Page 7 of 9 · complaints 301–350 of 425

2005 Toyota 4Runner complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Apr 24, 201457,100 milesNY

HELLO, I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 57,000 AND THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED WITH A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME AND TOYOTA SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE 4RUNNER FRAMES BUT DOES ADMIT THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TACOMA FRAMES AND THE TRUCKS SHARE THE SAME PLATFORMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR AN OWNER OF A TRUCK THAT HAS A FRAME THAT IS FALLING APART BUT NO RUST ON THE BODY? THE FRAMES ARE POORLY MADE AND CAN GIVE OUT. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 1, 201465,000 milesNY

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WHICH IS RUSTING ON THE CHASSIS AND REAR END HOUSING TOYOTA TELL ME THAT THERE NO RECALL ON THE 4 RUNNER OR TUNDRA BUT SEQUOIA IS RECALLED THERE MUST BE A COMPLAINT FILED SOME WHERE WE CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMEBODY TO DIE AS A RESULT THE REAR END FALLING OUT OR FRONT END BREAK AWAY YOU MUST CHECK INTO THAT JUST CHECK ONLINE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 201459,490 milesNC

I OWN A 2005 4RUNNER SPORT 4.7L. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM GENE REED TOYOTA IN CHARLESTON, SC. THIS IS NOT MY DAILY DRIVER AND STAYS IN THE GARAGE MOST OF THE TIMES. IT ONLY HAS 59K ON IT. THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS DUSTING IT OFF GETTING READY FOR A SUNDAY DRIVE AND NOTICED A CRACK STARTING AT THE GAUGES AND FOLLOWING THE CURVE ON THE DASH ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO. I JUST DROVE IT A WEEK AGO AND THAT WAS NOT THERE. I HAVE NEVER USED ANY CHEMICALS ON MY DASH, ONLY A DAMP CLOTH. AT FIRST GLANCE I THOUGHT IT WAS A FACTORY SEAM. I PULLED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO THE SUNLIGHT WHERE I COULD SEE IT BETTER AND SURE ENOUGH YOU COULD SEE THE YELLOW FOAM INSIDE THE CRACK. I WENT TO GOOGLE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES AT ALL THE SAME, EXACT PROBLEMS THAT WERE GOING ON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE 4RUNNER'S DASH CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA WITH THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS THAT THEY USED TO MAKE THIS DASH PAD. MY VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT IT'S ENTIRE LIFE.THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MOSTLY TO THE 2003-2005 4RUNNER'S ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER OWNER'S HAVE CONTACTED THEIR DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA, INC. ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE ALL REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY TOYOTA BECAUSE I HAVE NOTICED THE CRACK IS GETTING BIGGER WHEN IT EXPANDS IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN. THE DASH PAD GOES DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 18, 2013110,000 milesFL

ON A COLD DAY, ACTIVATING THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER CAUSES THE GLASS TO SHATTER FROM TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE. THE EFFECTS OF THIS CAN BE STARTLING AND POTENTIAL CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO LOOSE CONTROL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2013120,000 milesNC

I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED! FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR BACK UP TO HELP ME STOP. LUCKILY I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ONLY RAN INTO A NEIGHBORS YARD (AND DID NOT HIT ANY CHILDREN). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA, THE PARTS DEPT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE, AND THEN ASKED IF I WANTED THE PART (FOR A SMALL FORTUNE). BASICALLY HE SAID EITHER YOU FIX IT, OR DON'T DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. IN ADDITION HE COMPARED THE BRAKE FAILURE TO A TV BREAKING! A TV?! A COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE PUTS NOT ONLY THE DRIVER, BUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR TOYOTA CORPORATE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 7, 2013162,000 milesFL

DRIVING APPROX 30-40MPH ON STANDARD HIGHWAY. FLORIDA, 0700, 70 DEGREES, CLEAR WEATHER. HEARD A LOUD ALMOST EXPLOSION... BY THE TIME I GOT MY WITS ABOUT ME I REALIZED MY REAR WINDOW WAS BROKEN. I HAD NOT BEEN HIT, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROJECTILE, AND NOT NEAR OPPOSING TRAFFIC FOR SOMETHING TO BE KICKED UP. SHORTLY BEFORE THAT, I HAD ON BOTH MY FRONT VENT DEFROSTER TO CLEAR THE MORNING WINDSHIELD FOG, AND THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. I SMELLED A SORT OF RUBBER BURNING SMELL; AFTER 2 MINUTES, I PRESUMED IT WAS MY AC UNIT, SO I SHUT IT OFF TO SEE IF THE SMELL WOULD DISSIPATE. I DID NOT SHUT OF THE REAR DEFROSTER. ABOUT 60S LATER IS WHEN THE SPONTANEOUS BURST HAPPENED. I HAVE SINCE RUN THE FRONT AC AND WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER, AND NO HOT RUBBER ODOR. I HAD JUST RUN THE REAR DEFROSTER 3 DAYS AGO AS WELL, NO PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW ROLLING UP AND DOWN. I DO FIND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ONLINE IN THE 4RUNNER, BUT DO NOT FIND ANY TOYOTA, OR OTHER SAFETY BULLETINS, FORMAL NOTICES, OR LIABILITIES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 16, 2013FL

CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO APPEAR OF WHICH I FIRST NOTICED AFTER 90K MILES IN THE AREA OF THE FR PASSENGER AIR BAG. I FIRST THOUGHT THE AIR BAG MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND READY TO EXPLODE. AS THE CRACKS INCREASED IN NUMBER AND SIZE, THEY BEGAN TO APPEAR ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. I NOTIFIED BOTH THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MAIN TOYOTA OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA, THEY MADE AN OFFER TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD BUT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER MORE THAN HALF OF THE COST. THEY DID NOT ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. I WAS INFORMED THOUGH THAT TOYOTA USED RECYCLED PLASTICS IN THE MANUFACTURER OF SOME OF THE INTERIOR PARTS. AT THAT POINT, BEING UNEDUCATED IN THE USE OF RECYCLED PLASTICS I BEGAN TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND, THIS IS WHAT I FOUND; TOYOTA HAS USED RECYCLED PLASTICS FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF ITS AUTOMOBILE AND TRUCK PARTS FOR SOMETIME AND ARE CONSIDERED EXPERTS IN THE RECYCLING FIELD. I ALSO FOUND THAT DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WE HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RECYCLED PLASTICS BEING USED "VIRGIN, RECYCLED AND DEGRADABLE." THIS HAS PRESENTED A PROBLEM OF WHICH MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS A VICTIM, THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THE USERS OF RECYCLED PLASTICS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LONG LIFE SPAN PRODUCTS (MY DASHBOARD) HAS TO BE SURE THAT DEGRADABLE (SHORT LIFE SPAN) PLASTICS FEEDSTOCKS DO NOT GET MIXED IN TOGETHER. WHAT YOU HAVE IF YOU ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IS A DASHBOARD THAT DISINTEGRATES BEFORE ITS TIME, LIKE A BOTTLE MADE TO BE DISPOSED OF IN A LANDFILL. I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED SINCE T

Visibility/WiperFire
Filed Jul 29, 201350,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO WAY OF KNOWING THE CAUSE OF THE SHATTERED WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT WINDOW MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A BURNED CIRCUIT BOARD AND FAULTY CABLES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Suspension
Filed Jul 6, 2013268,000 milesKY

PASSENGER SIDE A ARM BRACKET BROKE. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 5, 201378,000 milesGA

TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WAS REARENDED BY A CHEVROLET S10 AND CAUSED THE 4RUNNER TO SLAM INTO THE CHRYSLER SUV IN FRONT AT LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER AND S10 WERE BOTH TOTALED. THE 4RUNNER FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND BOTH OCCUPANTS SUFFERED CUTS AND BRUISES ALONG WITH WHIPLASH AND MINOR NECK INJURIES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 10, 2013CA

2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS SPORADIC. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM.

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 201359,000 milesNY

NOTICED AFTER JUST PURCHACING A USED 4RUNNER FRO A TOYOTA DEALER SHIP THAT MY BRAKES SEEM TO BE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR WERE FROZEN DUE TO RUST AND THAT HE HAS NOTICED THIS ISSUE WITH MULTIBLE SEQUOIAS AND 4RUNNERS. HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRS COSTING ME OVER 1000 DOLLARS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 10, 201378,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECAME CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 5, 201346,000 milesFL

A SMALL CRACK STARTED TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACK ON MAY OF 2011. AS TIME PASSES BY THE CRACK HAS BEEN GROWING PAST THE TOP PART OF THE GAUGES TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. NEW CRACKS HAVE ALSO APPEARED AROUND THE AIR VENTS, ABOVE THE RADIO AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA. I HAVE TINTED WINDOWS AND ALWAYS USE A SUN VISOR WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY THE SWELLING OF THE HIGH DENSITY FOAM USED TO MANUFACTURE THE DASHBOARD. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 19, 201342,000 milesCT

ON OCTOBER 30, 2011, I WAS DRIVING OFF THE NEW LONDON CONNECTICUT HIGHWAY EXIT AND AS I WAS APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, IT FELT THAT IT WAS PICKING UP SPEED INSTEAD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES COUPLE TIMES AND PRESSED ON THE PEDAL AS FAR AS IT COULD GO TO THE FLOOR. A GREAT FEAR CAME OVER ME AND MY HEART STARTED RACING, MY WHOLE BODY STIFFENED, TRYING HARD TO FOCUS, I TURNED MY IGNITION KEY OFF IN ORDER FOR MY VEHICLE TO STOP. BY THAT TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.I LIVE IN CONNECTICUT. I DISCOVERED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS NOT REGISTERED WITH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICE INSURANCE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC. THAT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WAS NOT CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME. THE FLOOR MAT WHICH LEANED TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND BECAME TEMPORARILY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. WHEN THIS MATTER WAS CONFRONTED TO CONICELLI TOYOTA, THEY STATED THAT THEY APOLOGIZED FOR THE HUMAN ERROR IN MISSING THE RECALL BEFORE DELIVERY. AND IN REFERENCE TO THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE; THEY HAVE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER ERROR BETWEEN CONICELLI AND TOYOTA MOTORS ON THE PROCESSING OF THE CERTIFICATION INFORMATION. THE APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION ABOUT THE COMPUTER ERROR IS FALSE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO REGISTER THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH TOYOTA MOTORS INC., CONICELLI WOULD HAVE HAD TO CONFIRM THE RECALL REP

Structure
Filed Apr 19, 2013PR

DASHBOARD CRACKED MOSTLY IN THE AREA ABOVE DE PASSANGER AIR BAG. *TR

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 14, 2013154,000 milesCT

I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE VERY SLOWLY AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY LIKE IT WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. I WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE (SHEET ROCK, 2X4, FREEZER AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE GARAGE). I WAS AIR BORN AND LANDED ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE HOUSE WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL, INJURING MY NOSE AND REQUIRED 7 STITCHES IN MY LIP. I COULD'VE BEEN KILLED BUT GOD WAS ON MY SIDE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Nov 19, 2012MI

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FLOOR MAT WOULD COULDN'T CAUSE THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 10, 201259,114 milesNV

SEAT BELT (MALE) FAILED TO LATCH INTO REAR DRIVER SIDE (FEMALE) ASSEMBLY. WE USE ALL THREE REAR SEATS FOR OUR THREE CHILDREN AGES 6, 5 & 4. THIS IS OUR 5 YEAR OLD SONS, WHO IS AUTISTIC, SPOT IN THE CAR. ANY CHANGE IS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO COPE WITH. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 201250,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS HE NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT CALIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 6, 201290,221 milesPR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED NUMEROUS CRACKS WERE FOUND ALONG THE DASH BOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS EXPOSE WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY WITHOUT ANY IMPACTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,221.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 201265,000 milesCO

THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER COMPLETELY FAILED THUS RENDERING THE BRAKES COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS PLACED IN P AND SHUT DOWN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THIS CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURES SCHEDULE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, WE HAD HEARD AN OSCILLATING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS, BUT UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE LAST VISIT WAS 4 MONTHS AGO AT WHICH TIME THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM, BUT THE SOUND CONTINUED. HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 14, 201239,000 milesFL

MY WIFE REPORTED A THIN CRACK IN THE DASH ASSEMBLY ON OUR 4RUNNER. THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND SHE USES A SUN VISOR WHEN PARKED AT WORK. ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2005 LIMITED 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODEL, IT ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE CRACKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH CORNER AND THREE IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE DASHBOARD. NO ACCIDENTS AND NO CHILDREN BANGING ON THE DASH. NOTICED ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. NICE IF TOYOTA ASSISTED IN A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 30, 2012FL

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I DISCOVERED TWO CRACKS ON MY DASH, ONE BY THE DRIVER SIDE CLOSE TO THE WIND SHIELD AND ONE BY THE PASSENGER ( IN BETWEEN THE COMPARTMENT AND RADIO) I DECIDED TO SEARCH THE CAUSE AND TO MY SURPRISE THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON ON MANY TOYOTA 4RUNNERS, SIENNA'S, HIGHLANDERS AND OTHERS. I ALSO WAS DISAPPOINTED TO READ THAT TOYOTA WON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND ARE QUICK TO RESPOND THAT CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY OR CAUSED BY ONES NEGLECT. THIS CAN BE A HAZARD. THIS IS WHY I CHOSE TO REPORT IT. A LOT OF WHAT I HAVE READ IS THAT IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THESE CRACKS GET CLOSE TO THE AIRBAGS IT WILL ALLOW THE ALREADY WEAKENED DASH TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AND CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN WORSE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE WARRANTS SOME KIND OF ATTENTION OR INVESTIGATION. TOYOTA OWES SOME KIND OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO CONSUMERS AND PUT SAFETY FIRST. THEY MAKE US FEEL AS WE ARE THE PERPETUATORS AND THEY ARE THE VICTIMS. PROOF IS IN THE CHANGES THEY HAVE MADE TO THE DASHBOARD QUALITY ON THE NEWER MODELS. MANY CONSUMERS DO NOT HAVE THE $1000 TO REPLACE A DASH AND CHOOSE TO EITHER IGNORE OR FIND A THIRD PARTY TO FIX WHICH CAN MAKE IT WORSE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2012100,150 milesPA

ENGINE LOOSING COOLANT. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HEAD GASKET FAILURE. 3.0 V6 ENGINE. COOLANT BEING LOST THROUGH EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH USUAL SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 100K MILES. APPEARS THIS IS AROUND THE MILEAGE THAT GASKET FAILURES OCCUR. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR WHICH TOYOTA PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED A LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES FOR A RECALL. HOWEVER IN REVIEWING THIS WEBSITE IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING BEYOND THE VEHICLES IDENTIFIED. ALTHOUGH THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE, IF IT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED I MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA NOTIFIED BUT IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY GASKETS BEYOND IDENTIFIED VEHICLES. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 15, 2012FM

MY 2005 4RUNNER IS IN GREAT SHAPE BESIDES THE DASHBOARD. MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS TINTED WINDOWS. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I ASKED THE PRICE FOR REPLACEMENT AND IT WAS SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. THIS WILL SURELY DECREASE THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE CRACKED DASH CUTS SOMEONE. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 19, 201252,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER ATR TIRES, SIZE: 265/65/17. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN A VIBRATING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY TREAD SEPARATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 9, 2012MA

WHEN I TRIED REPLACING MY BRAKE PAD, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CALIPER PISTON IS FROZEN AND I COULD NOT RETRACT IT. I ENDED UP REPLACING MY FRONT CALIPER ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO THIS. BOTH FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER IS FROZEN. 1 PISTON ON EACH CALIPER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY TO AVOID FUTURE ACCIDENT. I HAVE MY RECEIPTS WHEN I REPLACED IT IF YOU NEED IT. THANK YOU. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 8, 201290,000 milesCT

FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE FROZEN. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 1, 201270,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73.000. UPDATED 02/13/12 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS WORRIED THE CRACKS WOULD INTERFERE WITH OPERATION OF THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 02/17/12

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 29, 201190,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR INDUCTION PUMP FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SWITCH WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR INDUCTION PUMP FAILURE. THE AIR INDUCTION PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Suspension
Filed Dec 21, 201145,000 milesNJ

VEHICLE IS VIBRATING WHEN BRAKING,UNSTABLE AT SPEED OF 50MPH ,TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BAD LEFT & RIGHT BALL JOINT/LOWER CONTROL ARM ,AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2300 VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 55000 MILES NO ACCIDENTS..I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT ALMOST EVERY 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 13, 2011119,230 milesMI

THE CABLE ON THE SPARE TIRE LIFT MECHANISM FREYED AND BECAME STUCK. THE SPARE TIRE WOULD NOT COME DOWN ALL THE WAY. WHEN I DID GET IT DOWN, I INSPECTED THE CABLE AND IT WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY THE RETRACTION MECHANISM. CABLE COULD HAVE EASILY FAILED AND DROPPED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED A SIMILAR MECHANISM ON THE SIENNA MODEL, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT ON RECALL FOR THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER. FAILURE OF THAT CABLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA WANTS $250 TO REPLACE THE MECHANISM WHICH IS A POOR DESIGN AND WILL FAIL AGAIN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 21, 201186,000 milesCO

MY ABS DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY. OVER TIME, BRAKING DISTANCES HAVE BECOME SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER. RECENTLY, I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES AND BOTH SIDES' LOWER BRAKE PISTONS WERE FROZEN/SEIZED. THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH MANY OTHER 2003-2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT CAN BE FOUND ON HTTP://WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 20, 2011110,000 milesNJ

HEAVY VIBRATION NOTICED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH. A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FEEL AND POWER WAS ALSO NOTICED. WHEN I WENT TO EXAMINE THE BRAKES, I FOUND THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FROZEN LOWER PISTONS. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT CALIPERS AND ROTORS AS WELL AS BRAKE PADS. FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON 4TH GENERATION TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. MANY COMPLAINS CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.T4R.COM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 6, 201153,000 milesAL

VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. NO WARNING PRIOR TO EVENT. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. WE HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MULTIPLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NONE PRIOR TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS WHATSOEVER OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE DEALER SAYS THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, HOWEVER, IF THIS HAD OCCURRED JUST MOMENTS BEFORE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 60+ MPH! *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 21, 2011AL

HAIR LINE CRACK OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL ON 2005 4-RUNNER SPORT ADDITION. JUST APPEARED NOTHING OCCURED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. *TR

Tires
Filed May 9, 201147,241 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A METAL CAP ATTACHED TO THE VALVE STEMS WAS FROZEN, PREVENTING HIM FROM REMOVING THEM. AS A RESULT, HE WAS UNABLE TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER POSSIBLY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHING DUE TO THE TIRES BEING UNDER INFLATED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER REFUSED TO REMOVE THE FROZEN CAPS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TIRE SENSORS WOULD FRACTURE IF THEY DID SO, AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GOING TO CONTACT THE DEALER ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,241.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 28, 201157,525 milesHI

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PREFORMING PERFECTLY WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR OTHER COLLISIONS UNTIL THE OTHER DAY, WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE AND THAT THE AIRBAG WAS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS. THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL DEFECT AND NOT BECAUSE OF ANY FAULT OF MY OWN. THIS IS TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT.

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 16, 201185,000 milesSD

MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER , 2005 WAS SPEEDING AND I COULDN'T CONTROL TO STOP IT. FINALLY I MANAGED TO STEER AND HIT THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY AND IT STOPPED. THERE WAS A DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND INJURY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE ACCIDENT BUT THEY ARE NOT FULLY COOPERATING TO INSPECT AND FIX MY CAR. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Mar 9, 201150,000 milesTX

I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO TAKE MY CAR INTO MY TIRE DEALER, BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING TIRE PRESSURE, AND THE TPMS TIRE SENSOR INDICATOR IS SHOWING THE TIRES ARE LOW. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THESES DEFECTIVE SENSORS AT NO CHARGE. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 25, 201136,000 milesIA

A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS BEING PARKED IN A GARAGE AND HAD COME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO THE WALL. THE BRAKE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 29, 20106 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHEMICAL ODOR. IF THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN, THE SMELL SEEMED STRONGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE SMELL, HE HAD TO TAKE MEDICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF FUEL HE DID BUT THE ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ALSO STATED THAT HE TO CHANGE THE FUEL TYPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,200. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN

Wheels
Filed Oct 17, 201075,000 milesMA

ALUMINUM WHEELS HAVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Oct 14, 2010125,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND IT HAS A LOUD CLUNK IN THE DRIVETRAIN EVERY TIME I STOP.WHEN IT CLUNKS IT ALSO LUNGES FORWARD CAUSING A FEW CLOSE CALLS I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY SAY IT IS A NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN THE 03-06 4RUNNERS,TACOMAS AND LEXUS GX470 TOYOTA HAS A T.S.B ON THE LEXUS MODEL ONLY NOT THE TOYOTA 4RUNNERS OR TACOMAS WHICH MEANS AT LEAST TO ME THAT IT IS A DEFECT!!! I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEIR IS NO TSB SO THEY CANT DO ANYTHING I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND GOT NO RESPONSE. IF THEY WILL FIX THE LEXUS VERSION WHY NOT THE TOYOTA VERSION??? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 14, 201080,000 milesME

2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 27, 201032,000 milesNY

WE HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT DID $12,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I BASICALLY FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL DRIFTED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK OUT 7 METAL GUARD RAIL POLES WITH WIRES IN BETWEEN AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 201062,800 milesME

2005 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SPORT EDITION. HAD CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS IN PARK WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. 4-YEAR OLD CHILD CLIMBED INTO CAR AND PUT CAR GEAR-SHFT INTO NEUTRAL (NO KEY IN IGNITION AND FOOT WAS NOT ON BRAKE PEDAL). CAR ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO A BUSY ROAD. ANOTHER CAR NEARLY HIT THE 4-RUNNER. DRIVER OF OTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AND HALTED OTHER TRAFFIC BY HONKING THEIR HORN. OWNER OF 4-RUNNER HEARD HONKING, CAME OUT OF HOUSE AND FOUND 4-RUNNER SITTING ACROSS THE ROAD WITH THE 4-YEAR OLD CHILD STILL IN IT. CONDITION OF PUTTING 4-RUNNER INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT KEY OR FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL WAS TESTED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND FOUND TO BE REPEATABLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 25, 201080,000 milesGA

ON SAT. AUG. 14, 2010 MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME AND TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT. I PUT IT IN PARK, NOTHING HAPPENED, THEN I TURNED IT OFF AND WE STOPPED. WE ACTUALLY BACKED INTO A GROVE OF SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS WHICH CAUGHT US. THE CAR WAS SCRATCHED UP A LITTLE BUT NOT MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE. I DID CALL THE POLICE AND MADE A REPORT. MY YOUNGER SISTER WAS WITH ME. THE BACKWARDS ACCELERATION WAS SMOOTH AND DID NOT KNOCK US AROUND MUCH AND THE STOP WAS KIND OF SMOOTH. AFTER I TURNED IT OFF I COULD NOT USE THE BRAKES ANYMORE BUT AT LEAST WE STOPPED. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. IT IS PARKED AT MY HOUSE. FIRST I RENTED A CAR AND NOW HAVE BORROWED ONE FROM A RELATIVE. I CALLED CORPORATE TOYOTA AND AN ENGINEER FROM EAA IS COMING TO BRUNSWICK TOYOTA TOMORROW (08/26) TO CHECK OUT THE CAR. TOYOTA OFFERED NO HELP WITH ANOTHER CAR AND SAY IT WILL TAKE UP TO 30 DAYS TO GIVE ME THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION TOMORROW. MEANWHILE I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF IT AND I CAN'T TRADE IT IN SO I AM STUCK. THE CAR WAS ALMOST PAID OFF AND HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY TROUBLE TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I NEVER SUSPECTED MY CAR SINCE I HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY 4RUNNERS HAVING A PROBLEM. I AM AN HONEST PERSON AND AM WELL RESPECTED IN MY COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE TOYOTA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 18, 201085,000 milesPA

FRONT BRAKES PISTONS SEIZED TO ROTORS AND WILL NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE WOULD BARELY SLOW DOWN. CALLED TOYOTA HOTLINE AND THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO HELP FIX THE PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY FRONT CALIPERS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2004 AND 2005 4RUNNERS. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED CAR WHEN THE BRAKE WENT OUT AND TOYOTA CAN'T EVEN HELP FIX THERE FAULTY PRODUCTS. VEHICLE HAS 85K MILES. I COUNTED OVER A DOZEN SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON NHTSA WEBSITE REGARDING 04 AND 05 BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZING. CALIPERS SHOULD BE RECALLED, THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE STICKING GAS PEDALS THEY PUT IN THE NEW CARS. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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