FaultScore report
Owners have filed 95 complaints about the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER with NHTSA between 1995 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
95
Complaints
12
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
1 complaint reports a death.
150,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 212,000 mi
Median failure at 200,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 215,000 miles
Median failure at 147,522 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 169,542 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING
CORRODED BRAKE LINES
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES
LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESS
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Steering
On certain vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod.
Structure
Owners of affected vehicles operated in severe/high road salt use areas of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces will receive a Toyota advisory letter. This letter will include a free-of-charge vehicle undercarriage wash and inspection. Subsequently, owners will be advised of any services, if applicable.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
1990 4 RUNNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING RELAY ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RELAY ROD SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE COMPONENT HAD ALREADY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER NOW REALIZES THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE STEERING RELAY ROD PROBLEM MENTIONED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10153046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHITE SMOKE, AND FIRE IN THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED
NHTSA complaint #10005774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8018650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS IN FOR OIL CHANGE 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. STOPPED AT A JIFFYLUBE, AND FOUND OIL VERY LOW. FILLED WITH OIL AND WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE I THREW A ROD, BUT IT SHOULD BE OKAY TO GET ME WHERE I WAS GOING (ABOUT 5 MILES UP THE ROAD). APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES LATER, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE BANGING STOPPED. THE SMOKE BECAME VERY BAD, AND I WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION WHEN SOMEONE PULLING OUT YELLED TO ME THAT IT WAS ON FIRE (IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT). I GOT ME AND MY 2 SMALL BOYS OUT, AND CAME HOME THAT SAME NIGHT TO THE HEAD GASKET RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA, WHO SENT SOMEONE OUT TO INVESTIGATE, BUT THEY SAID THAT THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE WAS NOT KNOWN, AND IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS READING MORE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THIS ON YOUR SITE. WHAT CAN BE DONE? MY VEHICLE WAS PAID FOR AND MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER FIRE. WHY DID IT TAKE THEM SO LONG TO GET THE HEAD GASKET RECALL NOTICE TO ME? IT APPEARS THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I BASICALLY DROPPED THE ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS FIGURING I WAS FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE, UNTIL I DISCOVERED THIS SITE. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #755199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT TURNED ON, HAD JUST SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #898138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT TURNED ON, HAD JUST SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #898138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET BROKE/CRACKED AFTER PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CLUTCH AND ALMOST PULLED THE PLUG TO GET THE CLUTCH REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOAD OF WASTED MONEY ON A POOR DIAGNOSIS. PEDAL BRACKET CRACKED WITH CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO START THE CAR. HEARD LOUR CRACK, CAR STARTED, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11090284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET BROKE/CRACKED AFTER PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CLUTCH AND ALMOST PULLED THE PLUG TO GET THE CLUTCH REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOAD OF WASTED MONEY ON A POOR DIAGNOSIS. PEDAL BRACKET CRACKED WITH CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO START THE CAR. HEARD LOUR CRACK, CAR STARTED, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11090284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THIS SPECIFIC TOYOTA FORERUNNER MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR GASKET FAILURE. WE HAD IT REPLACED AT APPX 74,000 MILES DONE BY TOYOTA AS A COURTESY RECALL. THIS TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE TRUCK, ABOUT 148,000 MILES. IT RECENTLY ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE OVERHEATING AFTER ANOTHER GASKET FAILURE. WE FEEL THAT EITHER THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS NOT PROPERLY COMPLETED OR ANOTHER FAULTY GASKET WAS INSTALLED. IT'S AMAZING THAT BOTH TIMES THE GASKET FAILED AT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, 75,000. THIS CAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGED WITH A SINGLE OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10855190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET SUB-ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
NHTSA complaint #10478472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET SUB-ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
NHTSA complaint #10478472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAN BLADE DISINTEGRATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DENTED HOOD, CRACKED BATTERY, RUINED SHROUD AND ALTERNATOR BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10406880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE WELDS ON THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE POPPED AND FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE READ END TO FALL OFF. THE WELD DID NOT FRACTURE, BUT INSTEAD POPPED AWAY FROM THE REAR END WHICH HELD THE REAR SWAY BAR ONTO THE AXLE. THE WELDS POPPED ON BOTH SIDES. THE TRUCK HAD NEVER HAD A HITCH OR CARRIED A HEAVY LOAD ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10175061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BROUGHT MY TOYOTA TO THE REPAIR SHOP,THE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME MY CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT AGAIN. I THINK THAT IS NOT FAIR FOR A CONSUMER TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. KEEPS BLOWING HEAD GASKET BUT ONLY REPAIR ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10153566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
1990 4 RUNNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING RELAY ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RELAY ROD SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE COMPONENT HAD ALREADY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER NOW REALIZES THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE STEERING RELAY ROD PROBLEM MENTIONED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10153046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE NO EVENTS WERE PRESENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT IN TRAFFIC I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH PEDAL IN ORDER TO GEAR DOWN FOR THE STOP. WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL I HEARD A LOUD SNAP - THE SOUND OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BREAKING. WITH THE BRACKET BROKEN THERE WAS NO ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR TO STOP FOR THE STOP LIGHT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP (WHICH STALLED THE VEHICLE) BEFORE REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HAD TO USE THE STARTER WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE SO I CAN DECIDE HOW TO FIX THIS. IT SEEMS TOYOTA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS AN "UPGRADED" BRACKET AT A PREMIUM PRICE ALONG WITH A PREMIUM INSTALLATION FEE. AFTER BROWSING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS AS IF THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AMONG TOYOTA TRUCK, 4-RUNNER AND T-100 OWNERS ALIKE. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM COULD BE LIFE THREATENING!
NHTSA complaint #10143378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. VALVE PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #10111916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. VALVE PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #10111916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10096606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER USED IN 1998. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS ONLY 30K, AS IT HAD BEEN USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER INFORMED ME THAT A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT BY TOYOTA REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES (TSB #97121797017), AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD HONOR THE REPAIRS (IF NECESSARY) UP TO 100K MILES, REGARDLESS OF TIME SINCE ORIGINAL USE. THE TSB, HOWEVER, STATES THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LASTS UNTIL 8 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL USE OR 100K MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. SINCE OCTOBER 2000, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW ENGINE IDLING (AND STALLING) AFTER DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ON AT LEAST FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, I HAVE ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE'S IDLE SPEED BE ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE PLATE BE CLEANED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL JUST RECENTLY THAT THE SOURCE OF THIS PROBLEM IS A LEAKY HEAD GASKET. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I GO TO HERE IN GLENDALE, CA REPORTED THIS DIAGNOSIS AFTER I QUESTIONED THEM ON WHY THE VEHICLE NEEDED REPEATED IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS 99K. I HAVE APPROACHED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE IF THEY WILL AUTHORIZE A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THE PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF AND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR IN THIS CASE DESPITE THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, AS THE ENGINE BEGAN EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WELL BELOW THE 100K MILEAGE REQUIREMENT THAT TOYOTA ORIGINALLY STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO REPAIR IN THE TSB. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FURTHER I CAN DO REGARDING THIS MATTER, AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT CAN BE PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10069821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. WIFE AND GRAND DAUGHTER IN CAR. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. EMNERGENCY BRAKE STILL FUNCTIONED. ROOT CAUSE WAS DUE TO LONG-TERM WEAR ON LEFT REAR METAL BRAKE LINE BY ANIT-LOCK-BRAKES CONTROL ARM. THIS ACTION RESULTED IN THE METAL BRAKE LINE INTEGRITY FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10043743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER USED IN 1998. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS ONLY 30K, AS IT HAD BEEN USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER INFORMED ME THAT A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT BY TOYOTA REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES (TSB #97121797017), AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD HONOR THE REPAIRS (IF NECESSARY) UP TO 100K MILES, REGARDLESS OF TIME SINCE ORIGINAL USE. THE TSB, HOWEVER, STATES THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LASTS UNTIL 8 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL USE OR 100K MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. SINCE OCTOBER 2000, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW ENGINE IDLING (AND STALLING) AFTER DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ON AT LEAST FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, I HAVE ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE'S IDLE SPEED BE ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE PLATE BE CLEANED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL JUST RECENTLY THAT THE SOURCE OF THIS PROBLEM IS A LEAKY HEAD GASKET. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I GO TO HERE IN GLENDALE, CA REPORTED THIS DIAGNOSIS AFTER I QUESTIONED THEM ON WHY THE VEHICLE NEEDED REPEATED IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS 99K. I HAVE APPROACHED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE IF THEY WILL AUTHORIZE A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THE PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF AND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR IN THIS CASE DESPITE THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, AS THE ENGINE BEGAN EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WELL BELOW THE 100K MILEAGE REQUIREMENT THAT TOYOTA ORIGINALLY STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO REPAIR IN THE TSB. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FURTHER I CAN DO REGARDING THIS MATTER, AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT CAN BE PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10031090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10031664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED UNDER THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WARRANTY, BUT BLEW OUT 5000 MILES LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10024992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHITE SMOKE, AND FIRE IN THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED
NHTSA complaint #10005774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I WAS LOCKED INSIDE THIS VEHICLE AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. I ENDED UP SMASHING THE WINDOW AFTER 45 MINUTES AND CRAWLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR LOCKS WERE "ENERGIZED" AND HOLDING THE LOCK LEVERS DOWN. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AND THE LOCK SOLENOIDS ARE STILL IN THIS SAME SITUATION. THE LOCK ARMS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10005012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS.
NHTSA complaint #10004333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1990 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER INTERMITTANTLY JUMPS IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR OR HIGHER WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING, CAUSING INCREASE IN GAS MILEAGE AND HIGH RPMS ON THE ENGINE. IN 2001 I WENT TO TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SO I SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. AT THAT POINT I SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I LOCATED TSBS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND ONE THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE (TSB ATRATB351 DATED JAN 96). THIS MONTH 1/2003 I RETURNED TO TOYOTA WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $150.00 TO PERFORM THIS TSB. I TOLD THEM IF THEY HAD PERFORMED IT THE PREVIOUS YEAR WHEN I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED IT WOULD NOT HAVE COST ME ANYTHING SINCE THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY APART FOR OTHER WORK. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE COULD NOT ADDRESS THE RECOMMENDATION AND FINDINGS OF THEIR WORK FROM A YEAR AGO. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $71.00 FOR THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED SINCE A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED IT IS BASICALLY ADMITTING THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM AND PROVIDES THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WITH THE FIX, SO WHY ARE THE SERVICE MANAGERS RELUCTANT TO PERFORM THE CORRECTION, BUT INSTEAD RECOMMEND AN TRANSMISSION CHANGE?
NHTSA complaint #10000871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8018650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
WHILE STARTING ENGINE REVVED A LITTLE AND COOLING FAN EXPLODED, PIECE OF FAN FLEW AS FAR AS 30 FEET AWAY, ALMOST INJURING A BYSTANDER. FAN PIERCED A HOLE IN BATTERY, ALLOWING ACID TO SPILL ONTO THE FLOOR. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A POOR DESIGN IN COOLING FAN. AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE BLEW AT 13000 MILES AND VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND CUTTING OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #6900593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.