2004 Toyota 4Runner complaints

I STARTED MY VEHICLE @ 3PM WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AS SOON AS IT STARTED THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A ALARM IN THE DASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE CLOCK IN THE DASH SAID 1:00 INSTEAD OF 3:00. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE I HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND FOUND THAT A BAD GROUND CABLE ON THE BATTERY CAN SEND A LOW VOLTAGE SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER AND SHUT DOWN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS RECALL! *TR

VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED AND UNSAFE HAD IT LOOKED AT , MY AUTO SHOP SAID IT IS UNSAFE CANNOT SELL THE CAR IN THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 4 YEARS AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A HEATED GARAGE THROUGH THE WINTERS, HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED WAS I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED OUT. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE SO I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT , HAVE TRIED TO SELL IT TO DEALERS AND NO ONE WILL BUY IT WITH THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MATTER. *TR

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THRU MAKING HOLES AND IF NOT REPAIRED WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL WHICH IS CRIMINAL BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALL OF THEIR OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES OF ALL AGES HAVE "RECALLS" BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO SO AS "YET" ON THE 04. DEALERS AND BODY SHOPS AND INTERNET SEARCHES SITE THOUSANDS OF THESE 4RUNNERS ARE AFFECTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING. *TR

CRACK IN THE VINYL DASH STARTING AT THE DRIVERS SIDE A-PILLAR AND CONTINUING OVER THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON THE LEADING EDGE AND ENDING ABOUT THE MID POINT OVER THE RADIO. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSABLITY AND RECALL THIS ITEM FOR SAFETY REASONS.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNERAND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKESAND LET OFF OF THE BRAKES I KEPT ON MAKING A THUD SOUND AS THE FASTER I DRIVE THE LOUDER IT WOULD MAKE THAT SOUND AND IT HAD A BURNING SMELL TO IT SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS WHERE COMPLETELY GONE I HAD TO GET THE ROTORS REPLACED THE MECHANIC SAID THE PISTONS IN THE CALIBER FROZE IN THE OPEN POSITION SO THAT IS WHY MY BRAKES FAILED ME. *TR

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN NORTH CAROLINA VSC LIGHT TURNED ON, TSC LIGHT TURNED ON, ABS LIGHT TURNED ON, BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. CAR WAS DRIVABLE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN BRAKING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. LIMPED HOME WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN HER CAR SEAT AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT INCIDENT AS GIVEN TIME OF DAY AND LOCATION FROM HOME, VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC MADE TRAVEL POSSIBLE. SEVERAL TIMES THOUGH I CONTEMPLATED STOPPING AND CALLING A TOW SERVICE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, IT'S A $3000 PART THE ABS MODULE AND $700 INSTALLATION PRICE. *TR

8/6/14-STARTED MY 2004 4-RUNNER TO LEAVE WORK AND A HIGH-PITCHED ALARM SOUND STARTED AND THE VSC, ABS, AND OTHER DASH LIGHT SYMBOLS CAME ON. I REVERSED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, AND BRAKE, AND NOTHING OTHER THAN THOSE THINGS WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I PULLED FORWARD AND PULLED INTO ANOTHER SPOT AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO LET HIM HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON TO SEE IF HE KNEW WHAT IT MAY BE. HE ASKED ME TO REVERSE, PULL FORWARD, AND SEE WHAT ELSE I HEARD/SAW, SO I DID SO DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 5 PARKING SPACES AWAY) ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE 4TH LEVEL OF THE PARKING GARAGE I WAS IN. I STARTED TO BRAKE TO TURN LEFT AND NO BRAKES. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PETAL AS HARD AS I COULD WITH BOTH FEET AND NOTHING, SO I PUSHED THE PARKING BREAK AND AS IT CAME TO A STOP, I PANICKED AND THREW IT INTO PARK. I WAS WITHIN 1 FOOT OF THE CONCRETE WALL 4 STORIES OFF THE GROUND. GOT IT TO A LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD THEM I JUST GOT NEW BRAKES 6 WEEKS AGO, COULD THEY HAVE POSSIBLY GONE BAD? THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE THAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THE USED PART AND LABOR IS $3000 AND THE NEW PART AND LABOR IS $5500.00. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND ARE BEING TOLD "RARE DEFECT". THIS "RARE DEFECT" COULD HAVE BARRELED ME THROUGH A CONCRETE WALL OR WORSE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN THE PARKING GARAGE WITH ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS AT A MINIMAL SPEED. I WAS LEAVING DURING A LUNCH BREAK. HAD I BEEN LEAVING AND THIS OCCURRED AFTER WORK, I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. WHAT WILL IT

I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURE. UNDER 50K I HAD A FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER FAIL. THEN AGAIN AT 99K THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FAILURE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THEIR BRAKE CALIPER DESIGN ON 4-RUNNERS. TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY, I ALWAYS BOUGHT TOYOTA'S, BUT NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS LAST INCIDENT. TOYOTA DOES NOT BUILD CARS LIKE THEY USE TO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME NEAR THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOOTS ON THE FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT MOST OF ITS LIFE IN NH/ME. IT IS NOW REGISTERED IN FL. IT HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR ABOUT 16 MONTHS. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH TOYOTA AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. THE RUST IS BAD ENOUGH THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER CAN BE FLEXED BY HAND. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO FIND LARGE CHUNKS OF RUST IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS OVER NIGHT. I HAVE CLEANED AND TREATED THE RUST MYSELF AS WELL AS SEVERAL COATS OF PAINT TO TRY TO STOP/SLOW THE RUST BUT IT HAS NOT DONE MUCH GOOD. TOYOTA HAS VOICED PROBLEMS WITH EVERY OTHER FULL-FRAMED VEHICLE THEY HAVE INCLUDING THE OLDER PICK UPS, TUNDRA, SEQUOIA, AND MOST RECENTLY THE 05-08 TACOMA'S. I AM ON SEVERAL TOYOTA FORUMS AND THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON A FEW VEHICLES. IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE RUST BELT THE FRAMES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. I DO HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES I CAN SEND IF NEEDED. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT RATHER ABOUT A REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE/SOLD BY THE FOLLOWING OUTFIT: PH: (954) 970-8820 FAX: (954) 970-8819 [email protected] WWW.FINESTAUTOPARTS.COM THE CALIPER (NEW) I PURCHASED FROM THEM WAS NOT ONLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA CONTRARY TO THE COMPANY DESCRIPTION "GERMAN EFFICIENCY FOR JAPANESE CARS" AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR SITE WHICH MAY NOT CONSTITUTE A CRIME THESE DAYS BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (MISSING BRAKE FLUID SUPPLY CHANNEL IN THE CASTING) IS A CLEAR HAZARD AND AN OBVIOUS INDICATION OF TOTAL ABSENCE OF QUALITY CONTROL. SAFETY-RELATED ITEMS MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR FOR IMPORT INTO THE US, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, THE PUBLIC IS NOT PROTECTED. *JS

SUFFERED SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF VSC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. VSC, ABS, BRAKE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 1 MILE, THEN LOST MOST BRAKING CONTROL. NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO HAVING MINIMAL BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD TO USE EVASIVE STEERING AND EMERGENCY BRAKE MANEUVERS TO SLOW AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON AUTO REPAIR BLOGS THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VSC/ABS SYSTEM IN MOST TOYOTA VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY CAMRY'S. REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART COSTS $3200 AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY ANY MANUFACTURER. PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED ON ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES USING THE VSC/ABS SYSTEMS BEFORE MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,444.

WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HAD HARDLY BEEN WORN DOWN. I HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT I NEEDED MORE ROOM TO STOP, AND MY RATE OF DECELERATION HAD LESSENED. I DISCOVERED THAT MY INNER LOWER PISTONS ON MY FRONT CALIPERS HAD RUSTED AND FROZEN. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND ON A FORUM I AM PART OF (T4R.ORG) SHOWED THAT THIS HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS OTHERS. THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE INNER LOWER PISTONS TO FREEZE UP. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE AFTERMARKET CALIPERS THAT WERE INSTALLED BY MY LOCAL SHOP. *TR

WHILE APPROACHING A RED STOP LIGHT, THE ABS, BRAKE! VSC OFF, VSC TRAC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD BUZZER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. 1 BLOCK LATER I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT THAT WAS LUCKILY EMPTY, BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK, I HAD NO BRAKES...ZERO!!! I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, THAT IT'S THE ABS MODULE AND UNATTAINABLE WITH TOYOTA AT $2500 PLUS THE INSTALLATION. WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A USED ONE, BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND VERY HARD TO FIND. THIS SENDS OFF A FEW RED FLAGS IN ITSELF. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION, SOME HAVE NOT HAD AN OUTCOME AS MINE, AND HAVE HAD CRASHES AND INJURIES AND I WONDER HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT TOYOTA HAS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THIS PROBLEM, DOING NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMER, NO RECALLS, NO WARNINGS AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I FIND THIS FRIGHTENING AND WONDER HOW MANY INJURIES AND DEATHS IT WILL TAKE BEFORE TOYOTA OPENS THEIR EYES AND STEPS UP TO REMEDY THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS NOW WORTHLESS AND UNDRIVABLE UNTIL WE CAN HOPEFULLY FIND A PART, AND AM FORCED TO RENT A VEHICLE UNTIL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED. I'M HARDLY IN A POSITION TO PAY FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN IT REALLY IS A FAULTY ITEM ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S REVOLTING THAT TOYOTA ISSUES A RECALL FOR FRONT FLOOR MATS, BUT NOTHING FOR A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM.

DASHBOARD IS RIDDLED WITH CRACKS ALL OVER. MANY OF THE CRACKS FOLLOW ALONG THE SAME LINES AS OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE POSTED PICS OF THEIR DASHBOARD ONLINE. MY OTHER CAR FROM A SIMILAR YEAR, HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT WITH A GOODWILL REPAIR, PROBABLY TO AVOID A FULL RECALL. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE MANUFACTURERS FOR CARS IN THE EARLY TO MID 2000S. *TR

1.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 10-15 MINUTES WITH RADIO ON (NOT RUNNING) (BATTERY TESTED GOOD/700, 701, 691 OUR OF 75 CA) 2.) 4RUNNER WOULD NOT START, BATTERY ISSUE, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED. 3.) DROVE 4RUNNER 10 MINUTES, PARKED, TUNED OFF AND STARTED BACK UP JUST FINE. 4.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 3 HOURS, STARTED 4RUNNER, BUZZER/WARNING SOUND EMITTED AND BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON. 5.) TRIED DISCONNECTING BATTERY TO SEE IF SYSTEM WOULD RESET AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA DEALER TO NO AVAIL. 6.) BACKED 4RUNNER OUT OF PARKING SPOT, LIGHTS AND BUZZER STILL IN EFFECT, AND 4RUNNER HAD NO BREAKS. 7.) TOOK 4RUNNER TO DEALER, DEALER CLEARED CODES, BATTERY TEST, RESET BRAKE SYSTEM, TEST DROVE, ALL WORKED. 8.) DROVE 4RUNNER APPROXIMATELY 10-11 MILES, HIT BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, WARNING/BUZZER SOUND, CRASH - NO FATALITIES. 9.) CODES FROM DEALER C1223, C1251, C1256; BRAKE FLUID LEVEL GOOD. 10.) DEALER REPLACED ABS AND MASTER CYLINDER. $3,356 REPAIR COST. 11.) DEALER (FROM MULTIPLE DEALERS IN THE ORLANDO, FL MSA) INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND ONLY BY UNACCEPTABLE ODDS DO YOU AVOID CRASH, DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. 12.) TOYOTA HAS NO SAFEGUARDS FOR EARLY INDICATION PROBLEM COULD OR MAY OCCUR. 13.) TOYOTA HAS NO MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREVENTING OR RECOGNIZING A POSSIBLE FATAL MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. 14.) TOYOTA HAS NO ECONOMICAL SOLUTION TO RESOLVE/REPLACE THE ABS PUMP/MASTER CYLINDER AND IS IN THE TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. 15.) TOYOTA HAS

INSPECTION OF UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE REVEALED EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST AND PERFORATION THROUGH THE SIDES OF THE FRAME. LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT RUSTED THROUGH, CONTROL ARM SUPPORT RUSTED THROUGH. DEALER INSPECTED AND VERIFIED, NO PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATED COMMON PROBLEM IN NORTHEAST VEHICLES. *TR

MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS FORM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER ALL ACROSS THE AIRBAG WHICH CONCERNS ME A WHOLE LOT, I ALSO HAVE A 2002 4RUNNER WHICH DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THE MATERIAL IS PRETTY DIFFERENT TO THE 2004, THE 2004 LOOKS AND FEEL VERY POOR, NOT SURE IF TOYOTA WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO WARRANTY THIS DEFECT ! IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN AND SOMEONE GET INJURED THEN I GUEST TOYOTA WILL TRY TO HELP. THESE TRUCKS ARE MADE IN JAPAN, THE QUALITY SHOULD BE A++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *TR

FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE IN FRIGID WEATHER AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WENT ON, FOLLOWED BY VSC TRAC LIGHT AND VSC OFF LIGHT GOING ON. WENT TO SERVICE STATION THEY CHECKED CAR AND WERE ABLE TO TURN OFF ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO EMPIRE TOYOTA IN ONEONTA NY 1/18 AND WAS TOLD LOW BATTERY CAUSED PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS AND BATTERY CHANGE COST $202.33. I/29 SAME 3 LIGHTS GO ON. RETURNED TO DEALER, TOLD COMPUTER SENSED A FUTURE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAR DESIGNED TO DISABLE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (A PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM) BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE FUTURE EXHAUST EMISSION PROBLEM. PRICE QUOTED ON CATALYTIC REPAIR WAS $2,200. REPAIR OFFER DECLINED, ENGINE LIGHT RESET - DEALER REFUSED TO TURN VSC SYSTEM STATING IT COULDN'T BE DONE UNLESS CAT. WAS REPLACED; CHARGER ANOTHER $86.40 FOR DIAGNOSIS OF SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DRIVE VEHICLE THROUGH ICE & SNOW WITH THIS " VSC -SAFETY FEATURE" INTENTIONALLY SHUT OFF. TO DATE ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT GONE PACK ON INDICATING TO ME THERE HAS BEEN NO CAT PROBLEM, YET MY SAFETY HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY COMPROMISED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 25 MPH AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

I PURCHASED FOUR (4) NEW BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A SIZE P265/65R17 110T M&S FOR MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN 08/2011. I HAD APPROX 10,000 MILES ON THE NEW TIRES. TIRES ARE NOW DRY ROTTED/CRACKED ON THE SIZE WALL, ALL AROUND THE WHEEL/FRAME (ON ALL 4 TIRES). *TR

MY WIFE WAS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE TAKING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND AN ALARM START TO SOUND, THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ON SCHOOL SPEED ZONE AND NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF HER AND THE VEHICLE STOP BY IT SELF BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED, SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER ON THE FREEWAY TO TAKE OUR SON TO OTHER SCHOOL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAD HAPPEN IF THE BRAKES WOULD FAILED WHILE SHE WAS AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. WE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 4 RUNNERS OWNERS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THIS CAN END UP TAKING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES, BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONS IN THIS VEHICLE, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CERTAINLY EXIST AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SINCE THEN OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN USELESS IN STORAGE. *TR

AFTER READING ONLINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF CYLINDER #6 FAILING WITH A HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHICH RESULTS IN A 2500-4000 $$ REPAIR BILL. TOYOTA HAD A MAJOR RECALL FOR THE 2ND GENERATION 4RUNNER BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET ISSUES. THEY REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE B/C THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 4RUNNER V6 ENGINE. *TR

UNDERBODY FRAME RUSTED OUT IN SEVERAL PLACES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE CALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

ROUGH IDLE AT MORNING START UP. VSC, TRAC OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATE. OBD II CODE OF P0306, MISFIRE CYLINDER #6. HAVING TO REFILL ENGINE COOLANT ON A WEEKLY BASIS. PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOYOTA SUPER LONG LIFE ENGINE COOLANT IS SLOWLY LEAKING INTO CYLINDER #6. ROUGH IDLE NOTICEABLE AT MORNING START UP BECAUSE THE FLUID BUILDS UP TO A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OVERNIGHT. ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $3000. *TR

DRIVING TO CORAL GABLES AT AROUND 20 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN FOUR LIGHTS COMES ON AND LOUD BEEPING NOISE. VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON AT THE SAME TIME, BRAKE PEDDLE IS HARD AND NO BRAKES AT ALL. I HAD TO GO INTO NEUTRAL TRY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO TRY AND STOP AND PULL OVER, I HAD TO TOW MY TRUCK HOME, I CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY I NEED TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY COSTING $2600.00. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT ON TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, WHEN ADJUSTED AND LOCKED IN PLACE, HAS WAY TOO MUCH LATERAL MOVEMENT. THE SEAT "ROCKS" FROM SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1-2 INCHES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN YOU ARE STRAPPED INTO THE SEAT, WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND SEAT LOCKED IN PLACE. I HAD MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECK THE SEAT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SECURELY BOLTED/FASTENED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME IT WAS, BUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY THE SEAT FRAME, AND THAT THE WORD HE WAS GETTING IS THAT TOYOTA MAYBE INSTITUTING A SAFETY RECALL SOON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR ACCIDENT, I AM CERTAIN THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, PUTTING THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK OF HARM OR EVEN DEATH. *TR

IN 2006 OF SEPT, I NOTICED A LITTLE HAIRLINE ON MY DASHBOARD AND AS YEARS GO BY UP TO THIS YEAR 1 SEPT 2013 THAT HAIRLINE DEVELOP TO A CRACK. THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEEP, WINDOWS ARE CRACK OPEN FOR AIR CIRCULATION AND A SUN VISOR COVER FOR WINDSHIELD AND NOT MUCH DRIVEN, ACTUAL MILEAGE IS 50600 AS OF TODAY, 1 SEPT 2013. I AM JUST SCARED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT DEPLOY IF A SUDDEN STOP OR BECAUSE OF THE CRACK BECOMING WIDER. *JS

ON JUNE 20, 2013 APPROX. 10:30-11:00 AM, WALKED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO HOUSE NOTICE SMELL OF BURN, OPENED DRIVER DOOR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COMPLETELY BURN, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BURN, PASSENGER SUNVISOR BURNED, CARPET BURNED. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR TECHNICAL ISSUES, AUTO CHECK UPS DAILY.....CONTACTED INSURANCE CO. AND NOW THEIR SAYING IT MAY BE FIXABLE OR TOTALED. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP. IT SAGS AND I WAS USING VELCRO TO KEEP IT AS CLOSE TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR AS POSSIBLE SINCE IT WOULD SAG INTO MY LINE OF VISION. *TR

DRIVERS DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WOULD NOT PERMIT DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK, THOUGH ALL ELECTRIC AND MANUAL ACTIONS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR APPEAR TO WORK, LATCH HANDLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS CONDITION WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN NEW IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. ALL OTHER DOORS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD OPEN FROM THE INSIDE IF LOCKED. DRIVERS DOOR LATCH FAILED PROHIBITING DRIVER FROM EXITING THE CAR AND WAS REPLACED. REPLACEMENT LATCH WOULD PERMIT EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE IF THE LOCK WAS ACTIVATED. *TR

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAD SENT IN A COMPLAINT AFTER THE INCIDENT. CAR WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER WAS INJURED WITH A FRONT END COLLISION. TOYOTA REFUSED TO LOOK AT CAR FOR AIRBAG DEFECTS. I CAN SEND IMAGES IF NEEDED. RECALLED FOR TOO MUCH FORCE? HOW ABOUT JUST DEFECTIVE? THIS IS AT LEAST AS DANGEROUS AS DEPLOYING WITH TOO MUCH FORCE IN MY OPINION. *TR

I WAS BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. I THEN SHIFTED INTO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 1 FOOT AND THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE (I WAS MANEUVERING MY CAR). WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE WENT TO MAXIMUM POWER (INSTANTLY). I JAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND THE REAR TIRES STARTED TO SPIN AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AS THE TIRES WERE SPINNING. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM.. MY CAR HAS TO REMAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS BECAUSE A TOYOTA FACTORY REP HAS TO VISIT THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE CAR. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING "ACCELERATION PROBLEM" THIS PAST WEEK AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT A LOCAL STORE. I'D ALREADY SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A HALT, BUT AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH SHOCKING SPEED. I INSTINCTIVELY THREW THE GEAR INTO PARK; IT STOPPED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE STEPS LEADING TO THE STORE ENTRANCE. THE CAUSE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A FLOOR MAT (I DON'T HAVE ANY) NOR "STICKING" GAS PEDAL (THE CAR HAD ALREADY COME ALMOST TO A HALT BEFORE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED). THE BRAKES WERE USELESS AND FELT LIKE THEY WERE DISENGAGED; ACCELERATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL (THIS IS STILL CLOUDY IN MY MIND). I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IN 2004. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD ANY PROBLEM. I WONDERED WHAT I MIGHT HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM AFTER SO MANY YEARS WITHOUT ANY. I REALIZED I'D NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, UNTIL RECENTLY, ONLY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WAS NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE SUDDEN FORWARD SURGE FELT EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DROPS BENEATH THE SPEED AT WHICH IT'S SET; IT SURGES FORWARD, ON "ITS OWN." I BELIEVE THERE'S A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP. MY CONCERN IS TWO-FOLD: FIXING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IN MY OWN TOYOTA, AND HELPING IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM SO IT CAN BE FIXED BY TOYOTA BEFORE ANOTHER TRAGEDY. *TR

MAJOR RUST ON FRAME AND OTHER MECHANICAL PARTS. NOT EXPOSED TO SALT DOES NOT OCCUR WITH MY OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

I OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO PLACE MY BAG DOWN. THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF GEAR DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THEN I HAD TO JUMP INTO THE ROLLING CAR TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. *TR

ON 8/22/2011, PHIL BACHMAN TOYOTA IN JOHNSON CITY, TN REPLACED A LEAKING LEFT FRONT CALIPER ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE SATURATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE FLUID COVERED MY TIRE AND WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL HAD SEVERAL KNICKS FROM SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED RELATED TO THE BRAKES AND THIS ISSUE. ON 3/16/12, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER; THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT PHIL BACHMAN DID THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY. ON 1/31/13, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS WITH THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER, AND IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003 AND 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE--BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EACH TIME, MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

2004 4RUNNER LIMITED, FRAME RUSTED OUT. *TR

VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED ALONGSIDE THE CURB WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED THE CURB, THE SIDEWALK ONTO THE UPHILL GRASSY LANDSCAPE, HIT AND SEVERED A TREE, AND ALMOST CRASHED THE HOUSE INCHES AWAY, THEN BOUNCED BACK TO THE STREET- ALL IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THE TIRES SPUN VIOLENTLY AND LEFT A THICK RESIDUE OF RUBBER AND THICK SMOKE THROUGHOUT. THE BRAKE WAS HARD AND STUCK , AS I MANAGED TO PUT THE STICK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO PARK. I WAS TRULY SHOCKED AND SHAKEN THAT I COULD HAVE HURT OR KILLED MYSELF OR OTHERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED- THE FIRST IN JULY 22, 2009 WHEN THE SAME ACCELERATION HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE, SURGED IN ABOUT 2 SECS. CRASHING INTO THE STORAGE AND THE GARAGE WALLS. REFERENCE: TOYOTA CLAIM NO.[XXX] (2009) AND NO.[XXX] (2012). IN BOTH CASES TOYOTA DISOWNED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WHILE TOYOTA ASSURES ME OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, I CANNOT IN MY RIGHT MIND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOR PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE EXCEPT TO RETURN IT TO TOYOTA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A SUDDEN STOP, THE 4-RUNNER LURCHES TO THE LEFT, AND THEN, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, BACK TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ON A TRIP AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON SATURDAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I HAD TWO FROZEN PISTONS IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS, AND THE REAR SLIDES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS 2 YEARS AGO FOR FROZEN CALIPERS. THE WARRANTY FOR THAT REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR, SO I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $1200 TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN, AFTER HAVING SPENT $2000 2 YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN AND TOYOTA SHOULD EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS, OR FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR LURCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN OR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, IS QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT AT 55 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR ONLY (WITH NO LOSS OF STABILITY OR CONTROL AND NO WET CONDITIONS), SUDDENLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY A BEEPING NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD OCCURS ALONG WITH THE 4RUNNER PULLING REAL HARD TO THE LEFT. (ALMOST AS IF I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN...). ALSO FEELS LIKE BRAKE IS APPLIED DURING ALL OF THIS TO THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAUSING ME TO LOSE ACCELERATION - REGARDLESS OF HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER A YEAR AGO WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING AND I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. BOTH INSTANCES NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED CRACKS WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,377.

I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY DASH HAS STARTED TO CRACK AND IT IS IN THE AREA OF THE AIR BAG. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA TO ASK FOR INFO AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THE MATTER OR EVEN HELP PAY FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR MY SAFETY, SINCE IT IS IN THE AREA OF THE AIR BAG. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE DASH BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. IT IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT IT ALSO DEPRECIATES THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE LISTED MY CASE NUMBER AND ONE OTHER THAT I KNOW OF BELOW WITH TOYOTA. OTHER FROM RESEARCH- [XXX] MINE - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE #6 CYLINDER CAUSING MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE - APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS V6, 4.0L ENGINE LEAKING AT THE #6 CYLINDER - OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO HAVE HEAD GASKETS FAILING AT THE SAME LOCATION. *TR

ON OR ABOUT JULY 16, 2012 OWNER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD HAD VERTICAL CRACKS NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR VENTS. ON OR ABOUT 9/21/12, OWNER NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND HAS BEEN HOUSED IN GARAGES AT WORK AND HOME. *TR