP SIGN POLE AND A BIG TREE AT 50 TO 60 MPH DURING WET WEATHER. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE COLLISION OF THE DRIVERS HEAD TO THE STEERING WHEEL. *NLM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. *AK *JB

PER THE CONSUMER THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION 02V-021, TOYOTA MOTOR, CLEVELAND OH, 216-321-9100 .*JB

CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING EXHAUSTS LEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY DEALER TECHNICIAN NOTICE CORROSION ON THE CROSSOVER PIPE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 021 000. CONTACTED DEALER, AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. HAD TO CUT BELT TO RELEASE 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN PAIN DUE TO EXTREME TIGHTNESS OF BELT.*AK

CONSUMER HAD REAR SUSPENSION REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL SSC20A NOTIFICATION. DEALER REPACKED AND ADJUSTED REAR AXLE AND REPLACED BEARINGS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. *TT

AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 02 V021 000, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS REAR OF VEHICLE LOST DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/COLLISION. *AK

WHEN CARRYING MORE WEIGHT VEHICLE GRINDS AND FISHTALES IN BACK. WEIGHT IS ON SHOCKS INSTEAD OF SPRINGS WHICH CAUSES SHOCKS TO WEAR OUT.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS FORM IS TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH A CARSEAT.... MANUFACTURER: EVENFLO, PRODUCT: ON MY WAY INFANT CARSEAT, #[XXX], MANUFACTURER DATE 2/28/2000. THEY PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE CARSEAT IS WITH THE STRAPS. WHEN I WET TO TIGHTEN MY SON AFTER HE WAS BUCKLED IN, PLASTIC PIECE WHICH HOLD THE STRAP CAME UNSCREWED. I WENT TO TIGHTEN THE SCREW AND SINCE THE SCREW SCREWS INTO THE PLASTIC, THE PLASTIC WHOLE WAS STRIPPED AND I COULDN'T GET IT TIGHT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO EVENFLO AND I AM GETTING A REFUND FROM THEM. I WOULD LIKE THIS SEAT TO BE TESTED FURTHER. WHEN I WENT TO BABIES R US, THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT BEFORE I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, SO I KNOW I'M NOT THE FIRST ONE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

THIS COMPONENT HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, REQUIRING 7 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PART REPLACEMENT 3 TIME. THE LAST TIME THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MAIN FAILURE IS IN A CHEAP PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONSTANTLY FALLS APART. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE WORKABLE DOES BECOME SOMEWHAT JERKY IN ITS WORKING AS WELL AS NOISY AFTER THIS PART BREAKS.

MY ENGINE CATASTROPICALLY FAILED AT 71K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAD MAJOR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS. THE FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD IN MY ENGINE ENDANGERED MY LIFE AND THOSE OF MY WIFE AND SON BY CAUSING MY ENGINE TO SEIZE UP IN TRAFFIC. THE TOTAL TIME ELAPSED FROM WHEN MY ENGINE WAS PROPERLY FUNCTIONING TO WHEN WE WERE COMPLETELY MOTIONLESS WAS 45 SECONDS. WE NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING HIT BY LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. TOYOTA WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE TO ME IN THIS MATTER. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE 60K WARRANTY, THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING MY CONCERNS. MY BILL TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED $5100.00. I STILL POSSES THE FAILED BLOCK AND COMPONENSTS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THREW AWAY SOME OF THE COMPONENTS THAT I ASKED THEM TO SAVE (OIL PUMP, ETC.). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE NHTSA HAS INFORMATION IN SIMIALAR TOYOTA DISCREPANCIES, AND IS THE AGENCY INTERESTED IN VIEWING THE FAILED TOYOTA COMPONENTS (BLOCK, RODS, PISTONS, ETC.) THAT I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO WHAT WAS A LIFE ENDANGERING EVENT FOR MY FAMILY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT MY PROVIDED PHONE NUMBER. I WILL GLADLY PROVIDE COPIES OF COORESPONDENCE CHRONICALLY MY SAGA. *AK

DRIVER WAS EXITING A FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND LOST COMTROL OF THE TRUCK AFTER THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT ON A CURVE DOING 30MPH. *AK( DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRE SIZE: 225 75R/14 )

TIRE BLEWOUT DURING LONG-DISTANCE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DRIVING. DAYLIGHT. CLEAR SKIES. SAFELY PULLED VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. TREAD SEPERATED. FAILURE DEBRIS DAMAGED FENDER, RUNNING BOARD, AND MUD GUARD UNDER FENDER.( DOT NUMBER: W2H AWB TIRE SIZE: P225/75R15 )

CONSUMER WAS LOSING ALOT OF COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING BY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. ALSO, VEHICLE MISSING AND HESITATING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AS PART OF RECALL, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN AFTER A YEAR. *YH

RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW/DISINTEGRATED ON INTERSTATE WESTBOUND FROM A LAS VEGAS EVENT. REMAINING TIRES SEEM TO HAVE AN ODD WEAR PATTERN EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURES ARE KEPT AT 30PSI( DOT NUMBER: WZHH-AWB TIRE SIZE: P225/75R15 )