Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#10097015October 12, 2004
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SEATS HEIGHT WAS NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT . *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093942October 11, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THE SMELL CAN GET QUITE BAD AT TIMES, AND HAS CAUSED MY EYES TO BURN AND OTHER PASSENGERS TO FEEL NAUSEOUS. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON HAS COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT MAKES HIS TUMMY HURT. TAKING IT IN TO TOYOTA HAS NOT HELPED - THEY STATE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TAKING A LOOK AT IT. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LOOK QUICKER AND FIND A SOLUTION. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL TOYOTAS (THIS IS MY SECOND 4RUNNER IN A ROW) AND HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THE CARS AND SERVICE TO BE EXCEPTIONAL. HOWEVER, THIS HAS SOURED ME ON MY WONDERFUL 4RUNNER AND I WILL MOST DEFINITELY LOOK AT OTHER SUVS - PERHAPS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER NOW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093754October 7, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. VERY BAD WHEN ANY WINDOW IS DOWN, JUST BAD WHEN ALL WINDOWS ARE UP. DEALER SUGGESTED DIFFERENT GAS(DIDN'T WORK), AND REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER (DIDN'T WORK). THIS PROBLEM IS GIVING ME AND MY FAMILY HEADACHES WHILE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094160September 23, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE GLASS MADE SCRATCHES ON THE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091444September 7, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
LTR FM CHRISTINE IDLAND (NJ) RE A PROBLEM WITH HER 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER, IT EMITS A PUNGENT ODOR WHEN SHE PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR; REPLY ATTN DEREK DECOSMO/HADDON HEIGHTS OFFICE. *NM THE NJ OEP RAN TEST ON THE VEHICLE WHICH DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAME ELEVATED. THIS OCCURRED WHETHER THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED OR CLOSED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079200July 2, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RATTLES OR MOVES ABOUT 1/2 INCH WHEN SLOWING DOWN, GOING FAST & GOING OVER BUMPS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078432June 18, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ROTTEN EGG (SULFUR) SMELL WITH CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) IN THE CABIN IS MAKING PASSENGERS SICK! (POISONED) I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE LEARNED THAT 60 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA FOR THIS SULFUR SMELL. HOWEVER WHAT EVERYONE IS FOCUSING ON IS THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGG. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BUT THAT IS IT IS NOT WHAT WILL KILL YOU. THE CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)IS THE REAL DANGER BECAUSE IT IS WITHOUT ODOR AND DEADLY IT IS ALSO GETTING INTO THE CAR BY THE SAME MEANS AS THE OBVIOUS EGG SMELL. I WAS SO CONCERNED THAT I CONTACTED A ENVIROMENTAL COMPANY WHO CAME FOR A RIDE ALONG IN MY 2003 SR5 4RUNNER. THIS RIDE PROVED TO ME THAT(CO)IS INDEED ENTERING THE CABIN AND ALARMED THE TECH WHO CAME ALONG WITH A (CO)TESTER. AT ONE POINT HE YELLED "CLOSE THE F@#%@%& REAR WINDOW". I SAW THE READINGS GO OFF THE CHARTS DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION OF THE WINDOWS. I DID NOT PAY FOR THIS TEST AS THEY WERE BEING KIND ENOUGH TO JUST SEE IF I HAD ANY (CO)ENTERING THE CABIN. THIS WAS ENOUGH FOR ME! I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE REGIONAL REP FROM FL. ANOTHER OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN IS TO GO TO THE HOME DEPOT AND BUY A (CO) TESTER. THIS CAN BE PLUGGED INTO THE 110 OUTLET IN THE GLOVE BOX. I DID AND I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DOWN AT ALL ANY LONGER AND HAVE POSTPONED TRIPS OF LONGER THAN 50 MILES TO REDUCE EXPOSER TO THIS HARMFUL CHEMICAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY BE CORRECTED BY CHANGING THE LOCATION OF THE TAIL PIPE TO VENT TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HOPE THIS WILL GET THE PEOPLE (NHTSA) WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONALS THAT PROTECT US "TO WAKE UP." IF SOMEONE ELSE COULD DO A SIMILAR TEST IN THEIR STATE WE COULD HAVE MORE AMMUNITION TO FIGHT TOYOTA. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE EPA COMPANY WOULD DO A COMPLETE TEST WITH REPORT AND ALL FOR AROUND $340.00. I AM GOING TO SEE IF THE SERVICE REP WOULD DO THIS BUT I DOUBT IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10078435June 18, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL WITH CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) IN THE CABIN IS MAKING PASSENGERS SICK! (POISONED) I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE LEARNED THAT 60 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA FOR THIS SULFUR SMELL. HOWEVER WHAT EVERYONE IS FOCUSING ON IS THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGG. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BUT THAT IS IT IS NOT WHAT WILL KILL YOU. THE CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)IS THE REAL DANGER BECAUSE IT IS WITHOUT ODOR AND DEADLY IT IS ALSO GETTING INTO THE CAR BY THE SAME MEANS AS THE OBVIOUS EGG SMELL. I WAS SO CONCERNED THAT I CONTACTED A ENVIROMENTAL COMPANY WHO CAME FOR A RIDE ALONG IN MY 2003 SR5 4RUNNER. THIS RIDE PROVED TO ME THAT(CO)IS INDEED ENTERING THE CABIN AND ALARMED THE TECH WHO CAME ALONG WITH A (CO)TESTER. AT ONE POINT HE YELLED "CLOSE THE F@#%@%& REAR WINDOW". I SAW THE READINGS GO OFF THE CHARTS DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION OF THE WINDOWS. I DID NOT PAY FOR THIS TEST AS THEY WERE BEING KIND ENOUGH TO JUST SEE IF I HAD ANY (CO)ENTERING THE CABIN. THIS WAS ENOUGH FOR ME! I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE REGIONAL REP FROM FL. ANOTHER OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN IS TO GO TO THE HOME DEPOT AND BUY A (CO) TESTER. THIS CAN BE PLUGGED INTO THE 110 OUTLET IN THE GLOVE BOX. I DID AND I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DOWN AT ALL ANY LONGER AND HAVE POSTPONED TRIPS OF LONGER THAN 50 MILES TO REDUCE EXPOSER TO THIS HARMFUL CHEMICAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY BE CORRECTED BY CHANGING THE LOCATION OF THE TAIL PIPE TO VENT TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HOPE THIS WILL GET THE PEOPLE (NHTSA) WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONALS THAT PROTECT US "TO WAKE UP." IF SOMEONE ELSE COULD DO A SIMILAR TEST IN THEIR STATE WE COULD HAVE MORE AMMUNITION TO FIGHT TOYOTA. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE EPA COMPANY WOULD DO A COMPLETE TEST WITH REPORT AND ALL FOR AROUND $340.00. I AM GOING TO SEE IF THE SERVICE REP WOULD DO THIS BUT I DOUBT IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10075363June 14, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD WHISTLES .DEALER TELLS ME THEY CANT DO ANYTHING .THEY SAY IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM.WELL IF IT IS THERE WILL BE ALOT OF TRADE INS.WHEN DRIVING INTO A HEAD WIND IT WHISTLES PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NOISE WILL DECREASE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074983June 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF SULPHUR IN THE CABIN WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS 3 TIMES TO MY DEALER, AND ON THE THIRD TIME, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SMELL WAS FROM THE FUEL. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, AND NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A SMELL, AND I HAVE COMPARED TO OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE THE SAME SITUATION. THE SMELL IS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075531June 2, 2004
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED REAR SEATS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES SUDDENLY THE SEATS CAME UP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068482May 8, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACKREST, MOVES OR HAS A PLAY MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068259May 4, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
IN DECEMBER OF 2002, WE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WE NOTICED A STRONG SULPHUR SMELL LEAKING INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WE TOOK IT TO BACK TO PEFORMANCE TOYOTA WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE, HANDED US A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN #EG003-03 AND SUGGESTED WE CHANGE GAS. WE TRIED EVERY GAS AT EVERY GAS STATION WE COULD FIND AND IT ONLY GOT WORSE. MY WIFE HAD BEEN USING THE VEHICLE TO CAR POOL OUR TWO DAUGHTERS, ALONG WITH OTHER CHILDREN, HOME FROM SCHOOL. ONE OF THE CHILDREN GOT PHYSICALLY ILL (WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT HE SUFFERS FROM MIGRAINS, AND THE ODOR WAS TRIGGERING HIS ATTACTS), SO WE HAD TO PULL OUR DAUGHTERS OUT OF THE CAR POOL. IN ORDER TO LIMIT MY DAUGHTERS' EXPOSURE TO SULPHUR DIOXIDE, I AGREED TO USE THE TOYOTA AND LET MY WIFE USE MY DAKOTA TO TAKE THE GIRLS TO/FROM SCHOOL (IT DOESN'T STINK). AFTER DRIVING THE TOYOTA TO WORK FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR NOW, I HAVE EXPERIENCED HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA BY MY PHYSICIAN (WHICH I'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE). MY ASTHMA MEDICATION COSTS ME $158 PER MONTH AND I HAVE RESEARCHED CAUSES OF ASTHMA, AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SULPHUR SMELL IS A POSSIBLE TRIGGER FOR IT. I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, AND THE $37,000 TOYOTA SITS IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE NO ONE CAN STAND TO DRIVE IT. HELP!!!!! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068227May 3, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I PURCHASED MY 2003 4 RUNNER LAST JULY AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOTICING A SULFUR SMELL. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS THE FUEL. I CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN AND WAS FINALLY ADMITTED TO BY TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR "METAL COMPONENTS" AND THE BLENDING OF THE FUEL. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG IN MY CAR THAT CLIENTS ARE COMPLAINING AND ASKING ABOUT SEPTIC ISSUES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068050April 29, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
TERRIBLE SULPHUR SMELL IN THE CABIN. WINDOWS ARE ALWAYS UP DUE TO 3 OF 4 MEMBERS HAVING ASTHMA. MAKES ALL PASSENGERS SICK TO STOMACHS AND HEADACHES. WANT FULL PURCHASE PRICE BACK FOR THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT DRIVE ANYLONGER. VERY UPSETTING FROM A TOYOTA PRODUCT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10071546April 20, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CABIN WOULD FILL UP WITH SULFUR DIOXIDE FUMES. *PH THESE FUMES HAVE CAUSED RESPIRATORY ISSUES FOR THE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066404April 18, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
VIBRATION IN STEERING, MOST PREVALENT AROUND 70 MPH. STARTED AT 15,000 MILES. REBALANCED TIRES 3 TIMES AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT OEM TIRES WERE BAD. TRIED NEW TIRES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. BELIEVED TO BE SAME AS LEXUS GX 470 PROBLEM WITH TSB FIX ST004-04. NO TOYOTA TSB YET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066218April 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL/EXHAUST ENTERING CABIN OF VEHICLE EVEN IF WINDOWS ARE UP.HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN AUG,2003. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066144April 14, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I HAVE BECOME RATHER FED UP WITH THE SULFUR SMELL PROBLEM ON MY 03' V8 4RUNNER. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HERE, EDMUNDS, AND OTHER WEBSITES ON THIS TOPIC AND SEE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF SOME PEOPLE PURSUING LEGAL RECOURSE. OTHER THAN ONE SPECIFIC CASE IN FLORIDA, I CANNOT FIND ANY OTHER EVIDENCE OF SUCCESSFULLY MAKING A LEMON LAW CASE WITH THE SULFUR SMELL PROBLEM. I AM IN KANSAS AND HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA THAT I HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION.....AND IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, THIS IS ALSO REQUIRED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING A LEMON LAWSUIT. I HAVE THREE KIDS, ONE OF WHICH HAS A SULFUR ALLERGY IN ADDITION TO MY WIFE HAVING A DOCUMENTED ALLERGY. FRANKLY, I HAVE BEEN NAUSEATED BY THIS SMELL ON A NUMBER OF INSTANCES. NOW AT 10 MOS. OF OWNERSHIP, 7500 MILES, TRYING EVERY GRADE AND BRAND OF GAS REASONABLY AVAILABLE, 2 DEALER COMPLAINTS, AND 2 TOYOTA CORPORATE COMPLAINTS....I AM NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTED AT TOYOTA'S SHIFTING OF BLAME....BUT NOW I AM AT A LOSS ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE TOYOTA RECOGNIZE AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE CURRENT 4RUNNER MODEL. TOYOTA BLAMES THE PROBLEM ON BAD GAS....DON'T THINK SO...I HAVE TRIED EVERY GRADE FROM EVERY STATION NEAR MY HOUSE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNERSHIP. HAVE I RESEARCHED THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT HAPPENS....ABSOLUTELY. WHEN TOYOTA SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.....I GUESS I WONDER WHY THEY DESIGNED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REAR VENTS THAT PULL EXHAUST GAS INTO THE CABIN. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY IT HAPPENS. HERE IS MY POINT....SULFUR SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST...OK, I'M GOOD WITH THAT. THIS IS THE CASE WITH THE HIGHER SULFUR CONTENT MIXES THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. BUT SHOULD IT BE REASONABLE THAT I HAVE TO INHALE IT INSIDE THE CABIN? NOW HOW IS THAT THE FAULT OF THE GASOLINE INDUSTRY.....DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SULFUR CONTENT OF THE LOCALLY AVAILABLE GASOLINE? FURTHERMORE, IF I AM SMELLING SULFUR.....I AM ALSO INHALING CARBON MONOXIDE....GEE, THAT SEEMS REAL HEALTHY. PLEASE HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064349April 1, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GATED SHIFTER, ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, ALLOWS YOU TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE PAST NEUTRAL (INTO REVERSE OR EVEN PARK) WHILE DRIVING, WITH OUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF YOU PUSH STRAIGHT UP ON THE SHIFTER IT LOCKS IT OUT (AGAINST THE STAGGERED PLASTIC OF THE GATED SHIFTER). BUT IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SHIFTER ON AN ANGLE, IT CAN SLIDE PAST NEUTRAL AND INTO REVERSE OR EVEN PARK!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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