290 of the
1,234 complaints filed about the Toyota 4 Runner
are about the engine —
24% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
I OWN A 94 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH A 3VZ-E MOTOR. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACE UNDER THE RECALL IN 1997 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 45000 MILES. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND NEVER RESURFACED THE HEADS. ON SEPTEMBER 20,2006 HEAD GASKET BLOW AGAIN.IT IS WELL KNOWN ABOUT THE DESIGN FLAW IN THIS MOTOR AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE CORRECTLY. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 90700 MILES ON THE MOTOR.I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THEY ONLY FIX IT ONE TIME. I ADVISED THEM THAT THEY NEVER FIXED THE FIRST HEAD GASKET CORRECTLY AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING THERE RECALLS CORRECTED IN A PROPER MANNER.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10169474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
DRIVING CAR AND HEARD LOUD BANG NOISE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTS SLOWING DOWN AND OIL LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CAR STOPS OIL IS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR. WE SEND CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THE ENGINE HAS THROWN A ROD. MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT . A PERSON IN THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR IT IS VERY WEAK. WE CALL OTHER MECHANICS TO GET ESTIMATES THEY SAY THEY TO HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WITH THE CAR WE ARE STILL HOPING FOR SOME HELP FROM TOYOTA. ALSO WE GAVE THE DEALERSHIP ALL OF OUR OIL CHANGE RECORDS THAT WERE DONE ON TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10166537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE. THE CONTACT IS UNSURE IF THIS IS THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A CONTINUOUS KNOCKING SOUND, AND A INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION WHEN IT IS ACCELERATING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10164245 — 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.
STRONG SULFUR SMELL (ROTTEN EGGS) WHEN ACCELERATING. CAN SMELL WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. EVEN WORSE IF REAR WINDOW IS DOWN. WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A REAR WINDOW IF YOU CAN'T OPEN IT. I ALSO OWN A 2000 4RUNNER AND IT NEVER SMELLS THIS WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10149984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
(1) HIGH PITCHED ENGINE SQUEAK; ASSUMED WORN BELT. (2) MAIN PULLEY KEY LOCKING MAIN PULLEY TO CRANK SHAFT HAD SHEARED INTO TWO PIECES. ONE PIECE LOST. PULLEY MOVED OUT OF POSITION, STRESSING BELT AND CAUSING NOISE. REMAINING PIECE OF THE KEY WAS EMBEDDED AND FUSED INTO THE CRANK SHAFT. PULLEY KEY IS $ PART. OBVIOUSLY, NOT DURABLE ENOUGH FOR CRITICAL ENGINE PART, WHICH WHEN FAILS CAN RUIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE. EVEN 500 X THE $ COST WOULD BE WORTH HAVING TITANIUM OR TUNGSTEN STEEL PART THAT WOULD NEVER FAIL. TOYOTA IS CUTTING CORNERS, SACRIFICING QUALITY IN THE NAME OF PROFIT. I RISKED HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE -- A $9,000 CONSIDERATION. (3) FORTUNATELY OLD MILL TOYOTA (OMAHA, NEBRASKA. WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FUSED PART AND SAVE THE ENGINE. A PROPERLY ENGINEERED PART, EVEN AT MUCH GREATER COST, WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME FROM THIS RISK.
NHTSA complaint #10148479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
ALMOST CONSTANT SULPHER SMELL. DEALER STATES THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM, AND NO TSB'S. THEY TELL ME TO KEEP REAR WINDOW CLOSED. WHEN MY WIFE IS A PASSENGER SHE HAS HER EYES BURNING ALL THE TIME. IF YOU NEED TO STEP HARD ON THE GAS THE WHOLE CABIN FILLS AND IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU NOXIOUS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM ASAP, OR A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE FILED. THIS PROBLEM HAS SOURED ME ON TOYOTA PRODUCTS FOR GOOD. LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE A HARD TIME CINVICING MY WIFE TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT, SHE ALWAYS WANTS TO TAKE HER KIA SORENTO, MORE COMFORT AND NICER AMENITIES. 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER V-6 LTD 4X4 NOT ACCEPTABLE UNLESS YOU LIKE SULPHUR SMELL WHILE DRIVING!
NHTSA complaint #10144348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I DRIVE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THEN 10% ON CITY STREET. I WAS TOLD BY GREENVILLE TOYOTA THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED $1,070.00.00. I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2WD, SR5. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE DON'T DIE THIS SOON. IS THERE A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10143950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1999-TOYOTA 4-RUNNER STARTED TO CONVULSE,SEIZE, AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, OIL WAS POURING OUT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. TOYOTA REFUSED TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT EXPERT DIAGNOSED A "HOLE IN THE BLOCK FROM A DEFECTIVE CONNECTING ROD WHICH HAD SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE WALL" TOYOTA REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY!!
NHTSA complaint #10143577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
BETWEEN JUNE 04, AND OCTOBER 05. THESE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.. MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP NOW. LEFT SIDE MANIFOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY, ONE MANIFOLD STUD BROKEN, TECHNICIAN DRILLED AND REMOVED STUD THEN RETAPPED HOLE. NEW STUD INSTALLED. C/S VSC LIGHT ON ENGINE LIGHT ON, CATALYTIC INEFFICIENCY. CONVERTERS CHANGED OUT. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. A C/S VSC LIGHT LIT, YAW SENSOR OUT OF TOLERANCE, RECALIBRATED YAW SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10139816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
DT: 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER - THE OIL IS GETTING THICK AND GELLING. THE VEHICLE IS USING A LOT OF OIL, AND BLOWING BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SOME TOYOTA OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODELS, AND TOYOTA DID HAVE THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT WEBSITE. IT STARTED TO BLOW THE BLACK SMOKE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A OIL GELLING PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE TORN TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WOULD BE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO THE MAINTENANCE THAT HAD DONE ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10137247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.