2005 Toyota 4 Runner problems

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

2005 4 RUNNER V8 HAD COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT INTERSECTION. PULLED VEHICLE INTO PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. EMERGENCY BREAK HAD TO BE APPLIED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND TESTS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN MASTER CYLINDER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DISASTROUS EVENT. THERE IS NOT WARNING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SUCH A FAILURE OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #10164704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

THERE IS AN AWFUL ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM MY 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WHEN DRIVING WITH BACK WINDOW OPEN. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TSB'S ISSUED FOR 4 RUNNERS DATING BACK TO 2003 AND UP TO THE 2006 MODELS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER, BUT THEY TELL ME MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TSB'S ISSUED. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED.

NHTSA complaint #10155575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. HEAVY PRESSURE HAS TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE WHEN STOPPING IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON.. THE RPMS INCREASE UP TO 200 - 300 WHEN THE AIR CONDITION TURNS ON. THE SURGING IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TYPE. UPDATED 02/13/06.

NHTSA complaint #10149000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT V8 - 14800 MILES - BUILT MAY 2005. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES WITH A LIGHT RAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROX 18 MILES AFTER BEING PARKED INSIDE OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY WITH NO VEHICLES NEAR. THE GLASS 'EXPLODED' INTO THE VEHICLE REAR SEAT WITH A LOUD BANG. HAD THERE BEEN ANY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN CUTS. THE GLASS BROKE INTO THOUSANDS OF TINY PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #10147329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STEERING FLUTTER CONDITIONS EXIST. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT WEAR AND TEAR. VEHICLE UNDER WENT TWO WHEEL BALANCES, TWO WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, A TIRE ROTATION, AND INSPECTION BY A FIELD SPECIALIST ON 6 SEPARATE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. AS OF TODAY, CONDITION STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A TSB BULLETIN EXISTS FOR THE MODEL YEAR BUT MANUFACTURER HAS SAID THE FIX/CONDITION DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10146594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE PULLS/DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STEERING FLUTTER CONDITIONS EXIST. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT WEAR AND TEAR. VEHICLE UNDER WENT TWO WHEEL BALANCES, TWO WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, A TIRE ROTATION, AND INSPECTION BY A FIELD SPECIALIST ON 6 SEPARATE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. AS OF TODAY, CONDITION STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A TSB BULLETIN EXISTS FOR THE MODEL YEAR BUT MANUFACTURER HAS SAID THE FIX/CONDITION DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10146594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE STOPPED, MY 2005 4RUNNER MOVES FORWARD WHEN COMPRESSOR ENGAGES. THE RPM AT IDLE WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 750 AND 1100. DURING THE LATER PORTION OF FLUCTUATION, ABNORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE 4RUNNER FROM MOVING FORWARD. IDLE SPEEDS CAN REACH 25 MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND 45 ON MODERATE SLOPE. IF YOU ARE CRUISING AT 60 MPH AND REMOVE PRESSURE FROM ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE IDLE WILL RETAIN 55 MPH. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SEVERE ACCIDENT. IF YOU FORGET TO APPLY MASSIVE FORCE TO BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPED... SOMEONE MAY IDLE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10144479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE STOPPED, MY 2005 4RUNNER MOVES FORWARD WHEN COMPRESSOR ENGAGES. THE RPM AT IDLE WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 750 AND 1100. DURING THE LATER PORTION OF FLUCTUATION, ABNORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE 4RUNNER FROM MOVING FORWARD. IDLE SPEEDS CAN REACH 25 MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND 45 ON MODERATE SLOPE. IF YOU ARE CRUISING AT 60 MPH AND REMOVE PRESSURE FROM ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE IDLE WILL RETAIN 55 MPH. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SEVERE ACCIDENT. IF YOU FORGET TO APPLY MASSIVE FORCE TO BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPED... SOMEONE MAY IDLE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10144479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG ODOR IN VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL THAT WAS BEING USED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE NEW ENGLAND FUEL HAD A HIGHER RATE OF SULFUR.

NHTSA complaint #10133900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

DT: THE FIRST TIME THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SHIFT. THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE FEELING BUT THERE A MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT FELT UNSTABLE AND INSECURE. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT COULD COME OFF WAS THE TRACK. HE OWNER FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE WAY HOME. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED, AND TOYOTA SAID THEY WERE ABOUT TO FIX THE SEAT PROBLEM. THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE OF WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL BE REPAIRED, AND WHAT THE FIX WILL BE. THEY WILL REPLACE THE SEAT AT A COST OF $1,500. THE OWNER CALLED TOYOTA, AND WAS ASSURED THAT A FIX WAS IN THE PROCESS. THERE WAS NO TIME FRAME OR INDICATION OF WHAT THE FIX MAY BE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S SUNROOF STARTED TO CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #10132245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

DT: THE FIRST TIME THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SHIFT. THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE FEELING BUT THERE A MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT FELT UNSTABLE AND INSECURE. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT COULD COME OFF WAS THE TRACK. HE OWNER FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE WAY HOME. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED, AND TOYOTA SAID THEY WERE ABOUT TO FIX THE SEAT PROBLEM. THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE OF WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL BE REPAIRED, AND WHAT THE FIX WILL BE. THEY WILL REPLACE THE SEAT AT A COST OF $1,500. THE OWNER CALLED TOYOTA, AND WAS ASSURED THAT A FIX WAS IN THE PROCESS. THERE WAS NO TIME FRAME OR INDICATION OF WHAT THE FIX MAY BE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S SUNROOF STARTED TO CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #10132245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT ON BRAND NEW 2005 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MOVES AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY ON ONE OCCASION AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. AFTER DEALER EXAMINED PROBLEM AGAIN THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THIS SEAT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN "DESIGN DEFECT" THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM FOR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. HAVING A DRIVER'S SEAT THAT MOVES ALONG IT'S MOUNTING RAILS WHILE DRIVING IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10130520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT AND THERE IS A HORRIBLE SULFUR SMELL THAT IS EMITTED INTO THE CABIN WHILE REACHING RPM'S OF APPROXIMATELY 3000 - 5000.

NHTSA complaint #10129002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: ON 7-4-2005. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AT A 8 LANE STOP BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY FAILED. NO PRESSURE WAS FELT IN THE PEDAL, AND THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AND NO NOISE. THERE WAS ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THERE WERE NO BRAKES ALL THE WAY HOME. OWNER DROVE VERY SLOWLY, AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THEN THE DEALER CALLED OWNER AND REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. OWNER CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BEFORE. OWNER DID WANT TO TAKE CAR BACK BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10127623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT, MY FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SURGES FROM A NORMAL IDLE SPEED OF 500 RPM UP TO 750-800RPM WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY BUT AT RANDOM TIMES. (REMEMBER THE AUDI 500) DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10127376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH IN HER 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER A BOOK SLID INTO THE SHIFTER KNOB AND KNOCKED IT OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO REVERSE. *NM ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A RAMP LIKE HILL AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS OFF THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD APPLY THE GAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A RATCHETING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARDS. *SC THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE SAME NOISE WAS HEARD, THE MECHANIC ALSO HEARD THE NOISE BUT STATED IT WAS NORMAL AND WAS NOT SURE OF THE SEVERITY OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10115560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

STEERING VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - 2 DEALERSHIPS UNABLE TO BALANCE WHEELS - POSSIBLE TIRE/WHEEL DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10109906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

STEERING VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - 2 DEALERSHIPS UNABLE TO BALANCE WHEELS - POSSIBLE TIRE/WHEEL DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10109906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

STEERING VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - 2 DEALERSHIPS UNABLE TO BALANCE WHEELS - POSSIBLE TIRE/WHEEL DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10109906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

NEW 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4X4 STARTED TO SHOW SEAT RATTLES AFTER 500 MILES. TALKED TO DEALER AND TWO SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAS DEEMED THE SEAT RATTLE AN "INHERENT TOYOTA" PROBLEM. NO SERVICE CAN BE DONE UNTIL TOYOTA ISSUES TSBS. SINCE ALL NEW 4RUNNERS COME FROM JAPAN WITH THE RATTLE, SERVICE DEPT. DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. BUT MORE IMPROTANTLY, THEY WILL NOT FIX B/C ALL OTHER 4RUNNERS IN THE DEALERSHIP LOT COME WITH RATTLES. NOW, 1600 MILES AND TWO MOTHS OLD, THE DRIVER SEAT RATTLES MORE THAN EVER. THIS PROBLEM WAS "INHERENT" SINCE 2003 WHENT THE 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER WAS COMPLETELY REDESIGNED. TONS OF UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET "WWW.TOYOT-4RUNNER.ORG" ALL REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME LACK OF "SERIVICE" FROM TOYOTA. NO QUALITY CONTROL BEFORE THE TRUCKS ARE DELIVERED? I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. DASHBOARD RATTLES ARE FIXED EASILY, WHY NOT A DRIVER SEAT? POSSIBLE SAFTEY CONCERN?

NHTSA complaint #10105838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.