2004 Toyota 4Runner complaints

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5, WITH JUST UNDER 74K MILES ON IT, HAS A FRAME WITH SEVERE CORROSION, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE FRONT CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE A CEASED LOWER PISTON. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES, BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I GOT THE SAME STORY FROM THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE. THEY BLAME THE SALT, BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY ITS WORSE ON THE 4RUNNER THAN OTHER VEHICLES. I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER AND ON THE HOT LINE WERE VERY FRIENDLY. THEY SAID THEY NOTED THE ISSUE AND WOULD MONITOR THE CALLS FOR TRENDS. I FELT UNSATISFIED WITH THIS, SO I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. I'M A LITTLE ANNOYED BY THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR CONSUMER REPORT RATING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT BECAME STUCK AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED THE CAR. I HAD TO SHIFT THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND TAP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE GAS PEDAL UNSTUCK. THE CAR HAD BEEN ON CRUISE CONTROL EARLIER BUT AT THE TIME THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. HITTING THE BRAKE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE THE GAS PEDAL AS WOULD BE EXPECTED IF IT WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE ENGINE REVVED SO THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCELERATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 78,500.

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2004 DASH CRACKED. *TR

FROZEN PISTONS ON INSIDE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. *TR

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

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND I TOOK IT IN WHEN IT WAS NEW FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. WHERE THE SEAT CONNECTS TO THE BACK WHEN YOU STOP OR START THE HINGE OR TRACK HAS CONSIDERABLE PLAY IN IT AND YOU FEEL A CLUNK EVERY TIME. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I REPEATEDLY ASK TOYOTA IF THIS PRESENTS AND DANGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT SINCE THERE IS SO MUCH PLAY IN THE SEAT. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO SAFETY CONCERN. IN LIGHT OF TOYOTA'S TRACK RECORD FOR LYING I'M NOW MORE CONCERNED AND WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISSUE. MANY 4 RUNNER OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? *TR

DRIVING INTO A PARKING GARAGE IN MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER I WAS PRESSING ON THE THE BRAKE AS I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO THE WALL. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. WITHIN THE WEEK I WAS PULLING INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY, PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, AND I FELT A LITTLE JUMP FROM MY CAR.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, SPORT EDITION. TWO SAFETY ISSUES: 1) DURING THE FALL OF 2009 ON THE WAY BACK FROM FRANKLIN VA, I EXPERIENCE A CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION AFTER MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE GAS PADDLE, SPEED EXCEEDED 80 MPH AND AFTER TAPPING THE GAS AND PULLING UP ON THE GAS PADDLE, THE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL AND I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE 4RUNNER ' [XXX] 2) AIR MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF, HAVE HAD REPAIRED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND IS NOT RESOLVED CURRENTLY MILEAGE: 49,892. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, WHICH I BELIEVE IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL, AND ON THREE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR HAS BECOME STUCK. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED WHEN I ACCELERATED MORE THAN NORMAL, AND EACH TIME ONCE MY FOOT WENT OFF THE PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY BRAKING. TWO OF THE OCCASIONS OCCURRED BACK TO BACK LESS THAN A MINUTE APART. I AM SOMEWHAT AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND CERTAINLY AFRAID TO ACCELERATE HARD. THERE WAS A FLOOR MAT AND I HAVE REMOVED IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN BUT THE VEHICLE KEEPS GOING AT ABOUT THE SAME SPEED. CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAS TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE TURN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 72,000. CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE DEALER.

I HAVE PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS OR TBS'S ON THE 4RUNNER FOR THAT PROBLEM. TODAY(2/24/10) I FIND ONLINE A TBS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE. I CALLED A DEALER AND HE SAID THAT SINCE I HAVE OVER 80K ON THE TRUCK, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. YOUR PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE SMELL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE SAME SITUATION THAT I AM IN. TSB NO. EG00303. *TR

WHEN COMING TO A STOP MY 4RUNNER WILL MAKE A CLUNK NOISE AS IF I WAS REAR ENDED. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUNK. TAKING IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL, JUST THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, MY 4-RUNNER SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HOWEVER, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THIS IS THE ONE & ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. I FEEL LIKE THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE NOTED SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED ANY 4-RUNNERS. MAYBE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE AS MINE. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SKIDDED IN STOP LIGHT WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE ICE ON STREET. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR AFTER STOPPING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MAKES HUMMING NOISE AND SKID MAKING IT OUT OF CONTROL. IN WINTER 2009, SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED ON I-69 (20 MILES EAST OF FLINT, MI), WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE SUV AND LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM. THIS MAY BE LIFE THREATENING AS I AM ALWAYS WORRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION , WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. *TR

FOUR MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED WITH APPROX. 82,000 MILES. A MONTH OR SO LATER, I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND AS I BRAKED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I STEPPED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE AND FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AT THE TIME, I WAS SCARED BUT THOUGHT THAT MAYBE BY MISTAKE, MY FOOT WAS SPANNING BOTH PEDALS (I DIDN'T THINK SO BUT COULDN'T BE 100% POSITIVE). YESTERDAY, I APPROACHED ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I WAS COMING TO A CONTROLLED STOP WHEN, SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY. AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY ALMOST STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THOUGH NOT ENOUGH TO STOP ME FROM GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO DOUBT - THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE PEDAL DID NOT STICK AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS COASTING TO A STOP. THIS VEHICLE DEFINITELY HAS A DEFECT AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND I ONLY WILL NOW IF I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. *TR

FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE, KEY, INSIDE LATCH, ETC. DOOR WILL MAKE SOUNDS WHEN ELECTRICAL LOCKS ARE PUSHED, SO IT IS NOT LIKELY THE ACTUATOR (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL). INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A COMPONENT WITHIN THE LATCH, A SPRING OF SOME VARIETY, THAT BREAKS AND/OR FALLS DOWN INTO THE DOOR COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS VERY BUSY AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM, BUT WE COULD BRING IT IN AND FOR 85 DOLLARS/HR, THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SEE. WELL, WE ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. IF A CRASH WERE TO HAPPEN, SOMEONE COULD GET STUCK INSIDE, AS CURRENTLY ONE HAS TO CRAWL FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE.

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED. GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, 0800 HRS, 1/26/2010. WITH ENGINE ROARING, I HAD TO FIRMLY PUT ON BRAKE AND HIT THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE IT RELEASED. I ALMOST WENT THRU AN INTERSECTION. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER SAME WEEK. THEY SAID IT HAS AN ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL. OPERATES ON A MOTOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. SHE APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN INSPECTOR WITHIN THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE SINCE IT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,400. UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DUE TO POOR DESIGN DRIVERS SEAT FRAME HAS COLLAPSED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2003-2005 4RUNNERS ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. SO MUCH SO THAT TOYOTA HAS SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED REGARDING THE MATTER. I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH IT BROKEN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE REALIZING THE PROBLEM. HAD I BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE FRAME BROKEN, THE SEAT WOULD HAVE OFFERED ZERO SUPPORT AND IT'S FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH IN AN OTHERWISE SURVIVABILITY ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL, AND FOOT COMPLETELY OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AHEAD IN WHAT FEELS LIKE GOING INTO PASSING GEAR. IT DOES THIS AT VARIOUS TIMES. AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE SEEMS TO STOP IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO A STOP SIGNAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 02/18/10

THIS INCIDENT WAS 1ST NOTICED 12/9/2009. I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND LET IT WARM UP, WHEN I WENT TO GET IN IT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE HEATER FAN WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN, I FIND THAT THE HEATER FAN WILL WORK OFF AND ON, SEEMS TO BE AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP A BIT -MAYBE (NOT SURE OF THE RHYTHM OR REASON). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND FEAR GETTING STUCK OR STRANDED WITH NO HEAT! I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2008 AND DROVE IT ALL LAST WINTER WITH NO PROBLEMS-THEREFORE I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHEN AND WHERE IT WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 4 RUNNER I RECENTLY HAVE HAD A STEERING VIBRATION THAT IS MAKING ME CRAZY IT FLUTTERS AROUND 55 TO 65 I HAVE GONE TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS PLUS I HAVE DONE LOTS OF TESTING WITH NO LUCK ON A PERMANENT FIX I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR 6 MONTHS SINCE THE PROBLEM REALLY STARTED THE ONLY THING I CAN FIND IS THIS TSB ST001R-05 050908 STEERING THAT RELATES TO MY PROBLEM I HAVE HAD 9 NEW SETS OF TIRES AND A SET OF NEW WHEELS AND ALL NEW SUSPENSION NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN NOT GET RID OF THE FLUTTER IT SOME TIMES PERFECTLY SMOOTH EVEN OVER BUMPS SOMETIMES IT IS WOBBLING ALL OVER I HAVE ALREADY ENCOUNTERED A COLLISION DUE TO THIS ISSUE IT WAS JUST A FENDER BENDER NO MAJOR DAMAGE BUT THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR ME TO DO IS FIND OUT MORE ON THIS TSB I DISCOVERED I REALLY LIKE MY 4 RUNNER BUT I CANT HAVE THIS DEATH TRAP PUTTING PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO THANKS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOY 4-RUNNER, V-8 ALL WHEEL DRIVE THAT I AM GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH, BUT THERE IS ONE ISSUE THAT IS FRIGHTENING. WHEN I COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP THERE IS A FORWARD LUNGE THAT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS CONTAIN THIS FORWARD MOTION. I HAVE NARROWLY ADVERTED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FRANKLY SCARES THE '!@#$% OUT OF ME. *TR

WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN COMING ON AROUND 60,000 MILES OR SO. STARTED WITH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT & NOW HAS PROGRESSED TO THE VSC ON, VSC OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO BE FIXED FOR 40,000 MILES OR AROUND 3 YEARS WHICH AMOUNTS TO MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WAITING WHILE THEY WORK ON IT OR GOING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR DAYS AT A TIME WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THEY HAVE REPLACED ABS SENSORS, ENGINE COMPUTERS, BRAKES, SPEED SENSOR WIRES, RESET COMPUTERS, ORDERED NEW VALVE STEMS FOR THE TIRES. I CAN GET ONLINE & FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE IN TOYOTAS & LEXUS VEHICLES SINCE AT LEAST 2001. THE DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT ME LIKE I AM THE VERY FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER MENTION THESE PROBLEMS. THE SOLUTIONS ONLINE HAVE RANGED FROM DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, FAULTY IGNITION COIL, O2 SENSORS, VSC COMPUTERS, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS & BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM & ACCELERATION MODULE UNDER THE CONSOLE WAS LISTED AS FIXING THESE ISSUES. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND/OR FIXED IN 8 YEARS ? THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, TIMES WHEN THEY BARELY WORKED, TIMES WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES ON & IT ABRUPTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT & A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS PULLING ACROSS TRAFFIC. AS I READ OF THESE "FREAK" ACCIDENTS LATELY WITH

VEHICLE CRASH AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND A FEW MONTHS AGO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK UNDER THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT. I PURCHASED THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER AND IT WAS MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE PEDAL GOT STUCK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WIDE OPEN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. IT APPEARS LIKE THE MAT SLID FORWARD AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE PEDAL TO GET STUCK. I HAD RECENTLY CLEANED THE MAT AND MAY NOT HAVE HAD IT POSITIONED PROPERLY WHEN I REINSTALLED IT. I THINK THE DESIGN OF THE MAT IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE MAT AT THE FRONT NEAR THE PEDAL. FUTURE INCIDENTS ARE LIKELY IF THE MAT IS LOOSE AND SLIDES FORWARD. I DID HAVE A CARPETED MAT UNDER THE RUBBER MAT. THE CARPETED MAT CAME WITH THE 4RUNNER WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THIS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE RUBBER MAT COMING LOOSE AND SLIDING FORWARD. IF NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY, IT APPEARS LIKE THE CARPETED MAT COULD ALSO SLIDE FORWARD AND MAY CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO GET STUCK. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH AND HAD TO START BRAKING FOR A VEHICLE THAT WAS SIGNALING A LEFT TURN. I NOTICE THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL NORMAL AND THAT THE PADS WERE NOT CATCHING ON THE ROTORS. SO I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AND AS FAR AS THEY COULD GO AND AVOIDED HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE BY INCHES. I CAME HOME AND DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS INNER 4 PISTONS WERE SEIZED. I JUST CHANGED THE BRAKES LAST YEAR AND THEY WERE FINE. BUT NOTICED A SURGE OR SLIPPAGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AFTER A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR RIGHT OF WAY. I AM NOW LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR NOW UNTIL I CAN REPLACE THE CALIPERS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON FORUMS JUST LOOK UP 03-09 4RUNNER CALIPER SEIZE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER THAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS REAR WIPER BLADE NOT WORKING AND REAR DEFROST. I HAD TO BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO RESET IT AFTER THE RESET IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A GLITCH IN THE WIPER AND REAR DEFROST COMPUTER THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT BUT WAS NOT RECALLED YET SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO IT STILL NOT WORKING AND FIND IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DASH OF 4RUNNER 2004 IS CRACKED SLOWLY UNTIL YOU ARE FULL. TOYOTA TO REPORT ON THE PROBLEM THAT SAID NO RECALL. AND VALE $ 840.00. ALL THE BUS DYED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A STATE INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED FRAME PERFORATION DUE TO SEVERE RUST CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A STRUCTURE BODY WELDER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE BLISTERS. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT THE FRAME BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHIN A YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,400.

AFTER ABOUT 12MONTHS OF NORMAL/ TYPICAL USE, THE SUN VISOR (ON THE DRIVER SIDE) WILL NO LONGER STAY UP; IT CONSTANTLY DROPS. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION AND OBSTRUCTS THE FIELD OF VIEW. *TR

FRONT END COLLISION WITH SEMI WHERE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE SAID/SHE SAID SITUATION. TRUCKER STATED HE WAS BROADSIDED BY DRIVER WHO RAN RED LIGHT. TOYOTA DRIVER STATES TRUCK "JACK KNIFED" OR SWERVED INTO HER CAR AS HE WAS CHANGING LANES IN INTERSECTION. TRUCK HAS A FLAT REAR TIRE ON SECOND TRAILER AND FRONT END OF CAR WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DOES THE SPEED OF THE CAR TRAVELING MAKE A DIFFERENCE? DRIVER OF CAR HAD SPRAINED NECK AND CONCUSSION AND WAS WEARING SAFETY BELT. HAD BRUISES FROM SAFETY BELT ON SHOULDER. WILL GLADLY E-MAIL PICTURES OF SEVERITY OF FRONT END. *TR

THE MOON ROOF WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION, HAD TO BUY A REPAIR KIT FROM TOYOTA, THEY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT FIX IT. HAD TO BRING REPAIR KIT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT THINK IT DANGEROUS ENOUGH TO FIX AT THEIR COST. LAID OUT 225.00 TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/07/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR THAT PRODUCES THE HEAT IS FROZEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE CANNOT DEFROST THE WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $600 FOR THE REPAIR. HE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

DIRT ROAD, MODERATE BRAKING, SLIGHT SKID, ABS/TRAC/VSC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, SECOND TIME HAPPENED. RESET THE FIRST TIME MANUALLY BY TRICKING COMPUTER TO RESET. SECOND TIME, NO GO. VSC/ABS/TRAC COMPUTER MAY BE BAD. *TR

SEAT BELTS IN REAR OF TWO TOYOTA VEHICLES FAILED TO ENGAGE LATCH. THIS OCCURRED IN BOTH THE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE PASSENGER IS FORCED TO RIDE UNSECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO FACE THE DRIVER TO VIOLATE STATE LAW. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THE SAME BELT IS USED ON BOTH VEHICLES AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

CHK ENGINE LIGHT,VSCTRAC LIGHT,TRAC OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER,FOUND GAS CAP OFF,CHK LIGHT THEN WENT OUT BUT OTHERS DID NOT. DEALER SAID ALL IS OK VSC TRAC AND TRAC OFF WILL GO OUT AFTER A FEW DRIVING CYCLES. THEY HAVE NOT YET. THIS IS11/19/2008. WHILE LIGHTS ARE ON VSC AND TRAC DO NOT WORK. HAD OBD SCANNED SHOWS NO CODE AT THIS TIME. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED QUICKLY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. RETURNED HOME AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE FOUND FLAMES IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT, FRONT WHEEL. THE BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WERE GLOWING RED HOT. ROOT CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A YAW RATE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED A COMPUTER TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND LEAVE THEM APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

MALFUNCTION IN THE CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY IN MY VEHICLE HAS RENDERED THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO. TOYOTA SERVICE GARAGE SAID IT WOULD COST $545 TO REPAIR. NO REPAIR TO DATE. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT IT WAS ONLY COVERED BY 3-YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

-HATCHBACK ELECTRONIC CLOSURE FAILS FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD -REPLACED MOTOR ONCE BECAUSE VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE WITHOUT--EXHAUST FUMES COME THROUGH THE HATCHBACK, UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE, LIGHTS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, WATER DURING RAIN OR SNOW GETS INSIDE VEHICLE, ETC THERE IS NO MANUAL OVER-RIDE TO ENABLE CLOSING THE HATCHBACK THERE IS NO PURPOSE FOR AN ELECTRONIC CLOSING DEVICE--YOU STILL MANUALLY PULL DOWN THE HATCH, AND ONCE CLOSED, THE MOTOR ENGAGES TO LATCH IT SHUT! THE PART WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE OTHER HATCHBACK COMPLAINTS (POOR AERODYNAMIC DESIGN WITH LOTS OF DIRT THROWN UP ON HATCHBACK), SO THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH USING THE KEY LOCK, BEING UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AROUND THE WINDOW. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING, WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR TURNING. IT SOUNDS LIKE A CLICKING NOISE AND FEELS LIKE A SHIFT FORWARD OR BACK. THIS HAS BEEN THERE SINCE PURCHASE AND DEALER HAS NO FIX. *TR

SEAT BELT HOUSING IS BROKEN, CAN'T USE BELT. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, PERSON MAY GET LOCKED IN VEHICLE IF INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. *TR

1. THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE FROM A STOP. 2. MY VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION COMBINED WITH A SURGING FORWARD AS IF BEING REAR ENDED. 3. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS, IT SHAKES AND BANGS EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY. *TR

VIBRATION IS FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 MPH OR HIGHER). THIS IS ESPECIALLY PRESENT WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. HAVE HAD TIRES REBALANCED WITH NO CHANGE IN VIBRATION. PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ROTATION DOES NOT CORRECT VIBRATION. *CN

1.) THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND ALSO THE SAME NOISE WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE. 2.) THERE IS "SULFUR SMELL " IN CABIN FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 LIMITED 4RUNNER TOYOTA, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, WITH V8. AFTER ABOUT 20 THOUSAND MILES, MY VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SURGING FORWARD LIKE I WAS REAR ENDED. THIS NOISE ALSO HAS A DISTINCT METALLIC SOUND AND JARRING VIBRATION EACH AND EVERY TIME. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT PRESSES FIRMLY, THE CAR WILL LOUNGE FORWARD. THIS NOISE AND "CLANKING" ALSO OCCURS WHEN LIFTING MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND NOT IN NEUTRAL. I FIRST REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TOYOTA ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE ISSUE. THE TRIED TO CHARGE ME 500 DOLLARS FOR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE. WHEN I PROTESTED THAT THIS WAS NOT IN THE MANUAL, THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY LUBRICATED THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE THIS TIME. TOYOTA INVOICE # W55722. WELL, THAT ELIMINATED ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE "CLANK" CAME BACK IN ABOUT A MONTH. I HAVE RECENTLY READ THAT ALL LIMITED EDITION 4RUNNERS FROM 03-06 HAVE THIS CLANKING PROBLEM, IN ADDITION TO THE LEXUS GX-470, THAT SHARES THE SAME DRIVESHAFT. HOWEVER, LEXUS IS FIXING THE PROBLEM WHILE TOYOTA IS PLAYING STUPID AND SAYING THAT IT IS NORMAL. CAN YOU PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX MY VEHICLE IN THE SAME MANNER THAT LEXUS IS? PLEASE SEE THIS INTERNET LINK TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/4RUNNER/53302-4RUNNER-V8-CLUNK-IN-DRIVETRAIN/. *JB