Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#10324230April 5, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE PULLING INTO HER GARAGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A WORKBENCH. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE DAMAGES OUT OF POCKET. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321944March 23, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2003 4RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES FRONT END COLLISION IN WHICH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE HAS A PERMANENT NECK INJURY. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10320248March 16, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE REACHED FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TRIED TO RUN WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS MOVING TOO FAST. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN AND IT KNOCKED HER DOWN AND SHE HIT HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO THE STREET AND THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND THEN THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE RAN OVER HER. UPDATED 06/15/10.*JP
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10313782February 24, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2003 SIX CYLINDER. EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE ODOR. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. SPORADIC. DEALERSHIPS GAVE ME A HARD TIME, WANTED $150.00 TO RUN TEST EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALER SHOULD JUST REPLACE PARTS, SO I NEVER HAVE HAD IT FIXED BUT I AM CONCERNED. I CHANGED GAS STATIONS NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL RECEIVE THE ODOR. ODOR COMES AND GOES AND CAN BE STRONG AT TIMES ESPECIALLY IN COLD MONTHS. CONCERNS ARE THAT IT WILL BECOME WORSE AND THE SMELL IS TOXIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313088February 23, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 57,000 MILES ACCELERATED FROM 5 MPH AFTER TAKING A TURN, TO 50 MPH. I PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT (I WEIGH 230 LBS.) ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER 3 OR 4 SECONDS THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE 4RUNNER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BOTH THE 4RUNNER AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS THAT ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. TOYOTA CANNOT BE TRUSTED. IF YOU OWN ONE, SELL IT. IF YOU DON'T THEN DON'T BUY ANY TOYOTA. THEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO HIDE THE TRUTH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312029February 19, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN MAY 2003. IN ONE COLD MORNING OF JAN. 2005, I WAS DRIVING IT IN HIGHWAY THAT WAS STILL COVERED WITH SOME SNOW. ALL OF SUDDEN, AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON, FOLLOWED BY VSC LIGHTS, INDICATING THAT A VEHICLE SKID CONTROL FUNCTION WAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF. AT THAT POINT, I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 50 MPH, NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FREQUENTLY I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I PULLED OVER, RESTARTED, AND RE-ENTERED THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD THE SAME RESULTS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE AND SIMPLY RESET THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CHECK AND VSC LIGHT ISSUES RESURFACED ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME WAS THAT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION ISSUE. NO INSPECTION WAS MADE. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IN JAN. 2010, THOSE LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND HAVE REMAINED TURNED ON. NO IMPACT ON ACCELERATION HAS BEEN OBSERVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312211February 19, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN THE LEFT TIRE LOCKED OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE LOCKED. BOTH TIRES NEVER LOCKED AT THE SAME TIME. THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN A 4 MILE TRIP. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT A BODY SHOP. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR (IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311750February 18, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ERRATIC/UNPREDICTABLE/DIFFICULT TO PREDICT BRAKE APPLICATION . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311196February 17, 2010
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BROKE AND HANGS DOWN, PARTIALLY BLOCKING MY VISIBILITY. THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE SHAFT THE VISOR CONNECTS TO IS CHIPPED AND IS NOT HOLDING THE VISOR IN PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311360February 17, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE PEDALS EVER SINCE 2-3 YEARS INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ISSUES. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF. I FEEL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, A GENTLE TAP DOESN'T PRODUCE A RESPONSE. ONLY A MILD TO HARD STEP ON THE BRAKES WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. IM VERY WARY OF THIS B/C I ALWAYS HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO GET A RESPONSE. I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOOSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO TAPPING. IN FACT, IF I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DROP ONE INCH, THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKE RESPONSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS SOME SORT OF BRAKE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON REPLACING THAT PART, I STILL FEEL THE SAME LOOSENESS IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY MOST SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES B/C I HAVE TO HIT IT HARD, MY VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S DRIFTING. THE WHEELS WOULD GO LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN GO STRAIGHT. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT FREAKS ME OUT. AT FREEWAY SPEED, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, WHETHER ITS LIGHT OR SOFT, SOMETIMES, THE CAR JUST DOES THE RANDOM DRIFT. I FEEL ITS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL AND PERHAPS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE TIRES. I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED OFTEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10310618February 15, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL IN THE SNOW, THE AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL ON MY TOYOTA ENGAGED WITH A BEEPING SOUND AND A DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP THE HILL. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND STRUCK THE BACK OF A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS SIGNIFICANT, MAKING THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308812February 11, 2010
SUSPENSION, STEERING
I OWN A 2003 4 RUNNER AND ALSO MY DAUGHTER. I HAVE REPORTED THE FOLLOWING ISSUE TO TOYOTA AND ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. ON SNOWY OR ICY ROADS, THE REAR END OF THE 4 RUNNER WILL FLIP AROUND WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES AND TO MY DAUGHTER 3 OR 4 TIMES. BOTH VEHICLE HAVE NEW TIRES AND THE SITUATION STILL OCCURS. I LIVE IN NC AND WE DO NOT GET A LOT OF SNOW. IT HAPPEN A WEEK AGO WHEN WE GOT SOME SNOW. IT CAN JUST HAPPEN SO FAST. MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT. OUR 2000 4 RUNNER WOULD NOT COME CLOSE OF ACTING THIS WAY. BOTTOMLINE, IT IS UNSAFE. YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS OR YOU WILL SPIN THE CAR AROUND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308607February 10, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT ED, 6 CYL.- AT 100,400 MILES, BOTH MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WENT OUT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WHICH DISENGAGES THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL, SO I HEAR. REPAIRS ARE COSTLY. CAN'T SMOG CAR ON THE FIRST TIME CAR EVER NEEDS TO GET SMOGGED. SEEMS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307895February 9, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MODEL : 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER V8 ISSUE : AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION WHILE A/C ON HOW TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE : OPTION 1] WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED TURN THE A/C "ON", THE VEHICLE WOULD TRY TO SUDDENLY MOVE FORWARD. THE TACHOMETER ALSO SHOWS HIGHER READINGS. OPTION 2] TURN YOUR A/C OFF DRIVE FOR A WHILE AND THEN TURN YOUR A/C ON, THE MOMENT YOU TURN YOUR A/C ON THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN FOR A WHILE. THIS PROBLEM IS MAGNIFIED ESPECIALLY IN SUMMER AND HOTTER CLIMATES AND DOES NOT FAIL TO OCCUR IN SUMMER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307260February 7, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RE: 2003 4- RUNNER I RECENTLY SOLD MY 4-RUNNER BUT WANT TO REPORT AN INCIDENT THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE FRONT-END DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO ITS USUAL PARKING SPACE, AS I HAD DONE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE, WHEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. I DID NOT REPORT THIS ISSUE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT RECENT EVENTS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS IN MY MIND AND I NOW BELIEVE THAT AN ACCELERATION ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT. THE 4-RUNNER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL INVOLVING FLOOR MATS OR TOYOTA'S MORE RECENT SPATE OF BRAKING RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TW
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303564February 1, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AS MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A FLOWER BED AND STRUCK TWO PARKED CARS. THE FRONT END SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $2,000 IN DAMAGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303200January 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO BECOME LOUDER WHEN IDLING OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO I NOTICED IT BEING NOTICEABLY MUCH LOUDER. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE IDLING (RED LIGHT, DRIVE THRUS...) AND WOULD BECOME LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION UP TO ABOUT 40MPH. THIS WAS A RATTLING NOISE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE UNDERBODY, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SEATS. IT SOUNDED LIKE LOUD HEAVY VIBRATIONS, METAL ON METAL. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK OUT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE HEATSHIELD WAS SERIOUSLY RUSTED. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT BUT SAID IT WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE ORIGINAL HEATSHIELD TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS. ONCE THE NEW PART WAS RECEIVED THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT ON THE NEW HEATSHIELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301853January 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 SPORT. ON SATURDAY I FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN I LET UP THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT ACCELERATION CONTINUED. I APPLIED STRONG CONTINUOUS FORCE TO THE BRAKES AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ACCELERATION DISENGAGED. YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF OTHER NON-4RUNNER TOYOTA MODELS BEING RECALLED FOR EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM HAS ME VERY CONCERNED. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293942November 30, 2009
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287240October 13, 2009
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS THE VSC TRAC/TRAC OFF LIGHT ON. EVER SINCE THESE 2 LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON MY VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS WHERE MY 4RUNNER FISHTAILS ON MILD WET ROAD, THE 2 TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS ENTERING A RAMP, AND WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING ONTO THE STREET MY VEHICLE FISHTAILED VIOLENTLY AND TURNING THE VEHICLE FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AGAINST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SCENARIO. I WAS GOING VERY SLOW SINCE IT WAS AN EXITING RAMP WITH A STOP LIGHT SO I HIT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE THE TURN AT THE LIGHT ONTO THE STREET AND THIS IS WHAT THE VEHICLE DID...THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. I'VE SEEN MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS (VSC TRAC/TRAC OFF) ON THE 4RUNNERS?? PLEASE ADVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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