Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD ALMOST REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. REPAIR SHOP SAID BRAKES ARE FINE AND THAT IS A COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEM. *TR
VEHICLE HAS A LOW GEAR SOUND WHICH BEGAN WHEN VEHICLE WAS RELATIVELY NEW AS I TRAVELLED DOWN SLIGHT GRADES. I NEVER COMPLAINED BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME IT SEEMED ABNORMAL AND THERE ARE ONLY A VERY PLACES IN MY TOWN WHERE THE HILL WAS STEEP ENOUGH TO CAUSE IT. PLUS I ASSUMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRAC BRAKING SYSTEM AND MIGHT BE NORMAL. LAST WEEKEND ON A 5 HOUR TRIP EACH WAY THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO MANIFEST ITSELF AS I ACCELLERATED ON FLAT GROUND. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED LOW RPMS (UNDER 2000) UNTIL 50-60 MPH. HOWEVER THE SOUND WAS MUCH MORE NOTICIBLE WITH SOME ADDITIONAL VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION IS NOW WORSE, COULD IT BE A SPEED SENSOR PROBLEM? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
LOWER INBOARD FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF BEING FROZEN AND NON-FUNCTIONAL LEADING TO EXCESSIVE BRAKING DISTANCE AND WEAR OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. CALIPERS ARE NON-REBUILDABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED CALIPERS BY RAYBESTOS. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DAMAGED TO POINT OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ALSO. *TR
THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN BRIEFLY CATCHING OR GRABBING ON SOMETHING, SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT TURN AS EXPECTED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE STEERING COUPLER WAS RUSTED, CAUSING IT TO BIND UP WITH THE JOINT WHEN TURNING. HE SAID THE PART IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, AND IT ROTS WITH THE ROAD WATER SALT, ETC. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE PARTS PLACE SAID THEY HAVE SOLD SO MANY OF THEM RECENTLY THAT IT WAS ON BACKORDER. THE PART HAS NOW COME IN AND WE WILL BE REPAIRING IT TOMORROW. WE REPLACED THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME REASON ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SIX MONTHS AGO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE FOR TOYOTA. I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON BOTH OF MY TOYOTA VEHICLES, AND HAS COST ME MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED TO LAST. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SPARE TIRE CABLE THAT IS ROTTING FROM EXPOSURE, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THERE CAN BE NO RECALL RELATED TO SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS EXPECTED. THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO HANG VERY LOW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-ATTACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. ..UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF ALSO, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/28/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VSC TRACKING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL JETS WERE PLUGGED WITH CARBON, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT SINCE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,160 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,160. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/181//
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE IMPLODED AND SPEWED OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE DRIVELINE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VEHICLE WITH A USED TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVELINE AT A COST OF $1,374. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CASE WAS FILED. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,664. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/12/11
THE VEHICLE WOULD REV ITSELF UP TO A HIGH RPM, FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONLY AFTER THE MANAGER BORROWED IT OVERNIGHT AND EXPERIENCED IT HIMSELF, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM BEGINNING AGAIN. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (I WAS TOLD IT HAD THE WRONG KIND OF ANTIFREEZE; IT WAS GREEN AND IT NEEDS A RED KIND???). WHEN REPLACING THIS I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE PAPER THIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THIS REPAIR COST ME ALMOST $2000. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE REAR WINDOW TRIM HAS SHRUNK. I ALSO HAD THE SUNROOF REPLACED AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE REAR HATCH DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS THE REAR WIPERS (ALSO WHEN I HOOKED A TRAILER TO IT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MESSED UP BECAUSE THE TRAILER LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK; WENT TO AUTOZONE AND TESTED THE TRAILER AND IT IS FINE). THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO ACT FUNNY AGAIN, THE ENGINE REVS ITSELF TO HIGH RPMS (THIS IS NOT THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IDLES AS WELL). THE LAST INCIDENT WAS WHEN I PULLED OUT FROM A STREET PARKING SPOT AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WE LOST ALL POWER, WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL IT WAS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL YET I TRIPLE CHECKED AND IT WAS IN DRIVE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT ACTED NORMAL AND DROVE ABOUT 10 FEET THEN IT HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMEL
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAC TURNED OFF, THE DAY AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION TURNED OFF...THE TOYOTA 2003 4RUNNER FLIPPED OVER. THE VSC TRACTION SHOULD NOT BE TURNED OFF WHEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THE NECESSARY STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE THAT A SUV NEEDS NO MATTER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND ONE PASSENGER STILL SUFFERING FROM INJURIES FROM THE ACCIDENT. *TR
ABS WARNING LITE STAYS ON, BRAKE LITE IS ON, VSC TRAC LITE ON. GOES ON & OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MOSTLY STAYS ON. BRAKES OCCASIONALLY FEEL CRUNCHY AND DO NOT STOP PROPERLY. AM CALLING FOR SERVICE TODAY. VEHICLE WILL BE PARKED UNTIL PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. *TR
1. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FROZE. TOYOTA REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. 2. LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZE ON 05/05/2010 AT 95, 988 MILES. MY COST $490.73. LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FROZE ON 11/22/10 AT 102,712 MILES. MY COST $470.40. TOYOTA CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY AS THERE WAS NO REQUIRED RECALL ON THAT PART. THEY TREAT BRAKE CALIPERS LIKE TIRES AND BRAKE PADS. I KNOW THAT CALIPERS SHOULD NOT FAIL. A FROZEN CALIPER CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFICIENCY BY 25 % PLUS CAUSE INSTABILITY DURING BRAKING. I BELIEVE THE AVERAGE OWNER DOES NOT KNOW THAT CALIPERS SHOULD NOT FREEZE UP, SO THEY ARE BUYING TOYOTA'S DENIAL AS APPROPRIATE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF
THIS VEHICLE HAS A ROTTED FRAME WHICH IS PERFORATED IN AT LEAST 3 PLACES
DASH CRACKING IN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CRACKS MATERIALIZED FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. NUMEROUS. EXACT DEALER RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DAMP CLOTH TO CLEAN THE DASH BOARD. THIS SUV IS GARAGED AND NORMALLY NOT OUT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I HAVEN'T SEEN A DASH CRACK LIKE THIS SINCE THE OLD ONES BACK IN THE LATE 70'S. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS OBVIOUS FLAW IN THEIR DASH DESIGN. *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AWD V8 WITH ~99,990 MILEAGE. FRONT BRAKE CALIPER INNER PISTONS SEIZED AND INNER FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED TO APPLY FOR INDETERMINATE TIME PERIOD (APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES). HEAVY CORROSION OF CALIPER CONTACT SURFACES ALSO PREVENTED NORMAL TRAVEL OF OEM REPLACEMENT INNER BRAKE PADS. RESULTED IN REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AND INTERMITTENT BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION DUE TO THERMAL IMBALANCE OF THE ROTORS. PASSENGER SIDE INNER ROTOR SURFACE CORRODED BECAUSE NO BRAKE PAD CONTACT WAS OCCURRING. PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO FRONT WHEEL BEARING PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO UNBALANCED BRAKING FORCE ON THE BRAKE ROTORS AND INORDINATE TORQUE ON THE BEARING ASSEMBLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY BRAKE FLUID (I.E., THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN FLUSHED.) THIS IS A PERMANENT FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS IS ANTICIPATED. FAILED CALIPERS COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BUT WILL ULTIMATELY BE RETURNED FOR CORE CHARGE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED IT; HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOTTOM TWO FLOATING CALIPER PISTONS WERE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 02/07/11
SAFETY RELATED TO 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION SUV. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FROZE UP FOR THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS. THIS TIME, COULD NOT OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. 63-YEAR OLD DRIVER HAD TO EXIT OVER CONSOLE, THEN THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. DRIVER LATER HAD TO RE-ENTER FROM PASSENGER SIDE, OVER THE CONSOLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR REPAIRS. POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. THIS IS A FLAW OR DEFECT IS COMMONLY NOTED ON THE WORLD-WIDE WEB. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE FOR REPAIRS. *TR
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
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (V6-4WD) HAD 2 FROZEN FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED BC INTERMITTENT SQUEALING NOISE AND INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES. ON EACH SIDE: OUTER BRAKE PAD BARELY HAD ANYTHING LEFT (LITERALLY LESS THAN PAPER THIN) + INNER BRAKE PAD LOOKED GREAT BC NEVER REALLY USED SINCE CALIPERS FROZEN. NEEDED BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED, ALONG WITH 2 CALIPERS (1 EACH SIDE). SO I BASICALLY HAD NO FRONT BRAKES FOR MONTHS AND NO WAY TO TELL UNLESS SOMEONE NOTICES THE OUTER PADS ARE WORN AND GOES TO REPLACE THEM. POOR DESIGN LEADING TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASH 1 FOOT LONG ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ONLY 15000 MILES ON TRUCK. ALOT OF OTHER POST ARE ON THE INTERNET WITH SAME CRACK OR MORE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. I AM WORRIED THAT SOMETHING WILL SPILL AND SHORT THE AIRBAG. FOR A TRUCK DROVE SO LITTLE AND ALWAYS IN THE DARK THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOYOTA PLACE 9670 TRASK AV GARDEN GROVE CA ASKED TOYOTA TO REPLACE IT THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. ANIKA FROM TOYOTA CAME TO LOOK AT A SHOWROOM CONDITION TRUCK AND SAID NO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT IF I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT. IT WOULD BE $1000.00. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AT THIS TIME. THEY DO NOT CARE. CALLED TOYOTA ON SAME DAY THEY SAID ANIKA SAID NO SO THAT IS AS GOOD AS IN STONE NOTHING MORE TO TALK ABOUT. THIS IS THE NEW TOYOTA MONEY OVER SAFETY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WAS EXHIBITING CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BEGAN YEARS PRIOR BUT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/26/10*JB
BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 4WD 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE..WITHIN A YEAR I NEEDED A NEW SERPENTINE BELT DUE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE AT START UP. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS AND TO BRING THE CAR BACK IF I HAD FURTHER ISSUES. THE NOISE CAME BACK BUT WAS IRREGULAR, IT WOULD COME AT START UP EVERY DAY FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN DISAPPEAR FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND SOUNDED SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLER PULLEY ON FRIDAY 07/16/10. IT SOUNDED LOUD AGAIN AT START UP AFTER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE BUT THE NOISE EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. HOWEVER MY SERPENTINE BELT ACTUALLY RIPPED LESS THAN A WEEK LATER (07/21/10) WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45MPH ON A CURVY ROAD. I FIRST LOST MY AC, QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY MY POWER STEERING...SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PULL OVER BUT BY THEN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN THE RIPPING PROCESS THE BELT BROKE A COOLANT HOSE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS NOW AND AM WAITING ON THE DEALER TO GET A NEW HOSE SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY RUN THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THE PULLEYS ARE ALL OK. HOWEVER SO FAR THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT ALL THE PULLEYS ARE FINE AND I AM HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THEM TO GET THEM TO DO THE RECOMMENDED FIX TO THE TSB EG012-13. A NOISE AT START IS ONE THING, BUT A YEAR AND 1/2 OLD BELT ACTUALLY RIPPING IS NOT NORMAL! I WAS FORTUNATE TO COME OUT OF THIS UNHARMED AND NOT DAMAGE MY CAR OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S. *TR
I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU IN THE PAST BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THE FOLLOWING ISSUE TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES. I AM REWRITING TO YOU ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LX460 RECALL. IN SNOW OR ICE, THE VEHICLE WILL SPIN TO EASY AS YOU DRIVE AROUND A TURN WHILE GIVING IT SOME GAS. WE BOTH HAVE SPUN OUT. I HAVE ON TWO OCCASIONS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY DAUGHTER HATES TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT IS ICY OR SNOWY. MY 2000 4RUNNER NEVER DID IT. MY BMW Z4 WILL NOT DO IT. SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE VSC LOGIC. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER FIVE WEEKS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
BINDING OR STICKING POWER STEERING ON 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY BEGINNING AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED STEERING "JOINT" AT COST OF $500. TENDED TO LOCK IN STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION UNLESS EXTREME FORCE WAS APPLIED. *TR
WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE V8 ENGINE. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO RECALL THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR BRAKING, SLOWING ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE WITH SEEMINGLY AUTOMATIC BRAKING. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE A DOWN HILL ASSIST BUTTON FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE USED IN LOW GEAR ON THE TRANSFER. THE VEHICLE BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES HAVE A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER WITH A CENTER LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WITH SLOW ALMOST WHICH SMALL LUNGES, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOWNSHIFTING WITH THE RPM'S BEING TOO HIGH FOR THE GEAR. THAT IS THE BEST I CAN EXPLAIN. IT IS NOT A SUDDEN STOP, NO BRAKE LIGHTS APPEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES SLOW, AS IF ITS DRAGGING, PERHAPS THAT IS SOME AUTOMATIC PULSING OF THE BRAKES. SHOULD I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA. *TR
WHEN STOPPED AND HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LURCHES FORWARD. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO LOOSE THE BRAKES BUT THEN CATCHES. THE DEALER CALLS THIS A KNOWN 4RUNNER PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX FROM TOYOTA. *TR
IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 THE OPEN ENGINE HOOD FALLS WITHOUT WARNING. A SMALL HYDRAULIC PISTON AUTOMATICALLY HOLDS THE HOOD OPEN WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED. THERE IS NO ROD OR OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN, JUST THE PISTON. THE HOOD STAYS OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN QUIETLY FALLS, AT FIRST VERY SLOWLY FOR A FEW INCHES, THEN RAPIDLY ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO A PERSON LEANING OVER THE OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD IS FAIRLY HEAVY PROBABLY DUE TO THE THICK AND HEAVY FIBERGLASS INSULATION. THE PISTON WORKED PROPERLY UNTIL ABOUT EARLY 2009 WHEN IT STARTED OCCASIONALLY FALLING, NOW (APRIL 2010) THE HOOD FALLS AFTER A FEW MINUTES EVERY TIME THE HOOD IS OPENED. SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I'VE BEEN USING A WOOD STICK I CUT TO SIZE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN WHEN I NEED ACCESS. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE THE PISTON REPLACED BUT I'LL ASK FOR THE REMOVED PARTS BACK IN CASE THEY NEED TO BE EXAMINED. EVEN WITH THE NEW PISTON, THOUGH, I INTEND TO USE THE WOOD STICK AS A SAFETY MEASURE. I JUST DON'T TRUST THE PISTON DESIGN SINCE IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES PERFECT SEALING TO MAINTAIN THE LIFTING FORCE. ALSO, ACCORDING TO MY INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES MAINLY TOYOTA'S, THIS IS A FREQUENT ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT THEIR REPAIRMEN ALWAYS BRACE THE HOODS OPEN WHEN WORKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTS. THANKS. *TR
MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I BELIEVE THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED AS WHEN I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND STOP, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT AWAY AND THE PEDAL RELEASED. *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE PULLING INTO HER GARAGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A WORKBENCH. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE DAMAGES OUT OF POCKET. *JB
2003 4RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES FRONT END COLLISION IN WHICH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE HAS A PERMANENT NECK INJURY. *JB
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE REACHED FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TRIED TO RUN WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS MOVING TOO FAST. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN AND IT KNOCKED HER DOWN AND SHE HIT HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO THE STREET AND THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND THEN THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE RAN OVER HER. UPDATED 06/15/10.*JP
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2003 SIX CYLINDER. EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE ODOR. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. SPORADIC. DEALERSHIPS GAVE ME A HARD TIME, WANTED $150.00 TO RUN TEST EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALER SHOULD JUST REPLACE PARTS, SO I NEVER HAVE HAD IT FIXED BUT I AM CONCERNED. I CHANGED GAS STATIONS NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL RECEIVE THE ODOR. ODOR COMES AND GOES AND CAN BE STRONG AT TIMES ESPECIALLY IN COLD MONTHS. CONCERNS ARE THAT IT WILL BECOME WORSE AND THE SMELL IS TOXIC. *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 57,000 MILES ACCELERATED FROM 5 MPH AFTER TAKING A TURN, TO 50 MPH. I PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT (I WEIGH 230 LBS.) ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER 3 OR 4 SECONDS THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE 4RUNNER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BOTH THE 4RUNNER AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS THAT ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. TOYOTA CANNOT BE TRUSTED. IF YOU OWN ONE, SELL IT. IF YOU DON'T THEN DON'T BUY ANY TOYOTA. THEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO HIDE THE TRUTH. *TR
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN MAY 2003. IN ONE COLD MORNING OF JAN. 2005, I WAS DRIVING IT IN HIGHWAY THAT WAS STILL COVERED WITH SOME SNOW. ALL OF SUDDEN, AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON, FOLLOWED BY VSC LIGHTS, INDICATING THAT A VEHICLE SKID CONTROL FUNCTION WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF. AT THAT POINT, I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 50 MPH, NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FREQUENTLY I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I PULLED OVER, RESTARTED, AND RE-ENTERED THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD THE SAME RESULTS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE AND SIMPLY RESET THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CHECK AND VSC LIGHT ISSUES RESURFACED ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME WAS THAT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION ISSUE. NO INSPECTION WAS MADE. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IN JAN. 2010, THOSE LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND HAVE REMAINED TURNED ON. NO IMPACT ON ACCELERATION HAS BEEN OBSERVED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN THE LEFT TIRE LOCKED OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE LOCKED. BOTH TIRES NEVER LOCKED AT THE SAME TIME. THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN A 4 MILE TRIP. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT A BODY SHOP. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR (IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ERRATIC/UNPREDICTABLE/DIFFICULT TO PREDICT BRAKE APPLICATION . *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BROKE AND HANGS DOWN, PARTIALLY BLOCKING MY VISIBILITY. THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE SHAFT THE VISOR CONNECTS TO IS CHIPPED AND IS NOT HOLDING THE VISOR IN PLACE. *TR
I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE PEDALS EVER SINCE 2-3 YEARS INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ISSUES. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF. I FEEL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, A GENTLE TAP DOESN'T PRODUCE A RESPONSE. ONLY A MILD TO HARD STEP ON THE BRAKES WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. IM VERY WARY OF THIS B/C I ALWAYS HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO GET A RESPONSE. I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOOSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO TAPPING. IN FACT, IF I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DROP ONE INCH, THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKE RESPONSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS SOME SORT OF BRAKE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON REPLACING THAT PART, I STILL FEEL THE SAME LOOSENESS IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY MOST SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES B/C I HAVE TO HIT IT HARD, MY VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S DRIFTING. THE WHEELS WOULD GO LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN GO STRAIGHT. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT FREAKS ME OUT. AT FREEWAY SPEED, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, WHETHER ITS LIGHT OR SOFT, SOMETIMES, THE CAR JUST DOES THE RANDOM DRIFT. I FEEL ITS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL AND PERHAPS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE TIRES. I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED OFTEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL IN THE SNOW, THE AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL ON MY TOYOTA ENGAGED WITH A BEEPING SOUND AND A DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP THE HILL. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND STRUCK THE BACK OF A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS SIGNIFICANT, MAKING THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
I OWN A 2003 4 RUNNER AND ALSO MY DAUGHTER. I HAVE REPORTED THE FOLLOWING ISSUE TO TOYOTA AND ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. ON SNOWY OR ICY ROADS, THE REAR END OF THE 4 RUNNER WILL FLIP AROUND WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES AND TO MY DAUGHTER 3 OR 4 TIMES. BOTH VEHICLE HAVE NEW TIRES AND THE SITUATION STILL OCCURS. I LIVE IN NC AND WE DO NOT GET A LOT OF SNOW. IT HAPPEN A WEEK AGO WHEN WE GOT SOME SNOW. IT CAN JUST HAPPEN SO FAST. MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT. OUR 2000 4 RUNNER WOULD NOT COME CLOSE OF ACTING THIS WAY. BOTTOMLINE, IT IS UNSAFE. YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS OR YOU WILL SPIN THE CAR AROUND. *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT ED, 6 CYL.- AT 100,400 MILES, BOTH MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WENT OUT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WHICH DISENGAGES THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL, SO I HEAR. REPAIRS ARE COSTLY. CAN'T SMOG CAR ON THE FIRST TIME CAR EVER NEEDS TO GET SMOGGED. SEEMS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME? *TR
MODEL : 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER V8 ISSUE : AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION WHILE A/C ON HOW TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE : OPTION 1] WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED TURN THE A/C "ON", THE VEHICLE WOULD TRY TO SUDDENLY MOVE FORWARD. THE TACHOMETER ALSO SHOWS HIGHER READINGS. OPTION 2] TURN YOUR A/C OFF DRIVE FOR A WHILE AND THEN TURN YOUR A/C ON, THE MOMENT YOU TURN YOUR A/C ON THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN FOR A WHILE. THIS PROBLEM IS MAGNIFIED ESPECIALLY IN SUMMER AND HOTTER CLIMATES AND DOES NOT FAIL TO OCCUR IN SUMMER. *TR
RE: 2003 4- RUNNER I RECENTLY SOLD MY 4-RUNNER BUT WANT TO REPORT AN INCIDENT THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE FRONT-END DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO ITS USUAL PARKING SPACE, AS I HAD DONE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE, WHEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. I DID NOT REPORT THIS ISSUE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT RECENT EVENTS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS IN MY MIND AND I NOW BELIEVE THAT AN ACCELERATION ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT. THE 4-RUNNER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL INVOLVING FLOOR MATS OR TOYOTA'S MORE RECENT SPATE OF BRAKING RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TW
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AS MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A FLOWER BED AND STRUCK TWO PARKED CARS. THE FRONT END SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $2,000 IN DAMAGES. *TR
MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO BECOME LOUDER WHEN IDLING OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO I NOTICED IT BEING NOTICEABLY MUCH LOUDER. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE IDLING (RED LIGHT, DRIVE THRUS...) AND WOULD BECOME LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION UP TO ABOUT 40MPH. THIS WAS A RATTLING NOISE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE UNDERBODY, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SEATS. IT SOUNDED LIKE LOUD HEAVY VIBRATIONS, METAL ON METAL. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK OUT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE HEATSHIELD WAS SERIOUSLY RUSTED. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT BUT SAID IT WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE ORIGINAL HEATSHIELD TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS. ONCE THE NEW PART WAS RECEIVED THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT ON THE NEW HEATSHIELD. *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 SPORT. ON SATURDAY I FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN I LET UP THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT ACCELERATION CONTINUED. I APPLIED STRONG CONTINUOUS FORCE TO THE BRAKES AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ACCELERATION DISENGAGED. YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF OTHER NON-4RUNNER TOYOTA MODELS BEING RECALLED FOR EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM HAS ME VERY CONCERNED. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED? *TR
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ON. *TR
MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS THE VSC TRAC/TRAC OFF LIGHT ON. EVER SINCE THESE 2 LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON MY VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS WHERE MY 4RUNNER FISHTAILS ON MILD WET ROAD, THE 2 TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS ENTERING A RAMP, AND WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING ONTO THE STREET MY VEHICLE FISHTAILED VIOLENTLY AND TURNING THE VEHICLE FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AGAINST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SCENARIO. I WAS GOING VERY SLOW SINCE IT WAS AN EXITING RAMP WITH A STOP LIGHT SO I HIT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE THE TURN AT THE LIGHT ONTO THE STREET AND THIS IS WHAT THE VEHICLE DID...THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. I'VE SEEN MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS (VSC TRAC/TRAC OFF) ON THE 4RUNNERS?? PLEASE ADVICE. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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