Saturday morning July 12th after starting my vehicle, a warning was presented “SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION”. I immediately took it to the dealership where they ran diagnostics. The service advisor admitted he nor his mechanic had ever seen anything like that before. They were unable to detect the issue that day. We planned to return the vehicle Thursday July 17. I dropped it off at 10am and never heard from the dealership again that day. Friday, July 18th I contacted the service advisor around 10 am to get an update in which he said they were looking into it. Friday afternoon, I received a call from the service advisor letting me know that the front passenger Occupant ECU had malfunctioned, costing approximately $1000. After researching this, I learned that Toyota has issued many recalls on this issue with other models. I called Toyota headquarters to see how they would rectify this but ended the conversation with no solution other than it is the consumer’s liability. This is a safety issue that should fall back on the manufacturer, especially given the history of recalls issued on this specific defect.
NHTSA complaint #11674658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Picked up a Gal to go out on a date. Turned the vehicle on and got about 1 mile down the road when I started to smell , like a hot , burning electrical smoke . My Date , sitting in the passenger seat says Her seat is get warm , then says , it's getting really hot ! I looked at the seat warmer switch and noticed and said , weird , the switch isn't even on . Then the smoke became very apparent as we got onto the Freeway and we were compelled to pull over as the electrical components or wiring were on the verge of catching fire , where the Electic Seat switch is located .
NHTSA complaint #11573843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When accelerating it feels like the frame shifts on the body lots of rust,, as well as the power steering was a little low I added power steering fluid next thing you know it stopped working and driver seats is falling apart and collapse in Woodson within itself as well as the airbags didn't go off upon rear-ending a vehicle they came to a sudden stop in front of me at least 25 miles per hour
NHTSA complaint #11448746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heated seat on drivers side was hot but heater was turned off. After a 1/2 hour drive smoke started coming out of the center console. Driver parked and exited the vehicle and called for help. Fire department arrived and put water on the fire then disconnected the battery. The insurance company determined the vehicle is a total loss. There were no personal injuries. Toyota Case #211004001272 I am not pleased that Toyota is treating this as a claim instead of a safety concern when I clearly stated this is a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11436084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TURNED IN THE IGNITION AND WASN'T EVEN AROUND THE BLOCK FROM MY HOME, WHEN I NOTICED MY SEAT OVERHEATING ALONG WITH A STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL/WIRE SMELL. THE HEAT WAS HOTTER THAN THE HIGHEST SETTING BECAUSE IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO REMAIN SEATED. I CHECKED THE POWER SWITCH, WHICH WAS OFF, THEN TOGGLED IT ANYWAY TO SEE IF IT WOULD TURN OFF. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT AND FEARED IT INJURE ME AND/OR WOULD IGNITE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE HEATING STOPPED. HOWEVER, I GOT BACK IN AND STARTED TO DRIVE, IT HEATED UP AGAIN. I RETURNED HOME TO LOOK UNDER THE SEAT BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL, EXCEPT FOR THE STRONG BURNING WIRES SMELL. ALSO, MY SKIN WAS RED WITH A LINGERING STING IN TWO AREAS WHERE THE HEAT WAS MORE INTENSE. I CONDUCTED ON ONLINE SEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED OTHERS EXPERIENCED THE ABRUPT OVERHEATING SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #11408282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING EASTBOUND INTO PORTLAND (OR) ON HWY.26 (SUNSET HWY.), THREE LANES INBOUND. THREE LANES INBOUND, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE.AS WE NEARED THE TUNNELS, TRAFFIC STOPPED BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, AS IT OFTEN DOES. I STOPPED, LEAVING A SMALL BUFFER BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE ONE AHEAD OF ME, AND WATCHED THE RED MAZDA CX-5 APPROACHING BEHIND, NOT SLOWING, AND BRACED FOR THE BUMP. BAM! IT WAS A SERIOUS JOLT. WE PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. TRAFFIC WAS BUSY, SO IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET OUT TO INSPECT DAMAGE. I WAS EXPECTING MORE THAN I FOUND, AND ACTUALLY NOTICED NO DAMAGE AT THE TIME. THE MAZDA THAT HAD REAR-ENDED ME SUSTAINED SOME SERIOUS COSMETIC DAMAGE, BUT WAS STILL DRIVEABLE. WE TRADED INFO, AND I HEADED ON TO MT.HOOD TO SKI. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS A BIT WOBBLY. WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO CHECK THE CAUSE,I FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT WAS LOOSE.I TIGHTENED IT BACK DOWN.,BUT IT CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER THE EMBEDDED NUT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED A PLEATHORA OF 4RUNNER AND TACOMA OWNERS ENCOUNTERING SIMILAR FAILURES.TO FIX, I DRILLED A 1/2" HOLE THROUGH THE BOLT HOLE AND THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME CHAMBER, RAN A 4"X1/2" STEEL BOLT THROUGH THE HOLE, FASTENED WITH A LARGE WASHER, LOCK WASHER, AND NUT, SOME THREAD-LOCK, AND SLATHERED ON THE BLACK SILICONE RTV. ALL DONE. SEEMS JUST FINE, NOW. CBS NEWS DID A STORY ON THEIR MORNING SHOW LAST THURSDAY, REGARDING DANGERS OF SIMILAR SEAT FAILURES IN HONDAS, I BELIEVE. I'M SURPRISED THAT THESE COMPANIES HAVE NOT DONE RECALLS ON THESE DESIGN FAILURES,ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #11406561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER LEVER WAS FRACTURED. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11366873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT PLASTIC SKIRTING CLIPS BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT SKIRTING TO TWIST UPWARD AGAINST THE DRIVERS LEG. SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW WHERE THE POWER SEAT WILL MOVE MORE THAN THE PLASTIC CLIPS CAN HANDLE RESULTING IN WEAR THEN BROKEN CLIPS. TOYOTA OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA REPLACED THE SKIRTING WHILE THE VEHICLE WHILE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. ONE MONTH LATER THE CLIPS BROKE AGAIN. TOYOTA OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA TOLD ME THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THIS AND IT WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND A SECOND REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT BE APPROVED.
NHTSA complaint #11355047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT UNINTENTIONALLY ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT, HOWEVER, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO HEAT UP. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THEY WAITED, THEY ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THEY NEEDED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATED SEATS BURNED THEIR SKIN HOWEVER, NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TOYOTA WORLD OF NEWTON (66 ROUTE 206 NORTH, NEWTON, NJ 07860 PHONE: (973) 383-0200) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE INFORMED THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V743000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,200.
NHTSA complaint #11342026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE SEAT STARTED GETTING HOT. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE SWITCH WAS OFF. IT WAS, BUT I TURNED IT ON THEN OFF, JUST TO MAKE SURE. THE SEAT HEATER STAYED ON AND GOT HOTTER, AND I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I STOPPED, GOT OUT, AND CHECKED UNDER THE SEAT BUT COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNDER THERE. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, BUT HAD TO ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN THE SMELL WAS SO BAD...AND THE SEAT WAS UNPLEASANTLY HOT! MY HUSBAND DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. HE PULLED THE FUSE THIS MORNING...I'LL SEE IF THAT FIXED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY.
NHTSA complaint #11318291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN BRAKING FROM 20 MPH, THE SEAT ROCKS FORWARD, AND THEN IN COMING TO A HALT, ROCKS BACKWARD. VERY UNSAFE. FEELS LIKE THE SEAT MOUNT IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF FROM FLOOR PAN. 07/24/2019
NHTSA complaint #11234857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW VEHICLE DISCOVERED TO HAVE RUSTING SEAT RAILS AND SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A PROBLEM ON A NEW VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATELY REPLACING ALL SEATS. HOWEVER, TOYOTA REGIONAL REPS AFTER ONLY DOING A VISUAL INSPECTION DECIDED THE RUST 'DOES NOT COMPROMISE THE SEATS INTEGRITY AT THIS TIME.' THEY IGNORED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR MECHANICS TO REPLACE. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO CLEAN AND SEAL. THE REGIONAL REPS WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL THE INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED. THIS IS A WILLFUL SELECTION TO IGNORE THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11171839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RUST ON THE FRAME INCLUDING THE REAR BUMPER, CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM DRIVERS SIDE OVER TO THE CENTER OF CAR. DRIVERS SEAT EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT AT ATTACHMENT BETWEEN SEAT BACK AND BASE ON EXTERNAL PORTION OF SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT VARIOUS TIMES WHEN INSPECTED. REPAINTED RIMS THAT PAINT HAD FLAKED AND PEELED.
NHTSA complaint #11121774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED AND MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AVONDALE TOYOTA (10005 WEST PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (844) 610-894) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME//SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANDERSON TOYOTA (6510 SHOWPLACE AVE, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 86404, (928) 764-2886), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADJUST THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1806083099, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *TT UPDATED 9/25/18
NHTSA complaint #11101898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER SEAT BOLTS WHERE THE MOUNTS ARE LOCATED ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED/RUSTED OUT WHICH WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE WELDING REPAIR. NO ACTIVE RECALLS ARE FOUND. 3 OUT 4 BOLTS ARE STRIPPED/RUSTED OUT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE, DRIVER SEAT ON VERGE OF DISLODGING OUT, CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT. VERY COMMON 4RUNNER PROBLEM, OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURER DEFAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10967953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V743000(SEATS) AND 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10927165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR SEAT COVER HAS REPEATEDLY COME LOOSE. HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIR BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX / RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. SEAT COVER IS MADE OF THE "SOFT TEX" SIMULATED LEATHER AND HELD IN PLACE WITH J HOOKS. LAST SERVICE WAS ON 6/13/16 INVOICE TOCS486186 - FRANK TOYOTA, NATIONAL CITY, CA
NHTSA complaint #10874220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER'S SEAT LEFT FRONT MOUNTING BOLT ATTACHMENT HAS FAILED. PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED ON 15 MARCH 2016. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AS I WAS SHIFTING AROUND TO GET SEATED I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. EVENTUALLY I OBSERVED THE LEFT FRONT MOUNT LIFTING SLIGHTLY OFF THE FLOOR. LATER, INVESTIGATING FURTHER (REMOVING THE PLASTIC COVERING) I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE MOUNTING BOLT'THERE IS NOTHING FOR THE BOLT TO ATTACH TO THAT I CAN SEE. WHATEVER HELD THE BOLT ORIGINALLY HAS BROKEN OFF AND IS NO LONGER VISIBLE OR SERVICEABLE. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME; ALL THE MORE SO BECAUSE I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH THREE BULGING DISCS IN MY NECK AT THE SAN FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER ON 8 MARCH 2016. SHOULD I BE IN A COLLISION AND THE SEAT NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED, I COULD POTENTIALLY BE PARALYZED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10850914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNT (LEFT FRONT) FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME LOOSE AND ROCK. THE SEAT MOUNT BENEATH THE CARPET HAD FAILED, ALLOWING THE MOUNTING BOLT TO FALL OFF. THE METAL BRACKET HAD TO BE WELDED WITH NEW, STRONGER METAL AND THE BOLT REATTACHED WITH SPOT WELDS. THIS FAILURE IS WIDE SPREAD AMONG ALL TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS FROM 1995-2002; TOYOTA IS AWARE AND HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT; ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10809056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.