Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#10823985February 3, 2016
WHEELS, STRUCTURE
I'M AN OWNER OF A 2003 4RUNNER AND HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUES INVOLVING THE PAINT ON THE WHEELS PEALING. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL, IF NOT ALL WHEELS THAT TOYOTA USES ON THEIR 4 RUNNERS AND OTHER TRUCKS. WHY DOES TOYOTA CONTINUE TO SELL AND USE A WHEEL WHEN THEY KNOW IT IS DEFECTIVE, AND WHY AREN'T THEY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING REFUNDS, OR REPAIR SERVICES? THE DEFECT LEADS TO THE WHEEL BEING CORRODED AND EVENTUALLY COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE WHEEL'S STRENGTH. THE SAFETY OF THE WHEEL IS A BIG CONCERN OF MINE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10823974February 3, 2016
AIR BAGS
THE STEERING WHEEL COVER IS BROKEN, CRACKED. BEHIND IT IS THE AIR BAG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10823454February 1, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
MY 2003 TOYOTA HAD EMISSIONS ISSUES IN THAT ALL FOUR OXYGEN SENSORS WOULD FAIL QUICKLY. IT TOOK ME TWO YEARS AND LOTS OF MONEY LATER TO DETERMINE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS IS BECAUSE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WICKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID HARNESS ALL THE WAY TO THE ECU AND ONCE THERE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ECU IS MOUNTED GETS INTO ALL OF THE OTHER WIRING HARNESSES OF JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER SENSOR. I WENT TO TOYOTA AND THE FIRST TECHNICIAN NEVER HEARD THAT HAPPENING BEFORE BUT ANOTHER OVERHEARD OUR CONVERSATION AND SAID "I BET YOU HAVE A 4RUNNER" SO YEAH ITS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THEY WANTED NEARLY $4500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. NEW ENGINE WIRING HARNESS $1500-$2000 AND ANOTHER $1000 FOR THE LABOR AND THE REST OF THE ESTIMATE IS FOR OTHER PARTS NOT SPECIFIED. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO CUT THE WIRE BELOW THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THEN SPLICE AND SOLDER BUT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE NEARLY ALL THE CRITICAL WIRING IN THAT CAR. I CANT GIVE AN EXACT DATE ON WHEN IT STARTED GOING WRONG BUT I CAN LOOK AT THE SERVICE HISTORY ON THE TOYOTA OWNER'S WEBSITE AND GIVE YOU THIS TIMELINE. 0-89,997 - NO, ISSUES WITH EMISSIONS OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. 89,997MI - 90K SERVICE DONE - TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE W/FLUSH DONE AT DEALER. 98,152MI - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES MAF SENSOR. 100,117 - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES O2 SENSOR AND A/F SENSOR BANK 2 POSITION 1 & 2 105,312 - CAR REPORTING LEAN CODES, DEALER REPLACES BANK 1 POSITION 1 A/F SENSOR AND MAF SENSOR AGAIN. TOTAL COST $798.76. THERE ARE MORE BUT I HAVE CHARACTER LIMITS. I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN OBVIOUS BECAUSE YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE FLUID WHEN YOU UNPLUG THE O2 SENSOR FROM THE HARNESS BUT TOYOTA WAS CONTENT CHARGING ME $500-$700 EVERY 10K MILES WITHOUT ACTUALLY FIXING IT. CAR STILL REMAINED FUNCTIONAL BUT RUINED FUEL ECONOMY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10823520February 1, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
FAILED STATE INSPECTION 1/25/16 DUE TO RUSTED AND PERFORATED FRAME. IT PASSED THE INSPECTION 1/26/15 JUST BEFORE SELLING VEHICLE TO US. WE HAVE PUT LESS THAN 7000 MILES ON IT SINCE PURCHASE ON 1/28/15.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822927January 28, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE OF MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER BEGAN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN AND WOBBLE MAKING THE CAR WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD. WE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, CARVER TOYOTA OF COLUMBUS IN TAYLORSVILLE, IN. INSPECTING THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE WE FOUND THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME WHERE THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED LEAVING A BIG HUNK OUT OF THE FRAME. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME IN MULTIPLE PLACES. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATT WARREN, SERVICE MANAGER AT CARVER TOYOTA AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE UNDRIVEABLE. THIS IS A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WHICH IS IN TIP-TOP CONDITION IN EVERY OTHER RESPECT THAN THE RUSTED FRAME. WE ARE VERY UPSET TO LOSE A GOOD CAR WHICH STILL HAD A LOT OF VALUE STILL LEFT IN IT TO US. WE ALSO FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE INCREDIBLY LUCKY THAT NEITHER WE NOR ANYBODY ELSE ON THE HIGHWAY THAT DAY WERE INJURED BY THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER 4RUNNERS AS WELL AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL AND THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. WE ARE HOLDING ON TO THE VEHICLE HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE SOME REMEDY FOR THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822458January 27, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME RUSTED OUT IN LESS THAN 13 YEARS ON THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821400January 21, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4UNNER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD BANG EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE INDEPENDENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN ENCOUNTERING UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES AND POTHOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821201January 20, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AN INSPECTOR SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE DAMAGE. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME BRACKET, WHICH HOLDS THE LOWER CONTROL, HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FAIL. THE INSPECTOR RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820137January 14, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
HEAVILY RUSTED AREAS ON THE FRAME ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND ROUTINELY MAINTAINED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820320January 14, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2003 4RUNNER HAS SERIOUS FRAME RUST ISSUES WITH LESS THAN 150,000 MILES. THE PIECE OF THE FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR AND A/C CONDENSER HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE RADIATOR IS UNSUPPORTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH MY OLD 1996 4RUNNER WHICH HAD 100,000 MORE MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819648January 12, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
SCHEDULED VEHICLE FOR REGULAR INSPECTION. TOYOTA REP ADVISED SUBSTANTIAL ROT ON FRAME, REAR PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT PASS INSPECTION. REP ADVISED THAT NO CURRENT REMEDIES/RECALLS IN PLACE. REP SUGGESTED TO TRADE IT IN. 153000 MILES, ENGINE/TRANSMISSION EXCELLENT CONDITION. FRAME WASHED AND TREATED W/ RUST PREVENTION 2X A YEAR. UNACCEPTABLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH NO REMEDY FROM TOYOTA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10789387November 9, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN A CITY AT 10 MPH WHEN ABS, VSC, TRAC AND EBRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH AN ALARM SOUND. BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND ON SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. MANAGED TO SLOW CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING BY PRESSING EBRAKE AND PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL. TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER COMPLETELY FAILED AND BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. QUOTED $3100 FOR REPAIR. BASED ON SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL/YEAR. DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED SOME FIX FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH COULD PROVE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788164November 3, 2015
AIR BAGS
DRIVING 45 MPH IN A 45 MPH ZONE ON CITY STREET WHEN A PICKUP TRUCK FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PULLED IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF 4RUNNER. ALMOST ZERO TIME FOR BREAKING. 4RUNNER HIT PICKUP TRUCK BEHIND DRIVER'S DOOR AT NEARLY 45 MPH. THE TRUCK WAS WAS MOVING RIGHT TO LEFT. FRONT END OF 4RUNNER SEVERELY DAMAGED AND FRAME WAS BENT. 4RUNNER BUMPER MOUNTS JUST BELOW AIRBAG SENSORS WERE BROKEN OFF. AIRBAGS ON 4RUNNER DID NOT ACTIVATE. 4RUNNER DRIVER HAS SEVERE CONCUSSION AND OTHER INJURIES. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED BY THE PICKUP TRUCK DRIVER'S INSURANCE CARRIER. THE SAFETY ISSUE TOO FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION...UPDATED 11/12/15 *BF
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10787092October 29, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783847October 20, 2015
SUSPENSION
THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780676October 7, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED, BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. .....UPDATED 12/08/15 *BF *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779405October 2, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME ON MY 4 RUNNER ROTTED SO BADLY IT WAS UNSAFE AND NOT REPAIRABLE. I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE BRAKES WORKED ON. WHEN THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK, THEY ASKED ME TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT. THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN WITH RUST. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NOT PRACTICAL TO REPAIR, AND COULD ONLY BE SOLD FOR PARTS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 65,257 MILES ON IT. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT HE COULD POKE A SCREWDRIVER RIGHT THROUGH IT. LARGE RUSTY CHUNKS WERE FALLING RIGHT OFF OF THE FRAME. THERE ARE TWO STEEL U PIECES WELDED, ONE ON EITHER SIDE, TO THE FRONT OF THE FRAME FOR TOWING PURPOSES. ONE OF THESE WAS HANGING DOWN BY A RUSTY THREAD. I LATER PULLED ON IT WITH MY HAND AND IT CAME RIGHT OFF WITH A BUNCH OF SCALY RUST FLAKES. I HAVE SAVED IT AS EVIDENCE OF HOW BADLY THE FRAME HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY ALLOW ME $100 ON A TRADE IN, BUT I DID AS I HAD TO HAVE A VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I FELT VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE FRAME DID NOT BREAK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AS I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! MY WORKING CAREER HAS BEEN AS AN ENGINEER AND I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH METALS AND CORROSION, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN STEEL THIS PRONE TO ROTTING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10767355September 22, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE THREE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10761027September 2, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE FRAME RUST AND ROT. PART OF FRAME AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR HAS HOLES IN IT AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT WAS DRIVEN PRIMARILY IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10761118September 2, 2015
SUSPENSION
2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29, 2015 TO INSPECT THE FRAME RUST. THE RUST WAS VERIFIED BY THE DEALER, AND WAS SENT ON MY WAY, WITH NO WARNING THAT IT WAS UNSAFE. MONDAY AUGUST 31, 2015, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRAME FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE REAREND STARTED TO SHAKE, WOBBLE AND VIBRATE AND WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. TALKED TO DEALER, NO RECALLS ON SAID VEHICLE. TALKED TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TACOMA'S AND TUNDRA'S HAVE A RECALL, BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED HERE ON JULY 5, 2015.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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