83 of the
149 complaints about the 1995 Toyota 4 Runner are about the
engine — 56% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
104,470 miles.
F
83
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine
5262.7%
Gasoline
1214.5%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
1012.0%
Radiator Assembly
56.0%
Cooling System
22.4%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
11.2%
Emission Control
11.2%
Engine & Cooling across every Toyota 4 Runner year
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, A LACK OF COMPRESSION WAS NOTICED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TESTED THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE WAITING FOR A SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10166799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,441 milesBellingham, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED WHILE THE THERMOSTAT GAUGE ELEVATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10166344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poway, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10151471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesBellevue, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, DUE TO INFERIOR OR SUBSTANDARD HEAD GASKETS AT TIME OF MANUFACTURER AND ALSO AT TIME OF FACTORY RECALL (SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN). SHOULD BE USING THE BEST AVAILABLE, WHICH IS MLS (MULTI-LAYER-STEEL), NOT PLAYING SEMANTIC GAMES OVER "RACING" EQUIPMENT, OR "HIGH PERFORMANCE", WHICH ARE JUST TERMS WHICH TRANSLATE INTO "GREATER DURABILITY" FOR THE CONSUMER. WEBSITE: SEE HTTP://WWW.AA1CAR.COM/LIBRARY/2005/IC010532.HTM CONSIDER CLASSIC SITUATION OF SINGLE MOM WITH CHILD EN ROUTE FROM SKI TRIP THROUGH WILDERNESS HIGHWAY, OR DRIVING IN CRIME-RIDDEN AREAS WHICH IMPAIR DRIVER SAFETY. HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS NOT A ROADSIDE FIX AND STRANDED MOTORIST IS ALSO A SAFETY VIOLATION. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT MAJOR LINES OF VEHICLES EVERYWHERE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
NHTSA complaint #10149311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesGlendale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN NOVEMBER, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS IN RUNNING CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND DROVE IT ABOUT 1,500 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER ALLOWING IT TO COOL DOWN AND PUTTING IN COOLANT IT DID START AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. RESEARCHING THE MATTER I CAME TO FIND THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE 4 RUNNER DUE TO A FAULTY COOLING SYSTEM LEADING TO A FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. TOYOTA WAS DOING THE FIRST ROUND OF GASKET REPAIR FOR THE OWNERS. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR THE MATTER THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR THE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL SAYING THAT MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AFTER 60 MONTHS AND/OR 60,000 MILES. NOW THEY WILL CHARGE UP TO $2,500 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IT IS WRONG OF TOYOTA TO INCLUDE SOME AND EXCLUDE SOME OF THE 4 RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINES AND FAULTS. AS A RESULT I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2,000 AND I HAVE THE OLD PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10147868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,050 milesFairview, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. WATER ENTERED ENGINE AND ENGINE STOPPED CAUSING OWNER TO HAVE TO HAVE HEAD REBUILT AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. COST TO OWNER TO REPAIR ENGINE WAS $1,071.
NHTSA complaint #10146389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesEdmond, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A USED 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT I JUST EXPERIENCED. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES FROM HOME WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND MAY HAVE CAUSED OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS NOT YET DETERMINED. FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY MUCH MORE THAN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HEAD GASKETS. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN ADMITTING THE PROBLEM, BUT IT LIMITED THE NUMBER YEARS. THE PROBLEM HAS OBVIOUSLY CONTINUED IN THE SAME MANNER SINCE THE CAMPAIGN BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT FACT. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE, AND PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM THE DANGER OF ENGINE FAILURE ON THE ROADWAY, AS WELL AS EXTREME REPAIR COST BY FORCING TOYOTA TO EXTEND THEIR CAMPAIGN OR ANNOUNCE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10138893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPittsburgh, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY 1995 4WD 3.0 V6 WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES. TAKEN TO SPITZER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. TOYOTA CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE CITING, "INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE" DESPITE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MODEL YEAR OWNERS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND RECALLS AFFECTING MODELS YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER 1995.
NHTSA complaint #10136916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSalisbury, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE OVERHEATS, ANTIFREEZE DISAPPEARING APPARENTLY INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE DEFECTIVE FAILED HEAD GASKET, ENGINE SKIPPING, HUGE WHITE SMOKE CLOUD EXITS THE TAILPIPE. ANTIFREEZE ENTERS THE ENGINE BLOCK THROUGH THE FAILED HEAD GASKET. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $2500 , REBUILT OR BEST CASE A NEW HEAD GASKET INSTALLED FOR $1000
NHTSA complaint #10127707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,140 milesManvel, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE ON 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER OVERHEATED. DISCOVERED WATER IN OIL, MECHANIC ADVISED POSSIBLE FAILED HEAD GASKET "IT'S COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE" BUT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE HEADS TO CONFIRM. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN # IS NOT COVERED AS I SEE MANY MANY OTHERS ARE NOT AS WELL. DEALER ESTIMATED $2,300 TO FIX, IF THERE WAS NOT HEAD DAMAGE. MANUFACTURE DATA IS MARCH 1995 WHY ARE SO MANY 4RUNNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS NOT COVERED?
NHTSA complaint #10118575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,775 milesSAN Jose, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT 108775 MILES THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. 1990 THRUOUGH EARLY PRODUCTION '1995 VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. LATE PRODUCTION 1995 WERE SUPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A DIFFERENT GASKET AND WERE NOT COVERED. MY VEHICLE WAS A LATE 1995 PRODUCTION, BUT IT STILL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE GASKET HAD A SLOW LEAK AND CAUSED RUST IN ALL 6 CYLINDERS AND COOLANT PASSAGEWAYS. DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10117951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH HEAD GASKET BLOW OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FRO SERVICE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ENGINE OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #10117061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesCanton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET LEAKING AT 93000 EMAILED TOYOTA WITH VIN # THEY STATE MY VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL EVEN THOUGH RECALL WAS FOR SAME YEAR,SAME ENGINE AND SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10113972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLOWN HEAD GASKET IN 3.0L V6 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. A "KNOWN PROBLEM" CORPORATE REP AT TOY SAYS THE VIN # DOES NOT FALL IN THEIR 'IDENTIFIED POPULATION.' THE REP TOLD ME IT COVERED FROM LATE 1990 TO EARLY 1995 (MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN APRIL 1995. MY QUESTION IS IF IT TOOK TOYOTA YEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND ISSUE A SERVICE RECALL, HOW IS IT THEY FEEL THIS VEHICLE , MANUFACTURED IN EARLY 1995, WITH THE SAME, KNOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.....SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THEIR 'POPULATION'???
NHTSA complaint #10110716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesYreka, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH A V6 IN JULY OF 2003 DURING SUMMERTIME. WHEN WINTER APPROACHED, IT APPEARED THE THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN STUCK OPEN (HEATER WAS NOT WORKING). LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE (DEALER APPARENTLY DIDN'T KNOW) BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS AT $2500 AND NOW THE ENGINE BURNS OIL CONSISTENTLY AND THE POWER OF THE V6 IS JUST NOT THERE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA BY NOT REPAIRING OR TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF THEIR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10104053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pekin, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS OVER 1000.00. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10083513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesWest Sacramento, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET BLEW WHILE DRIVING UP A LONG GRADE ON THE HIGHWAY. TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ NORMAL. I REALIZED IT WAS OVERHEATING WHEN ANTI-FREEZE STARTED SPRAYING ON MY WINDSHIELD. BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND CRACK BLOCK. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AT $8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10073068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesSAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN SEPT 2003, 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (3V2-E -V6) EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE. SAN FRANSICSO TOYOTA INVESTIGATED AND RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT $10,000. (PAPERWORK AVAILABLE.) TOOK TO INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REBUILT FOR $3000. IN DECEMBER 2003, 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER CONTINUES LOSS OF POWER. PALO ALTO TOYOTA INVESTIGATES AND DISCOVERS HEAD GASKET LEAK FOR VALVE #6. I INQUIRED ABOUT 4RUNNER HEAD GASKET RECALL. INFORMED THAT SERVICE NOTICE DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE VIN, EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA CAMPAIGN NOTICE IS CONSISTENT WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURE. DEALER DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVICE BREAKS FROM MFG. TOTAL PRICE PAID WAS $3800, AND DEALER PROVIDED NO CAR RENTAL. I BELIEVE FIRST TOYOTA DEALER INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ALL CAR FAILURE ARE CONSISTENT WITH TOYOTA SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTICES FOR HEAD GASKETS FOR VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD COVER COST OF HEAD GASKET PARTS AND LABOR AND INITIAL INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS BY SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA.
NHTSA complaint #10067791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Opelika, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10058413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,500 milesSunnyvale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, V6 3.0 LITER: ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY IDENTIFIED POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET LEAK. BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED LEAKS AT VALVES 1 AND 6, AND FOUND EROSION ON BOTH CYLINDER HEADS. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE DATE RANGE FOR THE "HEAD GASKET SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN", SO I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP MANAGED TO GET TOYOTA TO COVER ENGINE PARTS (HEAD GASKET, CYLINDER HEADS, AND VALVES). I PAID FOR LABOR, APPROXIMATELY $2,200. (THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PARTS WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $1,800.00).
NHTSA complaint #10047568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,200 milesCaspar, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAD ITS HEAD GASKET CHANGED 5 MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS TO BE DONE AGAIN. I WAS TOLD WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT GOING BY MY VIN NUMBER, TOYOTA HAD RESOLVED THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS THEY HAD BEEN PLAGUED WITH. NOW, NOT ONLY HAVE I HAD THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED ONCE BUT TWICE IN 5 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10038844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesNewburgh, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE HEADGASKET BLEW. RECALLS ISSUED ON HEAD GASKETS FOR THIS YEAR, BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10030254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,888 milesOrange, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE MANUFACTURER OF TOYOTA'S HAS A MANUFACTURE INITIATED RECALL COVERING BLOWN HEAD GASKETS FOR VEHICLES (TRUCKS WITH V6 ENGINES) MANUFACTURED JANUARY 1990 TO OCTOBER 1994 (5 YEARS). I HAVE A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MANUFACTURED IN JUNE 1995 THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL IN THE COVERAGE PERIOD OF DATES, IT IS ONLY OUT BY 6 MONTHS FROM THE RANGE. I FEEL THE COVERAGE PERIOD WERE /ARE NOT WIDE ENOUGH TO RESOLVE AN EXISTING PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesCaspar, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICE A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND AFTER AWHILE IT DISAPATED. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND I NOTICED THE VEHICLE RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING NEAR THE #6 CYLINDER. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET "RECALL" DIDN'T APPLY TO ME BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE TOYOTA HAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT THEY ARE NOT BACKING UP.
NHTSA complaint #10013586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPlainwell, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET BLOWN, WHITE SMOKE, LOSS OF COOLANT, VERY COSTLY REPAIR. AS REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OTHERS ON THIS WEB SITE, TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ON LATER MODEL 1995 3.0L V6. BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1995 IT IS NOT COVERED. THE DEFECT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER, AND THOSE ARE COVERED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE LATER MODEL 1995 4 RUNNERS INDICATE THE DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10010341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,129 milesTimberlake, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR. AT THE TIME I WAS IN A REMOTE LOCATION IN MONTANA. BOTH MECHANIC AND MYSELF CALLED TOYOTA AND BOTH WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON '95 4-RUNNER, BUT I WAS OFF BY 1 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH EXCLUDED ME FROM THE RECALL. GASKET REPLACED, THEN AT 89,129 MILES. ENGINE ROD BLEW. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME I WAS 30 MILES OUTSIDE MISSOULA, MONTANA, SO VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER IN MISSOULA. (PURCHASE WAS FROM CLASSIC TOYOTA IN MENTOR, OH.) I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT ONCE AGAIN, MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FIT RECALL. TOYOTA SERVICE MECHANIC OFFERED TO BUY VEHICLE FROM ME FOR $5000, TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 4,500-4,900 TO FIX. ONCE AGAIN TOOK BACK TO SAME INDIANA MECHANIC, CALLS WERE AGAIN MADE TO TOYOTA BY HIM AGAIN (ALSO BY MYSELF), TOLD SORRY WRONG VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OFF BY A DIGIT. ENGINE WAS REPLACED THEN AT 124,096 MILES ENGINE BLEW AGAIN. NO OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS CAR-JUST THE SAME ENGINE/GASKET COMPONENT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT OIL CHANGES AND DEALER RECOMMENDED ROUTINE CARE WAS TAKEN. I CAN NOT EVEN GIVE THE CAR AWAY, IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE SEPTEMBER 2002. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVEN TO BE HELPFUL OR COURTEOUS IN THIS ISSUE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA PRODUCT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10010250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesOakland, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIVATELY OWNED SERVICE AND OWNER WAS TOLD THAT A CYLINDER IS BLOWN AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, THIS WAS DUE TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED DURING THE LIMITED RECALL, BUT HAS SINCE HAD OIL LEAKAGE, ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY, WHITE/TOXIC BILLOWING SMOKE FROM EXHAUST AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS MY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER COMPONENTS INVOLVED DUE TO TOYOTA'S HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF ON THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT. OTHERWISE, VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. ALSO, NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, HAPPENED TO RUN INTO ANOTHER RECALL VICTIM AT ENTERPRISE RENTALS AND LOOKED INTO THE MATTER AS A RESULT OF THE CONVERSATION. I AM DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDING TOYOTA AS A RELIABLE/CONSUMER SENSITIVE COMPANY ANYMORE. A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD CHANGE MY MIND. AS OF NOW, MY VEHICLE IS FAILING AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10008337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesPortsmouth, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILIURE - TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR ALL SERVICE BULITINS AND RECALLS ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. ENGINE AND COMPONENTS ARE THE SAME AS OTHER RECALLED TOYOTA 4-RUNNERS. 95 TOYOTA 4RUNNER -
NHTSA complaint #10007925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,850 milesEncinitas, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, CONSUMER'S CAR EMITTED CONTINUOUSLY LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. SMOKE SMELLED OF BURNT ANTIFREEZE. CAR IDLED ROUGHLY. IT WAS NOTICED THAT COOLANT LEVEL WAS EXTREMELY LOW. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED, CAR OVERHEATED. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT STEAM WAS ALSO COMING OUT OF ANTERIOR OF RADIATOR NEAR THE CAP. CAR WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND TOWED TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP IT WAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. TALKED TO TOYOTA IN TORRANCE CA, WAS INFORMED THAT CAR WAS NOT PART OF RECALL OR EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR. CONSUMER HAS FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR THAT HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. CONSUMER'S CAR WAS MANUFACTURED NOV 94, THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE END OF SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT THAT COVERED 1990-EARLY1995 4RUNNER. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT INDEPENDANT MECHANIC FOR $2600. MECHANIC WAS THEN WORKING ON ANOTHER 4RUNNER WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT ANOTHER FRIEND WITH 96 4RUNNER ALSO HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT HER CAR WAS COVERED BY THE 1996 THROUGH EARLY 1997 4RUNNER HEAD GASKET SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE WITH THE 4RUNNER HAS THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO. IN FACT, CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW ANYONE WITH 4RUNNER WHO DOESN'T HAVE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER CHANGES INSTITUTED WAS NOT SUFFICIENT SINCE THE GASKETS CONTINUE TO FAIL. TOYOTA SHOULD JUST ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT RIGHT TO SAVE ITS GOOD NAME.
NHTSA complaint #10007608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orangeburg, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.
NHTSA complaint #10007361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.