2003 Toyota 4RUNNER

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2019· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME OF THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BECAME SO RUSTED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT AT A MECHANIC SHOP, THE FRAME BEGAN TO CRUMBLE AND FALL APART AT THE POINT WHERE THE LIFT CONTACTED THE FRAME. THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS MULTIPLE POINTS WHERE THE METAL HAS RUSTED AWAY AND BECOME VERY WEAK, COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AND POTENTIALLY WEAKENING AREAS WHERE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ATTACH TO THE FRAME.

• 12/30/2016· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE HAD FRAME PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION AND COMPLETELY CORRODED GAS TANK STRAPS (BOTH STRAPS). BOTH OF THESE REPRESENT SAFETY HAZARDS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE FRAME CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 4RUNNER AND SIMILAR VEHICLES IS WELL KNOWN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. SINCE TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME AND NOT ACTED ON IT THERE NEEDS TO BE INTERVENTION FROM THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

• 12/29/2018· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND HOLES IN THE FRAME, WHILE ONLY HAVING ABOUT 100,000 MILES.

• 12/27/2018· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME RUSTED RECALL : I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 4RUNNER AND I AM TOLD THAT I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AREAS OF THE FRAME THAT HAS HOLES RUSTED OUT AND I FEEL THE SAFTEY OF THE VEHICLE IS VERY MUCH JEOPARDISED NOW AND TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE FRAME OR GIVE A CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT. I CAN UPLOAD PICTURES OF MY FRAME IF NECESSARY. I CREATED A TOYOTA CUSTOMER COMPLIANT RECORD A FEW YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA REJECTED BEING RESPONSIBLE. SEEMS VERY UNFAIR THAT TOYOTA IS REPLACING FRAMES FROM TACOMAS, TUNDRAS AND SEQUIOAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR AS MY 4RUNNER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY 4RUNNER AND ANYONE ELSE'S AS WELL.. I CAN PROVIDE THIS TOYOTA COMPLIANT # IF NEEDED.

• 12/27/2016· ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I LUCKILY NOTICED AND PULLED OVER BEFORE INCURRING MORE DAMAGE AND WARPING THE ENGINE HEAD. I HAVE HEARD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THESE 4.0 V6'S TOYOTA MADE HAVE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC ON THANKSGIVING, I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN/LEAKING HEADGASKET. I HAVE NEVER DROVE THIS VEHICLE OVER 3K RPMS AND FIND IT RIDICULOUS IT WOULD FAIL UNDER SUCH GOOD CONDITION. *TR

• 12/23/2019· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  EXCESSIVE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE RUST. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OTHER CARS OVER 30-40+ YEARS AND THIS 03 4RUNNER HAS THE WORST RUST. INSTEAD OF SIMPLE SURFACE RUST, THIS RUST HAS AFFECTED FRAME WELDS, SUSPENSION MOUNTING POINTS, TOW AND LIFT POINTS. RUSTING PACE IS EXTREMELY FAST MOVING. THERE APPEARS TO BE ONLY A SIMPLE LAYER OF THIN PAINT, WITH NO UNDERCOATING ANYWHERE. THIS 4RUNNER WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, MOTOR IS RUNNING GREAT, BODY AND INTERIOR ARE IN GREAT CONDITION. THIS WAS A GIFT FROM GRANDPA TO GRANDSON, BUT I AM CONCERNED OF SAFETY AND AT THIS POINT RECOMMENDING ONLY LOCAL, UNDER 35MPH TRAVEL ONLY. PROBABLY SCRAP THE CAR SOON AS NOT MUCH TO DO BUT REPLACE FRAME. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MISLED CONDITION, OUTSIDE/INSIDE/MOTOR PERFECT, BUT FRAME ROTTING AWAY. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE PURCHASED TOYOTAS WITH LITTLE INCIDENT, BUT I WON'T BUY OR RECOMMENDED KNOWING THEY HAVE A LIFE OF ~10YRS.

• 12/23/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE SULPHER SMELL/CARBON MONOXIDE THAT COMES INTO THE CAB OF MY '03 4RUNNER V8, IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS MY 4TH TOYOTA IN THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISSAPOINTED WITH MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS TO ALL SAY TO ME THAT IT'S A GAS GRADE ISSUE. I'M TIRED OF TOYOTA NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND HELPING LOYAL CUSTOMERS OUT WITH ANNOYING ISSUES. AT THE VERY LEAST, OFFER AN ALTENATIVE SYSTEM.

• 12/22/2018· STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  EXTREME RUST/ROT THROUGHOUT MY 2003 4RUNNER FRAME. THE BODY, INTERIOR, POWERTRAIN ARE 8.5 OUT OF 10 THE FRAME IS A 0 I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AND RECENTLY PURCHASED THE 03 4RUNNER SR5 BASED OFF IT LOOKS. I DROVE THE 4RUNNER OF ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING ON A TYPICAL NEW ENGLAND ROAD, FAIRLY SMOOTH WITH POT HOLES HERE AND THERE GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 M.P.H.. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE 4RUNNER SENT THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK HARD LEFT AND THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TO THE RIGHT. THE TIRES WERE SCREECHING AND I WAS SENT SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC NARROWING MISSING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN THE AREA. I GOT THE TRUCK TO "CRAB WALK" BACK ACROSS THE ROAD INTO A PARKING OUT AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHEN WE GOT THE TRUCK HOME THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG. THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. WITH THE TRUCK ON THTHE GROUND I WAS ABLE TO ROLL THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL FORWARD AND BACKWARDS ABOUT 5 INCHES WITHOUT THE VEHICLE MOVING AT ALL. I THEN GOT UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW THAT THE CROSS MEMBER UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HAD RUSTED AWAY AND AND WHAT NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. ALSO I COULD PUSH HOLES IN THE THE FRAME WITH MY FINGERS AROUND THE DRIVER/ FRONT PASSENGER DOORS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE 4RUNNER SINCE AND I DONT HAVE 8K+ TO PAY A SHOP TO REPLACE A FRAME. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED

• 12/22/2005· TRAILER HITCHES

  2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER TRAILER HITCH CAME APART. *TS WHEN THE TRAILER CAME APART IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE TRAILER REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE SAFETY CHAINS . THE RECEIVER BALL SLID OUT OF THE RECEIVER OF THE HITCH DUE TO THE CLIP COMING OFF PIN AND PIN FALLING OUT. *NM

• 12/22/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB......*AK

• 12/21/2023· STRUCTURE

  There is major corrosion on the chassis, brake-power steering-transmission lines, and all metal brackets on the frame and engine. The corrosion is so bad there is holes on the chassis. Known issue, many complaints, Toyota Corp. says to keep calling back maybe something will be done in the future. Unable to upload photos!

• 12/21/2019· STRUCTURE

  FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED. WE LIVE IN THE MIDWEST (CINCINNATI AREA) SO NOWHERE NEAR THE OCEAN. THE 4RUNNER HAS BEEN MATICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THESE MODELS' FRAMES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED BEFORE SOLD...HENCE THE RUST. OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIDEO SPEAKS FOR ITSELF....WE ARE HOPING THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VIDEO LINK TAKEN BY TOYOTA: HTTP://ISRE.US/6QTRKD

• 12/21/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR EMITS A SULFUR TYPE SMELL, WHETHER VENTALATION SYSTEM IS ON OR NOT, AND WHETHER WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. SMELL IS NOXIOUS AND MAKES ME FEEL ILL. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 MONTHS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

• 12/20/2018· AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY. BRAKES WERE SERVICES 6 MONTHS AGO. TRAVELED FROM NC TO FL FOR HOLIDAY. STARTED CAR MAINTENANCE LIGHT WENT ON SHOWED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WITH EAR PIERCING BUZZER. WENT TO DRIVE CAR TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAD NO BRAKES. THEY WOULD WORK SLIGHTLY BUT TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DID NOT HAVE BRAKES

• 12/20/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I PURCHASED MY 2003 4RUNNER BRAND NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK IS GARAGED. ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY TOYOTA. NOT A SCRATCH ON THE TRUCK. INTERIOR LOOKS BRAND NEW. HOWEVER THE FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. FOUND A FEW SPOTS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THE RUST PROBLEMS

• 12/20/2010· STRUCTURE

  THIS VEHICLE HAS A ROTTED FRAME WHICH IS PERFORATED IN AT LEAST 3 PLACES

• 12/18/2017· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

  THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S BOTTOMING OUT GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST LITTLE BUMP WHEN IN MOTION AND THE ROTORS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED. SPENT $400+ ON NEW BRAKES & ROTORS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE IT AT ALL. IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND WOULD CAUSE A BAD WRECK WHEN IT FINALLY DID DROP OUT.

• 12/18/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/16/2019· STRUCTURE

  EXTREME RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE EATING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME.

• 12/16/2018· STEERING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS AND I "KNOW" IT. I NOTICED THAT HE STEERING WHEEL HAD A VIBRATION ALBEIT SLIGHT, THIS WAS SOMETHING NEW AS WELL AS A NOISE I COULD HEAR UNDER THE CAR. I BROUGHT IT HOME COMPLAINED TO MY HUSBAND - HE LOOKED UNDER THE CAR & WAS APPALLED - THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED HE WAS ABLE TO STICK HIS FINGER THROUGH THE FAILING FRAME! I AM AFRAID THIS VEHICLE WILL KILL ME! WHAT IF IT DECIDES TO COMPLETELY BREAK AT AN AXLE OR PART OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. DO I DRIVE IT AND TAKE THE CHANCE OF GETTING HURT OR KILLED BEFORE SOMEONE WILL ORDER A RECALL. WE CAN SEND PHOTOS IF NECESSARY AS THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY ADD VALIDITY TO THE CONCERN.

• 12/15/2003· SEATS

  DRIVER SEAT WAS TOO LOOSE AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*MR

• 12/14/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  CURRENTLY THE FRAME RUST IS VERY SEVERE AND IS GETTING TO THE POINT THAT I AM BECOMING HESISITANT TO HAVE IT OUT ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE AREAS AROUND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND AXLES THAT ARE VERY RUSTED WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO CASUALTIES IF THE MOUNTS WERE TO FAIL.

• 12/14/2017· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF MY 2003 4RUNNER. IT HAS JUST 165,000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED. BEING ONLY 15 YEARS OLD I FIND THIS TO BE VERY SAD AND UNREASONABLE. THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO LAST 20-30 YEARS AND 300,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, OHIO, NEW YORK. IF THERE WAS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REQUIRED FOR THE FRAME IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COATED, OR AT THE VERY LEAST NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO IT. THESE CAR SHOULD LAST MUCH MUCH LONGER AND AS EXPENSIVE AS THE 4RUNNERS ARE THEY SHOULD LAST.

• 12/14/2007· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/14/2006· TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  1. FLAT TIRE, NEEDED TO GET SPARE OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. 2. BRAND NEW SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN DOWN, NEW SPARE TIRE HAS BRANDING MARKING ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, FROM THE HEAT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO HAS COMPROMISED THE SAFTY OF THE TIRE. 3. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *NM

• 12/12/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

• 12/11/2012· STRUCTURE

  MY 2003 4RUNNER WAS BROUGHT IN ON THE ABOVE DATE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TO FOX TOYOTA, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICING THE VEHICLE,THE TECH NOTICED SEVERE FRAME ROT AND BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME. THIS CONDITION WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. SERVICE ADVISOR THEN SUGGESTED THAT I CALL TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES BASED ON THE SAME FRAME. A SERIES OF CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PRODUCED NO RESULT. THEY ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO BE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AND TOYOTA IS WASHING THEIR CORPORATE HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND THEIR BASIC FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

• 12/11/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPHILL, A STRONG ODOR WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PRODUCING THE ODOR. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE REPLACEMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MECHANIC MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES REPAIR, THE PEDAL WAS TOO LOW WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE RECHECKED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ALL THE BRAKE STANDARDS WERE CORRECT. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM.

• 12/10/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS HIT WITH SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS, RESTRAINED CHILD SUSTAINED SHOULDER/CLAVICLE INJURY. MINIMUM ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS $7000, NEITHER SIDE CURTAIN OR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE LIKELY PREVENTED INJURY TO DRIVER. *NM

• 12/10/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED - LARGE AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE EXPERIENCED REGARDLESS OF ADJUSTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, INCLUDING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING AND RECIRCULATION ON. EXHAUST FUMES APPEAR TO BE FROM THE 4RUNNER. ALL OCCUPANTS BECOME NAUSEOUS AND EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT EYE IRRITATION. I HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MY FAMILY, SHORT AND LONG TERM. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH TWO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND APPEAR TO BE AVOIDING THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. THEY TRY TO REDIRECT THE ISSUE TO THE SULFUR SMELL THAT THE VEHICLE EMITS. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL, BUT I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. *LA

• 12/09/2017· STRUCTURE

  FRAME IS RUSTING AND DEFORMING UNIFORMLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS AND ENGINE, IN FRONT OF THE TRANSFER CASE.

• 12/09/2004· STRUCTURE

  AAFTER THE OVERNIGHT TEMPORATURE DROPPED BEFOW FREEZING, BOTH OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER REAR DOORS FROZE TO THEIR WHEEL WELLS DUE TO A MINOR ACCUMULATION OF MUD IN THE WHEEL WELLS (LESS THAN 1/4 INCH THICK) WHERE THE DOOR BOTTOM EXTENDS. ALTHOUGH THE DOOR LATCHES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, AND THE DOORS COULD BE 'SPRUNG' AWAY FROM THE FRAME AT THE TOP, THE BOTTOM REMAINED FROZEN TO THE WHEEL WELL PROHIBITING OPENING. EMERGENCY EGREES WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.*AK

• 12/08/2020· STRUCTURE

  WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED. GREAT VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FRAME RUSTING AND HAVING WEAK SPOTS. WE HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS. THESE ARE BUILT ON A TRUCK FRAME AND THE TOYOTA SEQUOIAS, TUNDRAS AND TACOMA'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE.

• 12/08/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY DAUGHTER RETURNED FROM WORK TWO DAYS AGO AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH ITS DRIVABILITY. THE NEXT MORNING SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD WARNING TONE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE DASH. SHE ASKED ME TO LOOK AT IT AND I NOTICED THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. I TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR INSTANTLY. I TRIED BACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF REPEATED BRAKING IN REVERSE WOULD PUMP UP THE BRAKES AS IT DOES ON SOME VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED. THAT DID NOTHING AND ALSO UNLIKE OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS TOTAL. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO MANUAL BRAKING. TRAVELING IN REVERSE AT MAYBE 3 MPH TOOK FOUR TO FIVE SECONDS TO COME TO A STOP. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT 60 MPH ON THE RURAL ROADS WE LIVE ON, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY ANY CAR WOULD BE DESIGNED WHERE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER FAILURE WOULD RENDER THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE INSTANTLY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL EVENT HAD IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND YOUR 7 PAGES OF BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINTS ON SPECIFICALLY 2003 4RUNNERS, THERE WERE OVERWHELMING ACCOUNTS OF THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILING WHILE DRIVING, AND MANY ACCIDENTS REPORTED DUE TO THIS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY BEFORE FURTHER INCIDENT AND TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE OWNERS WHOLE DUE TO THIS SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT.

• 12/08/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  TAKATA RECALL MY SON AND I BOTH HAVE A TOYOTA 4-RUNNER AND THE ABS HYDRO BUSTER / BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT ON THE 2004 AND IS ABOUT TO GO OUT ON THE 2003. I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE 2003 AND THE PROBLEM RECENTLY STARTED. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON EITHER OF THESE VEHICLES. 2003 4-RUNNER TOYOTA VERY RECENTLY 2004 4-RUNNER TOYOTA I NEED TO VERIFY THE DATE OF PROBLEM THANKS

• 12/08/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING. VSC, TAC AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS WITH LOUD AUDIBLE ALARM WITH LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE. ONLY WITH STRONGEST PRESSURE ON BRAKE WAS ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, NO COLLISION OR INJURIES OCCURRED. REPORT THIS TO TOYOTA - NO ADVISORY OR RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED. REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT NO ONE WOULD CONTACT ME AND THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSE. THIS FLIES IN THE FACE OF A MANUFACTURES LIABILITY TO NOTIFY OF POTENTIAL PRODUCT FAILURE AS LONG A PRODUCT IS IN USE. THIS IS A 2003 TOYOTA R RUNNER WITH 166830 MILES. TOYOTA WORK ORDER LIST THIS AS A BAKER BOOSTER MOTOR ASSY INTERNAL PART FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THIS NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS 3,817 DOLLARS.

• 12/08/2016· STRUCTURE

  WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) ONGOING A SERVICE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A HUGE ROT HOLE GOING ALONG THE PASSENGER FRAME AND ANOTHER RUST HOLE ON THE BOTTOM RADIATOR SUPPORT.

• 12/08/2016· STRUCTURE

  I WAS DOING SOME MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE ON MY 2003 4 RUNNER AND NOTICED A HUGE ROT HOLE IN THE FRAMED JUST AHEAD OF THE RIGHT REAR TRACK BAR.

• 12/06/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THIS VEHICLE FILLS THE CABIN CONSTANTLY WITH A "SULFUR" OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I HAVE CHANGED GAS BRANDS MULTIPLE TIMES. *LA

• 12/05/2019· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

• 12/05/2018· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME RUSTING OUT

• 12/04/2022· STRUCTURE

  Vehicle frame has rusted through and has holes affecting structural condition.

• 12/04/2019· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY BUT THE BODY IS PERFECT. PURCHASED AS IS. WAS NOT INFORMED IN WRITING ABOUT THE BAD FRAME

• 12/04/2017· STRUCTURE

  THERE IS EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR FRAME. IT'S OF GREATLY SAFETY CONCERN AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER 4RUNNER TYPE OF FRAMES. OUR MECHANIC SEEN A FEW RELATED ISSUES IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

• 12/03/2003· POWER TRAIN

  2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8/AWD W/ UNDER 5,000 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS A VIBRATION AND LOW FREQUENCY "ROARING" NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FROM AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL. SOUND CEASES WHEN COASTING. NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS NOTICED WITHIN FIRST 500 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THOUGHT TO BE TIRES WHICH WERE ROTATED AND DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALER ANALYZED AND STATED THIS IS A NORMAL WORKING NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH HAS ALUMINUM PARTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. CONCERN THERE IS A DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

• 12/02/2003· VISIBILITY

  THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICED WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. OBJECTS IN THE ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A COLLISION. *AK THE VIEW WAS "SEVERELY RESTRICTED" IN THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. WHEN IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE OBJECTS AT THE END OF THE MEDIAN. *SCC *JB

• 12/02/2003· SEATS

  THE REAR SEAT BACK REST ON PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. IF THE BACK REST IS FOLDED DOWN THE NOISE GOES AWAY. IT SEEMS TO BE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT.*AK

• 12/01/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND/OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL JERK FORWARD WITH A THUD. SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE THUDS ARE FELT AND HEARD. THE DEALER WITNESSED THIS PROBLEM AND OURISMAN TOYOTA IN CHANTILLY, VA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 14,500 MILES. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY FOR A WHILE. I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AT 32,000 MILES AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT. I RETURNED AGAIN ON 11/30/04 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WITNESSED THE SAME PROBLEM WITHIN 200 FEET OF DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED HE BELIEVES THIS IS NORMAL (EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM TILL ABOUT 12,000 MILES). HE IS GOING TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE TOYOTA REP WHO IS IN TOWN THIS WEEK.*AK I

• 11/30/2009· TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

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

• 11/30/2004· POWER TRAIN

  FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE THERED HAS BEEN A LOUD "THUD" NOISE WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ON A CONTINUAL OR PREDICTABLE BASIS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE 4RUNNER AND DIDN'T FIND THE BRAKES TO BE FAULTY; HOWEVER THE SOUND AND A SURGE ARE STILL PRESENT IT REMINDS ME OF THE "THUD" SOUND THAT WAS INHERENT IN THE T-100 PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN IT WAS STARTED IN REVERSE. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE AND WONDER IF FAILURE IS IMMINENT THERE OR IN THE DRIVE SHAFT. IN EITHER CASE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. MY DAUGHTER OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA PICK-UP TRUCK AND SAID IT MADE THE SAME SOUND FOR AS LONG AS SHE OWNED IT. *AK