2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints

TOOK MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN FOR SERVICE AND TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE SERVICE GUYS SAY THEY CANNOT INSPECT MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT HAS A HOLE IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE FRONT OF MY FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AFTER ONLY 160K MILES AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD. THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND KEPT CLEAN IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS IS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS ERA AND HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE DRIVING AROUND NOT KNOWING THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AWAY TO THE POINT THE FRAME THEY ARE RIDING ON IS FALLING APART UNDER THEM. *JS

EXPOSED PARTS OF TOYOTA STEERING COMPONENTS ALL RUSTED TIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT FINALLY LOCKS. I AM SURE THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE. THEY SEEM TO HAVE WANTED TO HIDE THIS ISSUE. REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION THE STEERING RACK AND STEERING KNUCKLE. HOSE ENDS CORRODED SO BAD HAD TO REPLACE IT ALSO. *TR

THE ENGINE, VSC TRAC AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE ENGINE 02 SENSORS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT REPLACE OR REPLACE SINCE THERE ARE NO ADVISORIES ON THE PART. THERE IS A HIGH RISK THE ENGINE MAY UNDER PERFORM WHICH MAY CAUSE LACK OF CONTROL AND A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. LEADING TO INJURY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WITH NO ISSUES ON LOCAL STREETS. SUDDENLY THE VSC,TRAC, AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WITH A VERY LOUD AUDIBLE ALARM. NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THIS SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY HOME ON SIDE ROADS (1.5 MILES AWAY). I MADE IT TO MY DRIVEWAY, PULLED IN ON MY UPSLOPING DRIVEWAY AND THEN I HAD NO BRAKES. PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO THE STREET AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED AND IN TOWN. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO WARNING FOR A CRITICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. DIAGNOSIS BY MECHANIC IS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, AT APPROXIMATELY $3000 TO REPLACE. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE ACROSS MULTIPLE VEHICLE TYPES. THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS UPON FAILURE (INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) AND THE SHORT WINDOW TO REACT MAKES ME FEEL LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HIT OR HARM MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG NORMALLY, THE VSC, TRAC, ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. THEN WE HAD NO BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY STRENGTH JUST TO SLOW DOWN AT ALL. WE WERE LUCKY WE DID NOT CRASH, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM FINDING OUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, AS WELL AS OTHER TOYOTA MODELS THAT USE THE SAME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/TRACTION CONTROL MODULE. *TR

MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT MY 4RUNNER HAS SEVERE FRAME RUST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC IS WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS IT'S NEXT SAFETY INSPECTION. THE 4RUNNER WAS PURCHASED AND KEPT IN VIRGINIA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DEVELOPING A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND BOTH STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS LEAKING CAUSING THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE SUBFRAME NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT THE FRAME HAD CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,380.

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS VERY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE A RATTLING SOUND CHECKED OUT. TURNS OUT, THE HEAT SHIELD BROKE LOOSE AND WAS RESTING ON THE EXHAUST ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A MUFFLER HANGAR WAS READY TO COME LOOSE. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS WERE ALSO ROTTED AWAY. I'VE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND THAT OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES, SUCH AS THE TACOMA, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, I THINK THESE ISSUES MERIT FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR

MY 2003 4RUNNER HAS A BIG RUST PROBLEM... THE FRAME IS ROTTING AT AN EXPONENTIAL RATE... RECENTLY TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND MY MECHANIC SAID THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED OUT, AND WAS STARTING TO HAVE PERFORATIONS...I HAUL MY CHILDREN AROUND IN THE VEHICLE AND IT IS STARTING TO WORRY ME THAT IT IS GOING TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE... I CALLED TOYOTA TO TRY AND REMEDY THE SITUATION, BUT THEY PRETENDED LIKE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM... I HAVE DONE LOTS OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH 4RUNNER OWNERS IN THE SAME YEARS AND BODY STYLES AS MINE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM- THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED... *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD. I ALWAYS SEEN RUST ON THE FRAME SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND HAD IT SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY NEVER TOLD ME THE RUST WAS BAD OR HAD THROUGH HOLES IN THE FRAME BECAUSE THEY NEVER LOOKED. RECENTLY I DECIDED TO REQUEST THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE FRAME FOR HOLES. THEY FOUND MAY HOLES NEAR THE GAS TANK CROSSMEMBERS AND PASSENGER SIDE UNDER BUMPER AND DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. THERE ARE NO CAMPAIGNS OR PROGRAMS TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY FOR CORROSION ISSUES. HOWEVER WE KNOW THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL FOR 110,000 TUNDRAS AND ARE PERFORMING UNDERCOATING FOR TACOMAS. (MY BROTHER IS HAVING THIS DONE ON HIS 2006) I TOW A BOAT WITH MY 4RUNNER AND I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS SAFE TO TOW ANYMORE. I FEEL TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FRAME RUSTING SO BAD AND SHOULD FIX THE RUSTED PARTS LIKE THEY DID FOR THE TUNDRAS OR TACOMAS. *TR

DASHBOARD IS MELTING BECOMING STICKY AND CRACKING DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE. DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEIR IS A HIGH RISK THE DASHBOARD COULD FALL APART AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING FROM THE SUN. IT'S STICKY, CRACKING AND EVERYTHING IS STICKING TO IT. THE SAFETY AND BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AFFECTING MY ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY. IT'S THE ENTIRE DASH, BUT MOST OF THE GLARE IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAS DEVELOPED A HOLE, AND ANOTHER IS STARTING ON REAR OF THE FRAME. NO RUST ANYWHERE ON CAR EXCEPT FRAME. CAR WAS GARAGED OR PARKED ON PAVEMENT ALWAYS, NEVER ON GRASS OR DIRT. *TR

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2008 FOR $14,000 FROM A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION LINES RUSTED OUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW THE GAS TANK HAS FALLEN DOWN, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH A NEW SUPPORT TO. AN AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOULD HAVE A VALUE OF $6,000 + IS NOW WORTHLESS, AND WE CANNOT EVEN DRIVE IT SAFELY. THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM THAT WAS ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA EARLY ON, BUT THEY MANAGED TO AVOID REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO, OTHER THAN WARN OTHERS AGAINST BUYING A TOYOTA. "ASK SOMEONE WHO DRIVES ONE". *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS ACCUMULATED A SCARY AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT PROBABLY WASN'T SAFE TO HAVE MY KIDS RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE SUSPENSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND THE PROBLEM HAD WORSENED OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

HEAVY FRAME RUST....I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTA SUVS AND PU'S WITH FRAME RUST THAT WERE RECALLED DUE TO THE FRAME RUSTING THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE'S LIFE STARTED OUT IN WNY, AND HAS BEEN IN VIRGINIA THE LAST 3- 4 YEARS. IF TOYOTA IS RECALLING THE TACOMAS AND SEQUOIAS THEN THE 4RUNNER SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

WHILE IN PROCESS OF REPLACING SERPENTINE BELT AND IDLER PULLEYS ON ENGINE, I NOTICED (AFTER REMOVING LOWER ENGINE SHIELD UNDER VEHICLE) SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE TO FRONT FRAME SEGMENT UNDER RADIATOR SUPPORT. THE RIGHT SIDE TOW HOOK AND CORNER OF FRAME IT WAS MOUNTED TO FELL OFF IN MY HAND WHEN I TOUCHED IT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF VEHICLE FRAME WITH RUST DAMAGE, THOUGH NONE APPEAR TO BE AS SEVERE AS AREA OF FRAME UNDERNEATH RADIATOR. THIS PORTION OF FRAME APPEARS TO CONNECT THE TWO SIDE FRAME RAILS TOGETHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO DECREASE THE SPEED BY CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

I WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER TRUCK GOING 60 MPH. MY 4RUNNER WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN THEM, TOTALED, AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD I BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND BROKE MY SEAT FROM THE MOMENTUM. WHEN I AWOKE I HAD SLID INTO THE BACK SEAT (WHICH IS ALL THAT WAS REALLY LEFT OF THE VEHICLE). ALTHOUGH I AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE, I FEEL THAT AT THAT FORCE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *TR

2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS, WHERE SHE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES, WERE SEVERELY WORN AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHEN THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. ONE OF THE TWO REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD BECOME SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NEAR THE END OF AUGUST FOUR WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME IN MY 2003 4RUNNER. THEY WERE THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SIGNIFICANT RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME, REAR AXLE AND ATTACHED PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO AS THERE IS SO MUCH RUST, CORROSION, AND LACK OF MATERIAL TO WORK WITH. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OWNER, A FRIEND OF MINE, HAD THE VEHICLE UNDERCOATED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE, KEPT THE CAR IN A GARAGE, AND WASHED THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY INCLUDING THE UNDERSIDE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 13,750 MILES. IT HAS ALSO LIVED IN A GARAGE HERE. AS OF AUGUST 29, 2013, THE DATE OF THE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE HAD 24,005 MILES. THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, AND THE INTERIOR IS THE SAME. HOWEVER, THE UNDERSIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE. "THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES OR CURRENT RECALLS RELATING TO BODY AND FRAME RUST ISSUED FOR YOUR VEHICLE...YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WE WOULD BE UNWILLING TO OFFER YOU ANY COMPENSATION FOR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS DECISION, IT DOES REPRESENT TOYOTA'S FINAL POSITION IN THIS MATTER." *TR

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS THREE TIMES EACH. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE EACH. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER IS MALFUNCTIONING. ALL OF MY BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN SEIZING UP AND THE COST TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED IS EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH AN EXPENSIVE ONE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE EDITION HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SUCH AS REDESIGNING THE BRAKE CALIPERS FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR

MY 4RUNNER GOT REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY AND DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS I FOUND OUT THAT THE HITCH RECEIVER THAT WAS ORIGINAL INSTALLED (51909-35010) WAS SUPERSEDED TO AN 'IMPROVED' ONE (51909-35011). HOWEVER, WHEN I INSTALLED MY BICYCLE CARRIER, I REALIZED THAT THE UNIVERSAL FOOT WAS STANDING ONE INCH OUT OF THE HITCH RECEIVER CAUSING IT TO VIRULENTLY SHAKE AND BOUNCE AROUND. WHEN INSPECTING THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER MORE CLOSELY, I REALIZED THAT THE HOLE FOR THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN IS NOW ONLY 1.5 INCHES FROM THE END OF THE HITCH AWAY WHILE BEFORE IT WAS 2.5 INCHES. I COMPARED THIS TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS HITCHES (E.G. GMC, CHEVROLET, JEEP, ETC) AND THEY ALL HAVE A 2.5 INCH DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RECEIVER TO THE HOLE FOR THE PIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS IS THE CORRECT PART AND WHY THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN THAT WAY, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. IN MY OPINION, THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER IS UNSAFE AS IT ALLOWS MORE PLAY OF THE BALL MOUNT AND APPEARS LESS STABLE AS LESS MATERIAL IS AROUND THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN. SINCE I AM UNABLE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD HAVE A DETAILED LOOK IN THIS ISSUE. BEST REGARDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM, WHICH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION THAT EXPANDED TO THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

MY 4RUNNER WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, AND THE BRAKES FELT WEIRD. I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD THE MECHANIC AT THE NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD IN NEWARK, DELAWARE, WHICH I ALWAYS USE, CHECK THE BRAKES, AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200.00. WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AT THIS TIME TO COME UP WITH SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2012. BUT, I NEED A CAR FOR MY JOB, SO I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BRAKES. *TR

FRAME RUST THROUGH. FRONT MAIN FRAME SUPPORT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE, VSC TRAC AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES AND TWICE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE ENGINE 02 SENSORS HAD BEEN REPLACED EVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

MY 2003 4RUNNER WAS BROUGHT IN ON THE ABOVE DATE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TO FOX TOYOTA, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICING THE VEHICLE,THE TECH NOTICED SEVERE FRAME ROT AND BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME. THIS CONDITION WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. SERVICE ADVISOR THEN SUGGESTED THAT I CALL TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES BASED ON THE SAME FRAME. A SERIES OF CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PRODUCED NO RESULT. THEY ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO BE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AND TOYOTA IS WASHING THEIR CORPORATE HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND THEIR BASIC FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF FENDER BENDERS CAUSED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND GARAGE KEPT BOTH AT HOME AND AT WORK. I NOTICED A HAIRLINE CRACK FROM THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) ON THE TOP DASH PANEL EXTENDING TO THE MIDDLE (TOP OF THE STEREO). AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BOTH HERE AS WELL AS OTHER WEBSITES), I CALLED TOYOTA @ 1-800-331-4331 AND OPENED CASE # 1211091043 AFTER MENTIONING THAT THE ISSUE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD AND CITING ANOTHER CASE # BY A FORUM MEMBER (1208280716). HOWEVER, TOYOTA DENIED BEING AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS UNWILLING TO HELP CITING AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY CONDITION. MY CONCERN OF DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AS A RESULT DIDN'T APPEAR TO CONCERN THEM. I WAS GIVEN A CONTACT NAME OF THE NUMBER CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE HELP. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT NEWER MODELS USE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL (PLASTIC) FOR THE DASH PANEL. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET BUT I BELIEVE THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE DEFECT CALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL. *TR

THE DASH OF MY 4 RUNNER HAS SPLIT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FRONT. IT'S NOT FROM THE SUN BECAUSE MY CAR IS IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT AT WORK. I KEEP MY WINDOWS CRACKED WHEN I'M AT WORK IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. IT'S ON THE FRONT WHERE ALL MY GAUGES ARE NOT ON THE TOP. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I HAVE AND IT LOOKS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ONE PICTURE I SAW LOOKED JUST LIKE MINE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCATE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SAW ONE SPLIT LIKE IT HAS SPLIT. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU NEED PICTURES I WILL SEND THEM TO YOU. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU *TR

ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 28, 2012, THE ABS/TRAC CONTROL/VSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND CAME UP WITH "NO SENSOR READING?. IT COST ME $150 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND A FEW WEEKS LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER THEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY O2 SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED MY COST WAS OVER $650. THE NEXT WEEK THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BUT LATER REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE AND BRING IT BACK. I SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I SAY SUFFERED BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK AND THESE LIGHTS CAME ON, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHTS WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AND ALLOW ME TO DRIVE. ON 8/24 THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. I COULD NOT SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON OVER 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT ALMOST CONSTANTLY OVER 3 DAYS. WHEN I CALLED TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/27, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT. LATER THAT DAY, THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY AGAIN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE HAD ON VARIOUS TOYOTA VEHICLES. I FEEL AN INVESTIGATI

THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SEVERE CORROSION. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION WAS IDENTIFIED TO ME BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN DURING RECENT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL CORROSION ON OTHER MODELS. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WEAKEN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH SITUATION AND POTENTIALLY DURING NORMAL VEHICLE USE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCUSSED WITH DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFERRED ME TO THE TOYOTA NATIONAL HOTLINE. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AT THAT DEPARTMENT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY OR REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR THIS CONDITION, NOR DO THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION FOR THE COSTS OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THE INFORMATION WAS DOCUMENTED IN TOYOTA CASE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FRAME OF VEHICLE IS ROTTING OUT- NOT LIKELY TO PASS INSPECTION FOR VERY LONG. SIMILAR ISSUES TO FRAMES OF TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA FRAMES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. 4RUNNER SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. JUST DISCUSSED CONDITION OF FRAME WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY- RECOMMENDED FILING A COMPLAINT. *TR

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. SPIDER WEB LIKE CRACKS OVER GLOVE BOX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE YAW SENSOR WAS RE-CALIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO A BRAKE FAILURE IN WHICH THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500.

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS 3 FAULTY CALIPERS 2 ON FRONT AND ONE ON THE REAR. THE CALIPER USES A DUAL PISTON AND THE INTERIOR LOWER PISTON IS THE ONE THAT FAILED ON BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. THIS ISSUE IS KNOW TO THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA OWNERS WHO INQUIRE (ITS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG THOSE WHO OWN THEM.) THE FACT THAT BOTH FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND LOSING BOTH FRONT BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY IS CAUSE FOR GREAT CONCERN MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND EVERYONE ELSE. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT HAS TAKEN SOO MUCH EFFORT FROM US (THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES AND THEREFORE CALIPER) TO GET THIS LOOKED INTO. THE CALIPERS ARE OF A FAULTY DESIGN AND WILL FAIL PREMATURELY PUTTING HUMAN LIVES AT RISK. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? A PERSON TO DIE BEFORE THIS BECOMES CREDITED INFORMATION? JUST CHECK OUT T4R.ORG TO FIND ANY NUMBER OF IDENTICAL CLAIMS. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT THE ADJUSTMENT THREADS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, RESULTING IN THE OUTER TIE ROD DECOUPLING AND THE DRIVER WHEEL ASSY SWINGING OUT OF PHASE WITH THE PASSENGER TIRE, THUS IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANK GOD, AS A FREEWAY SPEED FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE. I SCANNED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR FAILURES AND GOT MULTIPLE HITS. THE DEALER DOES NOT SHOW THIS FAILURE IN ANY SAFETY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS THE LIMITED EDITION WITH A V8. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THE GOV.'T SHOULD LOOK AT IF MY CASE TURNS OUT NOT TO BE ISOLATED. CAR WAS ALIGNED BY A TOYOTA DEALER APPROX 1 YR AGO. *TR

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW, AND ONLY TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK APPROX 30 MILES A DAY..(NOW HAS 59,000 MILES).VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER...VEHICLE NEVER USED FOR TOWING OR NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, AND MAINTAINED LIKE A BABY...ALL OF A SUDDEN DEALER TOLD ME MY FRONT AXLE CV JOINTS ARE LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACING INCLUDING THE REAR SHOCKS? THIS IS FULLY LOADED 2003 TOYOTA LIMITED EDITION V8...SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL AT 59K MILES? WILL CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP OUT IN ANY WAY... *TR

HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT & IS MINT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR ONE MAJOR PROBLEM, THE DASH. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE IN THE SUN, ONLY IN MY GARAGE, THERE ARE CRACKS ALL ALONG THE DASH. MOST PREDOMINANTLY THERE A DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, AS WELL AS ALONG ALL THE EDGES OF WHERE THE DASH MEETS A CURVE' (I.E. RIGHT ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER) IT IS EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE DASHBOARD WITH OTHER 4RUNNER'S AND SIENNA'S, AND IT IS ALSO VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT DUE TO AIRBAG RESTRICTIONS, I CAN'T EVEN PAY SOMEONE TO FIX IT. MY CONCERN IS THE DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED AND MADE A TURN UP A HILL. SUDDENLY, I FELT THE SEAT JERK BACKWARDS AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT OFF ITS TRACK. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I CHECKED THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESECURE IT TO THE TRACK, BUT I COULD NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT IS NOT LOCKED ANYMORE. WHENEVER I ACCELERATE OR COME TO A STOP, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE DRIVER SEAT COULD COME LOOSE AS IT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK ANYMORE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE NUMBER IS NVO11-06. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX, WITH A TOTAL COST EXCEEDING $1500 FOR CARS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE A 2003 MODEL VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED ON 6/2003, AND THIS TSB WAS ISSUED ON 10/2006 FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, WHICH MEANS THIS TSB WAS INVALID FOR ME AT THE TSB RELEASE. I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM AROUND 9/2011 BECAUSE I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. MANY OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR SEATBELT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT SECURE AND SHIFTS DURING NORMAL STOP OF ACCELERATION AND CAN CAUSE WHIPLASH. ALSO, I HAVE FELT DIZZINESS DURING HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE ROCKING MOTION BECAUSE THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREAS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,364. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT AT 121,679 MILES. FIRST SET OF FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 70,452 MILES. TECH CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT FRONT CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR HIGH MILEAGE 4 RUNNERS. SAME TIME HAD RIGHT AXLE BOOT REPLACED AS WELL. $1,118.00 FOR THE WHOLE JOB! OF COURSE I ALMOST KEELED OVER BUT HAD TO HAVE THE WORK DONE, AND WANTED DEALER TO PERFORM THE WORK SO I WOULDN'T HAVE ISSUES LATER IF ANYTHING WENT WRONG. HAVE HAD ALL WORK DONE AT THIS DEALER AND THEY'VE STOOD BEHIND ALL THEIR WORK, BUT WAS STILL A BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE SHOT. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND KEPT CLEAN, INSIDE AND OUT. IN FACT, STILL LOOKS LIKE A NEW CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING FRONT ABS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ACTIVATING. BRAKING DISTANCES WORSENED AS MY 03 4RUNNER WAS DRIVEN. IT TURNS OUT A PISTON IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FROZEN COSTING OVER $650 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKING DISTANCES BECAME A LOT LONGER. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK MY FRONT BRAKES, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE CALIPER ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $750. I DID IT MYSELF. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR