Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#10573105March 18, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEATS
I WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER TRUCK GOING 60 MPH. MY 4RUNNER WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN THEM, TOTALED, AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD I BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND BROKE MY SEAT FROM THE MOMENTUM. WHEN I AWOKE I HAD SLID INTO THE BACK SEAT (WHICH IS ALL THAT WAS REALLY LEFT OF THE VEHICLE). ALTHOUGH I AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE, I FEEL THAT AT THAT FORCE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10550189October 28, 2013
TIRES
2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS, WHERE SHE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES, WERE SEVERELY WORN AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548693October 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHEN THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. ONE OF THE TWO REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD BECOME SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548561October 19, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
NEAR THE END OF AUGUST FOUR WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME IN MY 2003 4RUNNER. THEY WERE THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SIGNIFICANT RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME, REAR AXLE AND ATTACHED PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO AS THERE IS SO MUCH RUST, CORROSION, AND LACK OF MATERIAL TO WORK WITH. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OWNER, A FRIEND OF MINE, HAD THE VEHICLE UNDERCOATED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE, KEPT THE CAR IN A GARAGE, AND WASHED THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY INCLUDING THE UNDERSIDE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 13,750 MILES. IT HAS ALSO LIVED IN A GARAGE HERE. AS OF AUGUST 29, 2013, THE DATE OF THE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE HAD 24,005 MILES. THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, AND THE INTERIOR IS THE SAME. HOWEVER, THE UNDERSIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE. "THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES OR CURRENT RECALLS RELATING TO BODY AND FRAME RUST ISSUED FOR YOUR VEHICLE...YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WE WOULD BE UNWILLING TO OFFER YOU ANY COMPENSATION FOR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS DECISION, IT DOES REPRESENT TOYOTA'S FINAL POSITION IN THIS MATTER." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546840October 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS THREE TIMES EACH. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE EACH. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER IS MALFUNCTIONING. ALL OF MY BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN SEIZING UP AND THE COST TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED IS EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH AN EXPENSIVE ONE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE EDITION HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SUCH AS REDESIGNING THE BRAKE CALIPERS FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534407August 9, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 4RUNNER GOT REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY AND DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS I FOUND OUT THAT THE HITCH RECEIVER THAT WAS ORIGINAL INSTALLED (51909-35010) WAS SUPERSEDED TO AN 'IMPROVED' ONE (51909-35011). HOWEVER, WHEN I INSTALLED MY BICYCLE CARRIER, I REALIZED THAT THE UNIVERSAL FOOT WAS STANDING ONE INCH OUT OF THE HITCH RECEIVER CAUSING IT TO VIRULENTLY SHAKE AND BOUNCE AROUND. WHEN INSPECTING THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER MORE CLOSELY, I REALIZED THAT THE HOLE FOR THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN IS NOW ONLY 1.5 INCHES FROM THE END OF THE HITCH AWAY WHILE BEFORE IT WAS 2.5 INCHES. I COMPARED THIS TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS HITCHES (E.G. GMC, CHEVROLET, JEEP, ETC) AND THEY ALL HAVE A 2.5 INCH DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RECEIVER TO THE HOLE FOR THE PIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS IS THE CORRECT PART AND WHY THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN THAT WAY, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. IN MY OPINION, THE NEW HITCH RECEIVER IS UNSAFE AS IT ALLOWS MORE PLAY OF THE BALL MOUNT AND APPEARS LESS STABLE AS LESS MATERIAL IS AROUND THE HITCH RECEIVER PIN. SINCE I AM UNABLE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD HAVE A DETAILED LOOK IN THIS ISSUE. BEST REGARDS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523046July 3, 2013
STEERING, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM, WHICH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION THAT EXPANDED TO THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510991May 7, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 4RUNNER WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, AND THE BRAKES FELT WEIRD. I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD THE MECHANIC AT THE NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD IN NEWARK, DELAWARE, WHICH I ALWAYS USE, CHECK THE BRAKES, AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200.00. WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AT THIS TIME TO COME UP WITH SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2012. BUT, I NEED A CAR FOR MY JOB, SO I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509357April 24, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FRAME RUST THROUGH. FRONT MAIN FRAME SUPPORT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10506090April 12, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503895March 21, 2013
ENGINE
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE, VSC TRAC AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES AND TWICE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE ENGINE 02 SENSORS HAD BEEN REPLACED EVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501205March 4, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488028December 11, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY 2003 4RUNNER WAS BROUGHT IN ON THE ABOVE DATE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TO FOX TOYOTA, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICING THE VEHICLE,THE TECH NOTICED SEVERE FRAME ROT AND BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME. THIS CONDITION WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. SERVICE ADVISOR THEN SUGGESTED THAT I CALL TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES BASED ON THE SAME FRAME. A SERIES OF CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PRODUCED NO RESULT. THEY ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO BE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AND TOYOTA IS WASHING THEIR CORPORATE HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND THEIR BASIC FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483934November 10, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF FENDER BENDERS CAUSED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND GARAGE KEPT BOTH AT HOME AND AT WORK. I NOTICED A HAIRLINE CRACK FROM THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) ON THE TOP DASH PANEL EXTENDING TO THE MIDDLE (TOP OF THE STEREO). AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BOTH HERE AS WELL AS OTHER WEBSITES), I CALLED TOYOTA @ 1-800-331-4331 AND OPENED CASE # 1211091043 AFTER MENTIONING THAT THE ISSUE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD AND CITING ANOTHER CASE # BY A FORUM MEMBER (1208280716). HOWEVER, TOYOTA DENIED BEING AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS UNWILLING TO HELP CITING AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY CONDITION. MY CONCERN OF DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AS A RESULT DIDN'T APPEAR TO CONCERN THEM. I WAS GIVEN A CONTACT NAME OF THE NUMBER CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE HELP. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT NEWER MODELS USE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL (PLASTIC) FOR THE DASH PANEL. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET BUT I BELIEVE THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE DEFECT CALLS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482271October 25, 2012
STRUCTURE
THE DASH OF MY 4 RUNNER HAS SPLIT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FRONT. IT'S NOT FROM THE SUN BECAUSE MY CAR IS IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT AT WORK. I KEEP MY WINDOWS CRACKED WHEN I'M AT WORK IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. IT'S ON THE FRONT WHERE ALL MY GAUGES ARE NOT ON THE TOP. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I HAVE AND IT LOOKS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ONE PICTURE I SAW LOOKED JUST LIKE MINE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCATE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SAW ONE SPLIT LIKE IT HAS SPLIT. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU NEED PICTURES I WILL SEND THEM TO YOU. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472640August 27, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 28, 2012, THE ABS/TRAC CONTROL/VSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND CAME UP WITH "NO SENSOR READING?. IT COST ME $150 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND A FEW WEEKS LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER THEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY O2 SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED MY COST WAS OVER $650. THE NEXT WEEK THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BUT LATER REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE AND BRING IT BACK. I SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I SAY SUFFERED BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK AND THESE LIGHTS CAME ON, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHTS WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AND ALLOW ME TO DRIVE. ON 8/24 THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. I COULD NOT SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON OVER 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT ALMOST CONSTANTLY OVER 3 DAYS. WHEN I CALLED TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/27, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT. LATER THAT DAY, THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY AGAIN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE HAD ON VARIOUS TOYOTA VEHICLES. I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS INSTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470727August 15, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SEVERE CORROSION. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION WAS IDENTIFIED TO ME BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN DURING RECENT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL CORROSION ON OTHER MODELS. THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WEAKEN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH SITUATION AND POTENTIALLY DURING NORMAL VEHICLE USE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCUSSED WITH DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFERRED ME TO THE TOYOTA NATIONAL HOTLINE. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AT THAT DEPARTMENT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY OR REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR THIS CONDITION, NOR DO THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION FOR THE COSTS OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. THE INFORMATION WAS DOCUMENTED IN TOYOTA CASE NUMBER [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
#10469727August 8, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME OF VEHICLE IS ROTTING OUT- NOT LIKELY TO PASS INSPECTION FOR VERY LONG. SIMILAR ISSUES TO FRAMES OF TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA FRAMES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. 4RUNNER SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. JUST DISCUSSED CONDITION OF FRAME WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY- RECOMMENDED FILING A COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456516April 25, 2012
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. SPIDER WEB LIKE CRACKS OVER GLOVE BOX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453339March 28, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE YAW SENSOR WAS RE-CALIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO A BRAKE FAILURE IN WHICH THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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