1997 Toyota 4 Runner suspension problems

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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

NHTSA complaint #10115139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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

NHTSA complaint #10115139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

NHTSA complaint #10008577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

NHTSA complaint #10097408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10089387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

REAR SPRING COIL ON THE 4 RUNNER COLLAPSED.

NHTSA complaint #10088232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10053019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #567401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

NHTSA complaint #10008199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #10004483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

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

NHTSA complaint #10002506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

NHTSA complaint #568391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

NHTSA complaint #770547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #8015803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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?

NHTSA complaint #764331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #8013291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

NHTSA complaint #8013025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

NHTSA complaint #8012566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

NHTSA complaint #8009998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

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

NHTSA complaint #8008159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #8008073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #8006377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE VEHICLE HAS SPUN OUT ON THREE OCCASIONS. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

FRONT STRUTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #607807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR SUSPENSION DROPS WHEN REAR OF VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED..

NHTSA complaint #518976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.