Toyota 4Runner Complaints (1997)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10297871January 3, 2010
POWER TRAIN
REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUST OUT, TOYOTA USING INFERIOR METAL IN PRODUCTION RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIR FOR FLUID LEAKAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284813September 21, 2009
STRUCTURE
I WANTED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T PULLING MY BOAT OR TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. BASICALLY THE FRAME FOR MY 4RUNNER RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. ONE BRACE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME TO STABILIZE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF THE FRAME ON ONE SIDE. THE OTHER SIDE IS HOLDING ON BY A STRING. THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH PIECES MISSING FROM RUSTING OUT. THE FRAME COULD IN MY OPINION BREAK IN HALF NEAR THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR OR WORSE THAN WHAT I READ ABOUT THE TACOMA TRUCKS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS WHAT THE GUYS SAID THERE. THE WORDS DIRECTLY FROM THE SERVICE GUYS WERE - THIS IS WORSE THAN ANY OF THE TACOMA'S THEY HAVE SEEN. THEY HAD THE REGIONAL TOYOTA REP TAKE PICTURES AND RUN A REPORT AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME SOON. THAT WAS ON 9/9/09. NO WORD BACK YET. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I KNOW ABOUT SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS REPORTED TO YOU. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND MULTIPLE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THEY ADVISED THE FRAME WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OR TOW ANY ITEMS AND NOT TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT ONE TIME. THE ADVISED TO GET THE FRAME WELDED BY A WELDING COMPANY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284120September 16, 2009
STRUCTURE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
NO CRASH OR INJURY,BUT 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DIFFERENTIAL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKS OIL THROUGH NUMEROUS PINHOLES. IT CAN'T BE PATCHED AND REPLACEMENT IS IN THE $1500 RANGE. I CAN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE ON TRIPS. I HAVE FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB - IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10282930September 5, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREADS OF MY CONTINENTAL TIRES SEPARATED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. MY CAR LOST TRACTION AND SPUN UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. MY TIRES WERE PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO AND HAVE ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON THEM. THE OTHER 3 CONTINENTAL TIRES ALSO SHOW SUBSTANTIAL WEAR THAT ARE BEYOND THE TYPICAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281335August 21, 2009
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ON AUGUST 5 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME BROKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD CORRODED AND BROKE IN HALF WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME IS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO EXISTING RECALL AND WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276395July 11, 2009
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED/JOLTED FORWARD PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO MERGE INTO THE DIRECTION OF A TRACTOR TRAILER. I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRACTOR TRAILER TO AVOID COLLISION. MY VEHICLE HIT THE REAR TIRE OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER AND I BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. MY BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP EITHER, THEY DIDN'T FUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER 3+ TIMES, THE CAR WAS TOTALED. ALL PASSENGERS WERE HOSPITALIZED BUT NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE WERE HURT FROM THE ACCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS REGARDING THE PERIODIC ENGINE SURGE AND/OR JOLTING AND LACK OF BRAKE CONTROL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE INCIDENTS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED IN THIS AUTO ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10253232December 30, 2008
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
FAIL STATE CAR INSPECTION DUE TO ILLEGAL INSTALLATION OF HEADLIGHTS BY A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE. PREMIER SOUND WHO INSTALLED A $400.00 PLUS HEADLIGHTS ON MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THIS HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ON THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WOULD COST ME $900.00 PLUS . IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE WOULD REGULATE AND SAY YOU MUST TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT WHAT I'M INSTALLING IN YOUR VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL? THIS KIND OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD ON THE MONEY TO RIP YOU OFF BY NOT TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL. PREMIER SOUND IS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AIN'T THAT SOMETHING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW. THE LAW MUST BE CHANGE TO MAKE THEM HONEST TO THE COMMUNITY THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. PLEASE HELP CONGRESSMAN OUT THERE AND BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZEN LIKE ME WHO LIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. SINCERELY, F.I. CANTADA *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241324September 8, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN HOLE AND A 7 INCH CRACK TO THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS A FRAME SAFETY RECALL ON 1995-2000 TACOMA. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER WHICH SITS ON THE SAME FRAME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235364July 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS LETTER IS TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC OF A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WITH OUR TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THIS VEHICLE IS A VERY GOOD VEHICLE OVER ALL AND HAS GIVEN US BARELY NO TROUBLE WHAT SO EVER, WE TAKE GREAT CARE OF THE CAR AND WERE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE WHEN WE WERE ALMOST SET ON FIRE WHILE PREPARING TO RIDE OFF . WE WERE AT A MOTOR CYCLE SHOP LOOKING AT 4 WHEELERS AND DIRTBIKES WITH OUR CHILDREN AND NEPHEW,AS WE WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON, AND MY ASTHMATIC SON BEGAN TO GASP, MY WIFE BEGAN TO COUGH AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SMOKING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WE MADE IT OUT OK GETTING THE KIDS OUT AND,THEN OURSELVES AS WE TRIED TO FIND AND CONTAIN THE FIRE. NEARBY CITIZENS HELPED TRYING TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION USING A EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME COMPLETELY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS OCCURRED IN MARCH AND OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE REPAIR IS BRUTAL. FROM WHAT WE DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIPS AND USED CAR PARTS, THAT MODEL CAR HAS BEEN REQUIRING THAT PART , THEREFORE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING TO OTHER 1997 4-RUNNERS TO THE EXTENT THAT PLACES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SOLD OUT OF THE PART IN MANY STATES. WE DID PURCHASE OURS THROUGH THE DEALER, TO NO SURPRISE WE AREN'T FIRST TO HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PART, THIS IS NOT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, NOR IS IT A ROUTINE CAR PROBLEM. I WROTE TOYOTA AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE, I KNOW IT IS AN GREAT COMPANY, WITH QUALITY VEHICLES. WE PAID 29,000+FOR THIS CAR IN CASH....DEFINITELY NOT TO WATCH IT BURN UP...ALL OF THE SUDDEN OVER SOMETHING COMPLETELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS MATTER WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3,000 AND NO ONE FEELS ITS FAIR. MY 7 YEAR OLD RESULTED WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A MONTH, AS WELL DID MY WIFE. MY 12 Y/O HAD STINGING IN HIS EYES FOR 2 DAYS, MY NEPHEW HAD TROUBLE BREATHING AND I BURNED MYSELF AND INHALED SOOT & FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUMES, RESULTING IN CHEST PAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. WE DESERVE OUR MONEY BACK AT THE LEAST FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10223384April 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
REAR AXEL HOUSING RUSTED OFF OF CHASSIS REQUIRING NEW AXEL HOUSING. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH RUST OTHERWISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198158August 1, 2007
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 02V021000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL AUGUST 6, 2007. HE FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194171June 25, 2007
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT (LT255/85R16) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN EXAMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 185,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186974April 4, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 02V021000 FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION IN DECEMBER 2006. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND HAD NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE. ON MARCH 29, 2007, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE NOTIFIED AND SHOULD HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN REFERENCE # 200704020883. THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS 70 MILES FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACTWAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED AND THE HEIGHTENED RISK OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 122,000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185297March 16, 2007
SUSPENSION
TL*-THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON 01/05/07. HE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY COULDN'T PUT HIM ON A WAIT LIST UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE# 200703090575 BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GIVE HIM A TIME WHEN WILL RECEIVE THE PART. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL GET HIM THE PARTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FAILURES TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11300. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185331March 16, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL #02V021000. FOR TWO MONTHS THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO HONOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED, AND WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 119,000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180777January 26, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 02V021000 FOR THE SUSPENSION ON THE 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 1/26/07. THE CUSTOMER STATED WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THE PART HAD NOT ARRIVED. THE CUSTOMER WAS UPSET THAT HE WAS NOT CALLED AND TOLD THE PART HAD NOT ARRIVED BEFORE HE GOT THERE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180747January 25, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I HAVE BEEN SENT MANY NOTICES FROM TOYOTA INDICATING A RECALL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL SINCE IT INVOLVED REMOVING AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF THE DEFECT. I WROTE TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY REPLIED BY PHONE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE EQUIPMENT FIRST. I CONTINUE TO GET THESE RECALL NOTICES AND AM FINALLY COMPLAINING TO THE NHTSA TO ASSIST IN CONVINCING TOYOTA THAT IT IS THEIR LIABILITY, NOT MINE. THE AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT IN QUESTION IS JUST TWO SMALL AIRBAGS INSERTED IN THE REAR SPRINGS TO ASSIST IN LEVELING THE TRUCK WHEN CARRYING HEAVY LOADS. THE AIRBAGS WILL MOST PROBABLY NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO AFFECT THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEALERS WON'T TOUCH THE TRUCK, SINCE IT ADDS TIME AND THEY WILL LOSE MONEY ON THE FLAT RATE PAID BY TOYOTA. IF THE TRUCK SUSPENSION FAILS, AS IT MIGHT AT THIS LATE STAGE, THE LIABILITY WILL BE SOLELY ON TOYOTA AS I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THEIR REQUESTS TO THE LETTER, WHICH STATES SIMPLY TO BRING THE TRUCK IN FOR THE RETROFIT/INSTALLATION OF NEW PARTS, AND NO WHERE IN THE RECALL LETTER IS THERE ANY LANGUAGE STATING THAT A CUSTOMER WILL BE REFUSED IF ADDITIONAL HOURS OF LABOR WILL BE INVOLVED. IF TOYOTA IS WORRIED ABOUT LIABILITY ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, I WOULD THINK THAT THIS WOULD PALE IN COMPARISON TO WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY IF THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING THIS TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE WRITTEN THEM LETTERS, SPOKEN TO THEM ON THE PHONE AND THEY CONTINUE TO SEND ME LETTERS RE: THE RECALL AND NOTING THAT THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE. AGAIN, TOYOTA SHOULD AFFECT THIS REPAIR NO MATTER WHAT ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. IF ANYTHING, THE ADDITION OF THE AIRBAGS HAVE MADE THIS TRUCK MORE STABLE AND SAFER THAN IT WAS WHEN IT WAS DELIVERED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO CONTACT ME WITH THE NAME OF A DEALER WHO WILL INSTITUTE THE RECALL REPAIRS WITH THE TRUCK IN THE CURRENT CONDITION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178637January 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
ON DECEMBER 27, I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAD BEEN RECALLED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ROSEVILLE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR THE "ONE HOUR SERVICE" TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER TAKING FRIDAY, JANURAY 5 OFF WORK, I MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIRS. I CHECKED IN AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD TAKE CLOSER TO 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE. UPON REGISTERING MY CAR FOR SERVICE, THE DEALERSHIP REALIZED THEY DID NOT HAVE PROPER PARTS IN STOCK (SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED UPON MAKING THE APPOINTMENT). THEY WERE VERY SURPRISED THAT THE SERVICE HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED ON MY CAR, SINCE THE RECALL IS ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS, AND I AM VERY SHOCKED THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED SOONER. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION, AND NOW I KNOW WHY. THE ROSEVILLE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO ORDERED THE PARTS, BUT I INFORMED THEM THAT I LIVE 3 HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO WAY OF BRINGING MY CAR IN. THE SERVICE MAN LOCATED THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA (APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AWAY) AND CALLED TO FIND OUT SERVICE HOURS. THE HOURS ARE MON-FRI, 8-5. I AM NOW UNABLE TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE UNLESS I TAKE ANOTHER DAY OFF WORK AND ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS A LOT OF ROUGH TERRAIN AND SNOW PLAYS A BIG FACTOR IN THE ROAD CONDITIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THESE ISSUES ARE TO BE RESOLVED. I AM OPERATING A FAULTY PRODUCT, NO FAULT OF WHICH IS MINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173792November 18, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4WD THAT APPEARED TO HAVE A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND WAS ISSUED A CASE NUMBER- INCIDENT: 061011-000352. OUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 133,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY OFF ROAD CONDITIONS. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BACK STREETS AT LESS THAN 30 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED AND TUCKED UP UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. ONLY THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS ATTACHED. THESE JOINTS ARE A NON SERVICEABLE PART AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FAILURE OR PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. I CAN'T IMAGINE UNDER ANY NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THIS COULD BE OR SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS DESIGN IS EITHER FAULTY BY DESIGN OR AN IMPROPER INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY. AFTER EVENTUALLY RECEIVING THE DAMAGED PARTS, I EXAMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT CLOSELY AND IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THE LUBRICATION IN THE JOINT BECAME HARD AND CLUMPY. I COULD HARDLY MOVE THE JOINT IN ANY RANGE OF MOTION. I WOULD FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT, CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING UPPER JOINT SEPARATION. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATING I HAVE FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGNS ON LOWER BALL JOINTS ON CERTAIN YEARS AND MODELS. HOWEVER THIS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SPANS FROM 4RUNNERS, TUNDRAS, TACOMAS, AND SEQUOIAS, FROM '95 TO '04. AT CONCORD TOYOTA (WERE MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (CA)), I BECAME SUSPICIOUS WITH A FEW INCIDENCES I EXPERIENCED OF A COVERUP OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WHICH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DETAIL IF REQUESTED. I AM AWARE OF TOYOTA??S Q.C. PROBLEMS LIKELY BECAUSE OF THEIR QUEST TO TAKE THE TOP SPOT IN MANUFACTURING AND THEIR SHARED PARTS IN DIFFERENT MODELS. TOYOTAS RESPONSE TO OUR SPECIFIC PROBLEM WAS THAT OUR WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. MINE IS THAT THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND WARRANTY. IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND IS A POTENTIALLY HUGE LIABILITY FOR THEM. I SHARE AN OTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE OLD DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT NOW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149040January 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45-55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF WITHOUT ME OR ANY PART OF MY BODY EVEN TOUCHING THE KEY OR DO ANYTHING TO PROVOKE SUCH EVENT. B) I WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH THE FLOW DURING RUSH OUR WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS IN DRIVE THE WHOLE TIME AND WAS USING ONLY THE ACCELERATOR, AND OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ADJUST MY SPEED TO TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS OR TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFTER. C) THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT TO OCCUR IN A SPAN OF ABOUT ONE YEAR. ALL INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC WITH ENGINE IN NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE] AND AT ESTIMATED SPEED OF 40 TO 60 MPH. D) FIRST INCIDENT, I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE FAILURE AND DIDN'T REPORT IT. SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND HE REFUSED TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING THE CAR IN QUICKLY ENOUGH THE INCIDENT WOULD BE GONE FROM THE ONBOARD COMPUTER MEMORY. THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO POINT OF DOING DIAGNOSTICS. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT, AND I INTEND TO VISIT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER IN PALO ALTO ON JANUARY 30, 2006. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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