Toyota 4Runner Complaints (1997)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10144533December 6, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN THE VENT ON THE BACK OF THE HOOD AT WINDSHIELD KEEPS MY CARPET SOAKED HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED? ALSO MY HOOD LATCH IS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH MY HOOD GOES UP 2 INCHES WHEN IM AT TOP SPEEDS (55 OR 65). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143440November 22, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BUMPER RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE RUST WAS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134185September 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
DT: 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT MAJOR BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING BRAKING PROBLEMS AT 19,900 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY BECAME WEAK. THIS TOOK 6 MONTHS TO DIAGNOSE, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. SHE WAS THEN INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS WAS REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SINCE LATE 2003. WHEN CHECKED SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ESPECIALLY ON WET PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE. SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE ABS, SHE STATES IT WAS BRAKING DIFFERENTLY THAN PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON AUGUST 19, 2005. THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE WAS PULLING UP HIGHER THAN USUAL. THIS WAS CHECKED, AND THEY FOUND THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE SOAKED IN OIL. THIS REQUIRED THE SEALS, BEARINGS, RETAINERS, SENSOR RINGS AND THE REAR BRAKE SHOES TO BE REPLACED. SHE FELT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE REAR AXLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121306May 18, 2005
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE LOOP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AT THE TOP OF THE LOOP, AS I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER. THE ROCKING TURNED INTO FISHTAILING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FORCEFULLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A GUARDRAIL, ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I WAS 4 MONTHS PREGNANT AND TRAVELLING WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD SON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO SAFETY IN THE MEDIAN. THIS ACCIDENT WAS A TOTAL MYSTERY TO ME SINCE I WAS NOT TRAVELLING AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. THE GROUND WAS SLIGHTLY WET FROM A BRIEF SPRINKLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115139April 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP POSITION AT 10 MPH RIGHT, THE SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLER DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAULTY PART AND REPAIRS. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109007April 6, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA EMAIL. THE BRAKES FAILED MANY TIMES ON MY CAR AND THEY WERE IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THEY FIXED IT TEMPORARILY. ALSO, THEY INDICATED THAT OIL OR GREASE WAS LEAKING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND COATING THE BRAKE PADS, RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE. THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICKING IN TOO OFTEN/ LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, AND JOLTING AT SLOW SPEEDS. LAST TIME IN THE REPAIR SHOP THEY GUARANTEED THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED, YET THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENT, AND THAT NEW MODELS WERE DESIGNED TO FIX THIS FLAW. WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THOSE DRIVING 1997 MODELS ? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104318December 22, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
MY REAR AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE SHOES. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT TWICE. ONCE IN THE WINTER OF 2002 AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING OF 2003. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY BRAKES FAILED AND I REAR ENDED SOMEBODY. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE SATURATED WITH AXLE GREASE. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT A DEALER. THEY THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS REPLACING THE AXLE IN ORDER TO STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101236December 21, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHEN THE CONSUMER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT, IT COLLAPSED FROM THE BOTTOM, AND THE MAIN BOLT SHEARED OFF. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK THE WELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE METAL WAS VERY THIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097408October 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 02V021000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087961October 6, 2004
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE CONSUMER THINKS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DUE TO THE FAILURE TO TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091232September 18, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
DRIVING IN #1 LANE OF FREEWAY WHEN A STOPPED VEHICLE PROTRUDING INTO THE LANE NECESSITATED ME TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND AVOIDED THE CAR AND THEN SWERVED BACK TO THE LEFT TO AVOID CAR IN LANE TO MY RIGHT. AT THIS POINT I FELT THE CAR GET BUMPY AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER FORWARD AND WAS PULLED TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD SNAPPED OFF THE AXLE AND THE CAR WAS DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS BROKEN.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10089387September 14, 2004
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FLOOR MANAGER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING , SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA 13 TIMES BUT THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED EXCESS TIRE WEAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091799September 10, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM , BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088232August 19, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
REAR SPRING COIL ON THE 4 RUNNER COLLAPSED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063690March 23, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
ON FEB 24 2004 I WAS ADVISED BY ANDREW TOYOTA (GLENDALE WI) THAT I AGAIN NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS AND REAR BRAKES (DUE TO LEAKAGE) ON MY 1997 4RUNNER. THREE PRIOR TIMES, I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR AXLE SEALS AND REAR BRAKES ON THIS 4RUNNER SINCE 2001: 1. MAR 7, 2001-MILEAGE 71,411. 2. DEC 18, 2001-MILEAGE 83,044. 3. NOV 14, 2002-MILEAGE 90303 I PROVIDED DEALER WITH COPIES OF NHTSA PRINTOUTS SHOWING OTHERS' IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL 4RUNNER, BUT , OF COURSE, SERVICE MAGAGER AT DEALER DUANE DOMAGALSKI SAID HE AND TOYOTA REP (BEAUMONT) DO NOT THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM. AND, SINCE IT'S OUT THE WARRANTY PERIOD THERE WASNT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THEY GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION, REPEATEDLY, THAT TOYOTA COULD NOT CARE LESS ABOUT THE NHTSA OR ABOUT PEOPLES' COMPLAINTS, AND THAT IF THE DOT THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM DOT WOULD ISSUE A RECALL! LEAKING AXLE SEALS MAKE MY REAR BRAKES LESS EFFICIENT AND THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. DEALER AND TOYOTA SEEMED ANNOYED THAT I WOULD DARE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE 4RUNNER REAR AXLE SEALS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059515February 20, 2004
TIRES, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057650February 6, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WHILE BRAKING TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THIS COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO OTHER DRIVERS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070837January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE MAINTAINED THE 4 RUNNER'S RECORDS SINCE MY PURCHASE NEW IN 12/96. THEY CLAIM I DID NOT CHANGE OIL FOR A LONG TIME AND CAUSED ENGINE SLUDGE. MECHANIC SAID IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO SETTLEMENT BELOW. TOYOTA OIL SLUDGE FACED WITH A CONSUMER REVOLT OVER LOW MILEAGE ENGINE FAILURES CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP, TOYOTA HAS BEGUN TO NOTIFY 3.3 MILLION OWNERS OF 1997-2002 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES WITH 3.0-LITER IMZ V-6 ENGINES AND ALL 1997-2001 TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH 5SFE 2.2-LITER 4-CYLINDER ENGINES THAT IT WILL COVER THE COST OF SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS FOR EIGHT YEARS FROM DATE OF INITIAL SALE. WHETHER THIS WILL SATISFY THE THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED ENGINE FAILURE REMAINS TO BE SEEN BECAUSE TOYOTA'S SPECIAL POLICY FALLS SHORT OF AN EXPRESS WARRANTY. TOYOTA MODIFIED V-6 ENGINES MADE AFTER JULY 2001 BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE EARLIER ENGINES. THE 2.2L 4-CYLINDER HAS BEEN DROPPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053019January 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING REAR AXEL SEALS AND BENT REAR AXELS. THIS CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO BE SOAKED WITH LUBRICANT AND USELESS OR PULL TO ONE SIDE. MY DEALER HAS REPLACED 2 AXELS ON THE LEFT REAR AND 1 AXEL ON THE RIGHT REAR. NUMEROUS SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BESIDES AN ANNOYANCE, BESIDES A $1,000 REPAIR BILL, THIS PROBLEM IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045801November 9, 2003
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR LIGHTING USED TO ILLUMINATE AIR CONTROL PANEL ONLY WORKS SOME OF THE TIME. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW OWNS A 1996 4-RUNNER AND HIS AIR CONTROL LIGHTING IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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