100 of the
1,234 complaints filed about the Toyota 4 Runner
are about the suspension —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL #05V225000 REGARDING SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT WAS PERFORMED IN 07/06. DURING THE MONTH OF 08/06, THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND AND AN UNKNOWN LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS, OR SWITCHED LANES. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON 08/28/06. WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 55 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY ON 08/28/06, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. ALSO, A VIBRATION WAS FELT COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER AND WAS TURNED OFF. IT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO WORK, CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES. BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. WHEN DRIVEN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE BEEPING AND STEERING LOCKING HAD STOPPED, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. A PASSERBY ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT PART OF THE STEEL BELTS WAS STICKING OUT OF BOTH FRONT TIRES. ON 09/29/06, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT ALIGNMENT WAS IN THE NEGATIVE. ON 09/29/06, ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WOULD BE CONDUCTED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED WITHOUT REALIGNMENT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10169770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RE: CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V021000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION I WAS TOLD BY JAY AT TOYOTA (800 3314331 EXT 5)THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. PLEASE RESEARCH & REPORT. I WAS GIVEN THIS CAMPAIGN NUMBER BY EFI AUTO SERVICE. MECHANIC STATED THAT HIS WIFE TOOK HER 1998 4 RUNNER SR5 INTO THE DEALER & REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHAT DETERMINES WHICH AUTO WILL BE SERVICED BY THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10159171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE MAKING A LANE CHANGE(FROM LANE 3 TO LANE 4), I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 4RUNNER ON THE FREEWAY, AND ENDED UP HYDROPLANING ACROSS THE FREEWAY TOWARDS THE CENTER DIVIDER. I WAS SOME HOW ABLE TO STOP MY CAR MOSTLY IN LANE 1 AND PARTIALLY IN LANE 2 BUT BEFORE I COULD ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY CAR I WAS THEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS IMPACT, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ROADS WERE WET DUE TO RAIN AND VISIBILITY WAS LOW DUE TO EVENING. I FEEL THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A BALL JOINT/STEERING FAILURE BECAUSE 1. I WAS MOVING RIGHT BUT SOMEHOW ENDED UP HYDROPLANING LEFT 2. MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF(BUT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR HITTING MY FRONT END-BUT SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT A FATAL ACCIDENT 03/21/2006-2000 4RUNNER WHERE THE DRIVER VEERED RIGHT, ROLLED OVER, DRIVER DIED AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF.). MY CAR VEERED LEFT AND MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF, HER CAR VEERED RIGHT AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. 3. I HAVE 25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING WITH NO MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND I WAS SIMPLY MAKING A LANE CHANGE. I DID NOT MAKE ANY SUDDEN TURNS ( I THINK MY SUV WOULD HAVE SURELY ROLLED OVER) ,DID NOT BRAKE SUDDENLY(NO ONE WAS IN LANE 4 WHEN I MADE THE LANE CHANGE) AND WAS NOT ON MY CELL PHONE. I LATER FOUND OUT(VIA INTERNET) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001-2002 4RUNNER FOR BALL JOINT FAILURE. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASKED THEM TO INVESTIGATE THE CRASH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR 60 DAYS AND THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK IN 3 DAYS TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT, BUT THEY NEVER CALLED BACK TO SET UP THE APPOINTMENT. SINCE I WORK FULL TIME AND HAVE A SMALL CHILD, I AM NOT ABLE TO GIVE UP MY CAR FOR 60 DAYS, SO I SETTLED WITH MY CAR INSURANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10156330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRONT END MAKES LOUD NOISES, WHEN GOING OVER HIGH BUMPS AND SOME STIFFNESS IN STEERING. *TS THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE DUE TO LITTLE OR NO FLUIDS, NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK WERE LEAKING, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEAKING SHOCKS AT NO COST.
NHTSA complaint #10142135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LEFT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO BECOME DISENGAGED, BREAKING THE TIE RODS AND THE FRONT HALF AXLE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR *JB THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10132361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 4 RUNNER, I NOTICED A DISTINCT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE FRNT END AND ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REALLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE T TAKE HE VEHICLE OVER 65 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM . I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THE CAR, NEW BRAKES AND YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STERING IS ABSOLUTELY MADDENING AND I FEAR A FATAL CRASH. TOYOTA FOLSOM LAKE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. THE 2002 TOYOTA WA RECALLED FOR THE SEALS FAILING ON THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE SEALS. THEY NOW HANG DOWN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. GREAT IMPRESSION FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR GOES INTO SPASMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS A PIECE OF TRASH AND DEFINITELY A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER JAPANESE MADE CAR BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTIES. I HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE MADE TO MAN, AND IN THIS CASE, WOMAN. WHAT THEY FAIL TO REALIZE IS WORD OF MOUTH IS THE BEST FORM OF ADVERTIZING AND SALES IN THE WORLD. WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA? NOT ON YOUR LIFE, BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO COSE ME AND MY CHILDREN GREAT BODILY HARM. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE HIGHWAYS OF THE USA. FORTUNATELY WE SURVIVED A TIRE BLOWOUT AND PUT ALL NEW TIRES ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10123967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 4 RUNNER, I NOTICED A DISTINCT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE FRNT END AND ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REALLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE T TAKE HE VEHICLE OVER 65 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM . I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THE CAR, NEW BRAKES AND YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STERING IS ABSOLUTELY MADDENING AND I FEAR A FATAL CRASH. TOYOTA FOLSOM LAKE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. THE 2002 TOYOTA WA RECALLED FOR THE SEALS FAILING ON THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE SEALS. THEY NOW HANG DOWN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. GREAT IMPRESSION FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR GOES INTO SPASMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS A PIECE OF TRASH AND DEFINITELY A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER JAPANESE MADE CAR BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTIES. I HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE MADE TO MAN, AND IN THIS CASE, WOMAN. WHAT THEY FAIL TO REALIZE IS WORD OF MOUTH IS THE BEST FORM OF ADVERTIZING AND SALES IN THE WORLD. WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA? NOT ON YOUR LIFE, BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO COSE ME AND MY CHILDREN GREAT BODILY HARM. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE HIGHWAYS OF THE USA. FORTUNATELY WE SURVIVED A TIRE BLOWOUT AND PUT ALL NEW TIRES ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10123967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10121306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS BEEN SHAKING IN THE FRONT WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES AND ALSO WHEN I GET TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 70MPH. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTERS ON THE CAR, KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM, BUT NO MECHANIC COULD FIGURE ANYTHING ELSE OUT AND THEY GAVE THAT A SHOT. I HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AND ROTERS TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY FINE. I HAVE SPENT A TOTAL OF ABOUT $133.00 FOR THESE REPAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS. I SEEN THE RECALL THAT WAS POSTED ON THE WORLD NEWS ON 5/17 AND THE SYMPTOMS THAT THEY WERE DESCRIBING MATCHED WHAT MY SUV WAS DOING. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM YET.
NHTSA complaint #10121372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APRIL 28, 2005, NO INJURIES. CONTACT STATES HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS RAINY. AND WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO STEER LEFT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO LEFT. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED. THEN, HIT SEMI TRAILER TRUCK ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACT HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS SERVICE RECORDS.
NHTSA complaint #10119837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PRESENTLY HAVE MY 2003 4 RUNNER V8 LIMITED IN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR FOR AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. IN BOTH CASES THE AIR SUSPENSION STAYS IN THE FULLY INFLATED POSITION. THEY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR THE FIRST TIME IN (21 DAYS TO GET PARTS), AND THIS TIME THEY TELL ME IT?S THE AIR RELEASE PORTION OF THE COMPRESSOR. WHICH MEANS THEIR REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR AGAIN (7 DAYS AND COUNTING WAITING FOR PARTS). I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WOBBLING SOUND, THE PROBLEM WAS A DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURS ONCE IN A WHILE DURING ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10116791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2000, AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN. *BF WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SUDDENLY FELT THE VEHICLE BEND TO THE RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10115595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2000, AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN. *BF WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FELL ABNORMAL, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DIVIDER.
NHTSA complaint #10115209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH,THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REAR SHOCKS BLEW THE SEALS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED AND WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. NITROUSENTERTRISES AFTER MARKET PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10111805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES, PEDAL VIBRATES AND GETS VERY SOFT. VEHICLES STOPPING DISTANCE IS MARGINAL AT BEST. ROTORS HAVE BEEN "CUT" ALREADY WITH JUST 13K ON THE VEHICLES DUE TO RUST BUILD UP.BOCH TOYOTA IN NORWOOD MASS. TELLS ME THAT THE BRAKE ISSUE IS "NORMAL" !! THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL ALSO ! ALSO, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REBALANCED AT 13K AS I WAS TOLD THEY WHERE "CUPPING". SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A FRONT END ISSUE WITH THE 2004 4-RUNNER.
NHTSA complaint #10105812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.