2004 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

VEHICLE CRASH AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

DRIVING INTO A PARKING GARAGE IN MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER I WAS PRESSING ON THE THE BRAKE AS I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO THE WALL. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. WITHIN THE WEEK I WAS PULLING INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY, PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, AND I FELT A LITTLE JUMP FROM MY CAR.

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DUE TO POOR DESIGN DRIVERS SEAT FRAME HAS COLLAPSED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2003-2005 4RUNNERS ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. SO MUCH SO THAT TOYOTA HAS SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED REGARDING THE MATTER. I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH IT BROKEN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE REALIZING THE PROBLEM. HAD I BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE FRAME BROKEN, THE SEAT WOULD HAVE OFFERED ZERO SUPPORT AND IT'S FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH IN AN OTHERWISE SURVIVABILITY ACCIDENT. *TR

APPROX 3 YEARS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE DID SOMETHING AND DID NOT TELL ME. SINCE THAT TIME, MY DASH HAS INCREASED IN THE AMOUNT AND LENGTH OF THE CRACKS. ONE CRACK IS ABOUT 24-28 INCHES LONG AND OTHERS ARE ABOUT 2 INCHES AND LONGER. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. MY 4RUNNER IS GARAGE KEPT AND I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO MY DASH THAT WOULD CREATE THEY CRACKS. WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT? CAN THIS CAUSE FLYING PIECES OF THE DASH BOARD TO BE IN YOUR FACE WHEN THE AIRBAG HITS CAUSING POSSIBLE FACIAL DAMAGE? *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH AND HAD TO START BRAKING FOR A VEHICLE THAT WAS SIGNALING A LEFT TURN. I NOTICE THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL NORMAL AND THAT THE PADS WERE NOT CATCHING ON THE ROTORS. SO I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AND AS FAR AS THEY COULD GO AND AVOIDED HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE BY INCHES. I CAME HOME AND DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS INNER 4 PISTONS WERE SEIZED. I JUST CHANGED THE BRAKES LAST YEAR AND THEY WERE FINE. BUT NOTICED A SURGE OR SLIPPAGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AFTER A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR RIGHT OF WAY. I AM NOW LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR NOW UNTIL I CAN REPLACE THE CALIPERS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON FORUMS JUST LOOK UP 03-09 4RUNNER CALIPER SEIZE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED BUT THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT NO TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,643.

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER THAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS REAR WIPER BLADE NOT WORKING AND REAR DEFROST. I HAD TO BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO RESET IT AFTER THE RESET IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A GLITCH IN THE WIPER AND REAR DEFROST COMPUTER THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT BUT WAS NOT RECALLED YET SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO IT STILL NOT WORKING AND FIND IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND A FEW MONTHS AGO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK UNDER THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT. I PURCHASED THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER AND IT WAS MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE PEDAL GOT STUCK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WIDE OPEN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. IT APPEARS LIKE THE MAT SLID FORWARD AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE PEDAL TO GET STUCK. I HAD RECENTLY CLEANED THE MAT AND MAY NOT HAVE HAD IT POSITIONED PROPERLY WHEN I REINSTALLED IT. I THINK THE DESIGN OF THE MAT IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE MAT AT THE FRONT NEAR THE PEDAL. FUTURE INCIDENTS ARE LIKELY IF THE MAT IS LOOSE AND SLIDES FORWARD. I DID HAVE A CARPETED MAT UNDER THE RUBBER MAT. THE CARPETED MAT CAME WITH THE 4RUNNER WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THIS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE RUBBER MAT COMING LOOSE AND SLIDING FORWARD. IF NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY, IT APPEARS LIKE THE CARPETED MAT COULD ALSO SLIDE FORWARD AND MAY CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO GET STUCK. *TR

I LEASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN 2004 FOR FIVE YEARS AND TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO TOYOTA IN 2009. DURING THE TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK ON THE FREEWAY WHICH RESULTED IN MY ENTIRE FAMILY ALMOST BEING KILLED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT HURT, BUT OUR BRAKES WERE RUINED DURING OUR EFFORTS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND OUR MECHANIC FELT THAT SOMEHOW, THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN SOME MECHANICAL ISSUE. EARLY IN 2011, I BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL OF 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS BECAUSE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BRAKE REPAIR, BUT TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME, AS "BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE". I FIND THIS EXTREMELY DISTURBING AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS AVOIDING TAKING RESPONSBILITY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNCOOPERATIVE. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN LOOK INTO OR HELP ME WITH. IT SEEMS SILLY THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT, FOR WHICH THEY ADMIT..

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A STATE INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED FRAME PERFORATION DUE TO SEVERE RUST CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A STRUCTURE BODY WELDER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE BLISTERS. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT THE FRAME BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHIN A YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,400.

FRONT END COLLISION WITH SEMI WHERE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE SAID/SHE SAID SITUATION. TRUCKER STATED HE WAS BROADSIDED BY DRIVER WHO RAN RED LIGHT. TOYOTA DRIVER STATES TRUCK "JACK KNIFED" OR SWERVED INTO HER CAR AS HE WAS CHANGING LANES IN INTERSECTION. TRUCK HAS A FLAT REAR TIRE ON SECOND TRAILER AND FRONT END OF CAR WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DOES THE SPEED OF THE CAR TRAVELING MAKE A DIFFERENCE? DRIVER OF CAR HAD SPRAINED NECK AND CONCUSSION AND WAS WEARING SAFETY BELT. HAD BRUISES FROM SAFETY BELT ON SHOULDER. WILL GLADLY E-MAIL PICTURES OF SEVERITY OF FRONT END. *TR

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2004 DASH CRACKED. *TR

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAD SENT IN A COMPLAINT AFTER THE INCIDENT. CAR WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER WAS INJURED WITH A FRONT END COLLISION. TOYOTA REFUSED TO LOOK AT CAR FOR AIRBAG DEFECTS. I CAN SEND IMAGES IF NEEDED. RECALLED FOR TOO MUCH FORCE? HOW ABOUT JUST DEFECTIVE? THIS IS AT LEAST AS DANGEROUS AS DEPLOYING WITH TOO MUCH FORCE IN MY OPINION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/07/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR THAT PRODUCES THE HEAT IS FROZEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE CANNOT DEFROST THE WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $600 FOR THE REPAIR. HE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

I HAVE A TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2004 W/ 62000 THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION EXCEPT FOR CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ABOVE GLOVE BOX . I BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AND WOULD COST AROUND $1500. THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACED ANOTHER 4RUNNER DASHBOARD FOR FREE PLUS $300 FOR INSTALLATION. I WENT ONLINE (REPAIRPAL)AND THERE IS MANY TOYOTA CUSTOMER W/ SAME PROBLEM . *TR

FRAME RUST

THE MOON ROOF WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION, HAD TO BUY A REPAIR KIT FROM TOYOTA, THEY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT FIX IT. HAD TO BRING REPAIR KIT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT THINK IT DANGEROUS ENOUGH TO FIX AT THEIR COST. LAID OUT 225.00 TO FIX. *TR

SEAT BELTS IN REAR OF TWO TOYOTA VEHICLES FAILED TO ENGAGE LATCH. THIS OCCURRED IN BOTH THE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE PASSENGER IS FORCED TO RIDE UNSECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO FACE THE DRIVER TO VIOLATE STATE LAW. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THE SAME BELT IS USED ON BOTH VEHICLES AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED QUICKLY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. RETURNED HOME AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE FOUND FLAMES IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT, FRONT WHEEL. THE BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WERE GLOWING RED HOT. ROOT CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A YAW RATE SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED A COMPUTER TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND LEAVE THEM APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DASH OF 4RUNNER 2004 IS CRACKED SLOWLY UNTIL YOU ARE FULL. TOYOTA TO REPORT ON THE PROBLEM THAT SAID NO RECALL. AND VALE $ 840.00. ALL THE BUS DYED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

BOTH SUNVISORS HAVE FAILED, THEY DO NOT STAY UP OR ALL THE WAY DOWN ,THEY MUST BE HELD UP WITH VELCRO STRAPS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, MY 4-RUNNER SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HOWEVER, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THIS IS THE ONE & ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. I FEEL LIKE THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE NOTED SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED ANY 4-RUNNERS. MAYBE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE AS MINE. *TR

MALFUNCTION IN THE CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY IN MY VEHICLE HAS RENDERED THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO. TOYOTA SERVICE GARAGE SAID IT WOULD COST $545 TO REPAIR. NO REPAIR TO DATE. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT IT WAS ONLY COVERED BY 3-YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS FORM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER ALL ACROSS THE AIRBAG WHICH CONCERNS ME A WHOLE LOT, I ALSO HAVE A 2002 4RUNNER WHICH DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THE MATERIAL IS PRETTY DIFFERENT TO THE 2004, THE 2004 LOOKS AND FEEL VERY POOR, NOT SURE IF TOYOTA WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO WARRANTY THIS DEFECT ! IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN AND SOMEONE GET INJURED THEN I GUEST TOYOTA WILL TRY TO HELP. THESE TRUCKS ARE MADE IN JAPAN, THE QUALITY SHOULD BE A++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *TR

1. THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE FROM A STOP. 2. MY VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION COMBINED WITH A SURGING FORWARD AS IF BEING REAR ENDED. 3. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS, IT SHAKES AND BANGS EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY. *TR

VIBRATION IS FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 MPH OR HIGHER). THIS IS ESPECIALLY PRESENT WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. HAVE HAD TIRES REBALANCED WITH NO CHANGE IN VIBRATION. PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. TIRE REPLACEMENT AND ROTATION DOES NOT CORRECT VIBRATION. *CN

SEAT BELT HOUSING IS BROKEN, CAN'T USE BELT. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, PERSON MAY GET LOCKED IN VEHICLE IF INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO THE MECHANICAL RAIL PROPERLY AND AS A RESULT, PIECES OF FOAM FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT CUSHION WERE BECOMING STUCK WITHIN THE FRAME RAIL TRACKS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

1.) THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND ALSO THE SAME NOISE WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE. 2.) THERE IS "SULFUR SMELL " IN CABIN FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

EXCESSIVE SULFUR SMELL WHEN ACCELERATING. OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR CAN SMELL THE SULFUR, AND ALL WINDOWS MUST BE ROLLED UP IN WARMER WEATHER TO BLOCK OUT SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS NO TSB FOR THE V8 (BUT THERE IS FOR THE V6) TOYOTA 4RUNNER. *JB

THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STOP WORKING RIGHT AFTER 36,000 MILES ON 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED EDITION 4 WD. THE NEEDLE WILL WORK AFTER IDLE FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL ENGINE OFF. *TR

-HATCHBACK ELECTRONIC CLOSURE FAILS FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD -REPLACED MOTOR ONCE BECAUSE VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE WITHOUT--EXHAUST FUMES COME THROUGH THE HATCHBACK, UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE, LIGHTS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, WATER DURING RAIN OR SNOW GETS INSIDE VEHICLE, ETC THERE IS NO MANUAL OVER-RIDE TO ENABLE CLOSING THE HATCHBACK THERE IS NO PURPOSE FOR AN ELECTRONIC CLOSING DEVICE--YOU STILL MANUALLY PULL DOWN THE HATCH, AND ONCE CLOSED, THE MOTOR ENGAGES TO LATCH IT SHUT! THE PART WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE OTHER HATCHBACK COMPLAINTS (POOR AERODYNAMIC DESIGN WITH LOTS OF DIRT THROWN UP ON HATCHBACK), SO THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH USING THE KEY LOCK, BEING UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AROUND THE WINDOW. *TR

HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT BY PANEL VAN TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, POLICE ESTIMATE, FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP MY 4RUNNER WILL MAKE A CLUNK NOISE AS IF I WAS REAR ENDED. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUNK. TAKING IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL, JUST THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING. *TR

AFTER 2.5 YEARS AND ABOUT 25000 MILES, MY 4 RUNNER SPORT DEVELOPS A STRONG SULFUR ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN DRIVING. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (CALDWELL TOYOTA) IN WEST CALDWELL, NJ WHO INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL AND CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF FUEL USED. CALDWELL TOYOTA HAD NO ANSWER TO MY QUESTION WHY THE PROBLEM SUDDENLY SURFACED AFTER 2.5 YEARS NOR DID THEY OFFER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE. THE CALDWELL TOYOTA TECHNICIAN COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THE SULFUR SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST, WHICH SHOULD BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE ENGINE AND SHOULD ONLY TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE CAR THROUGH THE MUFFLER ENTERED, THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING (SEEMS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE). THE STRONG SULFUR ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN CAUSES NAUSEA, LIGHT HEADINESS AND GENERAL DISCOMFORT, WHICH DISTRACT ME FROM DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNER ACCIDENTS. *JB

I EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK AT THE TRANSFER CASE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE "O" RING ON THE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE NEW "O" RING COST $10, BUT LABOR WAS $900. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCK MODULES FAILED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN OR LOCK THE DOOR LATCH. THE DRIVER'S FRONT MODULE FAILED AT 38,000 MILES, AND THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAND REAR MODULE FAILED AT 48,000. THE CONTACT HAD THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK MODULE REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE A FAILURE IN THE MODULES. THE DEALER AGREEDE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS ON THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOORS, LEAVING THE LABOR COSTS TO BE COVERED BY THE CONTACT.*AK UPDATED 01/28/07. *JB

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNERAND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKESAND LET OFF OF THE BRAKES I KEPT ON MAKING A THUD SOUND AS THE FASTER I DRIVE THE LOUDER IT WOULD MAKE THAT SOUND AND IT HAD A BURNING SMELL TO IT SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS WHERE COMPLETELY GONE I HAD TO GET THE ROTORS REPLACED THE MECHANIC SAID THE PISTONS IN THE CALIBER FROZE IN THE OPEN POSITION SO THAT IS WHY MY BRAKES FAILED ME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED.

I HAVE A 2004 LIMITED 4RUNNER TOYOTA, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, WITH V8. AFTER ABOUT 20 THOUSAND MILES, MY VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SURGING FORWARD LIKE I WAS REAR ENDED. THIS NOISE ALSO HAS A DISTINCT METALLIC SOUND AND JARRING VIBRATION EACH AND EVERY TIME. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT PRESSES FIRMLY, THE CAR WILL LOUNGE FORWARD. THIS NOISE AND "CLANKING" ALSO OCCURS WHEN LIFTING MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND NOT IN NEUTRAL. I FIRST REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TOYOTA ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE ISSUE. THE TRIED TO CHARGE ME 500 DOLLARS FOR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE. WHEN I PROTESTED THAT THIS WAS NOT IN THE MANUAL, THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY LUBRICATED THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE THIS TIME. TOYOTA INVOICE # W55722. WELL, THAT ELIMINATED ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE "CLANK" CAME BACK IN ABOUT A MONTH. I HAVE RECENTLY READ THAT ALL LIMITED EDITION 4RUNNERS FROM 03-06 HAVE THIS CLANKING PROBLEM, IN ADDITION TO THE LEXUS GX-470, THAT SHARES THE SAME DRIVESHAFT. HOWEVER, LEXUS IS FIXING THE PROBLEM WHILE TOYOTA IS PLAYING STUPID AND SAYING THAT IT IS NORMAL. CAN YOU PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX MY VEHICLE IN THE SAME MANNER THAT LEXUS IS? PLEASE SEE THIS INTERNET LINK TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/4RUNNER/53302-4RUNNER-V8-CLUNK-IN-DRIVETRAIN/. *JB

CHK ENGINE LIGHT,VSCTRAC LIGHT,TRAC OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER,FOUND GAS CAP OFF,CHK LIGHT THEN WENT OUT BUT OTHERS DID NOT. DEALER SAID ALL IS OK VSC TRAC AND TRAC OFF WILL GO OUT AFTER A FEW DRIVING CYCLES. THEY HAVE NOT YET. THIS IS11/19/2008. WHILE LIGHTS ARE ON VSC AND TRAC DO NOT WORK. HAD OBD SCANNED SHOWS NO CODE AT THIS TIME. *TR

WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN COMING ON AROUND 60,000 MILES OR SO. STARTED WITH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT & NOW HAS PROGRESSED TO THE VSC ON, VSC OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO BE FIXED FOR 40,000 MILES OR AROUND 3 YEARS WHICH AMOUNTS TO MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WAITING WHILE THEY WORK ON IT OR GOING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR DAYS AT A TIME WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THEY HAVE REPLACED ABS SENSORS, ENGINE COMPUTERS, BRAKES, SPEED SENSOR WIRES, RESET COMPUTERS, ORDERED NEW VALVE STEMS FOR THE TIRES. I CAN GET ONLINE & FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE IN TOYOTAS & LEXUS VEHICLES SINCE AT LEAST 2001. THE DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT ME LIKE I AM THE VERY FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER MENTION THESE PROBLEMS. THE SOLUTIONS ONLINE HAVE RANGED FROM DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, FAULTY IGNITION COIL, O2 SENSORS, VSC COMPUTERS, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS & BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM & ACCELERATION MODULE UNDER THE CONSOLE WAS LISTED AS FIXING THESE ISSUES. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND/OR FIXED IN 8 YEARS ? THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, TIMES WHEN THEY BARELY WORKED, TIMES WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES ON & IT ABRUPTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT & A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS PULLING ACROSS TRAFFIC. AS I READ OF THESE "FREAK" ACCIDENTS LATELY WITH TOYOTAS, I HAVE TO WONDER IF THEY REALLY ARE "FREAK ACCIDENTS". I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF TO BE ONE OF THE TOYOTA FATALITIES THIS YEAR OR ANYTIME. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE ? HOW MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE ? *TR

IN 2006 OF SEPT, I NOTICED A LITTLE HAIRLINE ON MY DASHBOARD AND AS YEARS GO BY UP TO THIS YEAR 1 SEPT 2013 THAT HAIRLINE DEVELOP TO A CRACK. THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEEP, WINDOWS ARE CRACK OPEN FOR AIR CIRCULATION AND A SUN VISOR COVER FOR WINDSHIELD AND NOT MUCH DRIVEN, ACTUAL MILEAGE IS 50600 AS OF TODAY, 1 SEPT 2013. I AM JUST SCARED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT DEPLOY IF A SUDDEN STOP OR BECAUSE OF THE CRACK BECOMING WIDER. *JS

I HAVE A 2004 TOY 4-RUNNER, V-8 ALL WHEEL DRIVE THAT I AM GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH, BUT THERE IS ONE ISSUE THAT IS FRIGHTENING. WHEN I COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP THERE IS A FORWARD LUNGE THAT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS CONTAIN THIS FORWARD MOTION. I HAVE NARROWLY ADVERTED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FRANKLY SCARES THE '!@#$% OUT OF ME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL. THERE WAS A 5 SECOND DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, CAUSING THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS INCURRED HEAD INJURIES, LACERATIONS, MUSCULAR INJURIES, AND THE CONTACT INCURRED OCULAR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A SERVICE DEALER OR PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP.

DIRT ROAD, MODERATE BRAKING, SLIGHT SKID, ABS/TRAC/VSC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, SECOND TIME HAPPENED. RESET THE FIRST TIME MANUALLY BY TRICKING COMPUTER TO RESET. SECOND TIME, NO GO. VSC/ABS/TRAC COMPUTER MAY BE BAD. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR EVEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THERE WAS STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED RUST IN THE INJECTION SYSTEM AND A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE.

TRAVELING 55 MPH ON CA INTERSTATE WHEN CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ME TO STOP, SO I IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID IT IS THEIR "OPINION THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS SITUATION." I ASKED THEM WHERE THE FRONTAL IMPACT SENSORS WERE, AND WAS TOLD DIRECTLY UNDER THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE BUMPER. WELL, BOTH SENSORS WERE IN THE IMPACTED AREA ON MY VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE BUMPER AND ASSEMBLY IS BEING REPLACED. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IS $10,000.00 THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, I WAS DOING AT LEAST 45 MPH! TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS, AND NOW I WILL BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 4RUNNER LIMITED. THE DASH HAS A LONG CRACK ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FRONT. THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX IS COVERED WITH CRACKS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MATERIALS USED BY TOYOTA AND THAT IT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I BELIEVE THAT IF IT WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER OR PRODUCTS USED THAT THE CRACKS WOULD BE ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE DASH, NOT JUST THE FRONT WHERE THE AIRBAG IS SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO ITS FAULTY DASHES. *JS