2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints

THE DESIGN FLAW OF THE GAS PEDAL CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONSUMERS RIGHT KNEE AND LOWER BACK. *TC *JB

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB......*AK

AAFTER THE OVERNIGHT TEMPORATURE DROPPED BEFOW FREEZING, BOTH OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER REAR DOORS FROZE TO THEIR WHEEL WELLS DUE TO A MINOR ACCUMULATION OF MUD IN THE WHEEL WELLS (LESS THAN 1/4 INCH THICK) WHERE THE DOOR BOTTOM EXTENDS. ALTHOUGH THE DOOR LATCHES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, AND THE DOORS COULD BE 'SPRUNG' AWAY FROM THE FRAME AT THE TOP, THE BOTTOM REMAINED FROZEN TO THE WHEEL WELL PROHIBITING OPENING. EMERGENCY EGREES WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.*AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND/OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL JERK FORWARD WITH A THUD. SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE THUDS ARE FELT AND HEARD. THE DEALER WITNESSED THIS PROBLEM AND OURISMAN TOYOTA IN CHANTILLY, VA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 14,500 MILES. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY FOR A WHILE. I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AT 32,000 MILES AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT. I RETURNED AGAIN ON 11/30/04 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WITNESSED THE SAME PROBLEM WITHIN 200 FEET OF DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED HE BELIEVES THIS IS NORMAL (EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM TILL ABOUT 12,000 MILES). HE IS GOING TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE TOYOTA REP WHO IS IN TOWN THIS WEEK.*AK I

FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE THERED HAS BEEN A LOUD "THUD" NOISE WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ON A CONTINUAL OR PREDICTABLE BASIS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE 4RUNNER AND DIDN'T FIND THE BRAKES TO BE FAULTY; HOWEVER THE SOUND AND A SURGE ARE STILL PRESENT IT REMINDS ME OF THE "THUD" SOUND THAT WAS INHERENT IN THE T-100 PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN IT WAS STARTED IN REVERSE. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE AND WONDER IF FAILURE IS IMMINENT THERE OR IN THE DRIVE SHAFT. IN EITHER CASE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. MY DAUGHTER OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA PICK-UP TRUCK AND SAID IT MADE THE SAME SOUND FOR AS LONG AS SHE OWNED IT. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT TWO FRONT WINDSHIELDS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER STATED, THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERE GLARE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR EVEN WHEN STOPPED, A LOUD THUD IS HEARD AND FELT AS IF TORQUE CONVERTER IS STILL DOWN SHIFTING. WHEN BRAKES RELEASED, THUD IS HEARD AND FELT AGAIN AS CAR ACCELERATES. DEALER SAYS BRAKES ARE FINE! I'M CONCERNED AS THIS IS NOT A NORMAL SOUND AND RECENTLY CAR ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD AS THUD WAS FELT AND HEARD. (THIS IS UNRELATED TO THE CAR WANTED TO LURCH FORWARD AT STOP WHEN A/C IS ON!)*JB

TOYOTA 4- RUNNER, 2003. WHEEL LUG BOLTS ARE BREAKING OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO BECOME LOSE. TOYOTA SAYS THE TIRE ROTATION SERVICE PEOPLE OVERTIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS. THIS SERVICE WAS 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE LUG BOLT BREAKING. I CONTEND THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO: A. THE LUG BOLTS ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE WEIGHT AND HP OF THIS VEHICLE. OR B. THE METALLURGICAL COMPOND OF THE BOLTS AND/OR NUTS IS NOT CORRECT. OR C. THE THREAD TOLERANCES OF THE BOLTS AN NUTS IS NOT CORRECT....TOYOTA REFUSES TO TEST THE DAMAGED BOLTS AND NUT THAT I SAVED TO SEE IF THIS COULD BE AN ISOLATED PROBLEM FROM THEIR SUPPLIER.

THIS CONDITION COULD BE RELATED TO ITEM 2. THIS CONDITION STARTED LAST WINTER AND IS GETTING WORSE.) AFTER BEING AT A STOP AND RELEASING THE BRAKES, I GET A HARD SHAKE/THUD FROM THE DRIVELINE/BRAKES. THIS OCCURS IN 90% OF STOPS/STARTS. (E.G., IF IT WAS NORMAL, IT WOULD DO IT ALL THE TIME TO SOME DEGREE.) THERE IS NO METAL ON METAL NOISE, JUST THE SHAKE/THUD LIKE THE BRAKES ARE RELEASING TOO HARD OR THE DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH LASH IN IT. (CONDITION IS WORSE IF YOU COME TO A HARD STOP, BEFORE STARTING AGAIN.) 2) SOMETIMES (ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME) AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO FIRST GEAR HARD AND/OR THE CONVERTER/TORSEN DIFFERENTIAL IS UNLOCKING/LOCKING INCORRECTLY. IT WILL ACTUALLY ROCK THE VEHICLE FORWARD. SOMETIMES IT GIVES THE SAME SENSATION AS IN ITEM 3. (ACTUALLY, ON A FEW OCCASIONS I GET ITEM 2 PROBLEM FOLLOWED BY AN ITEM 1 PROBLEM. *AK

MY HUSBAND PURCHASE A 2003 4 RUNNER FOR ME AND WHILE DRIVING I HAVE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS IN THE CAR WHICH HAS CAUSE HEADACHES;STOMACHACHES AS WELL AS BLUR OF VISION. IT NOT ONLY COMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS WHILE DOWN BUT ALSO THROUGH THE VENTSAND MORE SO WHILE MY AIR CONDITIONER IS ON . *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SEATS HEIGHT WAS NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT . *BF *NM

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THE SMELL CAN GET QUITE BAD AT TIMES, AND HAS CAUSED MY EYES TO BURN AND OTHER PASSENGERS TO FEEL NAUSEOUS. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON HAS COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT MAKES HIS TUMMY HURT. TAKING IT IN TO TOYOTA HAS NOT HELPED - THEY STATE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TAKING A LOOK AT IT. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LOOK QUICKER AND FIND A SOLUTION. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL TOYOTAS (THIS IS MY SECOND 4RUNNER IN A ROW) AND HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THE CARS AND SERVICE TO BE EXCEPTIONAL. HOWEVER, THIS HAS SOURED ME ON MY WONDERFUL 4RUNNER AND I WILL MOST DEFINITELY LOOK AT OTHER SUVS - PERHAPS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER NOW. *NM

ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. VERY BAD WHEN ANY WINDOW IS DOWN, JUST BAD WHEN ALL WINDOWS ARE UP. DEALER SUGGESTED DIFFERENT GAS(DIDN'T WORK), AND REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER (DIDN'T WORK). THIS PROBLEM IS GIVING ME AND MY FAMILY HEADACHES WHILE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE GLASS MADE SCRATCHES ON THE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

LTR FM CHRISTINE IDLAND (NJ) RE A PROBLEM WITH HER 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER, IT EMITS A PUNGENT ODOR WHEN SHE PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR; REPLY ATTN DEREK DECOSMO/HADDON HEIGHTS OFFICE. *NM THE NJ OEP RAN TEST ON THE VEHICLE WHICH DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAME ELEVATED. THIS OCCURRED WHETHER THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED OR CLOSED. *NM

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RATTLES OR MOVES ABOUT 1/2 INCH WHEN SLOWING DOWN, GOING FAST & GOING OVER BUMPS.*AK

ROTTEN EGG (SULFUR) SMELL WITH CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) IN THE CABIN IS MAKING PASSENGERS SICK! (POISONED) I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE LEARNED THAT 60 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA FOR THIS SULFUR SMELL. HOWEVER WHAT EVERYONE IS FOCUSING ON IS THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGG. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BUT THAT IS IT IS NOT WHAT WILL KILL YOU. THE CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)IS THE REAL DANGER BECAUSE IT IS WITHOUT ODOR AND DEADLY IT IS ALSO GETTING INTO THE CAR BY THE SAME MEANS AS THE OBVIOUS EGG SMELL. I WAS SO CONCERNED THAT I CONTACTED A ENVIROMENTAL COMPANY WHO CAME FOR A RIDE ALONG IN MY 2003 SR5 4RUNNER. THIS RIDE PROVED TO ME THAT(CO)IS INDEED ENTERING THE CABIN AND ALARMED THE TECH WHO CAME ALONG WITH A (CO)TESTER. AT ONE POINT HE YELLED "CLOSE THE F@#%@%& REAR WINDOW". I SAW THE READINGS GO OFF THE CHARTS DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION OF THE WINDOWS. I DID NOT PAY FOR THIS TEST AS THEY WERE BEING KIND ENOUGH TO JUST SEE IF I HAD ANY (CO)ENTERING THE CABIN. THIS WAS ENOUGH FOR ME! I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE REGIONAL REP FROM FL. ANOTHER OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN IS TO GO TO THE HOME DEPOT AND BUY A (CO) TESTER. THIS CAN BE PLUGGED INTO THE 110 OUTLET IN THE GLOVE BOX. I DID AND I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DOWN AT ALL ANY LONGER AND HAVE POSTPONED TRIPS OF LONGER THAN 50 MILES TO REDUCE EXPOSER TO THIS HARMFUL CHEMICAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT M

ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL WITH CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) IN THE CABIN IS MAKING PASSENGERS SICK! (POISONED) I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE LEARNED THAT 60 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA FOR THIS SULFUR SMELL. HOWEVER WHAT EVERYONE IS FOCUSING ON IS THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGG. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BUT THAT IS IT IS NOT WHAT WILL KILL YOU. THE CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)IS THE REAL DANGER BECAUSE IT IS WITHOUT ODOR AND DEADLY IT IS ALSO GETTING INTO THE CAR BY THE SAME MEANS AS THE OBVIOUS EGG SMELL. I WAS SO CONCERNED THAT I CONTACTED A ENVIROMENTAL COMPANY WHO CAME FOR A RIDE ALONG IN MY 2003 SR5 4RUNNER. THIS RIDE PROVED TO ME THAT(CO)IS INDEED ENTERING THE CABIN AND ALARMED THE TECH WHO CAME ALONG WITH A (CO)TESTER. AT ONE POINT HE YELLED "CLOSE THE F@#%@%& REAR WINDOW". I SAW THE READINGS GO OFF THE CHARTS DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION OF THE WINDOWS. I DID NOT PAY FOR THIS TEST AS THEY WERE BEING KIND ENOUGH TO JUST SEE IF I HAD ANY (CO)ENTERING THE CABIN. THIS WAS ENOUGH FOR ME! I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE REGIONAL REP FROM FL. ANOTHER OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN IS TO GO TO THE HOME DEPOT AND BUY A (CO) TESTER. THIS CAN BE PLUGGED INTO THE 110 OUTLET IN THE GLOVE BOX. I DID AND I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DOWN AT ALL ANY LONGER AND HAVE POSTPONED TRIPS OF LONGER THAN 50 MILES TO REDUCE EXPOSER TO THIS HARMFUL CHEMICAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY

WINDSHIELD WHISTLES .DEALER TELLS ME THEY CANT DO ANYTHING .THEY SAY IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM.WELL IF IT IS THERE WILL BE ALOT OF TRADE INS.WHEN DRIVING INTO A HEAD WIND IT WHISTLES PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NOISE WILL DECREASE.*AK

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF SULPHUR IN THE CABIN WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS 3 TIMES TO MY DEALER, AND ON THE THIRD TIME, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SMELL WAS FROM THE FUEL. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, AND NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A SMELL, AND I HAVE COMPARED TO OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE THE SAME SITUATION. THE SMELL IS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE. *AK

CONSUMER STATED REAR SEATS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES SUDDENLY THE SEATS CAME UP. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BACKREST, MOVES OR HAS A PLAY MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

IN DECEMBER OF 2002, WE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WE NOTICED A STRONG SULPHUR SMELL LEAKING INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WE TOOK IT TO BACK TO PEFORMANCE TOYOTA WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE, HANDED US A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN #EG003-03 AND SUGGESTED WE CHANGE GAS. WE TRIED EVERY GAS AT EVERY GAS STATION WE COULD FIND AND IT ONLY GOT WORSE. MY WIFE HAD BEEN USING THE VEHICLE TO CAR POOL OUR TWO DAUGHTERS, ALONG WITH OTHER CHILDREN, HOME FROM SCHOOL. ONE OF THE CHILDREN GOT PHYSICALLY ILL (WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT HE SUFFERS FROM MIGRAINS, AND THE ODOR WAS TRIGGERING HIS ATTACTS), SO WE HAD TO PULL OUR DAUGHTERS OUT OF THE CAR POOL. IN ORDER TO LIMIT MY DAUGHTERS' EXPOSURE TO SULPHUR DIOXIDE, I AGREED TO USE THE TOYOTA AND LET MY WIFE USE MY DAKOTA TO TAKE THE GIRLS TO/FROM SCHOOL (IT DOESN'T STINK). AFTER DRIVING THE TOYOTA TO WORK FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR NOW, I HAVE EXPERIENCED HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA BY MY PHYSICIAN (WHICH I'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE). MY ASTHMA MEDICATION COSTS ME $158 PER MONTH AND I HAVE RESEARCHED CAUSES OF ASTHMA, AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SULPHUR SMELL IS A POSSIBLE TRIGGER FOR IT. I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, AND THE $37,000 TOYOTA SITS IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE NO ONE CAN STAND TO DRIVE IT. HELP!!!!! *AK

I PURCHASED MY 2003 4 RUNNER LAST JULY AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOTICING A SULFUR SMELL. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS THE FUEL. I CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN AND WAS FINALLY ADMITTED TO BY TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR "METAL COMPONENTS" AND THE BLENDING OF THE FUEL. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG IN MY CAR THAT CLIENTS ARE COMPLAINING AND ASKING ABOUT SEPTIC ISSUES.*AK

TERRIBLE SULPHUR SMELL IN THE CABIN. WINDOWS ARE ALWAYS UP DUE TO 3 OF 4 MEMBERS HAVING ASTHMA. MAKES ALL PASSENGERS SICK TO STOMACHS AND HEADACHES. WANT FULL PURCHASE PRICE BACK FOR THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT DRIVE ANYLONGER. VERY UPSETTING FROM A TOYOTA PRODUCT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES.

AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CABIN WOULD FILL UP WITH SULFUR DIOXIDE FUMES. *PH THESE FUMES HAVE CAUSED RESPIRATORY ISSUES FOR THE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

VIBRATION IN STEERING, MOST PREVALENT AROUND 70 MPH. STARTED AT 15,000 MILES. REBALANCED TIRES 3 TIMES AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT OEM TIRES WERE BAD. TRIED NEW TIRES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. BELIEVED TO BE SAME AS LEXUS GX 470 PROBLEM WITH TSB FIX ST004-04. NO TOYOTA TSB YET. *JB

ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL/EXHAUST ENTERING CABIN OF VEHICLE EVEN IF WINDOWS ARE UP.HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN AUG,2003. *AK

I HAVE BECOME RATHER FED UP WITH THE SULFUR SMELL PROBLEM ON MY 03' V8 4RUNNER. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HERE, EDMUNDS, AND OTHER WEBSITES ON THIS TOPIC AND SEE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF SOME PEOPLE PURSUING LEGAL RECOURSE. OTHER THAN ONE SPECIFIC CASE IN FLORIDA, I CANNOT FIND ANY OTHER EVIDENCE OF SUCCESSFULLY MAKING A LEMON LAW CASE WITH THE SULFUR SMELL PROBLEM. I AM IN KANSAS AND HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA THAT I HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION.....AND IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, THIS IS ALSO REQUIRED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING A LEMON LAWSUIT. I HAVE THREE KIDS, ONE OF WHICH HAS A SULFUR ALLERGY IN ADDITION TO MY WIFE HAVING A DOCUMENTED ALLERGY. FRANKLY, I HAVE BEEN NAUSEATED BY THIS SMELL ON A NUMBER OF INSTANCES. NOW AT 10 MOS. OF OWNERSHIP, 7500 MILES, TRYING EVERY GRADE AND BRAND OF GAS REASONABLY AVAILABLE, 2 DEALER COMPLAINTS, AND 2 TOYOTA CORPORATE COMPLAINTS....I AM NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTED AT TOYOTA'S SHIFTING OF BLAME....BUT NOW I AM AT A LOSS ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE TOYOTA RECOGNIZE AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE CURRENT 4RUNNER MODEL. TOYOTA BLAMES THE PROBLEM ON BAD GAS....DON'T THINK SO...I HAVE TRIED EVERY GRADE FROM EVERY STATION NEAR MY HOUSE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP. HAVE I RESEARCHED THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT HAPPENS....ABSOLUTELY. WHEN TOYOTA SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.....I GUESS I WONDER WHY THEY DESIGNED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REAR VENTS THAT PULL EXHAUST GAS INTO THE CABIN. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY IT HAPPENS. HERE IS MY POINT....SULFUR SMELL

GATED SHIFTER, ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, ALLOWS YOU TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE PAST NEUTRAL (INTO REVERSE OR EVEN PARK) WHILE DRIVING, WITH OUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF YOU PUSH STRAIGHT UP ON THE SHIFTER IT LOCKS IT OUT (AGAINST THE STAGGERED PLASTIC OF THE GATED SHIFTER). BUT IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SHIFTER ON AN ANGLE, IT CAN SLIDE PAST NEUTRAL AND INTO REVERSE OR EVEN PARK!*AK

I CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TIRE/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SPORT EDITION. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, OR ALL DAY LONG IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE PULSING AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS OCCUR BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH, DISAPPEAR AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND RESUME AT 65 MPH. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MILES THE PROBLEM DISSIPATES. THE DEALER SAYS THE TIRES ARE BALANCED AND ALLIGNED. THE DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY "FIBERGLASS BELTS" IN THE DUNLAP TIRES THAT FORM A "SET." A REGIONAL TIRE CHAIN SPECIALIST STATES THIS IS "NONSENSE." THEY SUGGEST SYMPTOMS AND FACT IT ALWAYS OCCURS AT THE SAME SPEED SUGGESTS IMPROPERLY BALANCED TIRES OR ALLIGNMENT, OR TIRES "OUT OF ROUND," HOWEVER THE FACT THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS AFTER DRIVING SUGGESTS THESE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THE LEXUS VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND AUTO MAGAZINES NOTE A PROBLEM WITH "ENGINE VIBRATIONS.*AK

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ON MY 4 RUNNER DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO PLACE. THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD AND BACKWARD ON THE TRACK IN CERTAIN POSITIONS UNDER BRAKING AND/OR ACCELERATION. AT FIRST THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRACK, BUT SINCE THEN THEY HAVE DECIDED TO DENY THAT THERE IS EVEN A PROBLEM. THE REGIONAL MANAGER DROPPED THE CASE OFF OF THEIR RECORDS WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT MADE THEIR AVERAGES LOOK BAD.*AK

2003 4 RUNNER..... 12,000 MILES, RUNNING ON AMACO SLIVER GAS, STILL SMELLS AS ROTTEN AS EVER...BEEN THROUGH HELL WITH THE SCOTT CLARK TOYOTA IN CHARLOTTE AND GASTON (NORTH CAROLINA).....THEY ARE ALL LIARS!!!! SAYING IT'S THE FIRST THEY EVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING.....FILED REPORTS AND CONTACTED OWNERS..CALLED EVERYONE...EVEN THOSE JERKS COULDN'T MAIL ME LEMON LAW PAPERS ETC. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE...SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE, A CLASS LAWSUIT WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE MAY GET SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED OR AT LEAST MY $39,000 BACK. THE SMELL OF SULPHER STINKS SO BAD THAT IT'S TO HARD TO EVEN SALE THE PIECE OF JUNK. *JB

STRONG SULFUR SMELL WILL DRIVING THE CAR, THE SMELL IS STRONG AND TIMES CAN BE HARD TO BREATH. THE SMELL DOES DEFINITELY ORGINATE FROM MY 2003 FOURRUNNER.*AK

REGARDING MY 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER, LIMITED, 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITH A V-8 ENGINE AND 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2003) THE ENGINE HAS PERIODICALLY ACCELERATED SUDDENLY BY ITSELF, WHILE AT A STOP, SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT, WITH THE AC ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. SOMETIMES THIS RESULTS IN AN ABRUPT ACCELERATION SIMILAR TO BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR IN THE REAR. IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE IN THESE INSTANCES, I WOULD HAVE SHOT INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT HAS TO BE DOING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND AS PREDICTABLE THE DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. ALL THEY DID WAS CONFIRM ITS IDLE, THEY DID NOT DRIVE IT IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT. I'VE NOTED OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO NHTSA ON THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES ARE INCURRED BY SOMEONE.*AK

SULFER EXAUST FUMES ENTERING CABIN. OCCURS AT VARIOUS TIMES. SPOKE TO DEALER AND MANUFACTURER; BOTH BLAME GAS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE FUMES ARE GETTING INTO THE CABIN AREA.*AK

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL ,FLOORBOARDS, DRIVELINE AND DRONING NOISE. THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ID# 10060725. LEXUS OF TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED A TSB FOR THE GX 470 WHICH HAS THE SAME MECHANICALS AS THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THIS TSB ADDRESSES THE INDICATED PROBLEM THAT IS IN BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS :"STEERING ST004-04" "STEERING VIBRATION AND DRIVELINE VIBRATION/DRONE". UNFORTUNATELY THE FIX CAN ONLY BE APPLIED TO THE LEXUS VEHICLES PER DEALER.*AK

DASHBOARD GAUGES, ESCPECIALLY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE, ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYTIME. SITUATION IS MADE WORSE WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES. PROBLEM IS THAT GAUGES ARE RECESSED TOO DEEP AND LETTERS ARE NOT CONTRASTED ENOUGH WITH DASH PLATE (IE LIGHT GRAY ON DARK GRAY). TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB WHICH ESSENTIALLY KEEPS DASH LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. TURNING ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AS LIGHTING IS AN AMBER COLOR. SOLUTION IS TWO STAGE LIGHTING. BRIGHT WHITE IN DAYTIME AND AMBER OR BLUE IN NIGHT.*AK

MANUAL SEAT OF 2003 4 RUNNER SPORT MODEL CONTINUALLY RETRACTS FROM ELEVATED POSITION. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO USE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN DRIVING. SINCE THE SEAT LOWERS WITHIN 15-30 MINUTES DEPENDING ON ROAD SURFACE THE SEAT MUST BE CONTINOUSLY RAISED, CREATING ANOTHER UNSAFE DIRVING SITUATION. SERVICE DEALER INDICATES THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM AND IT IS "SOMETHING I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH"!!*AK

PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED AS : 10060723 ,AMMENDING DEALER,PURCHASE DATE AND INCIDENT DATE: DASHBOARD GAUGES, ESCPECIALLY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE, ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYTIME. SITUATION IS MADE WORSE WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES. PROBLEM IS THAT GAUGES ARE RECESSED TOO DEEP AND LETTERS ARE NOT CONTRASTED ENOUGH WITH DASH PLATE (IE LIGHT GRAY ON DARK GRAY). TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB WHICH ESSENTIALLY KEEPS DASH LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. TURNING ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AS LIGHTING IS AN AMBER COLOR. SOLUTION IS TWO STAGE LIGHTING. BRIGHT WHITE IN DAYTIME AND AMBER OR BLUE IN NIGHT.*AK

DRIVETRAIN VIBRATION FELT IN STEERING COLUMN AND FLOORBOARDS AT APPROX 1200RPM TO 2000RPM. THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH WHEEL SHIMMEY DUE TO TIRE OR WHEEL IMBALANCE. SERVICE DEALER INDICATES THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL RESOLVE ITSELF WITH MORE MILEAGE. *AK

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 10000 MILES, DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRES 265/70R16. IN LESS THEN 2 WEEKS I HAVE HAD 2 FLATS IN THE RIGHT, PASSENGER TIRE DUE TO STONES. IN ONE TIRE I HAVE 2 PATCHES, I HAVE A COMPLAINT INTO GOODYEAR FOR A NEW TIRE.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IDLED AT A STOP AND THE HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE BRAKE MUST BE HELD DOWN HARD. *SC

2003 TOYOTA LIMITED 4-RUNNER V8- AWDFRONT-END VIBRATION PROBLEM FIRST PRESENTED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM AT 5048 MILES TO MY DEALER THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST! IT IS MOSTLY FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ACCELERATOR AND OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO A DRONING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIBRATION AND IS MOST NOTABLE UNDER LOAD. THEY TRIED BALANCING THE WHEELS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY AGREED THE PROBLEM WAS THERE AND NOTIFIED CORPORATE. THEIR TECHNICAL STAFF HAD THEM REMOVE THE FRONT AXELS AND RETEST. THE VIBRATION, WHICH STARTED AT 22 MPH, WENT TO 32MPH 42, 55, AND 62MPH NOW DISAPPEARED! THE DEALER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ANGLE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. A WEEK LATER A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE MET WITH ME AND MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL SIMILAR VEHICLES IN PHOENIX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED IT PROBABLY WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO GET A FIX. HE FELT THAT TOYOTA WOULD PROBABLY JUST REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT RATHER THAN PUTTING IN DIFFERENT PARTS. TWO MONTHS LATER I TALKED TO THE TECH. REP. AGAIN AND HE MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINEERING GROUP HAD DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERFERENCES IN THE SPIDER GEAR ASSEMBLY IN THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, THEY WERE TRYING TO CORRECT THE CONDITION WITH THRUST WASHER SHIMS AND OTHER THINGS. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A SAFETY FACTOR; I WONDER THOUGH WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE FRONT END WERE TO FREEZE-UP SINCE ITS IN 4WD ALL THE TIME! I HAVE PRESENTED MY CLAIM TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT GROUP. I HAVE CA

I HAVE NOTICED MOVEMENT IN MY SEAT WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. MOVEMENT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT DOES HAPPEN OFTEN. I HAVE INFORMED MY DEALERSHIP, BUT HEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STILL HAVE THE MOVEMENT PROBLEM AND I INTEND TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM ON MY WORK ORDER WHEN I GO IN FOR MY NEXT SERVICING, IN CASE I NEED THE DOCUMENTATION FOR LEMON LAW. HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT COME TO THAT.

I PURCHASED MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER VEHICLE ON JULY 31, 2003. APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH A RATTLE OR NOISE COMING FROM THE HEADLINER / SUNROOF AREA OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON 08/29/2003, 10/14/2003, 11/25/2003 AND 12/22/2003 TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BUT TO DATE, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. THUS FAR, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR DAYS AND THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOUR SEPARATE TIMES AND NOW THEY ARE ASKING ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE FIFTH TIME TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.

03 4 RUNNER DRIVER'S SEAT RATTLES IN BASE OF SEAT. THIS IS A MANUAL ADJUSTMENT SEAT. *LA

DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. IT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT.*AK

PAINT HAS CHIPPED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL IN 3 PLACES AND ANOTHER AREA HAS A FOUR INCH DIAMETER OFF-COLOR SWIRL SHOWINGTHROUGH THE PAINT AND/OR CLEAR COAT.*AK

2003 4 RUNNER. BOUGHT 8/1/03 WITH 63 ACTUAL MILES. 1ST OWNER. VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 75 MPH AND BECOMES SEVERE RUMBLE AT 80 TO 83 MPH. DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AS THE TIRES. TIRES RE MOUNTED. RUMBLE STILL EXISTS. TIRES THEN REPLACED. RUMBLE STILL EXISTS. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE, RECEIVED CLAIM # 2003-1212 0940, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE ACTUAL DATE AND TIME OF CALL ALSO. I AM STILL IN WAIT FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH SEVERAL 4 RUNNERS. PLEASE HELP. WAYDE *CB