2001 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS HAD NORMAL WEAR UP UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I NOTICED A SECTION OF THE REAR DIFF LEAKING AND ROTTING. THE WAY THE REAR AXLE HOUSING IS BUILD IT DOES NOT HAVE A REAR COVER LIKE MOST. BUT THAT IS THE SECTION THAT HAS FLAKED AND BEGUN TO LEAK. THE FILL PLUG IS IN THE SAME AREA WHICH ALSO IS RUSTED. MAKING IT NOT POSSIBLE TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL. IF YOUR IN A SPOT WERE YOU DON'T HAVE THE FINANCES TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM IT LEAVES YOU IN A SPOT OF DRIVE IT TILL THE REAR END DETONATES. BEING AS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA AND IT BEING A ONE PART FIX. I FEEL TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO COVERING IT UNDER WARRANTY OR AT LEAST GOOD WILLING PARTS PRICES THAN LEAVING MYSELF AND OTHERS IN THE SPOT OF A $3,000.00 BILL DUE A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2001 4RUNNER VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION, ACTUAL HOLES AND SOFT SPOT, ON THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME IN THE MUFFLER AREA. CONCERNED WITH FAILURE WHEN TOWING 300 LBS TRAILER. NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, 112K MILES AND BOUGHT NEW 11 YEARS OLD. ONLY DETECTING THE PROBLEM NOW. SHOULD NOT BE NEEDING TO REPLACE FRAME. COST ESTIMATE $10K, SHOPPING AROUND FOR BETTER PRICING. COST TO REPAIR 40% OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OR TWICE WHAT THE VEHICLE BOOKS TODAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN DISCLOSE # OF COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. THEIR ONLY COMMENTS IS THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. FINDING NUMEROUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

ON THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, THE BACK COVER AREA (NON REPLACEABLE) HAS BECOME SO POROUS BECAUSE OF HEAVY RUST SCALING AND FLAKING THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID SEEPS FROM IT. THE REST OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS MADE OF THICKER, HEAVIER GAUGE METAL AND SEEMS OK. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE THE GEAR OIL TO DROP BELOW THE REQUIRED LEVEL CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE OR LOCK UP AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DISASTROUS. WHEN I REALIZED I HAD THIS PROBLEM, I SEARCHED THE TOYOTA FORUMS ONLINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND TOYOTA IS AWARE BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WILL REPLACE ENTIRE RUSTED OUT FRAMES ON TRUCKS UNDER RECALL, BUT REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THEY WANT $3000 TO REPLACE A KNOWN INFERIOR/DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO MAKESHIFT REPAIRS USING BRUSH ON BED LINER TO STEM THE LEAKING AND CHECK THE FLUID TO KEEP IT FULL. BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED OR WHO ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE?

SEVERELY RUSTY FRAME. MY 4RUNNER ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 114K MILES ON IT. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME. IT'S EVERYWHERE AND FLAKES OFF TO THE TOUCH. *TR

AFTER I MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $1500.00, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK (JERK VIOLENTLY) AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO 30, 35 OR 40 MPH. THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3 OF 4K BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS ENGAGES FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NOW 3 MONTHS. *TR

MY VEHICLE HAS VERY LITTLE RUST EXCEPT FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. LARGE FLAKES OF RUST HAVE FORMED. THE DIFFERENTIAL RECENTLY BEGAN LEAKING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4RUNNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A MUFFLER REPLACEMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MUFFLER COULD NOT BE REPLACED AND A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER (MCGEE TOYOTA OF HANOVER, 860 WASHINGTON ST, HANOVER, MA 02339, (866) 942-1756) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FRAME WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

ON 7/7/12 I WAS DRIVING FOR A DOG RESCUE TRANSPORT AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST SINCE I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TRUCK AND A GAS CAN. WHAT I DID NOTICE WAS MY GAS GAUGE WAS DROPPING INCREDIBLY FAST SO I LOOKED FOR A CLEAR AREA ON SHOULDER THAT SHOULD THE TRUCK CATCH FIRE. (VERY DRY IN NJ AT THE TIME) I FOUND MY AREA AND SHUT TRUCK OFF AND DRIFTED INTO THE SHOULDER. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN RUSHING TO EMPTY THE SEVEN DOG CRATES (JUST IN CASE) ON THE SHOULDER BEHIND GUARD RAIL. ONCE WE WERE ALL CLEAR, I WALKED OVER TO VEHICLE AND POPPED HOOD. THERE WAS FUEL SATURATING EVERYTHING, INCLUDING STILL DRIPPING FROM INSULATION MATERIAL UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY ONTO AND AROUND THE EXHAUST AREA. BY TOYOTA DESIGN, THERE IS A CLIP THAT RETAINS/SEPARATES TWO HOSES DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE FUEL LINE THAT HAD WORN A HOLE INTO THE FUEL LINE. ON 7/9/12 I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER TO GET THE HOSE WHICH I FIND OUT IS PART NUMBER 23801(P)-62071. IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN OF THIS LISTED PART IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $75 AND A WEEK OR MORE TO GET THE PART. I WENT HOME AND BROWSED THE NET TO FIND ONLY ONE STORE THAT STOCKS THIS ITEM AND ORDERED THROUGH THEM TO SAVE ABOUT $20 BUT STILL THE SAME TURN AROUND TIME (LOST ABOUT $67 IN FUEL AS TANK IS NOW BONE DRY PLUS A $250 FLATBED TOW FEE. I AM OUT ALMOST $400). I HAS BEEN A WEEK MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO A TOYOTA DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY WILL NOT FESS UP TO THE DESIGN FLAW OR EVEN OFFER A LOANER CAR. *TR

3RD GENERATION 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH EXCESSIVE FRAME AND BODY RUST. THE GAS TANK STEM IS RUSTED, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LITERALLY POROUS AND LEAKING OIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED, SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS RUSTED. OTHER AREAS OF RUST ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. REPAIR SHOP SAID CAR IS NOT WORTH FIXING. DANA CORP THAT MADE FRAMES FOR TOYOTA TACOMAS/TUNDRAS THAT WERE RECALLED ALSO IS BEST KNOW FOR REAR DIFFERENTIALS. WHY WEREN'T THE 4RUNNERS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/BUYBACK BY TOYOTA? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED HAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED DEFECT WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED A HOLE IN THE REAR FRAME AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 02/10/12 *BF UPDATED 03/12/12

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER RUSTED SO BADLY IN 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS (THE HOUSING) CRACKED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE ROAD. I DISCOVERED THE RUST DURING THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION AND CONSEQUENTLY HAD THE DIFFERENTIAL INSPECTED BY MY TOYOTA DEALER (BERLIN CITY PORTLAND, ME) A FEW MONTHS BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS STRUCTURALLY SOUND BUT RUSTY. I AM AN ENGINEER AND CLEARLY IT WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN SHORT ORDER AS IT DID.... THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THIS RUST PROBLEM IS COMMON ON MOST TOYOTA TRUCK FRAMES AND DRIVE TRAINS OWNED IN THE NORTH EAST. TOYOTA HAS ELECTED TO REPAIR THE TRUCKS AT NO COST BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME AND DIFFERENTIALS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS [XXX]... THEY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT GRAVE RISK.... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TOYOTA 2001 4-RUNNER, THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF UNDERBODY,FRAME,DRIVE TRAIN RUST SPECIFICALLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE PROBLEM FIRST ENCOUNTERED WAS THE RR. DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH AND IS LEAKING OIL FROM IT.SO I CALLED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND SPOKE WITH AN EXECUTIVE ANALYST, I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS , SHE ARRANGED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND INSPECTED BY THEIR MECHANICS AND THE REPORT READS AS FOLLOWS. INSPECTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL , INSPECTED HOUSING -FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM HOUSING AT YOKE THROUGH REAR COVER ;METAL POROUS AND THIN. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE REPAIR ESTIMATE $1491.28 PLUS TAX. THEY ALSO NOTED SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES THAT I CANNOT BE SURE IF IT WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST OR NORMAL WEAR. THEN UNDER MISCELLANEOUS A GENERAL INSPECTION, BY TECHNICIAN READS AS FOLLOWS VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS HEAVY CORROSION - - FOUND PERFORATION AT FRONT SHACKLE ON RIGHT REAR OF FRAME. SECOND PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION REPORT UNDER THE COMMENTS SECTION THE TECHNICIAN, HAND WRITTEN SAID FRAME IS BAD,RUST PERFORATION (SLOPPY WRITING ) I BELIEVE IT SAID, RIGHT REAR RAIL . SO AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ANALYST READ THE REPORT SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING TOYOTA CAN DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I RESEARCHED ON LINE FOR EXCESSIVE RUST AND RR. DIFF. LEAKING, AND FOUND MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS DEVELOPING. THANK YOU *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH. THE HOUSING COVER IS A THINNER METAL THAN THE DIFFERNTIAL AXLE AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. OIL LEAKS OUT THROUGH THE RUSTED COVER UNTIL OIL IS DEPLETED AND COULD CAUSE DRIVETRAIN FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL ON A VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BODY RUST, YET THIS PART FAILS DUE TO RUST! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND MANY MORE ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. TOYOTA LOSES MUCH RESPECT IF THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AND THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND, RENDERING THE CONTACT UNCONSCIOUS. DURING THE CRASH, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 246,000.

EXTREME RUST ON MY 4RUNNER'S FRAME. CAN BE SEEN EASILY FROM IN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE MANY PICTURES TO DOCUMENT. THE RECALL ON TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 96-02 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. *TR

THE REAR AXEL HOUSING ON OUR 2001 SR5 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER IS RUSTED OUT PRETTY BAD. THE ENTIRE FIRST LAYER OF THIN METAL HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OFF. IT HAS NOT BEGAN TO LEAK YET, BUT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL IT DOES. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED ON THIS PART, WHICH I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SINCE IT IS SUCH A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 1999 - 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT SHAPE, AND RUNS GREAT - WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. BUT THE ROTTING REAR AXEL NOT ONLY IS SURPRISING, BUT HAS ME QUITE CONCERNED THAT WE WILL END UP WITH A PRETTY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WITHOUT TOYOTA TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE REAR AXEL HOUSING. IF ANYONE SIMPLY DOES AND INTERNET SEARCH REGARDING THIS PROBLEM - YOU WILL SEE THAT ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA TRUCKS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AXEL HOUSING. *TR

THE UNDER CARRIAGE HAS BEEN RUSTING SINCE I NOTICED APPROX. 4 YRS AFTER PURCHASE. I NOW HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION OR DRIVE VEHICLE SINCE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO PLACE ON LIFT TO OBSERVE IT BEGAN TO CRACK OR SPLIT . I HAVE ONLY 87000 MILES ON IT AND THE REST OF VEHICLE IS CLEAN AND BASICALLY RUST FREE. IT IS MARCH 27 , 2015 AND HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR LAST 3 YRS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WAPPINGERS FALLS STATED THAT TOYOTA IS PLANNING ON REPAIRING BUT IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN. AT PRESENT THE BACK PARKING LOT IS FILLED WITH NEW UNDER STRUCTURES FOR OTHER MODELS.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THIS ONGOING TERRIBLE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WILL BE REPAIRED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GAVE OUT. MOTOR WAS STILLING RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD TO REV THE MOTOR FROM THE THROTTLE ITSELF AND NOTHNG HAPPENED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND IT SEEMED TO RESET WHATEVER WAS WRONG . I BEGAN DRIVING AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE SAME THNG HAPPENED. I PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET SOME SPEED. THE NEXT DAY IT DID NOT HAPPENED. DAYS LATER IN TRAFFIC IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR LOSSES SPEED ALMOST INSTANTLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I WERE NOT ABLE TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND GET SOME SPEED THE OUT SOME WOULD NOT BE GOOD. I FOUND OUT THAT THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY AND IS THE REASON FOR THE INSTANT LOSE OF SPEED. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS PART...IT IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD! *LN

I INITIALLY CONTACTED MAGIC AUTO CENTER AND WAS DEALING WITH [XXX] REGARDING A 2001 TOYOTA LAND ROVER THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN. [XXX] TOLD ME HE COULD GIVE ME $1000 FOR MY TRADE AND USE THAT FOR MY DOWN PAYMENT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY THE 29TH, I SPOKE WITH [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE I WAS INTERESTED IN HAD BEEN SOLD BUT THEY HAD A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER PRICED SIMILARLY. AT THAT POINT, I SUBMITTED ALL OF MY CREDIT INFORMATION BY E-MAIL TO [XXX] ADDRESS ABOVE. ANTHONY CONTACTED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THE OWNER WANTED $1000 CASH AND WOULD GIVE ME $500 FOR MY TRADE. I AGREED TO THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD CAUSE ME A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BECAUSE I NEEDED A MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE THAN WHAT I HAD. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP A BIT BEFORE 8PM ON THE 29TH AND ADVISED THEM THAT I WAS IN A HURRY AS I NEEDED TO PICK MY DAUGHTER UP BY 9PM. WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS THEN ASKED TO PROVIDE $750 CASH, $250 ON 11/2/2010 AND AN ADDITIONAL $500 ON 11/18/2010, PLUS MY TRADE. I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THAT EVERYTHING BE IN ORDER BEFORE MY ARRIVAL SINCE THEY ARE LOCATED FAR FROM MY RESIDENCE. I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND UNTIL ALMOST 8:30 PM. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR (MY FAULT) BECAUSE I WAS SO RUSHED, BUT WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION BY BOTH [XXX] AND[XXX]. I SIGNED THE PAPERWORK, PROVIDED THEM WITH A CHECK FOR $500 DATED 11/18/2010 AND AGREED THAT I WOULD BRING $250 ON 11/2/2010. I TRANSFERRED MY BELONGINGS FROM MY TRADE TO THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WITH MY SON\S HELP, TOOK THE 4RUNNER, MY SON, AND OUR DOGS AND HEADED FOR THE FREEWAY. WE GOT ON THE 170 SOUTH, TO THE 101 SOUTH, AND THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON...WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ALREADY AFTER 9 AT THIS POINT. WE GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND INADVERTENTLY GOT ON THE 10 FREEWAY WEST, AT THAT POINT A LOUD POP CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A HUGE PUFF OF STEAM, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED, VEHICLE BEGINS MOVING, ALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS TURN ON, CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION (WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC). THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND MAY HAVE LEAD TO AT LEAST ONE FENDER BENDER WHERE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE FOLLOWING CAR THOUGHT THAT MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AFTER STALLING, ALL 3 CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT STAY ON. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING ENGINE, CAR ACCELERATES ON RUNS NORMALLY UNTIL NEXT STALLING EVENT. SINCE JANUARY 2010, I HAVE BEEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4 TIMES. I HAVE HAD 2 GAS CAPS REPLACED, OXYGEN METER REPLACE, BREAK/ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECKED, CHARCOAL CANISTER REPLACED, NEW BATTERY, AND SEVERAL OIL CHANGES. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND THEY SAID THEY WILL CHANGE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. *TR

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2001 TOYOTA FORERUNNER HAS HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT A SECOND. ON EACH OCCASION I WAS ON A RIGHT HAND CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE TURN AFTER INITIALLY SLOWING DOWN TO BEGIN THE CURVE. ON EACH OCCASION I WAS OBEYING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE SECTION OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CURVE WAS LOCATED. AS I BEGAN ACCELERATING INTO THE CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, A BEEPING NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. A MOMENT LATER THE BEEPING STOPPED AND STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. IN EACH SITUATION I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IN TWO OF THE THREE OCCURRENCES I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. TODAY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. I ADVISED THEM THAT I HAD SEEN A RECALL CONCERNING THE TOYOTA AVALON WHICH SEEMED TO BE IDENTICAL TO THE SITUATION I HAD ENCOUNTERED. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE INCIDENTS HAD ALL BEEN ON RIGHT HAND CURVES AND THAT THE OCCURRENCES HAD HAPPENED AT SPREAD OUT INTERVALS OVER THE LAST YEAR. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAD BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT EXAMINE THE STEERING SYSTEM BUT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE OUT FOR TEST DRIVES IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXPERIENCE THE ISSUE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICES AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THEM AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO. I'VE HAD NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH THEM AND THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE WITH WAS UNAWARE IF THE CORPORATE OFFICES HAD CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE CASE. *TR

2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REAR AXLE HOUSING ROT/LEAK, NO SIGNS OF ABUSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FOUR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION DUE TO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS AND PROBLEM WAS GONE FOR THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. PROBLEM CAME BACK. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED PERSISTENTLY FOR OVER 100K MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED AT 32K IN 2003. *TR

THE SUSPENSION RECALL ON MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS DONE AT AROUND 60K MILES. IT NOW HAS 116K MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK,I CAN TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 1/2" IN EITHER DIRECTION AND NOT HAVE THE WHEELS MOVE,WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WANDERS AND OCCASIONALLY GRABS IN WHAT FEELS LIKE A FLAT SPOT..THE CAMPAIGN NO IS 05V225000. *TR

LESS THAN 20000 MILES AFTER I HAD A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED, BY TOYOTA, IN MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE INPUT. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND LET OFF OF THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL. I APPLIED THE FOOT BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING FURTHER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP LOW AND BEHOLD, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. TODAY, I HAD A SURGE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR SERVICE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT FEEL THAT THIS ONE POSED A SAFETY HAZARD WORTHY OF REPORTING. *TR

I HAVE A TOYOTA 2001 4RUNNER WITH 77563 MILES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS RUSTED THRU AND LEAKS. TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO HELP. *TR

ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010, WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING MY SON TO DRIVE COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD CRASHING AND FLIPPING THE SUV INTO A CREEK. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOTALED. I DID A RECALL RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE TO FIND A STEERING LOSS, RECALL DATED 2005. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 09/07, FROM INFINITY OF SOUTH ATLANTA. APPARENTLY THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE SELLING TO ME. *TW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED,WENT AIR BORN, AND LANDED DOWN A RAVINE. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS TRAPPED BY THE FLOOR MAT. SHE RECEIVED POLICE REPORT NUMBER 097267. SHE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

3 YEARS AGO I PURCHASED 225/75 R15 FROM LES SCHWAB TIRES . THE TIRES ARE ROTTING AND CRACKING IN THE SIDEWALL. HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. I DRIVE THE CAR EVERYDAY AND CANNOT SEE A REASON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. THEY ARE HANKOOK TIRES. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. MY HOME CONTRACTOR SMELLED AN ODOR & DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR WAS LEAKING GEAR OIL. MY HUSBAND, WHO IS SOMEWHAT HANDY WITH CARS, ENDED UP SANDING OFF LOTS OF RUST ON THE PUMPKIN, THEN CLEANED IT & USED JB WELD TO SEAL WHERE HE THOUGHT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. (WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS ATTACHED.) THIS ACTUALLY HELD FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WELL, NOW AT APPROX. 125,000 MILES, THE LEAK IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE! AND COMING FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE OR PLACES. THE RUST IS BAD. NO ONE CAN BELIEVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC IN TOWN TWICE IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS, WHERE HE HAS TRIED TO SEAL IT WHILE IT WAS UP ON A LIFT, BUT IT KEEPS LEAKING BADLY. I DO NOT DRIVE THAT OFTEN BUT DO HAVE TO MAKE A 100 MILE ROUND TRIP AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, & UPON ARRIVING HOME JUST NOW, IT IS A MESS AGAIN. MY HUSBAND JUST PUT IN ABOUT 20 OZ. OF GEAR OIL & WE ARE WONDERING WHAT TO DO NEXT. I HAVE BEEN READING ON 4 RUNNER INTERNET FORUMS ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL CHEAP TO BUY, BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE CHEAPLY MADE WITH INFERIOR METAL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY 4 RUNNER, & ALSO CANNOT AFFORD AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IF THIS RUSTING IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY OTHER 4 RUNNER OWNERS, THEN TOYOTA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I TOOK CARE OF MY VEHICLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE TAKING CARE OF ME! PLEASE HELP! *TR

2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4WD WHILE SPEED 30 TO 40 MPH DRIVING IN A SLOW RIGHT BANK ( NOT A CURVE) HEAR LOW BEEP NOISE SKID LITE ICON COMES ON AND AS IF TRUCK TOOK OVER I LOST STEERING , BRAKES AND POWER . BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON THEIR OWN AND THE TRUCK PROCEDED ACROSS YELLOW LINE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!! TOYOTA PULL CODES NOTHING SAID I MUST HAD PUT TRUCK IN A SKID . NO I DIDNOT PUT TRUCK INTO SKID. HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME WIFE FOLLOWING ME AND SHE WITNESS IT ALSO . SHE SAID IT WAS AS IF I WAS STEERING IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

MY 4RUNNER'S REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS PINHOLE LEAKS DUE TO RUST. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF INCLUDING CHASSIS WASHES AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK IN THE WINTER. *TR

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS RUSTING THROUGH TO THE POINT OF LEAKING OIL. I SUSPECT THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE IS MECHANICALLY UNSOUND AND COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF HIT BY A RIGID OBSTACLE IN THE ROADWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARDS THE LEFT. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE FAILURE CORRECTED ITSELF. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS CORRODED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ON MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNDER ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT (FROM THE INSIDE OUT). THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. ANYONE WALKING BY THE VEHICLE COULD ACCIDENTALLY BRUSH BY THE BUMPERS AND GET CUT FROM THE JAGGED EDGES; ALSO NOT SURE WHAT GOOD THEY WOULD DO IN CASE OF ANY IMPACT. *TR

MY 2001 4 RUNNER WITH ONLY 125,000MILES HAS A RUSTED OUT REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THIS WAS SHOCKING TO ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ON THE BODY. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA WHO SAID THEY CAN REPLACE IT FOR $2200 PLUS TAX. I TOOK IT TO MY HUSBAND'S MECHANIC TO REPAIR/PATCH IT IF POSSIBLE. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN MANY VEHICLES WITH MORE MILES THAN MINE IN MUCH WORSE CONDITION THAT HAVE NO RUSTED OUT REAR DIFFERENTIALS. HE FOUND IT VERY UNUSUAL. HE SAID THE METAL HOUSING IS VERY THIN (FROM THE FACTORY THAT WAY) WHICH IS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC WELDED A PATCH OVER THE HOLE; HOWEVER THIS IS NOT A GOOD PERMANENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO MAKES MY 4 RUNNER HAVE NEXT TO NOTHING FOR TRADE IN VALUE FOR A TRUCK THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE A NICE TRADE IN VALUE. THIS MAKES IT A DOUBLE INSULT. AFTER TALKING TO MANY PEOPLE AND VISITING THE WWW.4RUNNERFORUM.COM WEB SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 4RUNNERS YEARS 1999 TO 2002. I WOULD IMAGINE MORE PEOPLE HAVE THE PROBLEM THAN HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE WEBSITE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING TOYOTA CAN/WILL DO TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, MY 4 RUNNER HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS A HISTORY OF GREAT VEHICLES. I KNOW THEY RECALLED THE TACOMA TRUCKS FROM THE LATE ' 90'S FOR FRAME RUSTOUT AND GAVE THE OWNERS 2 X THE TRADE IN VALUE TOWARDS A NEW TOYOTA. BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL, I KNOW TOYOTA IS WILLING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. TOYOTA OFFERING A REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART OR "TRADE IN VALUE" TOWARDS A NEW TOYOTA WOULD BE A GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS KEEPING LOYAL CUSTOMERS. IF THEY DO NOTHING, IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA NOT KNOWING IF THE METAL HOUSINGS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS ARE MANUFACTURED ANY BETTER IN 2010.. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF LUBRICATION OIL, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. THIN METAL AND LACK OF RUST PREVENTION ARE THE CAUSE. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER RUSTED THROUGH WITH ONLY 22650 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1800 BECAUSE THE COVER IS WELDED ON AND CANNOT BE REPLACED SEPARATELY. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE FRAME RUSTING OUT AND SUBSEQUENT SAFETY ISSUE AS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE. I UNDERSTAND THE TACOMA'S HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SIMILAR FRAMES. THE WARRANTY FOR CORROSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY TOYOTA FOR THE TACOMA. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING ROD WAS FAILING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROD AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V389000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING) FOR AN OLDER 4RUNNER THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED, BUT FOR THE SAME COMPONENT THAT WAS JUST REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE IS AFFECTING THE NEWER MODEL 4RUNNER'S AS WELL AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

HELLO, I OWN A 2001 4RUNNER AND THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE RUSTING HORRIBLY WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ACTUALLY HAVING AN HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE BEEN PATCHING WITH FIBERGLASS BUT THE RUST CONTINUES. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND EVERY 2001 4RUNNER THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE RUST AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE FUNCTION OF THE BUMPERS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. ALSO, I CANNOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER WITH HOLES IN THE BUMPERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THEM IS WELL OVER $1,300. FROM A VISUAL INSPECTION, LARGE CHUNKS WILL CONTINUE TO RUST OFF THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPERS DURING THE NEXT 6 MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR WAS THE ROOT OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED A $5,000 REBUILT MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

THE 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT. MY SON AND I BOTH HAVE CUT OUR SELF ON THE REAR BUMPER. I NEEDED STITCHES FOR MY INJURY. I HAVE A SCAR TO REMIND ME NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. THE RUST GOT SO BAD, I LOST MY BUMPER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AT THE FRAME, THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IS RIDDLED W/RUST, INCLUDING THE FRAME. CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF I COULD AT LEAST GET A SAFETY INSPECTION OF MY FRAME, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 01 4RUNNER WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL AND ANY INSPECTION WOULD COST ME MONEY. *TR

HVAC ISSUE CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON FOR 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. TOOK ISSUE TO BE REPAIRED BUT STILL OCCURS. GAS LEAKS DUE TO THE ISSUE. *TR

WHEN ON A LONG HIGHWAY TRIP ON THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 7, 2008, MY HUSBAND NOTICED BLACK SPOTS ON THE REAR WINDOW OF OUR 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (121,000 MILES). HE CLEANED IT OFF TO SEE IF IT RETURNED AS WE RESUMED OUR JOURNEY. WHEN WE NEXT STOPPED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE BLACK SPOTS WERE ON THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CHECKED BENEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW TRANSMISSION FLUID DRIPPING OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO REPORTED THAT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, AND THAT IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR, AND THAT HE HADN'T EVER SEEN THIS ON A CAR OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. HE INFORMED US THAT TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY RECALLED TACOMA VEHICLES FROM THE SAME YEAR FOR SIMILAR CORROSION PROBLEMS. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. WE ARE LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS BEYOND REPAIR THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL, AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES. PLEASE HELP. *TR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE INCLUDING THE AXLE, DIFFERENTIAL, BRAKES, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM WERE CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. UPDATED 08/27/08. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4 WHEEL DRIVE LAST YEAR WITH APPROX 88 K MILE. PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY DAUGHTER I REPLACED THE TIRES ( GOODYEAR) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 6-2-2007 REQUESTING A FULL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY ROAD WORTHINESS PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THEY SUGGESTED AND PERFORMED 90 K MAINTENANCE PACKAGE INCLUDING SUSPENSION INSPECTION AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SHE RETURNED TO VIRGINIA AND HAS BEEN DRIVING IT DAILY ON PAVED ROADS TO HIGH SCHOOL. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN IT OFF ROAD OR USED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. LAST WEEKEND SHE WAS SLOWLY TURNING INTO HER FRIENDS DRIVEWAY AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF THE AXLE COLLAPSING THE WHEEL AND RIPPING OUT THE FRONT AXEL. A STATE TROOPER PASSING BY INDICATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS LIKELY WOULD OF FLIPPED THE VEHICLE. THANK HEAVENS SHE WAS GOING LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IT WAS NOTED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT "DROPPED DOWN" TRIGGERING THE CATASTROPHIC FRONT END FAILURE. TOYOTA RECALLED 210,000 AXLES ON THE PRADOS VEHICLE ( NOT DISTRIBUTED IN USA) WHICH IS ON A SIMILAR PLATFORM AS THE 4 RUNNER. BLOG ENTRIES DESCRIBE SIMILAR FAILURES WITH THE WHEELS SNAPPING OFF. I CONTACTED MY TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER AND DESCRIBED THE FAILURE. I REQUESTED HE EVALUATE AND ASKED IF THEY MISSED THIS ON THEIR INSPECTION IN JUNE. I ALSO REQUEST THAT THEY COVER THE REPAIR COSTS OF APPROX. $600.00 TO INCLUDE A DETAILED INSPECTION AND L BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. HE INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSES. MY CONCERN IS THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF THE JOINT WAS ASSESSED AS ROAD WORTHY JUNE 2007 AND ONLY APPROX. 9 K MILES HAVE BEEN ADDED SINCE THEN WITH NO POTHOLE OR OFF ROAD TRAUMA NOTED. HOW CAN I BE ASSURED THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN MAYBE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH LIFE THREATENING OUTCOMES? HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BEEN FILED? DOES THIS WARRANT FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY YOUR AGENCY AND OR TOYOTA? *TR

[XXX] JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON, NO CRASH OCCURRED BUT EASILY COULD HAVE AS THE OIL PAN WAS PUNCTURED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE DISCOVERED FIVE OUT OF WARRANTY CASES IDENTICAL TO MINE IN 5VZ-FE ENGINES WHERE JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON AND IN EACH CASE NO OTHER SERVICE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED: 1999 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 78,000 MILES IN 2003 1999 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 98,000 MILES IN 2006 2000 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 78,000 MILES IN 2006 2001 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 103,000 MILES IN 2008 2001 TACOMA, FAILED AT 92,000 MILES IN 2007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE SUN VISOR/VANITY MIRROR OF MY 4RUNNER CONTINUALLY FALLS INTO MY FIELD OF VISION DUE TO BEING LOOSE. CAUSES POSSIBLE VISION IMPAIRMENT FOR A COUPLE SECONDS IN ADDITION TO THE CONCENTRATION IT TAKES TO GET IT TO STAY AGAIN UP NEAR THE ROOF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ON A 2 LANE MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY A COUPLE YEARS AGO. WINTERTIME, WET ROAD. GOING 50 MPH AROUND A WIDE RIGHT TURN, THE ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY SCREECHED AT ME, AND APPARENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, CAUSING IT TO SWERVE LEFT TOWARDS THE OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO CORRECT, AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I WENT WITH MY FRIEND WHOSE CAR IT WAS TO THE DEALER LATER AND DESCRIBED THE OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS LOW. I NEVER TRUST ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEMS SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS KIND OF RESPONSE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. THAT SAME CAR ALSO HAD A FIRMWARE GLITCH IN THE 4 WHEEL SYSTEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THE 4 WHEEL NOT TO BE DISABLED UNTIL YOU PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR A BIT, ON AN UNFREQUENTED BASIS. *TR