1997 Toyota 4runner Problems & Complaints

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT *AS

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE NOSE, SPINE, LEFT WRIST, RIGHT LUNG WAS PUNCTURED, AND 3 FRACTURED RIBS ON HER LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN A COMA AND HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *LN

REAR FRAM STABILIZER BRACE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME, SO AXLE TO FRAME STALIZER DOES NOT STABILIZE REAR AXLE

VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTED MY BROKEN, RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE, BAD SHOCK AND THE CONDITION OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN GENERAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THIS RUST.

FRAME RUST MAKES VEHICLE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

HEY I HAVE A 1997 4 RUNNER I HAVE A PROBLEM OF THE FRAME GETTING RUSTED OUT. IT IS ON THE 4 LINK WHERE IT HOOKS TO THE AXLE IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME MY REAR AXLE ABOUT CAME OFF AND IT ALMOST GOT ME INTO A RECK. ALL I DONE IS HIT THE BRAKES THEN HURT POP AND REAR END WENT CRAZY. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STEET WHEN IT HAPPENED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THERE WAS NOTHING SUPPORTING THE STABILIZER ARM. FOX TOYOTA (228 FOX FAMILY LN, CLINTON, TN 37716, (865)-494-0228) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 271,000.

THE FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST AS I WAS DRIVING

THE BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT SEATS TO THE CAR RUST OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY BREAK

THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTING ALONG THE REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM MOUNT (THE PIECE WELDED TO THE FRAME THAT YOU CAN SEE WHEN CROUCHED DOWN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR DOORS). THIS SEPARATES AND CAUSES THE REAR AXLE TO FLOAT AROUND WHICH MAY CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SEPARATE COMPLETELY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY WERE BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME.

THE FRAME WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT ENOUGH RUST PROTECTION WAS APPLIED BY TOYOTA. WE RARELY GET SNOW AND STILL THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA DID NOT MAKE A DRAIN HOLE SO THAT THE WATER IN THE FRAME WOULD EVAPORATE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH OTHERWISE LAST A LONG TIME. A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE 4RUNENRS WITH EXCELLENT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BUT WITH RUSTED FRAMES. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN ON UNSUSPECTING OWNERS.

THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE REAR TRAILING ARM TO THE FRAME BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO SWERVE AND LOOSE STABILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I'VE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT REAR SHOCKMOUNT AND BAR REPLACED, AND THE LEFT IS ON ITS WAY TO RUSTING COMPLETELY THROUGH. ON THE LEFT SIDE, HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED UP, AND WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS THROUGH AND BREAKS, IT WILL VERY LIKELY CAUSE SOMETHING TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. THAT COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE, SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SO, IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WILL BE ON THE ROAD WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED WHEN YOU RECALLED THE TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF RUSTY FRAMES? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MANY PEOPLE IF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE STREETS!

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD BANG AND VEHICLE GOT SQUIRMY AND OUT OF CONTROL WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOUSE LUCKILY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS COMPONENTS TO KEEP AXLE IN PLACE ARE ROTTED OUT. ISSUE WILL GET SOMEONE KILLED ONE DAY.

RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK BROKE THROUGH FRAME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (BRACKET SUB ASSEMBLY REAR - RIGHT REAR). HAD TO REMOVE SHOCK SO IT WOULD NOT BUST THROUGH CAUSING RIDE INSTABILITY.

MY 1997 4RUNNER HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE CHASSIS FRAME. THE REAR SHOCKS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS EATEN BY THE RUST.

FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED VEHICLE WELL KEPT AND IT JUST KEEPS ROTTING SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY TRAILER ARM BROKE OFF THE TRUCK ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK.

WHEN BRAKING ON A CURVE ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY {55 MPH} THE VEHICLE JUMPED AND HOPPED UNCONTROLLABLY AND ALMOST LEFT THE ROAD. AFTER SLOWLY GETTING IT HOME, I INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE MOUNT FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARM BROKE OFF THE FRAME FROM RUST. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 155,000 MILES AND THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN VARY GOOD CONDITION. I BOUGHT THE TOYOTA FOR ITS KNOWN LONGEVITY AND DID NOT EXPECT THIS FROM TOYOTA. IF THIS HAD BEEN A STATE HWY {70 MPH} I'M SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH, INJURY AND POSABLE FATALITY.

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER "REAR FRAME RUST AND HOLES" MY TOYOTA 1997 4RUNNER (CURRENT MILEAGE 139,035) HAS THE RUST AND HOLES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE & DRIVER SIDE FRAMES. TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER MECHANIC SAID " DO NOT DRIVE BECAUSE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS." I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT $34,500 ON JUNE 1997. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE ONE. IT'S VERY RIDICULOUS THAT THIS EXPENSIVE CAR HAS THIS KINDS OF PROBLEM. LET ME HAVE RECALL SERVICE. I WILL APPRECIATE FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

MY 4RUNNER FRAME IS ROTTED OUT. CRACKED FRAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CONTROL ARMS FELL OFF THE CAR. FRAME BUSTED IN HALF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES FOR FRAME RUST, BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *TT *TR

I ENTERED MY VIN AND THERE HAPPENED TO BE AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SWAY BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

EXTENSIVE RUST , FRAME WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION.

FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE REAR AXLE ARM ATTACHES. ARM MOUNT BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRAME. VEHICHLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND VIRTUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE. (FRAME REPLACEMENT) RIDICULOUS TOYOTA!!! YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAKE IT RIGHT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!. MYSELF AND FMAILY OWN 7 TOYOTAS. MIGHT RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER!

THE FRAME IS SO RUSTY THAT THREE SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS HAVE RUSTED (BROKEN) OFF. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

MY 1997 4RUNNER ONLY HAS 116,XXX MILES AND ITS FRAME IS STARTING TO ROT. MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IT'S ALSO ON OTHER 4RUNNERS. I GUESS IT HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS BUT IT IS NEAR THE BACK BY THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME.

I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS 1997 TOYOTA WHICH I'VE PLANNED TO KEEP FOR EVER. HOWEVER, THIS WEEKEND WHILE REPLACING A SHOCK ABSORBER I FOUND THAT THE FRAME, BY THE MUFFLER HAS RUSTED THROUGH, THE GASH IS APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES LONG. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS FAR BEYOND WHAT CAN BE CONSIDERED NORMAL RUST DUE TO AGING. THE DAMAGE LOOKS UNSAFE. I FOUND THE DAMAGE ON THE BELOW STATED DATE BUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE MUST TO HAVE TAKEN YEARS.

THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT OF THE TRAILING ARM SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE DISINTEGRATED FRAME CAUSING THE AXLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND BECAME WILDLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

GOING DOWN ROAD AT 50MPH CAR LET LOOSE VERY HARD TO HANDLE PULLED ME INTO BURM OF ROAD SWAYING BACK AND FOURTH. HAD CAR TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FRAME BROKE LOOSE TOTALLY ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT LOOKS LIKE COOKIE CRUMBLES. FRAME HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS IS 22ND 4RUNNER OWNED WITH SAME PROBLEM THIS TIME ALMOST SEVERE ACCIDENT. CONTACTING A LAWYER AS THIS ISSUE IS BEING NEGLECTED RESEARCH DONE AND THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 4RUNNERS AND A VERY GOOD CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.

I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND HEARD A POP LIKE SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. PROCEEDED TO GET ON INTERSTATE ON RAMP AND WITHIN A MILE THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SWERVING BACK AND FORTH. LUCKILY I ONLY HAD TO GO ABOUT A MILE TO MY EXIT. ONCE HOME I HAD DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE FRAME HAD RUSTED INTO AT A VERY CRITICAL AREA OF THE FRAME. IT WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE AND WAS A PART WHERE A ROD MOUNTED TO IT THAT KEEPS THE REAR AXLE ALIGNED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A VEHICLES FRAME REGARDLESS OF IT BEING 19 YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND TOYOTA SOMEHOW DOESN'T FEEL THE NEED TO RECALL WHAT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR LOTS OF OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

FRAME ROTTED APART HAVE TO HAVE SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT ANY LONGER I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THIS TIME NOT IN OUR BUDGET MY WIFE AND I BOTH WORK NOT FINANCIALLY SET..DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TOTALLY ROTTED FRAME NEEDS REPLACING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

RE: 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER - I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.THE FRAME RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SEVERE RUST PERFORATION IN THE BACK WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME RAIL. AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN/MATERIAL DEFECT AND A COMMON ISSUE ALTHOUGH PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO ME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS GENERATION OF THETOYOTA 4RUNNER HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THERE A GREAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES STILL IN SERVICE WHOSE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF HARMING THEMSELVES AND OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE. MUST THE NHTSA WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE TOYOTA IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE NHTSA FOR THIS DEFECT?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STABILIZER BAR TO THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 263,514.

FRAME AND CERTAIN CRITICAL SUSPENSION PARTS HAVE RUSTED OUT, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS CONCERN. I JUST PURCHASED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 173,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS MADE AWARE BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE THAT THERE IS SOME RUST UNDERNEATH AND SO I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT MAJOR AND IS REPAIRABLE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE LARGER THAN I INITIALLY ASSESSED. I REALIZE THAT THIS MAKES ME RESPONSIBLE FOR A BAD DECISION BUT I ALSO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BRING THESE RUST ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NHTSA WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL AFFECT A RESPONSE THAT WILL HOLD THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE. I REALIZE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 15 YEARS OLD AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ROTTING FRAME IS AN ACCEPTABLE DEFECT IN AN 18 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT WAS CLEARLY VERY WELL MAINTAINED BY IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER, AND BY THE NUMBER OF SUBMITTED AND UNSUBMITTED COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WHICH POINTS TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IN ADDITION, THIS ROTTING FRAME PROBLEM MUST HAVE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH YOUNGER BECAUSE THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH IN TWO PLACES AND IT DOESN'T TAKE A SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE TAKES TIME. THE MAIN FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT I JUST BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE LESS MECHANICALLY INCLINED PERSONS OUT THERE WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND UNKNOWINGLY PUTTING THEMSELVES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HOLD THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR

PURCHASED WITH 165,000 MILES. ALMOST NEW FOR A MODERN VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT, THE REAR END WAS READY TO COLLAPSE, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND NOTIFIED THE SAME THING. TOYOTA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. RUSTING OUT AT 165K IS UNHEARD OF FOR A MODERN VEHICLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO SELL IT TO THE JUNKYARD. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY I DON'T HAVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,909. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND MY 4RUNNER STARTED TO SWAY AND ROCK VIOLENTLY. I FELT IT VEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE WAY I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKED FEARING THAT I WAS GOING TO FLIP MY VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH STRAIGHT ROAD IN GREAT WEATHER. I BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN TAPPING THEM ABOUT FIVE TIMES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. IT HAPPENED ONE TIME A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE I PARKED THE CAR THINKING THAT THE TIRE WAS FALLING OFF AND CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO HAPPILY FIXED A FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END AND BALL JOINT. THEY STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTING OUT... THAT IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEN THIS. I WAS TERRIFIED. IT IS NOT SAFE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND HANGING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING AND BEGINNING TO FALL. I AM AT A LOSS I LOVE THIS VEHICLE HATE THE REPAIRS THAT I HAVE HAD TO DO IN THE SIX MONTHS I HAVE HAD IT AND NOW I OWE FOR REPAIRS AND A SMALL LOAN. I CANT DRIVE IT OR SELL IT AND SENDING IT BACK WILL RUIN MY ALREADY FAILED CREDIT. IT IS INCREDIBLY A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AND RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE HAS SHOWED THAT THIS YEAR AND MAKE IS KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS FRUSTRATING AND SAD THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT LET IT SIT.

THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD

DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PART FROM REAR END THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRED AND FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. FRAME LOOKS GOOD EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SIDE.

I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY FRAME SUDDENLY BROKE. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A DITCH LINE. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILING TO HELP ME WITH A REPLACMENT FRAME. THIS FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS

I WAS DRIVING IN SCHOOL ZONE POSTED 20 MPH SCHOOL ZONE ROAD A LITTLE ROUGH UNEVEN SURFACE WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH WHEN I FELT THE VEHICLE STRAYED TO THE RIGHT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES TO TAKE OFF AGAIN HEARING THUMP AND VEHICLE STRAYED TO RIGHT KEEPING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT WHICH FELT LIKE REAR END OF VEHICLE GONG TO RIGHT AND FRONT END STEERING TO LEFT A LOT OF SWAYING AND THUMPING UPON APPLYING AND RELEASING MY FEET ON AND OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP AND A THUMP SOUND, I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE WHEELS SEEM OK BUT UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL FRAME ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER BAR ROTTED AND DROPPED DOWN EXPOSING MY GAS TANK HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE PLATES WELDED TO FRAME TO USE VEHICLE AGAIN WELDER SAID FRAME ALL ROTTED OUT.

MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE 1997 4RUNNER AND HIS FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST. HE SAID HE COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BUT MANAGED TO SLOWLY CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THIS STORY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR, SO I GO TO CHECK MY FRAME AND SURE ENOUGH, IT IS ALSO QUITE RUSTED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING ON IT THAT IT WILL SNAP AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V021000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO A RUSTED CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

MY SON JARRED WAS DRIVING OUR 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, HE WAS ALSO LOSING CONTROL OF HIS STEERING, HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. WHEN I DID AN ACTUAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE FRAME I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OFF THE FRAME BODY, THUS THE REASON THAT MY SON ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA AND FRAME ROTTING OUT. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS NOT THE 4-RUNNERS. I'M HOPING THAT TOYOTA DOES THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLS THE 4-RUNNERS. I HAVE PIC'S IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DAMAGE. *TR

THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THREW IN MULTIPLE PARTS OF THE FRAME. SOMEONE HAS ALREADY TRIED WELDING SOME PLATING TO KEEP REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF THE LOWER FOUR LINK ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

CARS REAL END STARTED TO SWAY WHEN DRIVING, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH, THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL ISSUED,NOTHING THEY COULD DO!!!!. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 121,000 MILES ON IT!! IT SHOULD BE GOING FOR ANOTHER 100,000, THAT'S WHY PEOPLE BUY TOYOTAS!! MY SON BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO, TOOK ALL HIS MONEY NOW HE HAS NO CAR TO DRIVE OR MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE. TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. SINCE THIS HAPPENED I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THEY RECALLED THE TACOMA FOR THE SAME REASON.. SAME YEARS. NEED A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

VEHICLE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION. TRAILING ARM MOUNT FROM AXLE TO FRAME IS SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER TOOK OFF. HAVING INSURANCE COVERAGE ON MY 1997, I TOOK IT TO 2 GARAGES FOR REPAIR. THE FRAME WAS BENT AT THE BACK WHEEL, BOTH GARAGES SAID THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RUSTED AND ALMOST NON EXISTENT FRAME. IF THE BODY SHOP WERE TO CUT OFF THE BENT PART OF THE FRAME, THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD, THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE NEW PART TO. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MINE SINCE 1998, GARAGE KEPT, NO BODY RUST, EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT I CAN NO LONGER GET IT INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE TOTALLY RUSTED OUT FRAME. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE FRAME PATCHED AND WELDED JUST TO PASS INSPECTION, I LOST MY GAS TANK ONE DAY, RUSTED BRACKET BROKE, NOW DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION OF THE FRAME, WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND, IT JUST CRUMBLED. INSPECTION IS DUE IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND NO ONE WILL INSPECT IT AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO FRAME LEFT. HOW CAN THIS BE UNLESS THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED/SEPARATED FROM FRAME. CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS WELDED TO FRAME FROM FACTORY. MOUNT IS SERVICED WITH FRAME. VEHICLE FRAME HAS OTHER ROTTED AREAS. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FRAME RECALL. *TR

THE FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM. MY SHOP TELLS ME THE FRAME IS TOO RUSTED TO REPAIR IT. *TR

THE BODY ON THE 4RUNNER IS CLEAN WITH VERY LITTLE RUST. THE FRAME HOWEVER IS RUSTING BADLY AND THE MOUNTS FOR THE REAR CONTROL ARMS ARE ALMOST RUSTED OFF. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER THAT IS CATASTROPHICALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME AND HAS BEEN A DANGER SINCE PURCHASING. THE AMOUNT OF RUST HAS COMPLETELY EVAPORATED MY INVESTMENT. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FRAME ROT AND RUST: I NOTICED RUST DEBRIS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF DRIVER-SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED WITH EXTENSIVE RUST ALONG ENTIRE LENGTH OF ADJACENT FUEL TANK. HOLES LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT FOUR FINGERS IN AND CRUMBLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ROT HAS ALMOST GONE ENTIRELY THROUGH THE FRAME AS THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL HOLES ON OUTSIDE OF FRAME AS WELL. THE RUST HAS ALSO SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED THE WELD SEAM ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. RUST AND ROT OF THIS SEVERITY ON THIS VEHICLE IS ISOLATED ONLY TO THIS AREA OF THE FRAME. THE REST OF VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS TYPICAL SURFACE RUST AS EXPECTED WITH AGE OF VEHICLE. *TR

SWAY BAR BROKE OFF FROM CHASIS. UPON EXAMINATION FROM OUR MECHANIC, IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE WHOLE CHASIS IS RUSTED. IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND I HAD TO SELL TO THE JUNK YARD. COULDN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA WOULD USE SUCH A CHASIS ON A 30K SUV. *TR

I HEARD A NOISE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO AND THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT HOME AND PARK IT BEFORE A BAD ACCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

FOUND CLUNKING SOUND FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND FOUND CHASSIS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CONTACTED AND SAID VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE REPLACED THE FRONT TIE ROD HE NOTICED THE REAR SUBFRAME AREA AND THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 144,216. RK

ORIGINAL OWNER, BOUGHT NEW. KEPT VEHICLE VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR INSPECTIONS ON A LIFT AND NO EVIDENCE OF FRAME RUST OR OTHER PROBLEMS. THEN ON ABOVE DATE AN INSPECTION SHOWED MANY SPOTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME - IT HAD BEEN ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MULTIPLE BODY EXPERTS SAID IT WAS TOO FAR GONE TO REPAIR AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT FAIL WHEN MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, POTENTIALLY KILLING US AND ANYONE AROUND US. TOYOTA CUSTOMER "EXPERIENCE" REPS REFUSED EVEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM - AND I ESCALATED THIS AS FAR AS I COULD. THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR WHY THEY BOUGHT BACK TACOMAS, TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS (WHICH HAVE THE SAME FRAME) BUT DID NOT EVEN ISSUE A MAINTENANCE ADVISORY FOR THE 4RUNNERS. IF THEY WON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE A RECALL. THE REST OF THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WELL AND THE FRAME MAY WELL FAIL FIRST, WHICH NO ONE EXPECTS. *TR

REAR FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. *TR

HAVING COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, I WAS SOLD A NUMBER OF REPAIRS OVER THE LAST 15,000 MILES, INCLUDING REAR STABILIZER LINKS AND REAR SHOCKS. HOWEVER, THE NOISE PERSISTED. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS, I HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE FRAME IN THE AREA UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAS TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY AND THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM WELDMENT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNSTABLE (SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE) AND UNSAFE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ADVISED ME OF ANY PROBLEM, LEADING ME TO SPEND THE MONEY ON THESE OTHER REPAIRS. THIS FRAME DESIGN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A PROBLEM BY TOYOTA A FEW YEARS BACK. TOYOTA PROVIDED RELIEF FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE TACOMA. OBVIOUSLY THE 4RUNNER SUFFERS THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE EVALUATED AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD A BAD MUFFLER IN IT SO I TOOK INTO TO THE MUFFLER SHOP AND AS THEY FIXED THE MUFFLER THEY FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR EVERYDAY ( 4 YEARS OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD) CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I AM CURRENTLY OUT A VEHICLE AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS DAMAGED. *TR

VEHICLE DEVELOPED SERIOUS REAR END SWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD. LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE VICINITY OF THE REAR AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL AREAS. ADDITIONALLY THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE LOWER TRACK ARM MOUNTING PLATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RESULTING IN FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOVEMENT IN THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE VIRTUALLY RUST FREE. *TR

RUST. THE FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, AS HAS THE REAR FENDER. 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH MAJOR RUST ISSUES. *TR

EXTENSIVE RUST ON FRAME AROUND WELD OF THE CONTROL ARM OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO DETACH MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT APPEARS THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRAME RUSTING FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CLOSE TO HOME WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SWAYING. PULLED OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY ON SIDE OF ROAD, NO TRAFFIC, TIL I GOT HOME. SHOP OWNER SAID FRAME BROKE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE, NOBODY EVER GAVE ME AN INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CRASHED IF GOING FASTER AND MORE TRAFFIC, I WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SWAY BAR OF SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500. ...UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE HEARD A CRACK. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY IS FINE BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. THERE ARE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS INCLUDING SUSPENSION MOUNTS. *TR

FRAME IS RUSTING OUT ALONG FULL LENGTH. THE OUTSIDE LOOKS FINE IN MOST PLACES BUT THE INSIDE IS FLAKING OFF. IF YOU HIT IT WITH A HAMMER IT WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH AND MAKE A HOLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAMES ON INTERNET SITES. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 4RUNNER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY TRUCK AND AS OF LAST YEAR THE FRAME HAS BEEN SO RUSTED THEY WON'T PUT IT ON A LIFT NEVER MIND INSPECT IT..I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE TACOMA TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOT MY RUNNER ..I'VE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

VEHICLE HAS BEEN SWAYING AND THEN RECENTLY THE STEERING GOT BAD SO I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, STOPPING POWER DECREASED AND THE ABS ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR UNDER BODY FRAME HAD FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 159,000..... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY BRAKES WOULDN'T PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS RANDOM, BECAUSE OF THE REAR -END SWAYING FROM BEING DETACHED. UPDATED 03/11/13

I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH) AND IT STARTED GETTING HARD TO HANDLE. IF YOU ACCELERATED IT WOULD TURN HARD TO THE RIGHT, IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT WOULD VEER BACK HARD TO THE LEFT. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED IT OUT AND THE FRAME MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED OFF. *TR

I OWN A 1997 4RUNNER. DURING MY DRIVING THE VEHICLE FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CHASSIS LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT APART AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS PURELY AN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FAILURES.HENCE, THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERSHIPS, THEY SAID TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL COST ME $8,100.00. HENCE, I FEEL THAT, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT BRAND OF CARS COMPANIES, THEREWITH, WHEREBY, THEY ARE STILL ON SOME PART OF THE WORLD, ARE STILL DRIVABLE AND USEFUL. HOWEVER, FOR THE KIND OF MONEY SPENT ON THE PURCHASE, THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE IS THAT OLD THEY ARE LIABLE FOR A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE CAUSING NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO BOUNCE/SWAY OF REAR END. *TR

FRAME ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY CRACKED. THERE IS NUMEROUS HOLES AND RUST PERFORATION ON THE FRAME. LOCAL DEALER DEEMED VEHICLE UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER FRAMES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF 4RUNNER OWNERS LIKE THEY DID WITH TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER EVERY DAY THAT I DROVE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS TOTALLY USELESS. *TR

I TOOK MY 1997 4RUNNER IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT MY FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THAT MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I GOT THE OPINION OF TWO OTHER AUTO BODY SHOPS AND THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND IS BEYOND BEING REPAIRED. TOYOTA OFFERED A BUY BACK PROGRAM FOR THEIR TACOMA'S FOR THE SAME REASON HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT BUY BACK THE 4 RUNNERS. I'VE FOUND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME RUST ISSUE WITH THE FRAMES ON THEIR 4RUNNERS. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON STATE ROUTE, HEARD LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED SHIMMYING SIDE TO SIDE. SHE SLOWED DOWN AND LIMPED VEHICLE HOME. TODAY RAISED VEHICLE ON MY LIFT AT WORK AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH WHERE REAR SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO FRAME. GLAD NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED, AS MY WIFE, CHILDREN AND NEW SISTER-IN-LAW WERE ALL PASSENGERS! OTHERWISE LOVE THE VEHICLE, WAS INTENDING ON REPLACEMENT WITH A SEQUOIA, BUT NOW I AM UNSURE IF THAT IS A GOOD MOVE. I HAVE SEEN MANY TACOMAS COME IN THAT HAD FRAME RUST IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. WISH TOYOTA WOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM IN THE 4RUNNERS, AS WE ARE JUST AS LOYAL AS THE TACOMA OWNERS. SEEMS LIKE A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT FRAME RUST ON THE INTERNET FORUMS ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS TOO. I SURE HOPE TOYOTA CAN KEEP ME AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THEM TO MY CUSTOMERS AS I VERY OFTEN DO. I WAS REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SPENDING THE $3900+ TAX + MY INSTALLATION TIME, BUT IT SEEMS TOYOTA HAS DISCONTINUED MY FRAME. I EVEN DOUBLE-CHECKED WITH CORPORATE TOYOTA. WHAT TO DO NOW?.......NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO THIS...JUST SOME HELP EVEN... *TR

THIS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS PREMATURE STRUCTURAL FRAME FAILURE. THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC AMONG OLDER TOYOTA TRUCKS AND SUV'S. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE TACOMA'S OF THIS MODEL YEAR DUE TO THE FRAMES ROTTING. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS. IT IS TIME TO PUSH TOYOTA TO HELP ALL OF THE OWNERS OF THESE TOYOTA'S OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PART OF THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 258,625.

RUSTED FRAME..... UNSAFE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH ON SEVERAL PLACES, BUT ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION IS THE WORST. THIS LOCATION IS THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN A SOLID STEEL BRACKET OF THE SAME SIZE, THICKNESS AND MATERIAL AS THE MAIN FRAME. THIS BRACKET HOLDS THE SWAY-TYPE BAR, WHICH ATTACHES BACK TO THE REAR AXLE. THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE MAIN FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME. THE JOINT IS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG. OVER ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE WELD JOINT, THE AREA IS RUSTED AWAY AND THERE IS A 3/8-INCH GAP BETWEEN PARTS. THE REMAINING 2 INCHES ARE HOLDING TEMPORARILY, BUT IT IS UNSAFE. THIS RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED FRAME HAS CAUSED THE 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER TO BE UNSAFE, UNDRIVEABLE AND UN-FIXABLE. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF THE FRAME JOINT RUSTS MORE AND COMPLETELY BREAKS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE HEARD A SOUND AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED, AND THEN CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE REMAINDER OF THE RIDE HOME. WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE HER DESCRIPTION AND BEGIN TROUBLESHOOTING WHAT COULD BE WRONG, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WAS TRYING TO COME AROUND, A VERY WEIRD FEELING IN THE SUMMER. TRYING TO FIGURE WHY, AND SEVERAL MINUTES OF LAYING UNDER THIS VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHING POINT IS ROTTED AND BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I HAVE OWNED ONE OF THE RECALLED TOYOTA TACOMAS, IT WAS BOUGHT BACK FROM ME BY TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND IT IS BEING RECALLED FOR ROTTING FRAMES, AND ROTTING SPARE TIRE BRACKETS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4-RUNNERS. THIS 4 RUNNER IS THE SAME YEAR AS THE TOYOTA TACOMA, AND TWO YEARS OLDER THAT MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE ON THE ROAD, AND THANK GOD THIS DID NOT HAVE A DISASTROUS OUTCOME. AND BY THE WAY, BOTH OF MY SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SERIOUS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I CANT SELL THIS AS A USED VEHICLE AND I CAN'T TRADE IT IN TO A DEALER. HELP! *TR

AT 317,800 MILES THE FRONT END WAS REBUILT. WITHIN A WEEK THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I SUSPECT COUNTERFEIT BOLTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY SAVED NO PARTS. THIS WAS A FALCON K90262 RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT. AT 322,055 MILES A SECOND LOW SPEED ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE FALCON K90263 LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY PULLING THE BALL FROM THE SOCKET. UPON INSPECTION THE SEALED JOINT APPEARS NOT TO HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED AT THE FACTORY AND SHOWS VERY VISIBLE SIGNS OF WEAR. REPAIRS WERE MADE USING ANOTHER BRAND OF PARTS. I HAVE THE PART IN A BAG, WHERE IT WAS PLACED UNCLEANED, AFTER REPAIRS, SHOULD YOU WISH TO INSPECT IT. HAD EITHER OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED, AXLE DISLODGED AND WHEEL PUSHED INTO WHEEL WELL. A SEPARATE, BUT EXACT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SAME VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS PRIOR AT 131,000 MILES (HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1997/TOYOTA/4RUNNER/10173792.ASPX). WE WERE ASSURED BY TOYOTA DEALER REPAIR FACILITY AT THAT TIME THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE INCIDENT AND UPON INSPECT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHECKED IN THE INTERIM AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF FUTURE FAILURE. AGAIN, BOTH SIDES HAVE NOW FAILED ON THE SAME VEHICLE UNDER LIGHT DUTY CONDITIONS.

FRAME ON A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ROTTING OUT. VEHICLE NO LONGER ROAD WORTHY AND WILL NOT TAKE A STICKER. HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA MAN MY WHOLE LIFE BUT THIS MAKES ME THINK TWICE ABOUT EVER PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE. IS TOYOTA GOING TO GO GOOD ON THIS? FUNNY HOW THE TACOMA WAS RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER! SAME FRAME? I WOULD HAVE TO GUESS YES... *TR

THIS DESCRIPTION IS A SUPPLEMENT TO ODI # 10423371 WHERE BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT FAILED IS PART # 43330-39585. THE REPAIRED PART IS #43330-39415, BOTH MANUFACTURED BY TY (TOYOTA?) WHICH SUGGESTS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL. WHEN ASKED, TOYOTA DID NOT INFORM US OF THE PART CHANGE AND ASSURED US THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT IS SOUND. THE PART 43330-39585 (LOWER BALL JOINT) IS IN THE 4RUNNERS DATED '91 UP TO 2004. THERE ARE RECALLS OF THIS PART NUMBER ONLY IN THE 2001-2004 TIMELINE. TOYOTA RECOMMENDS INSPECTION EVERY 15,000 MILES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PROVIDED ME WITH A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION 3500 MILES PRIOR (4 MONTHS AGO) AND PROVIDED ME WITH A POSITIVE (GREEN) CHECK IN ALL AREAS OF INTEREST INCLUDING SUSPENSION AND CV JOINT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS TO THE FAILURE AS THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HELPS DEMONSTRATE. OUR FAMILY HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF A HIGHWAY DRIVE AND LOOSING A WHEEL AT THOSE SPEEDS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. ANY OTHER EVENTS AS THIS PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO HAPPEN TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS THOROUGHLY AND PROVIDE ME WITH ANSWERS. *TR

RUST THROUGH ON REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER TO THE POINT OF LEAKING APPROX 6 OZ PER WEEK OF GEAR OIL. THIS COVER IS WELDED ON TO THE REAR AXLE AND THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF REPLACING SEPARATELY. *TR

I AM REPORTING A FRAME DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, ON THE DATE STATED, I HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD, AND, IMMEDIATELY STARTED HEARING A NOISE AT THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND UPON INSPECTION, THE DIAGNOSIS, WAS THAT THE FRAME HAD BROKEN, AND WAS RUBBING ON MY GAS TANK, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS,SIMILAR TO MINE, YET, THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, OR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I GUESS AS LONG AS NOBODY HAS BEEN KILLED, OR ,SERIOUSLY INJURED, THE PROBLEM ISN'T BIG ENOUGH YET!!!

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CRUMBLE. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNREPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUST THROUGH. I HAVE JUST NOTICED THAT MY 1997 4RUNNER IS LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND AM CONCERNED THAT RUST OR FOREIGN DEBRIS WILL GET INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I HAVE REMOVED THE 4RUNNER FROM OPERATION UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED. THE RUST IS ON THE REAR TOP OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THERE ARE VERY LARGE FLAKES OF RUST ON THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THE OIL IS LEAKING THROUGH SOME OF THE RUST HOLES. IT APPEARS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH ADEQUATE THICKNESS IN THE METAL HOUSING AND HAD INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION. *TR

I WAS ON HIGHWAY 101 DRIVING HOME RECENTLY IN MY 97 4RUNNER WITH 200,000+ MILES ON IT AFTER A FULL SERVICING AT TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ AND MY ACCELERATOR STUCK, IDLING AT 3-4K RPM. AFTER THE PANIC MODE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP AND REALIZING THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP A REVVING ENGINE, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND SLOWED THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE REVVED. I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT SEEMED TO BE OK. I GOT TO AN AREA WHERE I COULD TEST IT OUT SAFELY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I HAD TO PUT IT NEUTRAL AGAIN. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT IT FINALLY FROZE AT 3-4K RPM AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND GET TOWED. I HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ AND THE NEXT DAY WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAIDING ON THE THROTTLE CABLE CAME APART IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING AND THE MAINTENANCE'S WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE FIX WAS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE, $200 AND THE TOW WAS $200. THAT WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IF IT HADN'T BEEN SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, BUT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MYSELF, BUT TO ANYONE THAT I WAS ON THE ROAD WITH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE VEHICLE IS AN OLDER VEHICLE, BUT I'M GUESSING THAT THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. AND MY WORST THOUGHT IS THAT POSSIBLY MY DAUGHTER, GIRLFRIEND (WHICH IS A NEW DRIVER) OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. SO, IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA HAS QUITE A FEW SAFETY ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IGNORING FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. ON TOP OF THAT, IT SEEMS THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST PAID FOR THE REPAIRS FOR SENDING ME OUT IN THEIR DEATH TRAP WITH NO WARNING. I'M GOING TO BE BUYING ANOTHER CAR SOON AND I WILL TO THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER TOYOTA. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME RUSTING. I HAVE WORKED FROM HOME SINCE 2001, YET THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM OF RUSTED FRAMES IN TOYOTA TACOMA VEHICLES. *TR

SERIOUS CORROSION ON REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING AT BELOW FILL BOLT, LEAKING FLUIDS. DEALER UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE PART IS NOT A COVER AS IN MOST VEHICLES. DEALER ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WITH ALL PARTS. THIS SITUATION PRESENTS A SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AS THESE COMPONENTS ARE SEVERELY AND UNUSUALLY RUSTED. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME ROTTING OUT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1997 TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME REASON, THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME FRAME AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADD THE 4RUNNER TO THE RECALL OR FIX THE DEFECTIVE FRAMES. MY 4RUNNER IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE EXCEPT THE FRAME IS ROTTING THROUGH IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THESE 4RUNNERS SHOULD BE RECALLED THE SAME AS THE TACOMAS TO FIX THE DEFECT. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME ROTTING OUT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1997 TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME REASON, THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME FRAME AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADD THE 4RUNNER TO THE RECALL OR FIX THE DEFECTIVE FRAMES. MY 4RUNNER IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE EXCEPT THE FRAME IS ROTTING THROUGH IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THESE 4RUNNERS SHOULD BE RECALLED THE SAME AS THE TACOMAS TO FIX THE DEFECT.

I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4X4, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN1997. WITHIN IN WEEKS OF OWNING AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE BRAKING AS I DROVE OVER IRREGULAR ROAD, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT GRABBING, L AND THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING, COMMENSURATE WITH THE DEMAND THAT I WAS PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT I WAS GOING TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME! AFTER SEVERAL SUCH EXPERIENCE, IN JUNE OR JULY OF 1997, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I STILL OWN AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS UNCHANGED. BECAUSE I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES, BUMPS OR EXPANSION JOINTS I KEEP A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE ISSUE HAS NOT CHANGED. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THE 4RUNNER WAS THE SHIFTING OF THE BACKEND OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES. HOWEVER, TOYOTA RECALLED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE A REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE FIX REDUCED THE SEVERITY OF THE SHIFTING OF THE BACKEND, IT DID NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4X4. WHILE BRAKING AND GOING OVER BUMPS, POTHOLES, SEPARATIONS IN ROADWAYS, THE BRAKES WILL MOMENTARILY FAIL MUCH LIKE IT IS ACTIVATING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

THE SUB-FRAME OF MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUV HAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE SUSPENSION BOX HAS RUSTED FREE FROM THE FRAME RAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RENDERED UNSAFE AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. TOYOTA WANTS $3,000 + LABOR TO REPLACE THE FRAME. THIS IS THE SAME SUB-FRAME TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY REPLACING ON THEIR 1995 - 2010 TACOMA PICKUP TRUCKS AT THE COMPANY'S EXPENSE. MY SUB-FRAME HAS THE SAME TYPE AND DEPTH OF RUST DAMAGE AS THE TACOMA TRUCKS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REPLACING THESE SUB-FRAMES ON THEIR SUV'S AS WELL AS THEIR TACOMA TRUCKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ENTER THE MEDIAN AND ROLL OVER. THE DRIVER INVOLVED IN THE ROLL OVER CRASH WAS AIR LIFTED TO A HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE . SHE ALSO STATED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE GROUND WIRES WERE BURNT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT SHORTED OUT, THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195942.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN UP TO 100 MPH. HE BEGAN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL GEAR TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT AN AFTER MARKET ALARM BOX WAS TUCKED BEHIND THE PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOX MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. ANOTHER DEALER TOLD HER THAT A CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,038.

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE, BUMP. *TR

WE WERE SOUTHBOUND ON I25, EXT 261,STATE OF COLORADO, GOING ABOUT 45 MPH IN LANE #1 WHEN MY VEHICLE, A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT LANDING ON THE MEDIAN HITTING THE GUARDRAIL AND CAUSING A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE WEATHER WAS A LITTLE SNOW AND THE FWY SURFACE APPEARED CLEAR. *TR

1N AUGUST OF 2004 I OWNED A 1997 TOYTOA 4 RUNNER. IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 95 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TOYTOA DEALERSHIP AFTER 2MONTHS THERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS CAUSED BY AMLFUNCTION IB THE CRUISE CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON THE REPAIR COST ME OVER 15OO DOLLARS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATTER I THEN BRROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS AGAIN CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT SAID THE SIMPLE ANSWER WAS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH COST ME 40 DOLLARS AND I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. I WROTE TO TOYTOA BUT THERE NEVER ANSWERED ME. *TR

MY CAR WAS RACING WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. ALSO, I WAS GOING THROUGH MY GAS PRETTY QUICKLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONICS - THEY SAID I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPLACED, I COULD NOT DRIVE OFF THE LOT BECAUSE IT WAS SO DANGEROUS. I NO LONGER HAVE THIS CAR BUT I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE IT IS A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. VIN NUMBER ATTACHED FOR MAINTENANCE LOOKUP. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUST OUT, TOYOTA USING INFERIOR METAL IN PRODUCTION RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIR FOR FLUID LEAKAGE. *TR

I WANTED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T PULLING MY BOAT OR TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. BASICALLY THE FRAME FOR MY 4RUNNER RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. ONE BRACE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME TO STABILIZE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF THE FRAME ON ONE SIDE. THE OTHER SIDE IS HOLDING ON BY A STRING. THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH PIECES MISSING FROM RUSTING OUT. THE FRAME COULD IN MY OPINION BREAK IN HALF NEAR THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR OR WORSE THAN WHAT I READ ABOUT THE TACOMA TRUCKS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS WHAT THE GUYS SAID THERE. THE WORDS DIRECTLY FROM THE SERVICE GUYS WERE - THIS IS WORSE THAN ANY OF THE TACOMA'S THEY HAVE SEEN. THEY HAD THE REGIONAL TOYOTA REP TAKE PICTURES AND RUN A REPORT AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME SOON. THAT WAS ON 9/9/09. NO WORD BACK YET. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I KNOW ABOUT SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS REPORTED TO YOU. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND MULTIPLE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THEY ADVISED THE FRAME WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OR TOW ANY ITEMS AND NOT TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT ONE TIME. THE ADVISED TO GET THE FRAME WELDED BY A WELDING COMPANY. *TR

NO CRASH OR INJURY,BUT 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DIFFERENTIAL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKS OIL THROUGH NUMEROUS PINHOLES. IT CAN'T BE PATCHED AND REPLACEMENT IS IN THE $1500 RANGE. I CAN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE ON TRIPS. I HAVE FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB - IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

THE TREADS OF MY CONTINENTAL TIRES SEPARATED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. MY CAR LOST TRACTION AND SPUN UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. MY TIRES WERE PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO AND HAVE ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON THEM. THE OTHER 3 CONTINENTAL TIRES ALSO SHOW SUBSTANTIAL WEAR THAT ARE BEYOND THE TYPICAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ON AUGUST 5 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME BROKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD CORRODED AND BROKE IN HALF WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME IS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO EXISTING RECALL AND WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED/JOLTED FORWARD PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO MERGE INTO THE DIRECTION OF A TRACTOR TRAILER. I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRACTOR TRAILER TO AVOID COLLISION. MY VEHICLE HIT THE REAR TIRE OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER AND I BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. MY BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP EITHER, THEY DIDN'T FUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER 3+ TIMES, THE CAR WAS TOTALED. ALL PASSENGERS WERE HOSPITALIZED BUT NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE WERE HURT FROM THE ACCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS REGARDING THE PERIODIC ENGINE SURGE AND/OR JOLTING AND LACK OF BRAKE CONTROL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE INCIDENTS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED IN THIS AUTO ACCIDENT. *TR

FAIL STATE CAR INSPECTION DUE TO ILLEGAL INSTALLATION OF HEADLIGHTS BY A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE. PREMIER SOUND WHO INSTALLED A $400.00 PLUS HEADLIGHTS ON MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THIS HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ON THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WOULD COST ME $900.00 PLUS . IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE WOULD REGULATE AND SAY YOU MUST TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT WHAT I'M INSTALLING IN YOUR VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL? THIS KIND OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD ON THE MONEY TO RIP YOU OFF BY NOT TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL. PREMIER SOUND IS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AIN'T THAT SOMETHING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW. THE LAW MUST BE CHANGE TO MAKE THEM HONEST TO THE COMMUNITY THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. PLEASE HELP CONGRESSMAN OUT THERE AND BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZEN LIKE ME WHO LIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. SINCERELY, F.I. CANTADA *TR

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN HOLE AND A 7 INCH CRACK TO THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS A FRAME SAFETY RECALL ON 1995-2000 TACOMA. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER WHICH SITS ON THE SAME FRAME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

THIS LETTER IS TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC OF A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WITH OUR TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THIS VEHICLE IS A VERY GOOD VEHICLE OVER ALL AND HAS GIVEN US BARELY NO TROUBLE WHAT SO EVER, WE TAKE GREAT CARE OF THE CAR AND WERE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE WHEN WE WERE ALMOST SET ON FIRE WHILE PREPARING TO RIDE OFF . WE WERE AT A MOTOR CYCLE SHOP LOOKING AT 4 WHEELERS AND DIRTBIKES WITH OUR CHILDREN AND NEPHEW,AS WE WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON, AND MY ASTHMATIC SON BEGAN TO GASP, MY WIFE BEGAN TO COUGH AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SMOKING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WE MADE IT OUT OK GETTING THE KIDS OUT AND,THEN OURSELVES AS WE TRIED TO FIND AND CONTAIN THE FIRE. NEARBY CITIZENS HELPED TRYING TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION USING A EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME COMPLETELY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS OCCURRED IN MARCH AND OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE REPAIR IS BRUTAL. FROM WHAT WE DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIPS AND USED CAR PARTS, THAT MODEL CAR HAS BEEN REQUIRING THAT PART , THEREFORE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING TO OTHER 1997 4-RUNNERS TO THE EXTENT THAT PLACES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SOLD OUT OF THE PART IN MANY STATES. WE DID PURCHASE OURS THROUGH THE DEALER, TO NO SURPRISE WE AREN'T FIRST TO HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PART, THIS IS NOT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, NOR IS IT A ROUTINE CAR PROBLEM. I WROTE TOYOTA AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE, I KNOW IT IS AN GREAT COMPANY, WITH QUALITY VEHICLES. WE PAID 29,000+FOR THIS CAR IN CASH....DEFINITELY NOT TO WATCH IT BURN UP...ALL OF THE SUDDEN OVER SOMETHING COMPLETELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS MATTER WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3,000 AND NO ONE FEELS ITS FAIR. MY 7 YEAR OLD RESULTED WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A MONTH, AS WELL DID MY WIFE. MY 12 Y/O HAD STINGING IN HIS EYES FOR 2 DAYS, MY NEPHEW HAD TROUBLE BREATHING AND I BURNED MYSELF AND INHALED SOOT & FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUMES, RESULTING IN CHEST PAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. WE DESERVE OUR MONEY BACK AT THE LEAST FOR REPAIRS. *TR

REAR AXEL HOUSING RUSTED OFF OF CHASSIS REQUIRING NEW AXEL HOUSING. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH RUST OTHERWISE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 02V021000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL AUGUST 6, 2007. HE FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT (LT255/85R16) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN EXAMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 185,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 02V021000 FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION IN DECEMBER 2006. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND HAD NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE. ON MARCH 29, 2007, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE NOTIFIED AND SHOULD HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN REFERENCE # 200704020883. THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS 70 MILES FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACTWAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED AND THE HEIGHTENED RISK OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 122,000. *AK

TL*-THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON 01/05/07. HE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY COULDN'T PUT HIM ON A WAIT LIST UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE# 200703090575 BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GIVE HIM A TIME WHEN WILL RECEIVE THE PART. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL GET HIM THE PARTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FAILURES TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11300. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL #02V021000. FOR TWO MONTHS THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO HONOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED, AND WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 119,000. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 02V021000 FOR THE SUSPENSION ON THE 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 1/26/07. THE CUSTOMER STATED WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THE PART HAD NOT ARRIVED. THE CUSTOMER WAS UPSET THAT HE WAS NOT CALLED AND TOLD THE PART HAD NOT ARRIVED BEFORE HE GOT THERE. *AK

I HAVE BEEN SENT MANY NOTICES FROM TOYOTA INDICATING A RECALL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL SINCE IT INVOLVED REMOVING AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF THE DEFECT. I WROTE TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY REPLIED BY PHONE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE EQUIPMENT FIRST. I CONTINUE TO GET THESE RECALL NOTICES AND AM FINALLY COMPLAINING TO THE NHTSA TO ASSIST IN CONVINCING TOYOTA THAT IT IS THEIR LIABILITY, NOT MINE. THE AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT IN QUESTION IS JUST TWO SMALL AIRBAGS INSERTED IN THE REAR SPRINGS TO ASSIST IN LEVELING THE TRUCK WHEN CARRYING HEAVY LOADS. THE AIRBAGS WILL MOST PROBABLY NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO AFFECT THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEALERS WON'T TOUCH THE TRUCK, SINCE IT ADDS TIME AND THEY WILL LOSE MONEY ON THE FLAT RATE PAID BY TOYOTA. IF THE TRUCK SUSPENSION FAILS, AS IT MIGHT AT THIS LATE STAGE, THE LIABILITY WILL BE SOLELY ON TOYOTA AS I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THEIR REQUESTS TO THE LETTER, WHICH STATES SIMPLY TO BRING THE TRUCK IN FOR THE RETROFIT/INSTALLATION OF NEW PARTS, AND NO WHERE IN THE RECALL LETTER IS THERE ANY LANGUAGE STATING THAT A CUSTOMER WILL BE REFUSED IF ADDITIONAL HOURS OF LABOR WILL BE INVOLVED. IF TOYOTA IS WORRIED ABOUT LIABILITY ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, I WOULD THINK THAT THIS WOULD PALE IN COMPARISON TO WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY IF THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING THIS TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE WRITTEN THEM LETTERS, SPOKEN TO THEM ON THE PHONE AND THEY CONTINUE TO SEND ME LETTERS RE: THE RECALL AND NOTING THAT THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE. AGAIN, TOYOTA SHOULD AFFECT THIS REPAIR NO MATTER WHAT ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. IF ANYTHING, THE ADDITION OF THE AIRBAGS HAVE MADE THIS TRUCK MORE STABLE AND SAFER THAN IT WAS WHEN IT WAS DELIVERED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO CONTACT ME WITH THE NAME OF A DEALER WHO WILL INSTITUTE THE RECALL REPAIRS WITH THE TRUCK IN THE CURRENT CONDITION. *JB

ON DECEMBER 27, I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAD BEEN RECALLED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ROSEVILLE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR THE "ONE HOUR SERVICE" TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER TAKING FRIDAY, JANURAY 5 OFF WORK, I MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIRS. I CHECKED IN AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD TAKE CLOSER TO 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE. UPON REGISTERING MY CAR FOR SERVICE, THE DEALERSHIP REALIZED THEY DID NOT HAVE PROPER PARTS IN STOCK (SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED UPON MAKING THE APPOINTMENT). THEY WERE VERY SURPRISED THAT THE SERVICE HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED ON MY CAR, SINCE THE RECALL IS ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS, AND I AM VERY SHOCKED THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED SOONER. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION, AND NOW I KNOW WHY. THE ROSEVILLE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO ORDERED THE PARTS, BUT I INFORMED THEM THAT I LIVE 3 HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO WAY OF BRINGING MY CAR IN. THE SERVICE MAN LOCATED THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA (APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AWAY) AND CALLED TO FIND OUT SERVICE HOURS. THE HOURS ARE MON-FRI, 8-5. I AM NOW UNABLE TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE UNLESS I TAKE ANOTHER DAY OFF WORK AND ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS A LOT OF ROUGH TERRAIN AND SNOW PLAYS A BIG FACTOR IN THE ROAD CONDITIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THESE ISSUES ARE TO BE RESOLVED. I AM OPERATING A FAULTY PRODUCT, NO FAULT OF WHICH IS MINE. *JB

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4WD THAT APPEARED TO HAVE A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND WAS ISSUED A CASE NUMBER- INCIDENT: 061011-000352. OUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 133,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY OFF ROAD CONDITIONS. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BACK STREETS AT LESS THAN 30 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED AND TUCKED UP UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. ONLY THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS ATTACHED. THESE JOINTS ARE A NON SERVICEABLE PART AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FAILURE OR PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. I CAN'T IMAGINE UNDER ANY NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THIS COULD BE OR SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS DESIGN IS EITHER FAULTY BY DESIGN OR AN IMPROPER INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY. AFTER EVENTUALLY RECEIVING THE DAMAGED PARTS, I EXAMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT CLOSELY AND IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THE LUBRICATION IN THE JOINT BECAME HARD AND CLUMPY. I COULD HARDLY MOVE THE JOINT IN ANY RANGE OF MOTION. I WOULD FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT, CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING UPPER JOINT SEPARATION. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATING I HAVE FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGNS ON LOWER BALL JOINTS ON CERTAIN YEARS AND MODELS. HOWEVER THIS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SPANS FROM 4RUNNERS, TUNDRAS, TACOMAS, AND SEQUOIAS, FROM '95 TO '04. AT CONCORD TOYOTA (WERE MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (CA)), I BECAME SUSPICIOUS WITH A FEW INCIDENCES I EXPERIENCED OF A COVERUP OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WHICH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DETAIL IF REQUESTED. I AM AWARE OF TOYOTA??S Q.C. PROBLEMS LIKELY BECAUSE OF THEIR QUEST TO TAKE THE TOP SPOT IN MANUFACTURING AND THEIR SHARED PARTS IN DIFFERENT MODELS. TOYOTAS RESPONSE TO OUR SPECIFIC PROBLEM WAS THAT OUR WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. MINE IS THAT THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND WARRANTY. IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND IS A POTENTIALLY HUGE LIABILITY FOR THEM. I SHARE AN OTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE OLD DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT NOW. *JB

A) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45-55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF WITHOUT ME OR ANY PART OF MY BODY EVEN TOUCHING THE KEY OR DO ANYTHING TO PROVOKE SUCH EVENT. B) I WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH THE FLOW DURING RUSH OUR WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS IN DRIVE THE WHOLE TIME AND WAS USING ONLY THE ACCELERATOR, AND OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ADJUST MY SPEED TO TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS OR TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFTER. C) THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT TO OCCUR IN A SPAN OF ABOUT ONE YEAR. ALL INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC WITH ENGINE IN NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE] AND AT ESTIMATED SPEED OF 40 TO 60 MPH. D) FIRST INCIDENT, I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE FAILURE AND DIDN'T REPORT IT. SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND HE REFUSED TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING THE CAR IN QUICKLY ENOUGH THE INCIDENT WOULD BE GONE FROM THE ONBOARD COMPUTER MEMORY. THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO POINT OF DOING DIAGNOSTICS. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT, AND I INTEND TO VISIT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER IN PALO ALTO ON JANUARY 30, 2006. *AK

WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN THE VENT ON THE BACK OF THE HOOD AT WINDSHIELD KEEPS MY CARPET SOAKED HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED? ALSO MY HOOD LATCH IS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH MY HOOD GOES UP 2 INCHES WHEN IM AT TOP SPEEDS (55 OR 65). *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BUMPER RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE RUST WAS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

DT: 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT MAJOR BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING BRAKING PROBLEMS AT 19,900 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY BECAME WEAK. THIS TOOK 6 MONTHS TO DIAGNOSE, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. SHE WAS THEN INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS WAS REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SINCE LATE 2003. WHEN CHECKED SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ESPECIALLY ON WET PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE. SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE ABS, SHE STATES IT WAS BRAKING DIFFERENTLY THAN PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON AUGUST 19, 2005. THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE WAS PULLING UP HIGHER THAN USUAL. THIS WAS CHECKED, AND THEY FOUND THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE SOAKED IN OIL. THIS REQUIRED THE SEALS, BEARINGS, RETAINERS, SENSOR RINGS AND THE REAR BRAKE SHOES TO BE REPLACED. SHE FELT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE REAR AXLE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE LOOP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AT THE TOP OF THE LOOP, AS I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER. THE ROCKING TURNED INTO FISHTAILING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FORCEFULLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A GUARDRAIL, ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I WAS 4 MONTHS PREGNANT AND TRAVELLING WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD SON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO SAFETY IN THE MEDIAN. THIS ACCIDENT WAS A TOTAL MYSTERY TO ME SINCE I WAS NOT TRAVELLING AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. THE GROUND WAS SLIGHTLY WET FROM A BRIEF SPRINKLE.

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP POSITION AT 10 MPH RIGHT, THE SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLER DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAULTY PART AND REPAIRS. *SC *JB

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA EMAIL. THE BRAKES FAILED MANY TIMES ON MY CAR AND THEY WERE IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THEY FIXED IT TEMPORARILY. ALSO, THEY INDICATED THAT OIL OR GREASE WAS LEAKING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND COATING THE BRAKE PADS, RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE. THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICKING IN TOO OFTEN/ LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, AND JOLTING AT SLOW SPEEDS. LAST TIME IN THE REPAIR SHOP THEY GUARANTEED THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED, YET THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENT, AND THAT NEW MODELS WERE DESIGNED TO FIX THIS FLAW. WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THOSE DRIVING 1997 MODELS ? *AK

MY REAR AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE SHOES. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT TWICE. ONCE IN THE WINTER OF 2002 AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING OF 2003. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY BRAKES FAILED AND I REAR ENDED SOMEBODY. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE SATURATED WITH AXLE GREASE. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT A DEALER. THEY THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS REPLACING THE AXLE IN ORDER TO STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. *JB

WHEN THE CONSUMER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT, IT COLLAPSED FROM THE BOTTOM, AND THE MAIN BOLT SHEARED OFF. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK THE WELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE METAL WAS VERY THIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 02V021000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE CONSUMER THINKS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DUE TO THE FAILURE TO TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES. *TC

DRIVING IN #1 LANE OF FREEWAY WHEN A STOPPED VEHICLE PROTRUDING INTO THE LANE NECESSITATED ME TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND AVOIDED THE CAR AND THEN SWERVED BACK TO THE LEFT TO AVOID CAR IN LANE TO MY RIGHT. AT THIS POINT I FELT THE CAR GET BUMPY AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER FORWARD AND WAS PULLED TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD SNAPPED OFF THE AXLE AND THE CAR WAS DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS BROKEN.*AK

CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FLOOR MANAGER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING , SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA 13 TIMES BUT THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED EXCESS TIRE WEAR. *NM

WHILE DRIVING HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM , BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK

REAR SPRING COIL ON THE 4 RUNNER COLLAPSED.*AK

ON FEB 24 2004 I WAS ADVISED BY ANDREW TOYOTA (GLENDALE WI) THAT I AGAIN NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS AND REAR BRAKES (DUE TO LEAKAGE) ON MY 1997 4RUNNER. THREE PRIOR TIMES, I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR AXLE SEALS AND REAR BRAKES ON THIS 4RUNNER SINCE 2001: 1. MAR 7, 2001-MILEAGE 71,411. 2. DEC 18, 2001-MILEAGE 83,044. 3. NOV 14, 2002-MILEAGE 90303 I PROVIDED DEALER WITH COPIES OF NHTSA PRINTOUTS SHOWING OTHERS' IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL 4RUNNER, BUT , OF COURSE, SERVICE MAGAGER AT DEALER DUANE DOMAGALSKI SAID HE AND TOYOTA REP (BEAUMONT) DO NOT THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM. AND, SINCE IT'S OUT THE WARRANTY PERIOD THERE WASNT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THEY GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION, REPEATEDLY, THAT TOYOTA COULD NOT CARE LESS ABOUT THE NHTSA OR ABOUT PEOPLES' COMPLAINTS, AND THAT IF THE DOT THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM DOT WOULD ISSUE A RECALL! LEAKING AXLE SEALS MAKE MY REAR BRAKES LESS EFFICIENT AND THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. DEALER AND TOYOTA SEEMED ANNOYED THAT I WOULD DARE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE 4RUNNER REAR AXLE SEALS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE BRAKING TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THIS COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO OTHER DRIVERS. *AK

I HAVE MAINTAINED THE 4 RUNNER'S RECORDS SINCE MY PURCHASE NEW IN 12/96. THEY CLAIM I DID NOT CHANGE OIL FOR A LONG TIME AND CAUSED ENGINE SLUDGE. MECHANIC SAID IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO SETTLEMENT BELOW. TOYOTA OIL SLUDGE FACED WITH A CONSUMER REVOLT OVER LOW MILEAGE ENGINE FAILURES CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP, TOYOTA HAS BEGUN TO NOTIFY 3.3 MILLION OWNERS OF 1997-2002 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES WITH 3.0-LITER IMZ V-6 ENGINES AND ALL 1997-2001 TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH 5SFE 2.2-LITER 4-CYLINDER ENGINES THAT IT WILL COVER THE COST OF SLUDGE-RELATED REPAIRS FOR EIGHT YEARS FROM DATE OF INITIAL SALE. WHETHER THIS WILL SATISFY THE THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED ENGINE FAILURE REMAINS TO BE SEEN BECAUSE TOYOTA'S SPECIAL POLICY FALLS SHORT OF AN EXPRESS WARRANTY. TOYOTA MODIFIED V-6 ENGINES MADE AFTER JULY 2001 BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE EARLIER ENGINES. THE 2.2L 4-CYLINDER HAS BEEN DROPPED.

MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING REAR AXEL SEALS AND BENT REAR AXELS. THIS CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO BE SOAKED WITH LUBRICANT AND USELESS OR PULL TO ONE SIDE. MY DEALER HAS REPLACED 2 AXELS ON THE LEFT REAR AND 1 AXEL ON THE RIGHT REAR. NUMEROUS SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BESIDES AN ANNOYANCE, BESIDES A $1,000 REPAIR BILL, THIS PROBLEM IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

INTERIOR LIGHTING USED TO ILLUMINATE AIR CONTROL PANEL ONLY WORKS SOME OF THE TIME. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW OWNS A 1996 4-RUNNER AND HIS AIR CONTROL LIGHTING IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE.*AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN UNDER RAINY ROAD CONDITIONS REAR END BEGAN TO SLIDE OUT OF CONTROL. AS A RESULT, DRIVER DID A 180 DEGREE SPIN, AND STOPPED HEAD ON IN A DITCH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

THE FIRST TIRE THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF WAS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY - JULY, 2002. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR MYSELF. TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME OUT AND CHANGED THE TIRE. WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED, THEY REPLACED IT AT NO COST. WHEN I ASKED IF THE OTHERS WERE SAFE, THEY SAID YES, LEAVING THE OTHER DESERT DOG TIRES ON. AUGUST, 2003 - DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN WITH MY HUSBAND, WE FELT A VIBRATION, PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD HAD COME OFF ONCE AGAIN. HAD THAT REPLACED AT DISCOUNT TIRE, WHERE THEY DIDN'T MENTION AGAIN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REMAINING DESERT DOG TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. OCTOBER, 2003 - MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 75 MPH, FELT A TIRE GO DOWN, THIS TIME CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL RIGHT, THEN BACK TO THE LEFT. THEN THERE WAS TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL AS HE VEERED DOWN INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED 6 - 8 TIMES. ONCE AGAIN, THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED CAUSING WHAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN HIS DEATH. LUCKILY, HE DID NOT HAVE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE TIRES FROM PIRELLI ON JUNE 7, 2001. THE RECALL STATES THAT PIRELLI WOULD NOTIFY THEIR DISTRIBUTORS. DISCOUNT TIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE LET US DRIVE AWAY FROM THEIR LOCATION WITH THOSE TIRES!! *LA

ROLLOVER IN TOYOTA 4 RUNNER - 1997. *JB

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH A 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. SHE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE POLICE HAVE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA TWICE TO REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION FOR A TOYOTA RECALL. BOTH BEFORE THE RECALL AND AFTER THE RECALL THE REAR END WAS SAGGING AND WAS NOT STABLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE. BOTH CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEATH. *NLM IN SPEAKING WITH INVESTIGATIVE SHERIFF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 38-51 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED 2-3 TIMES DOWN A 50-70 FOOT DROP. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DAMAGED REARWARD AND THE DRIVER SLID OUT OF THE SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS DAMAGE. UPON INSPECTION THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL FASTENED. THE INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER STATED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE SEAT THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A VEHICLE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELT OR SEAT. CW

AIRBAGS FAILED TO INFLATE UPON HEAD ON IMPACT. FURTHER, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. *AK

ENGINE STOP RUNNING, BECAUSE OF SLUG BUILD UP IN 4 RUNNER ENGINE 1997. OTHER CARS IN THE TOYOTA LINE HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE FIXING THE ENGINE FOR FREE, BUT NOT THE 4 RUNNER. THEY HAVE 3 MODELS THAT ARE DOING THE SAME THING, THE ENGINE ARE SLUGGING UP AND CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. THEY SAID THIS MODEL DOES NOT FALL IN THAT LINE, AND WILL COST ME $9,000 TO FIX, BUT FIRST THEY QUOTE ME $5000. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES OR SO, NOT ALL BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO ME UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE AND NOT REVERSIBLE, TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE CONSUMER. I HAD 3 OTHER CARS WITH WHERE HONDA'S AND THEY NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND TWO OF THOSE HONDA'S HAD OVER 200,000 MILES AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT THE SAME INTERVALS AS THE 4 RUNNER. DO YOU THINK THE CONSUMERS HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIXED SOMETHING LIKE THIS. $9000 FOR A REBUILT ENGINE, YOU CAN BUY A USED VERY GOOD HONDA FOR THIS PRICE. THIS CAR STILL HAVE A LEAN ON IT. TOYOTA'S SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD CARS, WITH BAD ENGINES. ALL MY PROBLEMS START WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON SHOCKS AND AFTER THAT THE ENGINE START LEAKING OIL AND SMOKING WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DID SOMETHING TO MY CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT???????????? *NLM

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, THE DEALER STATED TOO MANY PEOPLE DROPPED THEIR VEHICLE'S OFF ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY, EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD A 9:30 AM APPOINTMENT. *TS *JB

NAR 3-11-03. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMERS 4RUNNER SLIPPED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGES COST APPROX $2000. SOON AFTER A RECALL WAS RELEASED BY TOYOTA ABOUT A FAULTY SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR MADE AFTER THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FAULTY SUSPENSION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. *CB *JB

BOTH OF THE SEALS ON THE REAR AXLE BLEW OUT, SATURATING THE REAR BRAKES WITH DIFFERENTIAL FLUID, RENDERING THEM USELESS. *JB

SAFETY ISSUE, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR 6 YEARS WITH DEFECTIVE REAR-END SUSPENSIONS PARTS. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS HAVE NOT EFFECTED THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSED EXTRA WEAR AND TEAR ON OTHER VEHICLE PARTS. ON TOP OF IT ALL I AM GETTING NO COOPERATION FROM MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OR TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE REQUESTED A FULL DIAGNOSTIC TEST BE PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT ANY AND ALL PROBLEMS BE FIXED, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FUTURE PROBLEMS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCOMPETENCE OF A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION SUCH AS TOYOTA.*JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE SUSPENSION, HOWEVER WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*JB

NAR 02/13/2003. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO A TURN, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWINGING IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION PUTTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER NOW OWNS ANOTHER TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND HAS SINCE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CURRENT VEHICLE. THE COSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRST TOYOTA 4RUNNER WHICH HAD DAMAGED POSSIBLY DUE TO THE SUSPENSION WHICH IS NOW ON RECALL. RECALL# 02V021000 *JB

THE GAS PEDAL ON MY WIFE'S 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD STUCK, AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO CRASH. SHE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 40MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL, INSTEAD IT SPED UP AFTER LETTING OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. SHE TRIED THE BRAKES, THEY GRABBED, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL CONTINUED TO SPEED UP. SHE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AGAIN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. FINALLY SHE PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE UNTIL SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO SOMEONE, TO MAKE MY WIFE AND MYSELF FEEL THAT WE DID OUR PART BY REPORTING SUCH AN UNACCEPTABLE OCCURANCE.

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE DISC BRAKES HAND LOCKED UP ON THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE AXLE BROKE.DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB

REAR SUSPENSION WAS RETROFITTED PER RECALL NOTICE WITH A NEW REAR SUSPENSION PARTS, THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS AND BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS SWAYING AND BOTTOMS OUT WHEN IT HAD NOT DONE SO BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING TO HAVE THE PARTS REMOVED AND THE ORIGINAL PARTS RE-INSTALLED, DEALER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO UNDERINFLATED TIRES AND WORN SHOCK ABSORBERS. NLM

WE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR OUR 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT A WEEK BEFORE 11/25/02 AS THE NOTICE REQUESTED. WE WERE INFORMED THAT GIVING PROPER NOTICE WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PROPER PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF SERVICE. WE WORKED OUR WHOLE DAY AROUND THIS APPOINTMENT AND BROUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE SO THAT WE COULD DROP THE 4RUNNER OFF. WE LIVE 30 MINUTES FROM THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ESCONDIDO. WHEN WE ARRIVED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO RESCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER DAY. WE WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY UPSET AND LEFT WITHOUT GETTING THE SAFETY WORK DONE.THIS IS AN INEXCUSABLE SITUATION. WE SPECIFICALLY FOLLOWED ALL INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOTICE AND MADE THE APPOINTMENT A WEEK BEFORE ACTUALLY BRINGING IN THE 4RUNNER. THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE AVAILABLE, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR THAT DAY. AND, AT LEAST, SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE CALLED US BEFORE WE CAME IN TO TELL US THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.THIS WOULD BE INEXCUSABLE IF THIS WAS A ROUTINE TUNE-UP. WE WOULD SIMPLY GO ELSEWHERE. BUT, THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL, AND THIS IS CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. THE PERSON WE SPOKE TO AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS FRIENDLY, BUT HE TRIED TO JUSTIFY AND RATIONALIZE THE SITUATION, STATING THAT THEY CAN NEVER BE SURE OF EVERYTHING THEY NEED UNTIL WE ACTUALLY BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS MADE NO SENSE. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN ASKED OVER THE PHONE WHEN THE APPT. WAS MADE. THERE WAS AN IMPLICATION THAT OUR PARTS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO A WALK-IN CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME SAFETY RECALL NEEDS.WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR 4RUNNER FIXED, SINCE OUR SCHEDULES ARE VERY DIFFICULT, AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A DAY WHERE WE CAN MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.THE RECALL NUMBER IS SSC 20A - 1996-1998 REAR SUSPENSION SAFETY RECALL.MY WIFE HAS BEEN CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS 4RUNNER TO GET TO WORK, AND THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPERATED (NOT ORIGINAL TIRES ON A 97 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 225/75R15 AWHHJH410600). TS *YH

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WANDERING ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

INTERMITTENT BRAKEFAILURES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR POTENTIAL ROLLOVER PROBLEM CORRECTION. FACTORY RECOMMENDED SPRINGS AND STOPS INSTALLED. CAR NOW RIDES LESS STABLY THAN IT DID. TOP TIPS MORE AND WHEN GOING OVER BUMP SPRINGS AND SHOCKS BOTTOM OUT. FACTORY REP RECOMMENDED TIRE AND SHOCK REPLACEMENT TO CORRECT PROBLEM AFTER $850 IN REPAIRS VEHICLE RIDES THE SAME. TOYOTA AND DEALER SAY THIS IS A NHTSB DESIGNED MODIFICATION WHICH THEY CAN'T REVERSE. THEY HAVE REVIEWED INTERNALLY WITH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. I CONTEND THEIR DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE (DIMINSHED RIDE QUALITY AND LESS TOP STABILITY). CAN YOU HELP?*AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOWOUT, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC ONE MONTH AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE, A TIRE BLEW, WITH HOLES THROUGHOUT IT, AS IF SOMEONE HAD SHOT IT, CLEARLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE TO BEGIN WITH. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRES . THE CONSUMER WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THOMPSON DEALERSHIP IN HOW THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO HANDLE MATTERS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION CONCERNING MATTER. BRIEFLY READ OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH IN THE PURCHASING OF THE VEHICLE. *CB THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE SUN VISOR FELL OFF. *JB

THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE THE SUN VISORS WERE FALLING OFF. *SLC

THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 35000 MILES. *SLC

THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

PARTS FOR RECALL 02V021000 CONCERNING REAR SUSPENSION HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR OVER 2 MONTHS, AND DEALERSHIP DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK

RECALL 02V021000/ REAR SUSPENSION. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK HAS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB THE RIGHT REAR SEAT WILL NOT FOLD. THE BRACKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE SEAT IS STILL HALF WAY FOLDED. ALSO THE DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND DOES NOT GO OFF AND THE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK. THEY WERE INSPECTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS FALLING. THE BRAKES NEEDED REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD EXCESSIVE ROUT OUT. *JG

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A SMALL OBJECT ON ROAD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

MFR'S# SSC & NHTSA# 02 V 021 000/REAR SUSPENSION: CONSUMER STATES DEALER (ANDY DODGE TOYOTA; SAINT ALBANS, VT; PHONE# 802/527-7512) WANTS TO CHARGE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL WITHOUT CHARGE. NLM IN ORDER FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE, THE DEALER HAS TO TAKE APART THE SWAY BARS. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLES SWAY BARS ARE RUSTED AND FROZEN AND THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO CUT THEM OFF. SINCE THE SWAY BARS AREN'T A PART OF THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *JG

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE SNOW, VEHICLE LOST DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING A ROLL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. CONSUMER HAS JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REAR SUSPENSION.*AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*JB

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THICK SMOKE COMING FROM STEREO. CAUSE OF PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY DEALER AT THIS TIME.*AK *YD

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GREASE LEAKS ON TO THE BRAKE PAD CAUSING BRAKE TO MALFUNCTION. NLM

WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE SLIDES ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER HAS HAD FIVE ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

METAL WHERE BOLTS CONNECT TO THE SEATS HAVE COME THROUGH, CAUSING SEAT TO WOBBLE WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMERS CHILD WAS PLAYING IN VEHICLE WHEN THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK, WHEN HE TRIED TO REMOVE IT, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND JUST KEPT RETRACTING, CONSUMER STATES THAT HER SON TURNED PURPLE AND COULD NOT CATCH HIS BREATH BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *SLC

RIGHT REAR (PASSENGER SIDE) TIRE "LET GO" WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE SOUTH OF PUEBLO, CO. THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT. TREAD SEPARATION WAS THE OUTER SIDE OF THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY LOW AIR PRESSURE AS ALL HAD BEEN CHECKED THAT MORNING (34LBS). NO NAILS OR OTHER PUNCTURES WERE OBSERVED BY ME OR THE DEALER. THIS TIRE FAILED BECAUSE IT WAS FAULTY. THE LOCAL FIRESTONE REP ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCT FAILURE. ALL 4 TIRES WERE NEW AND HAD ABOUT 30,000MI ON THEM.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W272WL1499 TIRESIZE: P265/70R18)

INITIALLY, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED. AXLE FLUID SOAKED REAR BRAKES, CAUSING DANGEROUS BRAKING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE FRONT BRAKES. AFTER 11 REPAIR VISITS, INCLUDING NUMEROUS AXLE SEAL REPLACEMENTS, BRAKE REPLACEMENTS, AND AXLE REPLACEMENT, THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT PERSISTS. I.E. FLUID STILL VISIBLY LEAKING ONTO REAR BRAKE (PASSENGER SIDE), CAUSING CAR TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEATING OF FRONT BRAKES, AND CAUSING VIBRATION.

WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO SEE ANY OF THESE THINGS AS SAFETY HAZARDS. ESPECIALLY DOOR LOCKS, TIRES, SEATBELTS. AND WE WERE NEVER TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT "BRAND NEW" IN 1997. WE FOUND THAT OUT IN ERROR AT THE DEALERSHIP (AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA) WHEN THEY ACCUSED US OF NOT SERVICING OUR VEHICLE. THE SUV WAS CLEARLY A LEMON ALL ALONG. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED BUT THE DEALERSHIP CONVENIENTLY HAS NO RECORDS OF US, EVEN WHEN PROVIDED WITH DOCUMENTED PROOF (RECEIPTS). THERE COMPUTER SAYS "WE DID NOT COME INTO SERVICE OUR VEHICLE." THE 1997 4-RUNNER IS A SAFETY HAZARD. (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: P265/70R16)

PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS, TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENT. *AK

CONSUMER STATED ECM/STARTER FAILED. *JB

TIRES HAVE BLOWN OUT 3 TIMES WITH PEELING TIRES, 7-5-00, 7-28-00, 7-29-00, BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T. (P265/70R16) TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAS SPUN OUT ON THREE OCCASIONS. NLM

VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. IT HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. ALSO, REAR AXLE SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. BRAKE PADS WERE CLEANED. IF PROBLEM REOCCURRED DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE PADS. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY WERE JUST CLEANED. CONSUMER WAS VERY FUSTRATED AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE NO REMEDY. *AK

REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF SEALS & REAR BRAKE PADS. DEFOGGER IS INOPERABLE DUE TO LINKAGE DISENGAGED. *AK

DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND HOOD ON VEHICLE FLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING DAMAGE. CONTACTED MINOT CHRYSLER & TOYOTA CENTER, MINOT, ND PHONE 1-800-735-4483 WHARE THE VEHICLE IS AT RIGHT NOW. A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE WAS THERE AT TIME. DEALER AND TOYOTA REP STATED THAT THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY ETC. AND A HIGHER SPEED SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED. *AK

NO SUMMARY

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P225 75 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

WHENEVER VEHICLE HAS SAT A LONG TIME WOULD FAIL TO START UP. IGNITION WOULD LOCK UP. THE BATTERY IS FINE. BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALER AT LEAST 20 TIMES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER NO PROBLEM WITH IGNITION OR STARTER. WAS INFORMED WHAT TO DO BUT SOLUTION DO NOT WORK . *AK THE CAUSE FOR THE VEHICLE FAILING TO START UP IS INDICATED TO BE DUE TO THE BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM. *YH

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P225 75 R15 EXPERIENCED CUPPING AND VIBRATION, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P225 75 R15 EXPERIENCED CUPPING AND VIBRATION, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AT SPEEDS OVER 65. AT 80 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO BEING UNCONTROLLABLE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. REPORTED TO DEALER DURING FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP (PENSKE TOYOTA, DOWNEY). DEALER TESTED VEHICLE AND STATED THAT ALL HIGH VEHICLES SHAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS. VEHICLE STILL SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO LONGO TOYOTA FOR 15,000 MILE CHECKUP. NEEDED TWO NEW FRONT TIRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LONGO REPLACED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE I HAD PROOF OF MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AND PROOF THAT PENSKE DID NOTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PROBLEM CORRECTED FOR A FEW MILES THEN STARTED AGAIN. RETURNED TO LONGO TOYOTA IN EL MONTE AND REPORTED PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD TIRES NEEDED AIR PRESSURE CHANGED. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND ON NEXT VISIT WAS TOLD TIRES NEEDED ROTATING THAT THEY ARE WEARING UNEVENLY. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND REPORTED AGAIN TO LONGO TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE ALIGNMENT CHECKED EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THIS ANSWER ANGERED ME AND I GAVE UP ON TRYING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. AT PRESENT, THE TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON ONE SIDE AND DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED NEW TIRES. I KNOW I NEED NEW TIRES BUT WHAT I NEED FIRST IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT CORRECTED TO PREVENT THE SHAKING AND UNEVEN WEAR.

2/4 ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES TO MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. OF THOSE TWO TIRES, 1 HAS BEEN REPLACED AFTER SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPERATION, AND THE OTHER IS NEEDING MORE AIR 2-3X/WK, AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPERATION( DOT NUMBER: W2HH TIRE SIZE: P225/75R15 )

FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AT SPEEDS OVER 65. AT 80 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO BEING UNCONTROLLABLE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. REPORTED TO DEALER DURING FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP (PENSKE TOYOTA, DOWNEY). DEALER TESTED VEHICLE AND STATED THAT ALL HIGH VEHICLES SHAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS. VEHICLE STILL SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO LONGO TOYOTA FOR 15,000 MILE CHECKUP. NEEDED TWO NEW FRONT TIRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LONGO REPLACED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE I HAD PROOF OF MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AND PROOF THAT PENSKE DID NOTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PROBLEM CORRECTED FOR A FEW MILES THEN STARTED AGAIN. RETURNED TO LONGO TOYOTA IN EL MONTE AND REPORTED PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD TIRES NEEDED AIR PRESSURE CHANGED. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND ON NEXT VISIT WAS TOLD TIRES NEEDED ROTATING THAT THEY ARE WEARING UNEVENLY. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND REPORTED AGAIN TO LONGO TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE ALIGNMENT CHECKED EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THIS ANSWER ANGERED ME AND I GAVE UP ON TRYING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. AT PRESENT, THE TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON ONE SIDE AND DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED NEW TIRES. I KNOW I NEED NEW TIRES BUT WHAT I NEED FIRST IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT CORRECTED TO PREVENT THE SHAKING AND UNEVEN WEAR.

2/4 ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES TO MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. OF THOSE TWO TIRES, 1 HAS BEEN REPLACED AFTER SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPERATION, AND THE OTHER IS NEEDING MORE AIR 2-3X/WK, AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPERATION( DOT NUMBER: W2HH TIRE SIZE: P225/75R15 )

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: EX BM06247 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TOYOTA, 4 RUNNER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS/AT TIRES, SIZE P225R7515. HAS EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

THE SIDEWALLS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES PRIOR TO THE EVENT. NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THE TIRE CAME APART INSTANTLY.( DOT NUMBER: W2HH TIRE SIZE: P225 75R15 )

SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER. AIRBAG DEPLOYED TO SOON. SHE WENT FACE FIRST INTO THE DASH & WINDSHIELD WAS KNOCKED UNCONSIOUS. SHE HAS NECK & BACK INJURIES STILL TODAY. THE SEATBELT IS STILL LAYING ON THE SEAT. LAP PART HELD HER NOT THE SHOULDER STRAPE HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD & BROKE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFOMATION. *AK

TRIED TO MAKE A U TURN FROM A PAVED ROADWAY INTO SOMEONE'S PACKED GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. SLOWED TO 25 MPH AND STARTED THE TURN AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. APPLIED BRAKES LIGHTLY TO CONTINUE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO LESS THAN 12MPH. SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO NO FURTHER (FELT A HARD STOP), BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING. COULDN'T TURN PROPERLY ANYMORE AND VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING. THERE NO SKIDDING SOUNDS OR SLIDING SOUNDS. VEHICLE MOVED AS IF BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGED. FINALLY AT ABOUT 10MPH HIT A POST THAT ULTIMATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. FELT A HARD BANG ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SOME VIBRATING JUST AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND ALSO AFTER IT STOPPED. ONCE IT STOPPED THERE WAS A LOUD KLANG AND A SPRING RECOIL NOISE (VERY LOUD). FRONT PLASTIC SKIRT BROKEN, BUMPER CRUSHED AND BUMPER RE-INFORCEMENT BAR BENT. DEALER CONTACTED. NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH ABS AND THEY CLAIM THAT IS HOW IT SHOULD FUNCTION (ALL THE NOISE). HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH PRIOR VEHICLES (WITHOUT ABS) IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS OFF AND ON DISPLAYED SOME PECULIAR ABS BEHAVIOUR. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE AND WAS TOLD THE KLANGING CAME FROM THE SKID PLATES RATTLING. THIS TIME THE NOISE WAS THE ABS ITSELF ... WHAT NEXT? *AK

THE AIR FUEL SENSOR HAS POSSIBLY FAILED. *SLC

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING GEAR INTO PARK, VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. RAN INTO NEXT PARKED VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

CAR ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, POWER STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND SLOW, AND POWER BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED. *AK

THE SEALS ON THE REAR AXLE BLEW OUT, SATURATING THE REAR BRAKES WITH DIFFERENTIAL, RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD EITHER. *AK

UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES ARE NOT EFFECTIVE, AND CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, REAR AXLE SEALS LEAK FLUID. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS MADE FOUR DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

LOSS OF AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF CARE IN VERIFYING SUFFICIENT FLUID SUPPLIED AT POINT OF SALE. OWNER POINTS OUT THAT FILLER NECK VERY SMALL AND NEXT TO IMPOSIBLE TO RE-INSERT DIPSTICK, MAKING RE-FILLING A SEVERE CHORE AND ENCOURAGING WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID CHECKING THAT SUFFICIENT FLUID HAS NBEEN PROVIDED.

VEHICLE DISPLAYS CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE DELIVERY DATE. TAKEN BACK TO SELLING DEALER IN MIAMI AND HENDRICKSON TOYOTA IN POMPANO, FLORIDA, NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO REPAIRS MADE. FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE HARD BRAKE PEDAL, THEN SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON SUBSE

AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS SHUT AND AFTER LOCKING THE POWER LOCKS, THEY WILL BECOME UNLOCKED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

DRIVER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE WITH FACTORY JACK WHICH DID NOT GO HIGH ENOUGH. ALSO, IT BENT AND BROKE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ,LANDING AND DAMAGING ROTOR AND AXLE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

MY TOYOTA VIBRATES AS THOUGH IT HAS A WHEEL BALANCE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S DRIVEN BETWEEN 58 AND 65 MPH. MULTIPLE "REBALANCES" AND 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES HAVE NOT FIXED IT. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS OF "DRIVELINE RUNOUT" CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND I'VE HAD TIRES BALANCED MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW.

SKID PLATE--BOLT.

BRAKES.

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKED OIL, CONTAMINATING REAR BRAKES, AND CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ALSO AND PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-395, EXITING OFF AT D STREET WHEN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE 4-RUNNER BOUNCED OFF THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL, FLIPPED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE THEN RIGHTED ITSELF THEN CAME TO A STOP. MY WIFE SUSTAINED TISSUE DAMAGE, BUT NO BROKEN BONES. THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD IN ANY CAPACITY. *AK

THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IS INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT PLUS THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM DOESNT HELP EITHER IT ONLY CAUSES MORE LOST OF BRAKING POWER ESPECIALLY ON DOWN HILL STOPS.TOYOTA MADE THESE VEHICLES WITH TWO DIFFERENT SIZE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.UNFORTUNATLY I HAVE THE SMALLEST ONE WHICH JUST DOES DO A GOOD JOB STOPPING SUCH A LOAD.( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50-55 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE RIM ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPLIT IN HALF. THE TIRE REMAINED INTACT. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A NOISE WAS HEARD WHENEVER MAKING RIGHT TURNS ABOUT 3 MONTHS OR MORE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THE TRUCK IS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ( GOODYEAR WRANGLER P265/70R16 ) *YC

FRONT STRUTS FAILED.

TIRE BLEW OUT (BRIGGSTONE P205-65-R15). MJS

RADIO FAILED CAUSING NOISE. MJS

RADIO IS NOT WORKING. YH

TAILGATE LIGHT BULB FAILED. YH

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN RED LIGHT & WAS HIT BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. *AK *SLC

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTS, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE . ALSO WHEN TRAVELING DOWN AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE 1997 4RUNNER ARE TOO SHORT. THE ALR ENGAGES ONCE THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED. ONCE THE ALR IS ENGAGED THE SEAT BELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND NO LONGER PERMIT FORWARD TRAVEL. THE BELT MUST BE REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED BEFORE THE ALR DISENGAGED. REAR OCCUPANTS MUST NOW BELT AND UNBELT SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP. I FEEL THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANAGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HE DISPLAYED THAT THE 1998 MODELS ALSO HAVE VERY SHORT REAR BELTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT ALSO HAS ALR, BUT IT HAS TWICE AS MUCH SEATBELT LENGTH BEFORE THE ALR ENGAGES.

THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE 1997 4RUNNER ARE TOO SHORT. THE ALR ENGAGES ONCE THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED. ONCE THE ALR IS ENGAGED THE SEAT BELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND NO LONGER PERMIT FORWARD TRAVEL. THE BELT MUST BE REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED BEFORE THE ALR DISENGAGED. REAR OCCUPANTS MUST NOW BELT AND UNBELT SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP. I FEEL THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANAGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HE DISPLAYED THAT THE 1998 MODELS ALSO HAVE VERY SHORT REAR BELTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT ALSO HAS ALR, BUT IT HAS TWICE AS MUCH SEATBELT LENGTH BEFORE THE ALR ENGAGES.

WHILE DRIVING AT 60-65 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, WHEN TAKING CRUISE CONTROL OFF, IT WOULDN'T GO OFF. USED BRAKES, BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, VEHICLE WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY VIBRATED AND ROLLED OVER DOWN A 25 FOOT EMBANKMENT. DEALER NOT AWARE. *AK

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

JACK THAT IS SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE SIZE OF TIRES.

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 45 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THIS IS THE SECOND OCCASION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *SLC

SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND VEHICLE STALLED.

VEHICLE WAS IN AN INSIDE PARKING LOT. OWNER WAS PARKING AND HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE TRUCK JUMPED BACK AND ACCELERATED FORWARD, THEN HIT A CONCRETE WALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLED AFTER OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

WHILE SLOWING DOWN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. OWNER STATES THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON PRIOR TO STALLING. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURERWERE NOTIFIED. OWNER HAS FILED A CLAIM WITH THE BBB (BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU). *AK

BLOWN ENGINE GASKET CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.

WIRING WITHIN THE VEHICLE ATTRACKS MICE, WHICH HAVE BEEN CREATING PROBLEMS WITH COMPONENTS.

OWNER NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES FROM DELIVERY. BRAKE PEDAL IS SOMETIMES HIGH AND STIFF WHILE OTHER TIMES IT FEELS SOFT AND MUSHY AND GOES FARTHER DOWN BEFORE IT SEEMS TO BE EFFECTIVE. FINALLY BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS ACTIVATED.

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES. WHILE APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. OWNER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERS FOR PROBLEM . DEALERS CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET.

ANTI RATTLE SPRING BROKE, CAUSING NOISE.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH , WENT TO SLOW DOWN, APPLIED BRAKES ,VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING. HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FRONT END, PUSH PEDAL TO FLOOR. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 60 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION DIRECTLY HITTING A TREE IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO VIBRATES AFTER MULTIPLE TIRE AND WHEEL REPLACEMENTS.

REAR SUSPENSION DROPS WHEN REAR OF VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED..

WHILE DRIVING IN EMERGENCY STOPPING THE ABS SYSTEM FIRST DID NOT ENGAGE THEN FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION, RESULTING IN 1 FATALITY, 3 OCCUPANTS INJURIED BECAUSE BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER' SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

THE SECTOR SHAFT BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT