Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#10286534October 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
AFTER REPLACING AN OXYGEN SENSOR SEVERAL TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT IS MAKING THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL CIRCUIT SHORT OUT. THE AIR DIVERTOR FLAP INSIDE THE HVAC BOX UNDER THE DASH HAD GREASE APPLIED TO THE FLAP HINGES IN THE FACTORY. DIRECTLY BELOW THE FLAP IS A WIRING HARNESS WHICH DROPS DOWN FROM THE HVAC BOX AND PLUG INTO THE ECU. OVER TIME THE GREASE HAS TRAVELED DOWN THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG INTO THE ECU CAUSING VARIOUS CIRCUITS TO SHORT. NO DAMAGE AT PRESENT, HOWEVER VARIOUS SAFETY CIRCUITS SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL ARE BEING AFFECTED. FURTHERMORE, AS OIL IS COMBUSTIBLE, AN INTERIOR FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THE OIL PENETRATING THE 12 VOLT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION POINT ON THE ECU. THIS ISSUE/ PROBLEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU AS WELL AS CLEAN THE GREASE OUT OF THE HVAC BOX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275343June 30, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VERY BADLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED AND THEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SHAKING ONLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE RECALL DATABASE, BUT FOUND NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001-2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REGARDING THE SUSPENSION AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE SAME FAILURE IS OCCURRING ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274755June 23, 2009
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC BRAKING CONTROL AND ANTI-SKID CONTROL. SERVICE LIGHT ACTIVATED BUT NO RECALL OR NOTICE TO CONSUMERS. SEE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BR 005-03 (DEC. 4, 2003). TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE SAFETY RISK OR OBLIGATION TO REPLACE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274152June 17, 2009
SEAT BELTS
REAR LEFT SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY PRIOR TO SAFETY BELT NOT RETRACTING. CAN NOT USE REAR LEFT SAFETY BELT. SAFETY BELT IS FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273893June 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY 4RUNNER HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LEXUS GX470 AS WELL. THE 03-06 4RUNNERS HAVE THE SAME DRIVELINE AS THE LEXUS AND UNLIKE LEXUS, TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273650June 12, 2009
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. IT ONCE RATTLED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN (JUST LITTLE BIT). HOWEVER, THE SEAT FRAME HAS NOW COLLAPSED OVER THE TIME PERIOD. (PLEASE NOTE IT HAS BEEN SINKING SLOWLY OVER A LONG TIME PERIOD.. I JUST NOTICED IT IN 2008) THE FRAME MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND/OR IS POORLY DESIGNED. I AM PRESENTLY SITTING ON THE ELECTRONICS BOX WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. I HOPE SITTING ON THAT DOES NOT PREMATURELY SET OFF THE AIR BAGS WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. OR SHORT OUT THE AIR BAGS SO THEY WON'T GO OFF WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES. I GET THE RUN-AROUND AND NEVER GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER . NOW THEY WON'T RETURN MY CALLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258302February 11, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, FAILED MY EMISSION TEST. THE COMPUTER PRINTED OUT A PAPER THAT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL DEFECT # 2059 FROM TOYOTA. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY CANT FIND A RECALL THAT MATCHES MY VIN AND TOLD ME THERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257614February 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL SINCE I GOT IT. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING THAT I GET VERY DIZZY. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THERE A QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. IT SEEMS ALONG WITH THE SULFUR DIOXIDE THERE IS CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN, REGARDLESS IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS DUE TO BAD GAS. I LIKE MY 4RUNNER BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE IT KNOWING THAT NOT ONLY ME, BUT MY SON ALSO ARE BEING POISONED. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255797January 21, 2009
POWER TRAIN
FROM A COMPLETELY STOPPED POSITION, LETTING OFF THE GAS AND ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO IDLE FORWARD RESULTS IN A KLUNK NOISE WHETHER YOU ACCELERATE OR NOT. AS I HAVE READ, IT IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE DRIVETRAIN. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE THE REAR NEEDS TO BE LUBED WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE AND WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THEY LUBED IT UP AND SAID THE PROBLEM SHOULD IMPROVE WITH TIME. THE TRUCK IS STILL MAKING THE KLUNK NOISE. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 85K. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TUNDRA AND SOME LEXUSES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248986November 17, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS STUCK IN 4-LO, VEHICLE UNABLE TO TRAVEL AT SAFE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PART THAT NEEDS REPLACED IS TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237198August 6, 2008
STRUCTURE
THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HOLDS UP THE HOOD EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. ONCE THE HOOD IS OPENED, THE HOOD WOULD BEGIN SLOWING COMING DOWN AND THE PACE PICKS UP. THE HOOD WOULD SLAM SHUT VIOLENTLY AND CAN POTENTIAL CAUSE INJURY TO SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING ON THE ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231575June 19, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MALFUNCTIONS AND LOCKS VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING WITH THE INABILITY TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM INSIDE. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM (COPIES OF E-MAILS FROM TOYOTA CAN BE PROVIDED). CUSTOMER MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATE THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT INITIATES AN INVESTIGATION. THE INABILITY TO EXIT A VEHICLE COULD POSE AN EXTREME HAZARD TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218243February 17, 2008
SEATS
MY DRIVERS SEAT IS BROKEN AND MOVES WHEN I DRIVE IT DEVELOPED OVER A FEW WEEKS. MY SEAT BELT LOCKS SOME TIMES BECAUSE OF THE SEAT SHIFTING I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND ONLY WEIGHT 178 I DON'T KNOW HOW IT BROKE BUT THE DEALERSHIPS SAID IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY I EXPLAINED THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT DIDN'T GET ANY RESPONSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217792February 12, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AND MAKE A THUMPING SOUND. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE U JOINT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/04/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A PROPELLER ASSEMBLY/DRIVESHAFT WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214032January 7, 2008
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH, MY PRE-OWNED 4 RUNNER DRIFTED SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT 3 CONSECUTIVE TIMES AS IF A TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE DRIFT WAS SIMILAR TO A LATERAL SHIFT AND WAS NOT GRADUAL. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE DUE TO SOME FOREIGN OBJECT ON THE ROAD, SO I PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION. SLOWED DOWN TO NEAR 55 MPH, IT OCCURRED AGAIN. SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MPH, AND IT OCCURRED AGAIN. PRIOR TO ANY OF THESE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE BEYOND A CERTAIN SPEED! WE CHECKED THE SUSPENSION, TIRES, FRONT END, ETC., ALL WAS GOOD. AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ALL 4 PASSENGERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211902December 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CONTINUING PROBLEM ON MY 2003 V8 4RUNNER WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. WHEN I COME TO A STOP OR WHEN I ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP THERE IS A MOMENTARY LAG THAT FEELS LIKE A "CLUNK" OR THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST RUN INTO YOUR BACK BUMPER. TOYOTA DEALER "FIXES" THE PROBLEM WITH GREASE TO THE SLIP YOKE BUT AFTER 2,000 MILES IT COMES BACK AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER CONTINUALLY AND LEXUS 470 (SAME VEHICLE) HAS A TSB ON THE SAME OCCURRENCE. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY ANNOYING AND CAN ONLY BE CLASSIFIES AS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208405November 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHIRP NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA ON COLD START--THIS HAS REPEATED 5 TIMES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE--EACH TIME THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY--REPLACED TENSIONER AND BELT--CHIRP SOUND RETURNS REPEATEDLY AFTER APPROX 6 MTHS OPERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201926September 5, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
MOONROOF RATTLE. I DID NOTHING WRONG AND IT STARTED TO RATTLE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191944May 29, 2007
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL HAS RESONATE VIBRATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE RPM. IT IS NOT TIRE VIBRATION BUT MORE LIKE A BUZZ AT THESE SPEEDS. WE FILED FOR ARBITRATION AND LOST BECAUSE ARBITRATOR WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO FEEL THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THOUGH THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM FLEET WIDE. I FEEL THAT A TOTAL RECALL OF THIS MODEL IS NECESSARY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188789April 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER MAKES A CLUNK SOUND THAT IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN BEGINNING TO TAKE OFF. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. PER THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, REMOVING THE DRIVESHAFT AND GREASING THE SPLINE YOKE QUIETS THE CLUNK FOR APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. THIS IS PARTLY TRUE, AS THE GREASING QUIETS IT, BUT IT DOES NOT GO AWAY AND THE CLUNK GET STRONGER EVERY DAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNTIL YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING REAR ENDED. TOYOTA STATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT NORMAL, AND IT IS ABSURD TO THINK IT IS NORMAL. THE CAR SHOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK AND COME TO A STOP WITHOUT A CLUNK. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED, BUT TOYOTA HAS YET TO PROVIDE A FIX. THE "CLUNKING" CHANGES YOUR DRIVING BEHAVIOR/HABITS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE CLUNK, BUT IN THE END, THE CAR CLUNKS WHEN TAKING OFF, AND CLUNKS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STATES NO DAMAGE IS BEING INCURRED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE CLUNKING, THIS MAY BE TRUE, BUT YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND SECURE WHEN THE VEHICLE CLUNKS AND SHAKES THE CAR AT VIRTUALLY EVERY STOP AND START. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIND A FIX TO ENSURE TOYOTA CUSTOMERS ARE SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY DRIVE, AND ARE SATISFIED WITH THE TOYOTA VEHICLE THEY DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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