2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints

MOONROOF MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN BEING CLOSED. OUTSIDE SEAL OF MOONROOF GLASS IS BUBBLED UP, NOT SEALED/INSTALLED CORRECTLY

TERRIBLE SULFUR SMELL ON ACCELERATION OF 2003 4RUNNER 6 CYLINDER SPORT. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW IS DOWN. COMPLAINED TO DEALER TWICE. TOLD IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING TWICE. TRIED NUMEROUS DIFFERENT BRANDS OF GAS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF THIS. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR ANOTHER EXHAUST COMPONENT. WONDERING IF THE EXHAUST SMELL COULD CONTAIN CARBON MONOXIDE! *NLM

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS EVEN WITH WINDOWS UP AND AIR CONDITIONING ON, VERY UNPLEASANT.*AK

SUSPENSION IS ROUGH WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR GREATER, CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BECOME NAUSEATED BY THE MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

PROBLEM: STEERING WHELL VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 60MPH AND UP. PURCHASED ON 8/2/03. RETURNED TO THE DELAER ON 8/12/03 TO HAVE ALL TIRES BALANCED AND A FULL ALIGNMENT; PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK RETURNED TO DEALER ON 8/14/03 TO HAVE THE TIRES SPEED MATCHED TO THE RIMS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY 4RUNNER I WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT AND THAT I SHOULD UPGRADE MY TIRES FROM DUNLOP GRANDTREK AT20 265/65/17 TO MICHELIN CROSS TERAIN TIRES. THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY TWO TIRES AND I WOULD BUY THE REMAINIG THREE (INCLUDING SPARE) AT $199.95 EACH WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE MICHELINS WOULD SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. LEFT MY 4RUNNER AND ASKED THE DEALER TO CONTACT THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE FOR ASSIATNCE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA OFFERED TO BUY ANOTHER TIRE. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THEY AND TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AT NO COST. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER THAT THEY ORDERED THE DUNLOPS INSTEAD OF THE MICHELNS THAT ARE AVAIABLE FROM THE FACTORY AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. CR MANAGER CHECKED WITH THE DEALERS GENERAL MANGER WHO OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSIATANCE. NOW SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH 456 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NEXT STEP  LEMON LAW SUIT AS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER THAT THEY HAVE HAD OTHER 2003 4RUNNER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

THE BACK LUMBAR OF THE DRIVERS SEAT RATTLES AND IT MOVES WHEN I ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. *AK

WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE MAKES AN ODD NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK. I ALSO INTERMITTENTLY HAVE THE "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT EXAMINED AND AFTER THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 1.6 MILES, HE TOLD ME "THEY ALL SOUND LIKE THAT." IT SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT A VEHICLE DESIGNED TO BE SO QUIET WOULD MAKE SUCH AN ALARMING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING. I ALSO FIND IT ODD THAT, IF THERE WERE NO EXHAUST LEAK, WITH ALL THE WINDOWS CLOSED, THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL OF EXHAUST IS STILL ABLE TO SEEP INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS STATING CUSTOMERS SHOULD USE A "BETTER QUALITY" OF FUEL. I HAVE ONLY USED HESS AND MOBIL 93 OCTANE IN THE 3 WEEKS THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I ASSUME THIS IS A GOOD QUALITY GASOLINE, BUT IF TOYOTA FEELS THERE IS A BETTER QUALITY GASOLINE WHICH WILL MAKE RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, I WILL BE HAPPY TO USE SPECIFICALLY THE BRAND THEY RECOMMEND.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE GAS FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH. AUTO DOOR DOWN & UP WILL NOT WORK. NOTICED PROBLEMS AFTER PURCHASED (4 MILES ON VEHICLE) DEALER BALANCED TIRES AND STILL HAD VIBRATION. WILL REPLACE TIRES TO SEE IF THIS FIXES PROBLEM. REPLACE WINDOW MOTOR. *PH

STRONG ROTTEN ODOR/SULFUR SMELL FROM VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING REGARDLESS IF WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IS COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T' HAVE . FIX.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED STRONG CHEMICAL GAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST TAIL AND ABSORB BY THE REAR WINDOW GATE. DEALER STATED WELL DON'T OPEN THAT WINDOW. *AK

P265-65R17, DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN AN 03 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NO ROAD HAZARD WAS ENCOUNTERED. NO LOUD EXPLOSION. TIRE JUST SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. TIRE SEPARATED 360 DEGREES AROUND FRONT OF RIM. TIRE IS COMPLETELY INTACT ON BACK SIDE OF RIM. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE AND REFERRED ME TO DUNLOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REST OF THE TIRES, TO INCLUDE THE SPARE, NOW MOUNTED, ARE SAFE FOR DRIVING.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V146000. CALLED THE DEALER TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. DEALER STATED WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT PART YET AND WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT RECALL.*AK

WHEN ENGINE IS COLD THE BELTS MAKE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE UNTIL THE CAR WARMS, THEN THE CAR MAKE A TICKING SOUND. TRUCK IS A V6 MODEL AND HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS REPAIR 4 TIMES, DEALER SAYS TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT HAVE THE PROPER SOLUTION YET, THEY SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BELTS AND TENSIONER SET UP. UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA. *NLM

ENGINE MAKES A TICK, TICK, TICK NOISE WHILE RUNNING. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING KNOCKING INTERNALLY IN THE ENGINE OR AN EXHAUST LEAK. DEALERS REPAIR SHOP SAYS ITS NORMAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM. I SUSPECT A FUTURE PROBLEM OR FAILURE OF A COMPONENT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THA VEHICLE HAS A GATED SHIFTER, AND IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO LOCKING FEATURE ON THE SHIFTER. *AK

WE BOUGHT A NEW 4RUNNER IN MAY 2003 AND WE NOTICED A ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL. AT FIRST I BRUSHED IT OFF THINKING IT WAS THE OUTDOORS, HOWEVER THE SMELL IS STILL PRESENT. *NLM

2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER V6 SR5 GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL (TICK, TICK, TICK) ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOOSE PART IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS NOISE IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE 4-RUNNER, DRIVEN BY MY WIFE, ACCELERATES BY ME OR WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN NEXT TO A WALL. IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE AN EXHAUST LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *NLM

TICKING NOISES ON ACCELERATION. ENGINE USES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE AND ALWAYS SOUNDS AS IF IT IS OVER ACCELERATING. SMELLS OF BURNING RUBBER OFTEN. A BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 3 RD TIME. NO HEAT OR FAN ON ONE OCCASION. SQUEALING FAN BELT ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE THIRD TIME LOST ALL WATER AND COOLANT AND HAD TO BE TOWED. STRONG BURNING SMELL AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER 2 WEEKS THIS TIME AND THEY CLAIM THEY ARE REPLACING PULLEYS. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE A 60 MILE COMMUTE. *NLM

THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A RECALL # 03V146000 REPAIRS CONCERNING FUEL PULSATION DAMPER. CONSUMER WENT FOR THE APPOINTMENT ON MAY 27,2003 AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. AS OF TODAY THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

HEADLINER RATTLES NEAR THE DOME LIGHT. *NLM

REAR WINDOW IS OPEN AND EXHAUST SMOKE FUMES WILL COME INSIDE OF WINDOW WHILE TRAVELING. *AK

ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM EXHAUST WHEN HATCH BACK WINDOW DOWN FOR INTERIOR AIR CIRCULATION. BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS LENGTH AND POSITIONING OF EXHAUST PIPE. *JB

THE EXHAUST SMELL FROM THE TRUCK HAS A HORRIFIC AND SICKENING SMELL. I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT HAS MADE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH AT TIMES AND MY WIFE AND KIDS CAN NOT STAND THE CONTINUOUS SMELL EITHER. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS AND WOULD LIKE A REFUND OF MY PURCHASE PRICE. TOYOTA SENT OUT A TSB REGARDING THE SMELL SAYING IT WAS THE GASOLINE (POOR) THAT PEOPLE USE. WRONG! I USE AMOCO AND TEXACO ONLY. *AK

THERE IS A STRONG SULFUR SMELL INSIDE OUR 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT EDITION WHEN WE DRIVE. IT IS HARD TO BREATHE AT TIMES. OUR CONCERN IS THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO OUR HEALTH. ARE WE ALSO GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE? TOYOTA DEALER TOLD US THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO TRY DIFFERENT GASOLINE. WE HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE SAME GAS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO SMELL. WE ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. SUGGESTIONS? TOYOTA GAVE US A COPY OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DATED 2/24/03 ON SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST. OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS AND ARE DOING NOTHING. *TT

2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER V6 LIMITED GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL (TICK, TICK, TICK) ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOOSE PART IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS NOISE IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE 4-RUNNER, DRIVEN BY MY WIFE, ACCELERATES BY ME OR WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN NEXT TO A WALL. WILL THIS NOISE AFFECT ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SHORTEN ENGINE LIFE? VERY CONCERNED CUSTOMER. *JB

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES (ROTTEN EGG SMELL) MAINLY WHEN IN MOTION WITH THE BACK WINDOW DOWN. *JB

AFTER A VERY FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE WITH A GMC SUV WE BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA SR5 4RUNNER. UP TO THIS POINT WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH IT. HOWEVER, AN AMMONIA/SULFUR ODOR HAS BEEN NOTED INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSES EXTREME IRRITATION AND A BURNING FEELING IN THE THROAT AND LUNGS OF ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY ALL IMMEDIATELY COMPLAIN. WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS. WE CHECKED THIS SITE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT....THEY HAVE. WE TALKED WITH OUR DEALER ABOUT IT AND WERE TOLD IT WAS THE NATURE OF THE FUMES GIVEN OFF FROM THE FUEL. WE BELIEVE A WIND DEFLECTOR/REAR SPOILER MAY HELP THIS PROBLEM BUT ALSO LEARNED FROM OUR DEALER THAT ONE IS NOT MADE (YET) FOR THIS MODEL 4RUNNER. THIS PHYSICAL IRRITATION AND BURNING FELT WHILE DRIVING IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE HOPE MORE COMPLAINTS FILED WILL CAUSE ENOUGH CONCERN TO GET SOMETHING DONE. EITHER WITH THE FUEL OR A PRODUCT TO ELIMINATE THESE ODORS FROM ENTERING THE CABIN. *NLM

I OCCASIONALLY HAVE SULFUR SMELLING FUMES FROM THE EXHAUST IN THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE CLOSED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO SWITCH BRANDS OF GASOLINE. I AM LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SMELL THAN THE IDEA THAT EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CAR WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. *NLM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED,V8 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR.SHE HAD IT IN 4D GEAR FOR NORMAL DRIVING.SHE PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN 4D GEAR AGAIN AND IT POPPED OUT A SECOND TIME.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED. SHE PULLED OVER AGAIN AND TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION WITHOUT THE GEAR POPPING OUT.SHE CALLED OUR SON TO PICK UP THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE.THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO HAPPEN WHILE THEY WERE TESTING THE CAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY COULDN'T REPEAT THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. THIS SITUATION COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE,WHO DO WE CONTACT? MY WIFE'S WORK NUMBER IS 412-875-1481

THE VEHICLE WAS DISTRIBUTING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE GAS FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE . THE GAS WAS COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND MAKING THE OCCUPANTS SICK. *NLM

ENGINE BELT SQUEAKS. HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND ADJUSTED ANOTHER TIME. SQUEAK RETURNED FOR THIRD TIME WITH UNDER 2000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *NLM

EXHAUST FUMES APPARENTLY ENTERING CABIN OF VEHICLE. SMELL OF SULFUR VERY STRONG EVEN WHEN ALL WINDOWS ARE UP. *JB

THE CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. *JB

EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN WHILE DRIVING. *JB

MY 2003 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. MY OBSERVATIONS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER AND AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE, AND POSSIBLY THE LONGEVITY OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED BUT A SOLUTION IS YET TO BE DETERMINED SINCE THE V6 4.0 IS A NEW ENGINE. CURRENTLY, I WAIT FOR A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FROM THE FACTORY TO EXAMINE THE ENGINE. MEANWHILE, I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID THAT I AM DOING MORE HARM TO IT'S LIFE EXPECTANCY. WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS SINCE I FEEL THAT I AM BEING GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. I HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL TOYOTA CUSTOMER AS THIS IS MY 3RD 4RUNNER, AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MANY THANKS. *NLM

FRONT SECTION OF SEAT UNDER LEGS HAS COME LOOSE. *NLM

TOXIC SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN CABIN OF AUTOMOBILE

REAR CENTER SEAT BELT CROSSES OVER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WHEN ALL BELTS ARE BUCKLED. THIS MAKES BUCKLING LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN CENTER BELT IS BUCKLED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILD SEAT IS INSTALLED. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR AN INOPERATIVE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.*JB

NO HEAT.4-RUNNER WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES BECAUSE BLOWER NOT WORKING, AND DEALER IS NOW SAYING THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO FIX.THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM CORPORATE OFFICE ON HOW TO REPAIR.WE ARE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE OF THIS IN OTHER 4-RUNNERS.THEY SAY MOISTURE IS GETTING INTO BLOWER AND IN COLD WEATHER IT FREEZES CAUSING IT NOT TO WORK. SO WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE HOW THEY WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM.*JB

THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. PH WHILE DRIVING FROM 0-45 MPH, THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE FOURTH GEAR, AND HAD SHIFTED TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER ACCIDENT'S PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MOST VEHICLE'S HAVE A SHIFT LOCK BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOTION. SCC

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CENTER CAP CAME OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER.*TS CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE SECOND WHEEL CAP. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NO WARNING THEY CAN SMELL STRONG WIRE FUMES THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE. SUN-ROOF ELECTRONIC JACKET BURNED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS