Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2002)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#10410344July 3, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING ITS OIL TO LEAK OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410200July 1, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS A RESULT, FLUIDS WERE LEAKING THROUGH THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399713May 9, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER RUSTED OUT REAR AXLE HOUSING. REAR AXLE HOUSING LEAKS OIL DUE TO RUST EROSION ON THE REAR AXLE COVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360119October 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 258,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356532September 20, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM RADIATOR AND THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TRANSFER WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE TWO LIQUIDS TO COMBINE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE WITH EXTREMELY LIMITED POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356528September 20, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM RADIATOR AND THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TRANSFER WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE TWO FLUIDS TO COMBINE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT ADVISED HIM OF THAT THE TWO FLUIDS WERE COMBINING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354507September 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER AND SHE OBSERVED SMOKE AND OIL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE PISTONS PIERCED AND ENGINE BLOCK NEAR THE OIL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354032September 6, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VIBRATION FROM BRAKING CAUSING VERY DECREASED VEHICLE CONTROL POSING VERY INCREASED ACCIDENT RISK. TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER 02 LIMITED, RECURRENCE OF PULSING BRAKE PEDAL AND VERY HIGH VEHICLE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. THIS OCCURS AFTER LONG MOUNTAIN DESCENTS AT NORMAL / POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL PASSENGER LOADS (NOT HAULING), CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. FIRST TIME, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALER AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE UNDER 40K MILES. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT MOST 5K MILES A YEAR. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS AND OTHER HIGHWAY TRAVELERS. SEARCHING THE WEB, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF WARPED ROTORS WHICH TOYOTA DEALERS ARE SAYING ITS DRIVER ERROR / NORMAL USE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE MUCH AND NOT HARD. MY USE WOULD EASILY QUALIFY AS NORMAL HIGHWAY TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 65K MILES ON IT NOW. CERTAINLY THE EXPENSE OF AGAIN REPLACING ROTORS IS CONCERNING, BUT REALLY, THE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION AND DECREASED CONTROL CAUSES ME TO BE VERY CONCERNED FOR MY, AND OTHERS, SAFETY. EVEN IF THE ROTORS ARE REPLACED, IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY THAT THE VIBRATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL WILL RETURN IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF NORMAL USE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344531July 21, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $3000. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THEM BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343929July 19, 2010
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A VERY LOW UNKNOWN SPEED THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS TURNED INWARD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A ROD WAS HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,925 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,200. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIIP MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 10/07/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326072April 16, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1) STOPPED AT STOP SIGN WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND. THEN ACCELERATE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. 2) VEHICLE CAN ACCELERATE AND MOVE A FEW FEET BEFORE THE TRAC (TRACTION CONTROL) SYSTEM ACTIVATES. THE POWER TO THE ENGINE IS THEN CUT OFF. AT THIS POINT YOU ARE UNABLE TO MOVE, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THERE IS A FEW SECOND DELAY BEFORE YOU CAN GET ANY POWER BACK TO THE ENGINE. ULTIMATELY, YOU ARE LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH NO POWER TO THE WHEELS WAITING TO SEE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS GOING TO T-BONE YOU. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE, VERY CLOSE CALLS. FAILURE OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THE SYSTEM SENSES EVEN A TINY LOSS OF TRACTION. THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR FUNCTION AND DELAY UNTIL THE RETURN OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS. 3) THERE IS NO FIX. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE TRAC SYSTEM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN IN REALITY IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. TOYOTA MUST THINK A LITTLE WHEEL SPIN IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN COMPLETELY TAKING AWAY THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR OWN VEHICLE I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLES THAT HAVE TRAC AND IT DOES NOT FUNCTION LIKE IT DOES ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM IS SEVERELY OVERLY SENSITIVE AND OVERLY CONTROLLING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318528March 10, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 160000, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185000. UPDATED 05/07/2010. *LJ THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED. UPDATED 09/13/10
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10305211February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
READING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEMS OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS, I LEARNED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM MIGHT NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A POTHOLE, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR BUMP. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY '02 4RUNNER. IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, THE BRAKES FEEL AS IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING, (BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR W/NO PRESSURE). THIS ISSUE GOES AWAY IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, (PUMP). I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS WAS "NORMAL" UNTIL I READ ABOUT THE PRIUS ISSUES WITH IT'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE ISSUES WITH THE PRIUS SOUND TOO SIMILAR TO DISMISS THE ISSUE AS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S ELECTRIC ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304212February 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY LAST FALL I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WHEN I HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD KICK IN AS IT SHOULD HAVE BUT IT WOULD ACCELERATE VERY RAPIDLY AND FELT OUT OF CONTROL. ONCE IT BEGAN THE ACCELERATION, IT WOULD NEVER STOP AND LEVEL OUT TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED AS IT SHOULD HAVE. IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. BRAKING WORKED IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT IT FRIGHTENED ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DO NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL NOW AS A RESULT OF THIS. I WAS DRIVING R/T FROM CA TO DENVER, CO AND IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THIS TRIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304936February 3, 2010
POWER TRAIN
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER-SR5, SPORT EDITION WITH 74,600K MILES. IN NOVEMBER 2009, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT'S BEING REPORTED BY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION ON ITS OWN AND QUITE SUDDENLY. THIS OCCURRENCE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE. THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT A VERY HIGH RPM AND MY REAR TIRES WERE SQUEALING LOUD ENOUGH TO DRAW ATTENTION FROM PASSERSBY. LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT. MY REACTION TO THIS SITUATION WAS TO PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IF THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA AND TOYOTA WILL INCLUDE A LOOK-BACK AT EARLIER MODELS FOR THESE KNOWN PROBLEMS? AND, IF SO, WHAT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION TO OWNERS' WITH EARLIER MODELS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287464October 15, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. IT'S UNDER MY WIFE'S NAME BUT I AM THE ONE THAT'S IN CHARGE OF AUTOMOTIVE ISSUES. THE BUMPERS HAVE BEEN HANGING DOWN ON THE FRONT AND REAR. AS I DRIVE AROUND THE CITY, I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE MAJORITY OF THE 4RUNNERS IN THE SAME MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS MAKES ME THINK THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. I BELIEVE IT'S A SAFETY DEFECT ESPECIALLY SINCE BUMPERS ARE NOT JUST FOR COSMETIC REASONS, ITS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN A CRASH SITUATION. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS ALSO LINKED TO THE AIRBAG SENSORS AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY GO OFF AT ANY TIME. I'VE GONE ON FORUMS AND FOUND THAT OTHERS TALK ABOUT THIS ALSO. THEY ALSO TALK ABOUT RUSTING AROUND THE BUMPER AREA WHICH IS SOMETHING I HAVE ON MY 4RUNNER ALSO. I HOPE YOUR DEPARTMENT LOOKS INTO THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY AND GET BACK TO ME ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288606October 15, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY, GAS TANK SHIELD AND FRONT BRAKES. JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 39K MILES AND HAVE BEEN FINDING LOST OF CORROSION. TRIED TO USE RUST REMOVER AND NEUTRALIZER AND WIRE BRUSH. HOPE I CAN GET IT UNDER CONTROL BEFORE THE ENTIRE THING FALLS APART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268349May 11, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH RUST OUT OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT METAL WAS QUITE RUSTED AT THE REAR HOUSING AND INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE PART REPLACEMENT, THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED, A COSTLY REPAIR. I FOUND OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE. IS THIS A DEFECTIVE PART? I HAD TEMPORARY REPAIR WITH GRINDING, WELDING AND EPOXY WHICH FOR THE TIME BEING HAS CORRECTED THE LEAK BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL REAPPEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250532December 2, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD THE PISTON CONNECTING ROD POP WHEN HE SWITCHED LANES. AS A RESULT, OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE ENGINE MANIFOLD AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237778August 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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