2003 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND THE PROBLEM HAD WORSENED OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

SAFETY RELATED TO 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION SUV. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FROZE UP FOR THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS. THIS TIME, COULD NOT OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. 63-YEAR OLD DRIVER HAD TO EXIT OVER CONSOLE, THEN THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. DRIVER LATER HAD TO RE-ENTER FROM PASSENGER SIDE, OVER THE CONSOLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR REPAIRS. POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. THIS IS A FLAW OR DEFECT IS COMMONLY NOTED ON THE WORLD-WIDE WEB. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE V8 ENGINE. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO RECALL THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR BRAKING, SLOWING ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE WITH SEEMINGLY AUTOMATIC BRAKING. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE A DOWN HILL ASSIST BUTTON FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE USED IN LOW GEAR ON THE TRANSFER. THE VEHICLE BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES HAVE A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER WITH A CENTER LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WITH SLOW ALMOST WHICH SMALL LUNGES, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOWNSHIFTING WITH THE RPM'S BEING TOO HIGH FOR THE GEAR. THAT IS THE BEST I CAN EXPLAIN. IT IS NOT A SUDDEN STOP, NO BRAKE LIGHTS APPEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES SLOW, AS IF ITS DRAGGING, PERHAPS THAT IS SOME AUTOMATIC PULSING OF THE BRAKES. SHOULD I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA. *TR

WHEN STOPPED AND HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LURCHES FORWARD. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO LOOSE THE BRAKES BUT THEN CATCHES. THE DEALER CALLS THIS A KNOWN 4RUNNER PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX FROM TOYOTA. *TR

MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I BELIEVE THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED AS WHEN I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND STOP, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT AWAY AND THE PEDAL RELEASED. *TR

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2008 FOR $14,000 FROM A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION LINES RUSTED OUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW THE GAS TANK HAS FALLEN DOWN, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH A NEW SUPPORT TO. AN AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOULD HAVE A VALUE OF $6,000 + IS NOW WORTHLESS, AND WE CANNOT EVEN DRIVE IT SAFELY. THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM THAT WAS ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA EARLY ON, BUT THEY MANAGED TO AVOID REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO, OTHER THAN WARN OTHERS AGAINST BUYING A TOYOTA. "ASK SOMEONE WHO DRIVES ONE". *TR

FRAME RUST THROUGH. FRONT MAIN FRAME SUPPORT. *TR

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

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

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

BINDING OR STICKING POWER STEERING ON 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY BEGINNING AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED STEERING "JOINT" AT COST OF $500. TENDED TO LOCK IN STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION UNLESS EXTREME FORCE WAS APPLIED. *TR

FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT.

WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2010 AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU.

THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY I HAD A MECHINIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID 'IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THERES NO STRENGTH IN THE FRAME IF YOU GET INTO A CRASH ' THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 105,000 MILES ON IT

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

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

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

HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT & IS MINT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR ONE MAJOR PROBLEM, THE DASH. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE IN THE SUN, ONLY IN MY GARAGE, THERE ARE CRACKS ALL ALONG THE DASH. MOST PREDOMINANTLY THERE A DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, AS WELL AS ALONG ALL THE EDGES OF WHERE THE DASH MEETS A CURVE' (I.E. RIGHT ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER) IT IS EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE DASHBOARD WITH OTHER 4RUNNER'S AND SIENNA'S, AND IT IS ALSO VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT DUE TO AIRBAG RESTRICTIONS, I CAN'T EVEN PAY SOMEONE TO FIX IT. MY CONCERN IS THE DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. *TR

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

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER FIVE WEEKS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

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.

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.

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

EXCESS FRAME RUSTING, HOLES IN FRAME

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

IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 THE OPEN ENGINE HOOD FALLS WITHOUT WARNING. A SMALL HYDRAULIC PISTON AUTOMATICALLY HOLDS THE HOOD OPEN WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED. THERE IS NO ROD OR OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN, JUST THE PISTON. THE HOOD STAYS OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN QUIETLY FALLS, AT FIRST VERY SLOWLY FOR A FEW INCHES, THEN RAPIDLY ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO A PERSON LEANING OVER THE OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD IS FAIRLY HEAVY PROBABLY DUE TO THE THICK AND HEAVY FIBERGLASS INSULATION. THE PISTON WORKED PROPERLY UNTIL ABOUT EARLY 2009 WHEN IT STARTED OCCASIONALLY FALLING, NOW (APRIL 2010) THE HOOD FALLS AFTER A FEW MINUTES EVERY TIME THE HOOD IS OPENED. SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I'VE BEEN USING A WOOD STICK I CUT TO SIZE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN WHEN I NEED ACCESS. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE THE PISTON REPLACED BUT I'LL ASK FOR THE REMOVED PARTS BACK IN CASE THEY NEED TO BE EXAMINED. EVEN WITH THE NEW PISTON, THOUGH, I INTEND TO USE THE WOOD STICK AS A SAFETY MEASURE. I JUST DON'T TRUST THE PISTON DESIGN SINCE IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES PERFECT SEALING TO MAINTAIN THE LIFTING FORCE. ALSO, ACCORDING TO MY INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES MAINLY TOYOTA'S, THIS IS A FREQUENT ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT THEIR REPAIRMEN ALWAYS BRACE THE HOODS OPEN WHEN WORKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTS. THANKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

DASH CRACKING IN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CRACKS MATERIALIZED FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. NUMEROUS. EXACT DEALER RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DAMP CLOTH TO CLEAN THE DASH BOARD. THIS SUV IS GARAGED AND NORMALLY NOT OUT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I HAVEN'T SEEN A DASH CRACK LIKE THIS SINCE THE OLD ONES BACK IN THE LATE 70'S. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS OBVIOUS FLAW IN THEIR DASH DESIGN. *TR

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

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ON. *TR

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

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

MY FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE'S A HOLE IN MY FRAME RIGHT ABOUT WHERE THE DRIVER SITS. I'M INCLUDING A PICTURE OF THE FRAME DAMAGE AND DOCUMENTS FROM TOYOTA INDICATING THE FRAME RUST AND DAMAGE (HIGHLIGHTED IN RED) FROM WHEN THEY INSPECTED IT. NOT SURE WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING, BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE 4RUNNER IN 2018. THE INSPECTION FROM TOYOTA ON 12/15/2017 IS THE ONLY THING I CAN FIND DOCUMENTING THE RUST/DAMAGE, BUT IT DEFINITELY STARTED LONG BEFORE THEN. THE TACOMA'S AND TUNDRA'S BOTH HAD THEIR FRAMES RECALLED... WHEN'S IT OUR TURN?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU IN THE PAST BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THE FOLLOWING ISSUE TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES. I AM REWRITING TO YOU ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LX460 RECALL. IN SNOW OR ICE, THE VEHICLE WILL SPIN TO EASY AS YOU DRIVE AROUND A TURN WHILE GIVING IT SOME GAS. WE BOTH HAVE SPUN OUT. I HAVE ON TWO OCCASIONS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY DAUGHTER HATES TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT IS ICY OR SNOWY. MY 2000 4RUNNER NEVER DID IT. MY BMW Z4 WILL NOT DO IT. SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE VSC LOGIC. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

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

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

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

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

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