2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints

THE 4 RUNNER HAS A LOUD SQUEAL AS START UP. ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP THE SQUEAL IS A LOW, BUT STILL A WRONG SOUND.

DEAR AUTO SAFETY, I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN NOVEMBER 2002. THIS VEHICLE OMITS A SULFUR SMELL THAT IS EASILY DETECTABLE AND HORRIBLE TO HAVE TO SMELL WHEN DRIVEN. IT PLAIN STINKS. IT STINKS WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. IT STINKS WORSE WITH THE SIDE WINDOWS OR SUNROOF OPEN. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE 2003 4RUNNER TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND EMAILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL TO TOYOTA USA TO ADDRESS THE FACT EMMSSONS WERE ENTERING THE CABIN. I EVEN MET WITH A REGIONAL TECH FROM TOYOTA USA ON TWO OCCASIONS. EACH TIME TOYOTA FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE 2003 4RUNNER. THE SULFUR SMELL BEING OMITTED INTO THE THE CABIN IS AWEFUL TO BREATH FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ANYONE ELSE TRAVELING WITH ME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HEALTH HAZARD THE SULFUR SMELL POSES OR WHAT OTHER EMISSIONS MUST BE ENTERING THE CABIN. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND RECENTLY I LEARNED THE ISSUE OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABINS OF OTHER THE 2003 4RUNNER IS BEING WIDELY REPORTED BY OTHER 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DESIGN DEFECT WITH ME, OR ADDRESS THE HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE OF EMMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN WITH ME. THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO EFFECTIVELY CORRECT THE FACT THAT EMISSIONS ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA HAS BEEN FIRM IN THEIR POSITION THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPER

MY PROBLEM DATES BACK TO 8-9 MONTHS AGO. I BOUGHT MY 4RUNNER IN NOV.2002, BRAND NEW. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE THIS SULFER/AMMONIA SMELL, EVERY DAY, EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE OR GO UP A HILL. I HAVE BROUGHT IN THE CAR 4-5 TIMES TO VARIOUS DEALERS, EVERYONE SAID THERES NOTHING WRONG, FINALLY TOYOTA ESCONDIDO SMELLED THE SMELL AND INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT THERES NOTHING THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT HAD TO SPEND ANY $ YET, BUT THE SMELL IS ENOUGH TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY. I AM SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA IS TAKING THAT APPROACH. I PAY WAY TOO MUCH FOR MY 4 RUNNER TO BE SO UNHAPPY!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

MY NEW FORERUNNER HAS 60000 KM(LOTS OF HIGHWAY DRIVING) ON IT AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED BY SO MANY OTHERS. I USUALLY HAVE A FRIEND OF MINE DO THE OIL CHANGES AND THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THE DETAILS. THIS INITIAL PROBLEM AROSE ON A WEEKEND. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN FOR A WEEK. THEY TOLD ME TO GET THE ENGINE FLUSHED IMMEDIATELY AT A JIFFY LUBE(OR THE LIKE). I DID SO AND THAT IS WHEN I STARTED SEEING SMOKE AND HAVING THE ENGINE EITHER JERK OR NOT RESPOND AT ALL. WHEN THE DEALER FINALLY HAD A LOOK AT IT HE TOLD ME I HAD NEGLECTED THE ENGINE AND HE WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER UNTIL I AGREED TO PAY (NO PRICE OFFERED AS OF YET, ALTHOUGH HE DID SAY THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE AT LEAST A PISTON RING JOB, POSSIBLY AN ENGINE). HE ALSO ACCUSED ME OF PUTTING IN A NEW OIL FILTER TO HIDE A PROBLEM. YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW USELESS AND PATHETIC THAT MADE ME FEEL. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A '99 FORERUNNER(PURCHASED NEW AS WELL) AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL. I LIKED IT SO MUCH I CONVINCED BOTH MY SISTER AND PARENTS TO PURCHASE TOYOTA'S! I SUPPOSE MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE SEEN ANY ISSUES REGARDING THIS MODELS ENGINE. I HAVE SEEN NOTES DOCUMENTING THE 2002 FORERUNNER 2.2(4 CYLINDER), 3.0 AND 3.6 LITRE V6, BUT NOT THE 3.4 LITRE(WHICH IS WHAT I BELIEVE MINE TO BE). AT THIS POINT IN TIME TOYOTA HAS NOT CALLED BACK TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DO AND FOR HOW MUCH, BUT HAVE SUGGESTED IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER W

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2002. IT EMITS A HORRIBLE ROTTEN EGG/SULPHUR SMELL INTO THE CABIN, WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. HAS GIVEN MY PASSENGERS HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. TRIED THE RECOMMENDED GAS UPGRADES, NOTHING WORKS. THIS IS A DEFECT. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE.*AK

VIBRATION IN DRIVETRAIN OF 2003 4RUNNER (AWD-V8). I DO NOT SEE MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT LISTED IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS,SUBMITTED OCTOBER 2003. I AM WRITING TO LET ALL CONSUMERS KNOW THAT TOYOTA USA WAS FORCED TO BUY BACK MY 4RUNNER ON NOV 4TH 2003 THRU THE NEW VEHICLE LEMON LAW IN FLORIDA,(DUE TO THIS DRIVETRIAN VIBRATION).*AK

THERE IS A WHINING NOISE COMMING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT NOTICEABLE MOSTLY AT 80 MPH AND HIOGHER. TOYOTA AKNOWLEDGED, BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR.*AK ALSO DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AND COMES OUT OF PLACE DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING. AGAIN TOYOTA IS AWARE, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT.

I BOUGHT A 2003 4-RUUNER SPORT EDITION WITHTHE V-8 IN AUGUST, 2003. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE 4-RUNNER, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY 4-RUNNER AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN HAD THE SERVICE WRITER RIDE WITH ME TO PROVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I AM AFRAID THE EXHAUST GASES GETTING INTO THE CAR COULD CREATE MEDICAL PROBLEMS. I ALSO WONDER IF MY 4-RUNNER WILL PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS AND I WILL BE TOLD TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE I CAN GET A NEW STICKER TO DRIVE. ALL INDICATIONS IS THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DECIDED TO PRETEND IT DOES NOT EXIST. *AK

THE SULPHER SMELL/CARBON MONOXIDE THAT COMES INTO THE CAB OF MY '03 4RUNNER V8, IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS MY 4TH TOYOTA IN THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISSAPOINTED WITH MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS TO ALL SAY TO ME THAT IT'S A GAS GRADE ISSUE. I'M TIRED OF TOYOTA NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND HELPING LOYAL CUSTOMERS OUT WITH ANNOYING ISSUES. AT THE VERY LEAST, OFFER AN ALTENATIVE SYSTEM.

CAR EMITS A SULFUR TYPE SMELL, WHETHER VENTALATION SYSTEM IS ON OR NOT, AND WHETHER WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. SMELL IS NOXIOUS AND MAKES ME FEEL ILL. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 MONTHS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

DRIVER SEAT WAS TOO LOOSE AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*MR

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED - LARGE AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE EXPERIENCED REGARDLESS OF ADJUSTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, INCLUDING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING AND RECIRCULATION ON. EXHAUST FUMES APPEAR TO BE FROM THE 4RUNNER. ALL OCCUPANTS BECOME NAUSEOUS AND EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT EYE IRRITATION. I HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MY FAMILY, SHORT AND LONG TERM. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH TWO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND APPEAR TO BE AVOIDING THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. THEY TRY TO REDIRECT THE ISSUE TO THE SULFUR SMELL THAT THE VEHICLE EMITS. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL, BUT I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. *LA

THIS VEHICLE FILLS THE CABIN CONSTANTLY WITH A "SULFUR" OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I HAVE CHANGED GAS BRANDS MULTIPLE TIMES. *LA

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8/AWD W/ UNDER 5,000 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS A VIBRATION AND LOW FREQUENCY "ROARING" NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FROM AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL. SOUND CEASES WHEN COASTING. NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS NOTICED WITHIN FIRST 500 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THOUGHT TO BE TIRES WHICH WERE ROTATED AND DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALER ANALYZED AND STATED THIS IS A NORMAL WORKING NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH HAS ALUMINUM PARTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. CONCERN THERE IS A DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICED WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. OBJECTS IN THE ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A COLLISION. *AK THE VIEW WAS "SEVERELY RESTRICTED" IN THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. WHEN IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE OBJECTS AT THE END OF THE MEDIAN. *SCC *JB

THE REAR SEAT BACK REST ON PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. IF THE BACK REST IS FOLDED DOWN THE NOISE GOES AWAY. IT SEEMS TO BE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT.*AK

THE BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. *AK

AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH MONTHS OF ILLNESS CAUSED BY A NOXIOUS SMELL, WE HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OUR V8 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMITS OXIDES OF SULFUR (SO2, HS2, ETC.) ON THE MATTER OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ALONE, WE FOUND THAT ACCORDING TO THE EPA, SO2 CONTRIBUTES TO RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, PARTICULARLY IN CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, AND AGGRAVATES EXISTING HEART AND LUNG DISEASES. PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA ARE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY PEAK LEVELS OF SO2. AS I AM PREGNANT, HAVE ASTHMA, AND USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY 4-YEAR-OLD ON A DAILY BASIS, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED BY GRESHAM TOYOTA'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS HEALTH SITUATION. *LA

I AM EXPERIENCING A REPEATED CHEMICAL SULFUR ODOR IN MY VEHICLE CABIN ON EVEN MODERATE ACCELERATION. THE SMELL IS SIMPLY OVERWHELMING. THE WINDOWS ARE UP, THE SUNROOF IS CLOSED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SET TO RECIRCULATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHER POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS A GASOLINE ISSUE, BUT I HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM MIAMI TO SEATTLE, AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT CARE ABOUT THE EXHAUST SMELL IF IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP, WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED, AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON RECIRCULATE, IT SCARES ME THAT SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONLY THE SULFUR SMELL ON MODERATE ACCELERATION IS CLUE TO A LARGER PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT SOMETHING IS VERY, VERY WRONG WITH THIS TOYOTA PRODUCT. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA BEGIN INVESTIGATING THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES INSIDE THEIR TOYOTA 4RUNNER. *LA

STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH OR WITHOUT THE WINDOWS BEING CLOSED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED IF THE FUMES COULD CAUSE ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS AND WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SULFUR SMELL THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

2003 4 RUNNER V6 HAS LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE CONMPARTMENT. I RAN IT BY THE DEALERSHIP 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE TOO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. APPROXIMATLY 2 MONTHS LATER REAR SEAT WAS SQUEAKING. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER HAD THEM FIX THE SEAT AND DIAGNOSE THE NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AGAIN. THEY FIXED THE SEAT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE INJECTORS MAKING THE NOISE. I TOLD THE SEVICE MANAGER THAT I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE QUALITY. THE 2002 4 RUNNER IS VERY QUIET. I AM PLANNING A RETURN TRIP TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIND ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEM.*AK

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SPORTS EDITION 2003 4 RUNNER IN JULY OF 2003. THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA I WAS TOLD THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY THE GAS I USE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND TOYOTA JUST WASHES THEIR HANDS OF IT. I WAS GIVEN A PAPER WHICH PURPORTS TO BE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. IT STATES: FEB 24 2003 - SOME OWNERS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SULFUR LIKE OR ROTTEN EGG ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. SULFUR IS A NATURAL COMPONENT OF CRUDE OIL FROM WHICH GASOLINE IS REFINED AND THE AMOUNT OF SULFUR CAN BE DECREASED THROUGH THE REFINING PROCESS. THE AMOUNT OF SULFUR IN FUEL SOLD IN CALIFORNIA IS REGULATED; HOWEVER, GASOLINE SOLD IN OTHER STATES CAN HAVE A HIGHER SULFUR CONTENT. SULFUR CONTENT ALSO VARIES CONSIDERABLY BETWEEN GASOLINE BRANDS AND LOCATIONS. APPLICABLE VEHICLES ALL MODELS REPAIR PROCEDURE : A SULFUR ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLES TAILPIPE DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES RUNNING CONDITION BUT IS MOST LIKELY DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FUEL. IF VEHICLES IS EXHIBITING AN EXCESSIVE SULFUR ODOR THE FOLLOWING CHECKS SHOULD BE PERFORMED IF THE MIL LIGHT IS ON CHECK FOR DTC'S AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY INFORMATION TROUBLE IS FOUND AFTER PERFORMING THE ABOVE CHECK RECOMMEND THE CUSTOMER TRY A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF FUEL. REPLACEMENT OF OXYGEN SENSORS, AIR/FUEL RATIO SENSORS OR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WILL NOT REDUCE THE ODOR AND THEREFORE NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR WARRAN

EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS PRODUCING A GASTRIC SMELL WHICH IS UNBEARABLE. ALSO, CAUSES THE DRIVER TO GET SICK WHILE DRIVING.*AK

BRAKES FAILED AT 10000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT V8, WHICH HAS A MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR THE SEAT BASE FORE-TO-AFT POSITION, HAS TOO MUCH PLAY WHEN LOCKED INTO POSITION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE MOVEMENT, OR PLAY, WILL OVER TIME COMPROMISE THE LOCKED POSITION OF THE SEAT BASE. PREVIOUS OWNED CARS LIKE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND 1996 TOYOTA RAV4, WHICH BOTH HAD MANUAL SEAT BASE ADJUSTMENTS, DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE ALL >= 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS WITH MANUAL SEAT BASE ADJUSTMENTS HAVE THIS ISSUE - A LOCAL DEALER SHOWED ME 2 4RUNNERS ON THE LOT WHICH ALSO HAD THE SEAT BASE MOVEMENT WHEN LOCKED, AND DECLARED THIS ISSUE "NORMAL". I BELIEVE MANY OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=676. *AK

2003 V8 4 RUNNER EMITS ROTTEN EGG SMELL, PRIMARILY DURING QUICK ACCELERATION. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TO USE HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. HAVE TRIED HIGHER GRADES OF GAS IN THE PAST AND THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HELP. TOYOTA DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A VEHICLE PROBLEM. *LA

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. WHENEVER WE HAVE THE REAR WINDOW DOWN, THERE IS A TERRIBLE ODOR THAT PERMEATES THE AUTOMOBILE. IT MAKES ME NAUSEA AND GIVES ME TERRIBLE HEADACHES. THE DEALER SAID WE SHOULD OPEN ONE OF THE SIDE WINDOWS. I PUT A DATE, BECAUSE THE SITE WOULD NOT ACCEPT THIS UNLESS I DID. *LA

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A STRONG SULFUR ODOR IN MY NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THIS SMELL HAS NOT GONE AWAY, AND IN FACT HAS GOTTEN EVEN WORSE. I USE THE VEHICLE FOR TOWING PURPOSES ALSO AND THE SMELL IS UNBEARABLE WHEN TOWING SOMETHING. I HAVE RETUNRED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE IS NOTHING HAT CAN BE DONE. THE DEALER KEEPS TRYING TO ADVISE THAT IT THE FULE CHOICE THAT I MAKE, THIS CANNOT BE TRUE SINCE I TRAVEL WITHIN THREE STATES AND RARELY FULE AT THE SAME SIGHTS, AND UTILIZE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT BRANDS ALSO, AND SINCE THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE NATIONWIDE HOW CAN THE DEALER INSIST THAT IT IS THE FUEL? I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT I DO NOT WANT THIS NEW VEHICLE, ITS A GREAT VEHICLE TOHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN YOU CANNOT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SMELL, HEADACHES, AND WHEN CLEINTS GET IN ...ITS DOWN RIGHT EMBARRASSSING !*AK

I PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FROM TOYOTA WORLD LAKEWOOD N J ON 9/25/03 WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK HOME I NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON 10/17/03 THEY TOOK THE TRUCK FOR A TEST DRIVE WHEN HE CAME BACK HE SAID I NEED NEW ROTOR DISC THAT THEY WERE WARP. *LA

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 1 1/2 MONTHS AGO AND CURRENTLY HAVE 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN I HAVE THE REAR WINDOW DOWN I SMELL A STRONG ODOR. THE ODOR HAS AN ACID AMMONIA LIKE SMELL. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG AT TIMES THAT IT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY. AT TIMES, THE ODOR ALSO ENTERS MY VEHICLE WHEN MY WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP. THE STENCH IS SO STRONG THAT PASSENGERS IN MY CAR HAVE NOTICED IT (WINDOWS ROLLED UP). DUE TO THE ABOVE I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY HEALTH. I HAVE BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP (SERVICE AND THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR). SERVICE CHECKED THE CAR AND BOTH SERVICE AND THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE GAS I AM USING. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO USE SUNOCO GAS (OR A PREMIUM GAS COMPANY, BUT RECOMMEND SUNOCO) AND THAT I NEED TO USE AN OCTANE ABOVE 90. I AM ON MY 4TH TANK OF SUNOCO 93 OCTANE GAS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES!! I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE NJ STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE. MY CAR HAS TESTED HIGH FOR CARBON MONOXIDE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN AND CLOSED AND WITH MY CIRCULATION VENT ON. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE REPORT FROM DMV. THIS SITUATION IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE ON ANY CAR ESPECIALLY THIS $40,000 CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING AND THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN END IN SIGHT! TOYOTA HAS A WONDERFUL REPUTATION BUT IN THIS SITUATION IT IS QUITE CLEAR THEY ARE HIDING BEHIND GAS COMPANIES. WHAT CAN I DO T

WHILE DRIVING MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION WITH ALL WINDOWS UP AND INTERNAL AIR CIRCULATION THERE IS A STRONG ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR TYPE SMELL??? THIS IS ON A 2003 LIMITED 4-RUNNER BOUGHT NEW IN MARYLAND;DARCARS;THIS IS VERY IRRITATING AND MAKES MY KIDS 10YRS AND 11 YRS. OLD SICK. VERY CONFUSED WHAT IS CAUSING THIS??????? PLEASE HELP..*JB

AFTER REACHING 55 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON 8-23-03. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH THE "VSC TRACK" WARNING LIGHT ON. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, I INQUIRED ABOUT THE LIGHT AND WAS TOLD BY THE SALESMAN THAT IS WAS PART OF THE TRACITON CONTROL SYSTEM. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE LIGHT BEING ON WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAD 25 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL, I FOUND THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON AND THAT IT WAS AN INDICATOR OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE VSC SYSTEM. THE VSC SYSTEM IS A SKID CONTROL SYSTEM THAT MONITORS THE VEHICLE AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MODIFIES THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE BY CONTROLING THE THROTTLE OR BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT SKID, OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT, AND 3 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED BY THE DEALER, NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. SO FAR THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ECM, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AND A DISC WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR "READS" TO DETERMINE THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I AM ABOUT TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR A FOURTH ATTEMPT AT REPAIR.

I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN NOVEMBER 2002. THIS VEHICLE OMITS A SULFUR SMELL THAT IS EASILY DETECTABLE AND HORRIBLE TO HAVE TO SMELL WHEN DRIVEN. IT PLAIN STINKS. IT STINKS WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. IT STINKS WORSE WITH THE SIDE WINDOWS OR SUNROOF OPEN. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE 2003 4RUNNER TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND EMAILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL TO TOYOTA USA TO ADDRESS THE FACT EMISSIONS WERE ENTERING THE CABIN. I EVEN MET WITH A REGIONAL TECH FROM TOYOTA USA ON TWO OCCASIONS. EACH TIME TOYOTA FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE 2003 4RUNNER. THE SULFUR SMELL BEING OMITTED INTO THE CABIN IS AWFUL TO BREATH FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ANYONE ELSE TRAVELING WITH ME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HEALTH HAZARD THE SULFUR SMELL POSES OR WHAT OTHER EMISSIONS MUST BE ENTERING THE CABIN. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND RECENTLY I LEARNED THE ISSUE OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABINS OF OTHER THE 2003 4RUNNER IS BEING WIDELY REPORTED BY OTHER 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DESIGN DEFECT WITH ME, OR ADDRESS THE HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN WITH ME. THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO EFFECTIVELY CORRECT THE FACT THAT EMISSIONS ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA HAS BEEN FIRM IN THEIR POSITION THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING CORRECTLY, THEY A

DEAR NHTSA, I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN NOVEMBER 2002. THIS VEHICLE OMITS A SULFUR SMELL THAT IS EASILY DETECTABLE AND HORRIBLE TO HAVE TO SMELL WHEN DRIVEN. IT PLAIN STINKS. IT STINKS WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. IT STINKS WORSE WITH THE SIDE WINDOWS OR SUNROOF OPEN. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE 2003 4RUNNER TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND EMAILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL TO TOYOTA USA TO ADDRESS THE FACT EMISSIONS WERE ENTERING THE CABIN. I EVEN MET WITH A REGIONAL TECH FROM TOYOTA USA ON TWO OCCASIONS. EACH TIME TOYOTA FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE 2003 4RUNNER. THE SULFUR SMELL BEING OMITTED INTO THE CABIN IS AWFUL TO BREATH FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ANYONE ELSE TRAVELING WITH ME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HEALTH HAZARD THE SULFUR SMELL POSES OR WHAT OTHER EMISSIONS MUST BE ENTERING THE CABIN. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND RECENTLY I LEARNED THE ISSUE OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABINS OF OTHER THE 2003 4RUNNER IS BEING WIDELY REPORTED BY OTHER 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DESIGN DEFECT WITH ME, OR ADDRESS THE HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE OF EMISSIONS ENTERING THE CABIN WITH ME. THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO EFFECTIVELY CORRECT THE FACT THAT EMISSIONS ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA HAS BEEN FIRM IN THEIR POSITION THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING CORRE

2003 4RUNNER SE V8: DURING ACCLERATION, I HAVE EXHAUST GASES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT THE V8 IS MOSTLY AFFECTED DUE TO THE LARGER DISPLACEMENT ENGINE. ALSO, PER TOYOTA, THE EXHASUT GASES ARE ENTERING FROM A VENT LOCATED ON THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, TOYOTA INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE FUEL. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO ARBITRATION AND WAS DENIED, EVEN THOUGHT TOYOTA FREELY ADMITS TO THE PROBLEM. BASED ON THE OUTCOME, I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA TO STATE THAT THIS IS A SAFE CONDITION AND WAS ALSO DENIED.

WE HAVE OWNED THE '03 4-RUNNER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCED A "ROTTEN EGG, SULFUR / AMMONIA TYPE SMELL THAT HAS YET TO SUBSIDE. WE HAVE TRIED USING EXXON, SUNOCO, AND SHELL 89-93 OCTANE AND THE SMELL STILL PERSISTS. IT IS MORE APPARENT WITH THE REAR WINDOW DOWN, BUT DEFINITELY EXISTS WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. THE SMELL IS CHOKING AND CAUSES GREAT DIFFICULTY TO BREATH. IT SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY MODERATE ACCELERATION. *PH

WE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN MARCH 2003 OF THIS YEAR FROM POWER TOYOTA CERRITOS. FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING TO THE CURRENT DATE, THE EXHAUST EMITS A SULFUR ODOR DURING REGULAR AS WELL AS HARD ACCELERATION. THE ODOR IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN. CURRENTLY WE HAVE OVER 5,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE CONFRONTED THE TUSTIN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE EVERYTIME THAT IT IS NORMAL AND DUE TO THE GASOLINE OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO "BURN IN". SINCE CA HAS THE STRICTEST EMISSION LAWS, I'M SURE THE GAS IS THE LEAST OF OUR WORRIES. I READ ON ALLDATA.COM THAT THERE IS A TSB (EG003-03) FOR A SULFUR SMELL, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SPECIFIC DATA ON IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON SITES LIKE EDMUNDS.COM, HTTP://WWW.4X4REVIEW.COM/DISCUSSIONS/TOYOTA/DEFAULT. ASP, AND OTHER COUNTLESS SITES. DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO DENY THE PROBLEM EXIST. ALTHOUGH IT CURRENTLY IS NOT A SAFETY RISK, WHY WAIT TO FIND OUT? MY WIFE AND I ENJOY EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE VEHICLE, BUT THIS NUISANCE IS BEGINNING TO OVERSHADOW OUR VIEW OF TOYOTA'S QUALITY. *JB

POWER SUN ROOF LEAKS. *JB

EXHAUST ENTERING PASSENGER CABIN WHETHER WINDOWS ARE CLOSED OR NOT. SUSTAINED, OVERPOWERING SULFUR ODOR WHEN THIS OCCURS. *PH

ROTTEN-EGG LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. TOLD BY MY DEALERSHIP TO TRY DIFFERENT GAS BECAUSE OF SULFATE CONTENT IN THE GAS CURRENTLY USING IS TOO HIGH. I HAVE BEEN TO 4 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS, IT IS STARTING TO GET A LITTLE RIDICULOUS.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE HAD A STRONG SULFUR SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS SMELL IS EXTREMELY IRRITATING AND THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. TOYOTA REPS SAY ITS THE GAS, BUT MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS NEVER DONE THIS, EVEN THOUGH THE SAME GAS IS PURCHASED FROM THE SAME SOURCE. JUDGING BY ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I'VE READ TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM THAT IS EITHER BEING MIS-IDENTIFIED, OR IGNORED. ONE TOYOTA SERVICE MAN INFORMED ME THAT THE 2003 4RUNNER HAS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SEEMS LOGICAL TO LOOK INTO THAT AREA FIRST.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF CHEMICAL FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAD INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT IT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CENTER HAD FADED. *SCC *JB

HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH NOW. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST WEEK WITH NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL FROM APPROX. 45 MPH AND ABOVE. DEALER BALANCED WHEELS. RETURNED AGAIN ANOTHER WEEK LATER WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER AGAIN ATTEMPED TO BALANCE TIRES AND ANALYZED RIMS, SPEED BALANCE, ETC. AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE TIRES. AFTER THE SONG AND DANCE ABOUT THE DEALER BEING UNABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITHOUT A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS, I WAS DIRECTED TO THE LOCAL BRIDGESTONE DEALER FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. HAD TIRES REPLACED THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY. SAME SYMPTOMS RE-OCCURRED AFTER A FEW DAYS. BACK TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME THIS PAST FRIDAY. RE-BALANCED THE NEW TIRES AGAIN, SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT AFTERWORDS AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. LEFT THAT AFTERNOON ON A TRIP, AND THE SYMPTOMS RE-OCCURED AGAIN. HAVE HAD ENOUGH ! I AM FILING A LEMON LAW NOTICE TO TOYOTA THIS WEEK WITH ONE LAST CHANCE TO REPAIR. IF UNSUCCESFUL, WILL BE FILING FOR ARBITRATION TO RECEIVE A REFUND.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT KEEPS SLIPPING WHEN INCREASING/DECREASING/STOPPING. IT IS A MANUAL SEAT AND DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS. IT IS A NOTICABLE SHIFT IN SEAT POSITION. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL "MANUAL" SEAT REATION. I FIND THIS DIFFICULT TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH AS I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS SITUATION WITH OTHER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL SEATS. PLEASE NOTIFY ME VIA EMAIL YOUR FINDINGS. THANKS BARBARA CHRISTIAN. *AK

EXHAUST ODORS ENTER CABIN UNDER MIDDLE, HEAVY ACCELERATION, EVEN WITH WINDOWS CLOSED. STRONG CHOKING HYDROGEN SULFIDE, ROTTEN EGG SMELL, LINGERS IN THE CABIN FOR A MINUTE OR MORE EACH TIME. EXHAUST MAKES MECHANICAL VALVE TRAIN NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE PINGING OR STICKING HYDRAULIC LIFTERS ON MODERATE ACCELERATION. *AK

FOUL FUMES ENTER CABIN UPON ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURS WITH HIGH OCTANE GAS OR WITHOUT HIGH OCTANE GAS. ONLY USE 93 OCTANE, BUT DUE TO SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS TRIED LOWER OCTANE AND STRONG ODOR CONTINUED. THESE FUMES ENTER CABIN WITH ALL WINDOWS CLOSED, AIR VENTILATION ON RECIRCULATION AND WITH AIR CONDITIONG/HEAT OFF. MAKES BREATHING VERY DIFFICULT AND BECOME LIGHT HEADED OR HEADACHE. THIS IS NOT JUST A "SMELL" BUT LITERAL GAGGING FUMES.

LUMBAR SUPPORT IN DRIVER SEAT "POP" AND ADJUST BY ITSELF FROM SELECTED LUMBAR POSITION. OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED. DEALER STATES "PLASTIC CLIPS" THAT HOLD THE S SHAPED SPRING SECURE ARE FAULTY.