2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints

AFTER REPLACING AN OXYGEN SENSOR SEVERAL TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT IS MAKING THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL CIRCUIT SHORT OUT. THE AIR DIVERTOR FLAP INSIDE THE HVAC BOX UNDER THE DASH HAD GREASE APPLIED TO THE FLAP HINGES IN THE FACTORY. DIRECTLY BELOW THE FLAP IS A WIRING HARNESS WHICH DROPS DOWN FROM THE HVAC BOX AND PLUG INTO THE ECU. OVER TIME THE GREASE HAS TRAVELED DOWN THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG INTO THE ECU CAUSING VARIOUS CIRCUITS TO SHORT. NO DAMAGE AT PRESENT, HOWEVER VARIOUS SAFETY CIRCUITS SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL ARE BEING AFFECTED. FURTHERMORE, AS OIL IS COMBUSTIBLE, AN INTERIOR FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THE OIL PENETRATING THE 12 VOLT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION POINT ON THE ECU. THIS ISSUE/ PROBLEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU AS WELL AS CLEAN THE GREASE OUT OF THE HVAC BOX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VERY BADLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED AND THEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SHAKING ONLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE RECALL DATABASE, BUT FOUND NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001-2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REGARDING THE SUSPENSION AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE SAME FAILURE IS OCCURRING ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC BRAKING CONTROL AND ANTI-SKID CONTROL. SERVICE LIGHT ACTIVATED BUT NO RECALL OR NOTICE TO CONSUMERS. SEE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BR 005-03 (DEC. 4, 2003). TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE SAFETY RISK OR OBLIGATION TO REPLACE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

REAR LEFT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY PRIOR TO SAFETY BELT NOT RETRACTING. CAN NOT USE REAR LEFT SAFETY BELT. SAFETY BELT IS FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. *TR

MY 4RUNNER HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LEXUS GX470 AS WELL. THE 03-06 4RUNNERS HAVE THE SAME DRIVELINE AS THE LEXUS AND UNLIKE LEXUS, TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

DRIVERS SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. IT ONCE RATTLED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN (JUST LITTLE BIT). HOWEVER, THE SEAT FRAME HAS NOW COLLAPSED OVER THE TIME PERIOD. (PLEASE NOTE IT HAS BEEN SINKING SLOWLY OVER A LONG TIME PERIOD.. I JUST NOTICED IT IN 2008) THE FRAME MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND/OR IS POORLY DESIGNED. I AM PRESENTLY SITTING ON THE ELECTRONICS BOX WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. I HOPE SITTING ON THAT DOES NOT PREMATURELY SET OFF THE AIR BAGS WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. OR SHORT OUT THE AIR BAGS SO THEY WON'T GO OFF WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES. I GET THE RUN-AROUND AND NEVER GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER . NOW THEY WON'T RETURN MY CALLS. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, FAILED MY EMISSION TEST. THE COMPUTER PRINTED OUT A PAPER THAT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL DEFECT # 2059 FROM TOYOTA. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY CANT FIND A RECALL THAT MATCHES MY VIN AND TOLD ME THERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL SINCE I GOT IT. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING THAT I GET VERY DIZZY. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THERE A QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. IT SEEMS ALONG WITH THE SULFUR DIOXIDE THERE IS CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN, REGARDLESS IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS DUE TO BAD GAS. I LIKE MY 4RUNNER BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE IT KNOWING THAT NOT ONLY ME, BUT MY SON ALSO ARE BEING POISONED. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!!!! *TR

FROM A COMPLETELY STOPPED POSITION, LETTING OFF THE GAS AND ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO IDLE FORWARD RESULTS IN A KLUNK NOISE WHETHER YOU ACCELERATE OR NOT. AS I HAVE READ, IT IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE DRIVETRAIN. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE THE REAR NEEDS TO BE LUBED WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE AND WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THEY LUBED IT UP AND SAID THE PROBLEM SHOULD IMPROVE WITH TIME. THE TRUCK IS STILL MAKING THE KLUNK NOISE. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 85K. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TUNDRA AND SOME LEXUSES. *TR

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS STUCK IN 4-LO, VEHICLE UNABLE TO TRAVEL AT SAFE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PART THAT NEEDS REPLACED IS TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR. *TR

THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HOLDS UP THE HOOD EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. ONCE THE HOOD IS OPENED, THE HOOD WOULD BEGIN SLOWING COMING DOWN AND THE PACE PICKS UP. THE HOOD WOULD SLAM SHUT VIOLENTLY AND CAN POTENTIAL CAUSE INJURY TO SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING ON THE ENGINE. *TR

POWER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MALFUNCTIONS AND LOCKS VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING WITH THE INABILITY TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM INSIDE. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM (COPIES OF E-MAILS FROM TOYOTA CAN BE PROVIDED). CUSTOMER MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATE THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT INITIATES AN INVESTIGATION. THE INABILITY TO EXIT A VEHICLE COULD POSE AN EXTREME HAZARD TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS. THANK YOU *TR

MY DRIVERS SEAT IS BROKEN AND MOVES WHEN I DRIVE IT DEVELOPED OVER A FEW WEEKS. MY SEAT BELT LOCKS SOME TIMES BECAUSE OF THE SEAT SHIFTING I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND ONLY WEIGHT 178 I DON'T KNOW HOW IT BROKE BUT THE DEALERSHIPS SAID IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY I EXPLAINED THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT DIDN'T GET ANY RESPONSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AND MAKE A THUMPING SOUND. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE U JOINT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/04/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A PROPELLER ASSEMBLY/DRIVESHAFT WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH, MY PRE-OWNED 4 RUNNER DRIFTED SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT 3 CONSECUTIVE TIMES AS IF A TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE DRIFT WAS SIMILAR TO A LATERAL SHIFT AND WAS NOT GRADUAL. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE DUE TO SOME FOREIGN OBJECT ON THE ROAD, SO I PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION. SLOWED DOWN TO NEAR 55 MPH, IT OCCURRED AGAIN. SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MPH, AND IT OCCURRED AGAIN. PRIOR TO ANY OF THESE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE BEYOND A CERTAIN SPEED! WE CHECKED THE SUSPENSION, TIRES, FRONT END, ETC., ALL WAS GOOD. AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ALL 4 PASSENGERS. *TR

CONTINUING PROBLEM ON MY 2003 V8 4RUNNER WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. WHEN I COME TO A STOP OR WHEN I ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP THERE IS A MOMENTARY LAG THAT FEELS LIKE A "CLUNK" OR THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST RUN INTO YOUR BACK BUMPER. TOYOTA DEALER "FIXES" THE PROBLEM WITH GREASE TO THE SLIP YOKE BUT AFTER 2,000 MILES IT COMES BACK AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER CONTINUALLY AND LEXUS 470 (SAME VEHICLE) HAS A TSB ON THE SAME OCCURRENCE. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY ANNOYING AND CAN ONLY BE CLASSIFIES AS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

CHIRP NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA ON COLD START--THIS HAS REPEATED 5 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE--EACH TIME THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY--REPLACED TENSIONER AND BELT--CHIRP SOUND RETURNS REPEATEDLY AFTER APPROX 6 MTHS OPERATION. *TR

MOONROOF RATTLE. I DID NOTHING WRONG AND IT STARTED TO RATTLE

STEERING WHEEL HAS RESONATE VIBRATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE RPM. IT IS NOT TIRE VIBRATION BUT MORE LIKE A BUZZ AT THESE SPEEDS. WE FILED FOR ARBITRATION AND LOST BECAUSE ARBITRATOR WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO FEEL THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THOUGH THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM FLEET WIDE. I FEEL THAT A TOTAL RECALL OF THIS MODEL IS NECESSARY. *TR

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER MAKES A CLUNK SOUND THAT IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN BEGINNING TO TAKE OFF. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. PER THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, REMOVING THE DRIVESHAFT AND GREASING THE SPLINE YOKE QUIETS THE CLUNK FOR APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. THIS IS PARTLY TRUE, AS THE GREASING QUIETS IT, BUT IT DOES NOT GO AWAY AND THE CLUNK GET STRONGER EVERY DAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNTIL YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING REAR ENDED. TOYOTA STATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT NORMAL, AND IT IS ABSURD TO THINK IT IS NORMAL. THE CAR SHOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK AND COME TO A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED, BUT TOYOTA HAS YET TO PROVIDE A FIX. THE "CLUNKING" CHANGES YOUR DRIVING BEHAVIOR/HABITS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE CLUNK, BUT IN THE END, THE CAR CLUNKS WHEN TAKING OFF, AND CLUNKS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STATES NO DAMAGE IS BEING INCURRED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE CLUNKING, THIS MAY BE TRUE, BUT YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND SECURE WHEN THE VEHICLE CLUNKS AND SHAKES THE CAR AT VIRTUALLY EVERY STOP AND START. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIND A FIX TO ENSURE TOYOTA CUSTOMERS ARE SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, AND ARE SATISFIED WITH THE TOYOTA VEHICLE THEY DRIVE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES WITH GREAT FORCE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSES WAS THAT DEBRIS IN THE ROTORS CAUSED THE NOISE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP WITHOUT SLIDING. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, AND THE ROTORS RESURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 MILES.*AK

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, LIMITED V8 4WD- VEHICLE IMPACTED A BUMPER BARREL ON FREEWAY EXIT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED APPROXIMENTLY 50 MPH. POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE EXCEEDED $5000.00. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.*AK

THE DOOR LOCKS ON FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT SIDES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER AT BELL TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THERE ARE BAD ACTUATORS. CONSIDERING THAT THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT LOCKS ARE NOT OPERABLE, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT DOORS ARE SPARINGLY UTILIZED INDICATING THAT THERE IS A QUALITY ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON XLS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE THE JACK MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE JACK AND INJURED THE CONTACT'S HAND, CAUSING NERVE DAMAGE. IN ADDITION, IT DAMAGED THE DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL. PER THE CONTACT, THE BASE OF THE JACK HAD A NARROW WIDTH OF 1 3/4 INCHES AND WAS INCHES IN LENGTH. THE JACK WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO LIFT LARGER TOYOTA VEHICLES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE JACK WAS TOO FLIMSY TO SECURE THE VEHICLE AND WAS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION TO REPLACE THE CURRENT JACK WITH ONE OF APPROPRIATE SIZE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF TOYOTA. TOYOTA INVESTIGATORS TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND THE JACK ,AND PROMISED A RESPONSE WITHIN 90 DAYS. THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA STATED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT FAULTY, AND THE INSPECTION WAS ADDRESSED TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE JACK WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE JACK SIZE IN RELATION TO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE LETTER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT SPOKEN TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.*AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM

1. FLAT TIRE, NEEDED TO GET SPARE OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. 2. BRAND NEW SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN DOWN, NEW SPARE TIRE HAS BRANDING MARKING ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, FROM THE HEAT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO HAS COMPROMISED THE SAFTY OF THE TIRE. 3. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPHILL, A STRONG ODOR WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PRODUCING THE ODOR. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE REPLACEMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MECHANIC MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES REPAIR, THE PEDAL WAS TOO LOW WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE RECHECKED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ALL THE BRAKE STANDARDS WERE CORRECT. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM.

SUNROOF BROKE IN OPEN POSITION. COST $1600 TO REPAIR. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2006. *JB

BRAKE PEDAL GOES AL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN SITTING AT A STOP . THE 4 RUNNER HAS 3 MASTERS AND ONE COMPLETE POWER BRAKE UNIT INSTALLED BY TOYOTA AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, TOYOTA STATED IT IS NORMAL. *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 4 RUNNER FROM TOMS RIVER TOYOTA. ALL SERVICE OF THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THERE. OVER A YEAR AGO WE COMPLAINED LOW A LOW BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS DEFECTIVE. RECENTLY DEALER RECOMMENDED REAR BRAKE SERVICE. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. ON LAST SERVICE VISIT THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN REQUIRING A PAD SPACER BEING INSTALLED. BUT NOW DUE THE MILEAGE BEING OVER THE 50000 MILE WARRANTY, DEALER REQUIRES >$ 250. BE PAID BY OWNER TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. NO SUCH SERVICE BULLETINS WERE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE SEARCH. *NM

ALL FOUR OF MY DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. EACH REQUIRED A NEW LOCK ACTUATOR TO BE INSTALLED ON EACH DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT 26,598 (7/16/04) - FRONT DRIVER, 50,327 (6/10/05) - REAR RIGHT, 67,878 (12/30/05) - FRONT RIGHT, 81,435 (05/2006) - REAR DRIVER. IF A USER DOES NOT NOTICE THE FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR - AS THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED, BUT IT IS NOT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHILD SEAT WILL NOT STAY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT IS SECURED IN THE VEHICLE BY THE LATCH SYSTEM AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN. THE CHILD SEAT WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SENT A REPLACEMENT BASE HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT BASE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL. THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED. DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, EDDIE BAUER, MODEL # 22-630-BAL. DATE OF MANUFACTURE: FEBRUARY 6, 2006.

FOUL SMELLING EXHAUST - AMMONIA SMELL - VERY STRONG ON ACCELERATIONS UPHILL OR FREEWAY ON RAMPS. *JB

30 MONTH OLD 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT. WENT TO USE SPARE TIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT FOUND PLACES ON THE SIDEWALL WHERE THE RUBBER APPEARS TO BE MELTED. THE MARKS LOOK LIKE THEY CORRESPOND TO THE PLACES WHERE THE SPARE TIRE TOUCHES THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. IT LOOKS TO ME (AS A LAYMAN) THAT THE DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE. *JB

I WAS SOLD PRE-OWNED TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITHOUT ITS BEING INSPECTED AND THEN I FELT ILL TREATED TO BE RECALLED TO SIGN A NEW PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH AN INCREASED INTEREST PERCENTAGE, JUST BECAUSE I AM BLACK! *NM

SUNROOF/MOONROOF LEAKS AROUND GLASS RUBBER SEAL--SEVERE CORROSION, METAL DEFORMED, EFFECTS OPERATION. *JB

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER TRAILER HITCH CAME APART. *TS WHEN THE TRAILER CAME APART IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE TRAILER REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE SAFETY CHAINS . THE RECEIVER BALL SLID OUT OF THE RECEIVER OF THE HITCH DUE TO THE CLIP COMING OFF PIN AND PIN FALLING OUT. *NM

VEHICLE WAS HIT WITH SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, RESTRAINED CHILD SUSTAINED SHOULDER/CLAVICLE INJURY. MINIMUM ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS $7000, NEITHER SIDE CURTAIN OR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE LIKELY PREVENTED INJURY TO DRIVER. *NM

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE VERY PASSENGER EDGE MIDWAY AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 9 MOS NEW. THE CRACK PROPOGATED INWARD. UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER, SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, REPLACED. YEAR AND A HALF LATER, SAME EXACT THING, SAME EXACT PLACE, NOT UNDER WARRANTY, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS A STONE CHIP AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW WINDSHIELD. I BEG TO DIFFER. *NM

INFO COPY LTR FWD TO TOYOTA REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL, CUSTOMER DISSATISFIED W/QUALITY OF CURRENT TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TS **REFERENCE 10140998*** ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE STARTER WOULD ONLY CLICK. THE VSC, TRAC, VSC OFF AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND FINALLY WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN. TWO WEEKS LATER THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, THEY DETERMINED A SENSOR INSIDE THE RIGHT WHEEL AREA HAD BEEN DAMAGED. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE CONSUMER RAN OVER SOMETHING. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID INFORM THE CONSUMER IF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK. *JB

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER: JACK AND EQUIPMENT ARE NOT SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF TRUCK. I HAVE HAD TO USE THE JACK EQUIPMENT 2 TIMES TO CHANGE FLATS, THE FIRST TIME THE EQUIPMENT DOES NOT RAISE THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE WAND USED TO JACK IT UP BENT IN HALF. THE SECOND TIME THE WAND BENT AGAIN AND THE SCREWS TO CONNECT THE WAND WERE STRIPPED CAUSING AN UNSAFE PLACE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE EQUIPMENT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS SIZE TRUCK. *NM

EXHAUST SYSTEM EMITS A SULPHUR SMELL THAT COMES INTO THE SEATING AREA

VIBRATION IN STEERING. DEALER CANNOT FIX. WENT TO ARBITRATION AND LOST DUE TO BIASED INVESTIGATOR AND POLICY THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW ARBITRATOR TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TWO OTHER DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIBRATION BUT SAY IT IS DESIGNED THAT WAY!--ALSO MILEAGE COMPUTER INACCURATE AND EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE.

I PRESENTLY HAVE MY 2003 4 RUNNER V8 LIMITED IN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR FOR AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. IN BOTH CASES THE AIR SUSPENSION STAYS IN THE FULLY INFLATED POSITION. THEY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR THE FIRST TIME IN (21 DAYS TO GET PARTS), AND THIS TIME THEY TELL ME IT?S THE AIR RELEASE PORTION OF THE COMPRESSOR. WHICH MEANS THEIR REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR AGAIN (7 DAYS AND COUNTING WAITING FOR PARTS). I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WOBBLING SOUND, THE PROBLEM WAS A DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURS ONCE IN A WHILE DURING ASSEMBLY. *AK

HVAC BLOWER FAN FAILED AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY VEHICLE MILEAGE EXCEEDS WARRANTY PERIOD. DEALER SAID THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO NOT CLEARING SNOW FROM HOOD, THEREBY BLOCKING AIR TO FAN. HOWEVER, VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND NOT SUBJECT TO ELEMENTS. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES AND THAT THEY WERE DUE TO SEEPAGE OF WATER INTO BLOWER HOUSING AND SUBSEQUENT FREEZING.*AK

I BOUGHT A NEW TOYATO 4 RUNNER AND THE VEHICLE SMELL CONSTANTLY. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY ASK ME TO CHANGE MY GAS TYPE TO A MORE EXPENSIVE ONE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO BE DRIVING MY FAMILY AROUND IN A SMELLY TRUCK. HELP

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH,THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REAR SHOCKS BLEW THE SEALS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED AND WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. NITROUSENTERTRISES AFTER MARKET PRODUCT.

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR( 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER) STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WITHIN A MINUTE. SINCE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE AND IT WAS RUSH HOUR, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD, PLUS I HAD NO POWER. FINALLY A POLICE CAR PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND HAD ME TURN OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTART. I WAS ABLE THEN TO PULL OVER WITH THE OFFICER'S HELP TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE "TRANSMISSION INPUT SPEED SENSOR(P0717)" HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT A CAR WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING (ESPECAILLY ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY). I WOULD FAR RATHER TO HAVE DAMAGE TO A TRANSMISSION THAN TO BE HIT IN THE REAR AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE I HAVE NO POWER.*AK

PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE MANUAL ON HOW TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE EQUIPMENT ON THE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE MANUAL'S DIRECTION AND GRAPHICS WERE VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW THE CONSUMER HAD TO ACCESS THE SPARE ON HIS VEHICLE. THE ARM TO THE JACK USED TO JACK UP THE CAR REQUIRED IT TO BE SCREWED TOGETHER AND WAS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH GAUGE TO JACK UP THE CONSUMER'S SUV. THE JACK DID NOT RISE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE JACK AND TOOLS PROVIDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE WERE INFERIOR AND INEFFECTIVE. *NM

AT CERTAIN TIMES I HAVE A SULFUR/EXHAUST SMELL THAT ENTERS THE VEHICLE. IT IS INTERMITTENT, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS EXHAUST FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME EMITTING BAD FUMES, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND ME. IT HASN'T LASTED LONG 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE AND IT'S GONE. BUT WHEN THE SMELL COMES IT'S VERY OVERPOWERING, MAKING ME WANT TO GAG AT TIMES. *NM