Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2001)

185 consumer complaints on file.

#10531528July 23, 2013
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN 2001 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER GOING ABOUT 60 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REAR END/TIRES LOCKED UP AND GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY BARELY AND THEN IT STARTED SMOKING REALLY BAD. VERY LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T CAUSE A WRECK OR NO ONE GOT HURT. CAN'T DRIVE IT OR NOTHING, MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE REAR END AND ALSO WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY ON INSIDE THE VEHICLE ALL LIGHTS ARE ON AND ITS MAKING A TERRIBLE BUZZING NOISE. SO HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THAT COST ME ALSO AND I NEED THE WHOLE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. I'VE SEEN OTHER PROBLEMS/COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO MINE. I REALLY THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT, TOYOTA SHOULD BE FIXING THE PROBLEM AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING GETS DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523492July 6, 2013
POWER TRAIN
THE BACK OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING STARTED LEAKING ABOUT ONE DROP PER SECOND. THE VEHICLE HAS 113,800 MILES. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES. IT HAS RECEIVED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK IS SEVERE CORROSION THAT HAS REMOVED MUCH OF THE STRUCTURAL METAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. THE LEAK IS COMING THROUGH SEVERAL CRACKS THAT HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE REMAINING METAL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE HOUSING TO THE TUNE OF BETWEEN $2000 AND $3000. THIS TYPE OF CORROSION IS UNUSUAL. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS SORT OF MALFUNCTION IN NEARLY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522722July 1, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,300. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515146June 5, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT REAR NEAR MUFFLER. BOTTOM OF FRAME SECTION APPROXIMATELY 4" MISSING , INSIDE OF FRAME PERFORATED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 18". REAR SUPPORT ROD STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMPROMISED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM LOCAL DEAL (LYNCH TOYOTA, MANCHESTER CT) AND IS ONE OWNER GARAGED AND MAINTAINED. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND LOCAL DEALER. BOTH UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509700April 26, 2013
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY FUSE FOR MY WINDOWS BLEW, THEN WE FOUND OUT THAT MY WIRING HARNESS IN THE BACKSEAT HAD BURNED UP. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS ALSO FRIED. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG WIRING. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF WEAR AND TEAR OR OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. THE AIRBAGS CREATED THE PROBLEM, ARE NOW COMPROMISED AND ARE COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR AND EVEN IF REPAIRED, THE AIRBAGS ARE NOW COMPROMISED FOREVER RENDERING THE CAR USELESS. TOYOTA DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THEY CLAIM THAT THE CAR IS TOO OLD TO BE THEIR PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS ATTENTION SO THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS THE SAME EXPERIENCE OR WORSE, IS KILLED DUE TO AIRBAGS DEPLOYING AT WILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490369December 28, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY 2001 4RUNNER VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION, ACTUAL HOLES AND SOFT SPOT, ON THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME IN THE MUFFLER AREA. CONCERNED WITH FAILURE WHEN TOWING 300 LBS TRAILER. NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, 112K MILES AND BOUGHT NEW 11 YEARS OLD. ONLY DETECTING THE PROBLEM NOW. SHOULD NOT BE NEEDING TO REPLACE FRAME. COST ESTIMATE $10K, SHOPPING AROUND FOR BETTER PRICING. COST TO REPAIR 40% OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OR TWICE WHAT THE VEHICLE BOOKS TODAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN DISCLOSE # OF COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. THEIR ONLY COMMENTS IS THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. FINDING NUMEROUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485031November 17, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER I MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $1500.00, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK (JERK VIOLENTLY) AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO 30, 35 OR 40 MPH. THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3 OF 4K BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS ENGAGES FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NOW 3 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478558October 3, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TOYOTA 2001 4-RUNNER, THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF UNDERBODY,FRAME,DRIVE TRAIN RUST SPECIFICALLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE PROBLEM FIRST ENCOUNTERED WAS THE RR. DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH AND IS LEAKING OIL FROM IT.SO I CALLED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND SPOKE WITH AN EXECUTIVE ANALYST, I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS , SHE ARRANGED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND INSPECTED BY THEIR MECHANICS AND THE REPORT READS AS FOLLOWS. INSPECTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL , INSPECTED HOUSING -FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM HOUSING AT YOKE THROUGH REAR COVER ;METAL POROUS AND THIN. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE REPAIR ESTIMATE $1491.28 PLUS TAX. THEY ALSO NOTED SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES THAT I CANNOT BE SURE IF IT WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST OR NORMAL WEAR. THEN UNDER MISCELLANEOUS A GENERAL INSPECTION, BY TECHNICIAN READS AS FOLLOWS VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS HEAVY CORROSION - - FOUND PERFORATION AT FRONT SHACKLE ON RIGHT REAR OF FRAME. SECOND PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION REPORT UNDER THE COMMENTS SECTION THE TECHNICIAN, HAND WRITTEN SAID FRAME IS BAD,RUST PERFORATION (SLOPPY WRITING ) I BELIEVE IT SAID, RIGHT REAR RAIL . SO AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ANALYST READ THE REPORT SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING TOYOTA CAN DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I RESEARCHED ON LINE FOR EXCESSIVE RUST AND RR. DIFF. LEAKING, AND FOUND MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS DEVELOPING. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478187October 1, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SEVERELY RUSTY FRAME. MY 4RUNNER ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 114K MILES ON IT. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME. IT'S EVERYWHERE AND FLAKES OFF TO THE TOUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471996August 23, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MY VEHICLE HAS VERY LITTLE RUST EXCEPT FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. LARGE FLAKES OF RUST HAVE FORMED. THE DIFFERENTIAL RECENTLY BEGAN LEAKING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4RUNNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465689July 15, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
ON 7/7/12 I WAS DRIVING FOR A DOG RESCUE TRANSPORT AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST SINCE I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TRUCK AND A GAS CAN. WHAT I DID NOTICE WAS MY GAS GAUGE WAS DROPPING INCREDIBLY FAST SO I LOOKED FOR A CLEAR AREA ON SHOULDER THAT SHOULD THE TRUCK CATCH FIRE. (VERY DRY IN NJ AT THE TIME) I FOUND MY AREA AND SHUT TRUCK OFF AND DRIFTED INTO THE SHOULDER. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN RUSHING TO EMPTY THE SEVEN DOG CRATES (JUST IN CASE) ON THE SHOULDER BEHIND GUARD RAIL. ONCE WE WERE ALL CLEAR, I WALKED OVER TO VEHICLE AND POPPED HOOD. THERE WAS FUEL SATURATING EVERYTHING, INCLUDING STILL DRIPPING FROM INSULATION MATERIAL UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY ONTO AND AROUND THE EXHAUST AREA. BY TOYOTA DESIGN, THERE IS A CLIP THAT RETAINS/SEPARATES TWO HOSES DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE FUEL LINE THAT HAD WORN A HOLE INTO THE FUEL LINE. ON 7/9/12 I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER TO GET THE HOSE WHICH I FIND OUT IS PART NUMBER 23801(P)-62071. IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN OF THIS LISTED PART IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $75 AND A WEEK OR MORE TO GET THE PART. I WENT HOME AND BROWSED THE NET TO FIND ONLY ONE STORE THAT STOCKS THIS ITEM AND ORDERED THROUGH THEM TO SAVE ABOUT $20 BUT STILL THE SAME TURN AROUND TIME (LOST ABOUT $67 IN FUEL AS TANK IS NOW BONE DRY PLUS A $250 FLATBED TOW FEE. I AM OUT ALMOST $400). I HAS BEEN A WEEK MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO A TOYOTA DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY WILL NOT FESS UP TO THE DESIGN FLAW OR EVEN OFFER A LOANER CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462123June 18, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS CORRODED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460194May 31, 2012
POWER TRAIN
REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER RUSTED THROUGH WITH ONLY 22650 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1800 BECAUSE THE COVER IS WELDED ON AND CANNOT BE REPLACED SEPARATELY. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE FRAME RUSTING OUT AND SUBSEQUENT SAFETY ISSUE AS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE. I UNDERSTAND THE TACOMA'S HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SIMILAR FRAMES. THE WARRANTY FOR CORROSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY TOYOTA FOR THE TACOMA. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459237May 22, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AND THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND, RENDERING THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS. DURING THE CRASH, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 246,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10457551May 5, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
3RD GENERATION 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH EXCESSIVE FRAME AND BODY RUST. THE GAS TANK STEM IS RUSTED, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LITERALLY POROUS AND LEAKING OIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED, SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS RUSTED. OTHER AREAS OF RUST ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. REPAIR SHOP SAID CAR IS NOT WORTH FIXING. DANA CORP THAT MADE FRAMES FOR TOYOTA TACOMAS/TUNDRAS THAT WERE RECALLED ALSO IS BEST KNOW FOR REAR DIFFERENTIALS. WHY WEREN'T THE 4RUNNERS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/BUYBACK BY TOYOTA? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448635February 21, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
EXTREME RUST ON MY 4RUNNER'S FRAME. CAN BE SEEN EASILY FROM IN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE MANY PICTURES TO DOCUMENT. THE RECALL ON TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 96-02 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445222January 25, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED HAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED DEFECT WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED A HOLE IN THE REAR FRAME AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 02/10/12 *BF UPDATED 03/12/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440399December 19, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT. MY SON AND I BOTH HAVE CUT OUR SELF ON THE REAR BUMPER. I NEEDED STITCHES FOR MY INJURY. I HAVE A SCAR TO REMIND ME NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. THE RUST GOT SO BAD, I LOST MY BUMPER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AT THE FRAME, THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IS RIDDLED W/RUST, INCLUDING THE FRAME. CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF I COULD AT LEAST GET A SAFETY INSPECTION OF MY FRAME, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 01 4RUNNER WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL AND ANY INSPECTION WOULD COST ME MONEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10439801December 13, 2011
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER RUSTED SO BADLY IN 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS (THE HOUSING) CRACKED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE ROAD. I DISCOVERED THE RUST DURING THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION AND CONSEQUENTLY HAD THE DIFFERENTIAL INSPECTED BY MY TOYOTA DEALER (BERLIN CITY PORTLAND, ME) A FEW MONTHS BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS STRUCTURALLY SOUND BUT RUSTY. I AM AN ENGINEER AND CLEARLY IT WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN SHORT ORDER AS IT DID.... THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THIS RUST PROBLEM IS COMMON ON MOST TOYOTA TRUCK FRAMES AND DRIVE TRAINS OWNED IN THE NORTH EAST. TOYOTA HAS ELECTED TO REPAIR THE TRUCKS AT NO COST BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME AND DIFFERENTIALS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS [XXX]... THEY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT GRAVE RISK.... 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
#10427843September 29, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH. THE HOUSING COVER IS A THINNER METAL THAN THE DIFFERNTIAL AXLE AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. OIL LEAKS OUT THROUGH THE RUSTED COVER UNTIL OIL IS DEPLETED AND COULD CAUSE DRIVETRAIN FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL ON A VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BODY RUST, YET THIS PART FAILS DUE TO RUST! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND MANY MORE ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. TOYOTA LOSES MUCH RESPECT IF THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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