Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 10/15/2000 | 0 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 07/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that the vehicle head gasket has failed. dealer notified. *ph | |||
| 10/02/2000 | |||
| Passenger's side exterior mirror would severely vibrate when traveling at 30mph or more. this caused poor visibility. dealer notified, and was unwilling to assist on this matter. feel free to provide any further information on this problem.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 139860 | 1 | 01/01/2002 |
| Head gasket problem. valve problems | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 04/01/1996 | ||
| White smoke and loss of power. when parts were ordered, we were told they were unavailable in completion due to recall. *ak | |||
| 11/12/1999 | 1 | 08/01/1995 | |
| No summary. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||
| 08/22/2002 | |||
| 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.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 2 | |||
| Engine thermostat failed twice, engine failed due to collant leak. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 03/22/2006 | 91012 | 2 | 09/01/2000 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 139860 | 1 | 01/01/2002 |
| Head gasket problem. valve problems | |||
| 04/10/2004 | 1 | ||
| 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. *jb | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 50000 | 0 | 05/15/1998 |
| 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. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Engine head gasket was replaced under the owner notification warranty, but blew out 5000 miles later.*ak | |||
| 03/27/1998 | 53000 | 06/22/1991 | |
| Vehicle was making a banging noise in the engine. white smoke, and fire in the engine. vehicle was destroyed | |||
| 03/27/1998 | 1 | 05/01/1991 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 10/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was repaired for a recall issued by manufac. on the head gasket, but than it blewup again. consumer also found paper in oil pan. dealer will repair but on consumer's costs.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| This particular type of head gasket failure (coolant leakage into the cylinder) is a known problem on the 3vz-e engine, toyota initiated a special service campaign (v06) to repair most, however the consumer's vehicle does not qualify due to the vin # range. *mjs | |||
| 06/17/2000 | 1 | 08/01/1998 | |
| My toyota 4-runner blew a head gasket 10 months after purchase. i contacted both reno toyota and carson toyota. niether dealer were helpfull in recall information. after replacing the motor, my mechanic assured me that it was a common accurance in the 4-runner to have faulty head gaskets. i then contacted carson toyota and they told me that they would fix the problem but not pay for anyone else to do so. by the time they contacted me the work was complete and a bill of over $6500 was incured. i dont believe they would have offered to fix the problem if they didn't know it existed. i can't seem to get any recall information from toyota, and i was hoping you could help. thankyou , ron collins. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| Water is being sucked into engine, and head gasket problem. there is a defect in head engine gasket. toyota is aware of problem. *ak | |||
| 11/06/2000 | 09/01/2000 | ||
| Started and low speed strange noise and antifreze spewing, head gasket blown (replaced in 1998) only 42 k miles into new gasket. *ak | |||
| 1 | 05/01/1990 | ||
| Threw a rod, resulting in total engine failure. complete oil loss blamed - cause unknown. head gasket replaced in april of 1996. this occurred in may of 1997.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 1 | 11/17/1994 | |
| Consumer started up the car and saw a big puff of smoke. took vehicle to a mechanic, and they said it was a blown head gasket.*ak *slc | |||
| 05/14/2000 | 0 | ||
| When trying to start vehicle after it has been running roughly, white smoke came out of engine. a technician had informed consumer that vehicle had a blown head gasket. *ak | |||
| 03/31/2000 | 1 | 06/01/1989 | |
| Toyota sent ext. notice 03/98. good for 12 months, up to 100k miles. engine head gaskets did not fail in that time, but 24 mos later at only 62k miles, well under 100k. still, toyota won't extend honoring the 1998 extension though records on your nht | |||
| 04/01/2000 | 2 | 05/01/1990 | |
| Valves .low compression in one cylinder after only 25,000 miles on new valve job. *ak | |||
| 12/07/1999 | 3 | 11/01/1990 | |
| This is the 4th time the gasket has failed. gasket was installed by a certified toyota mechanic in 1996. 3/97 white smoke poured out of the exhaust. toyota replaced the top of the engine. 11/97 engine failed - 600miles from home, after 3 months at the dealership on 2/98 the bottom & top of the engine was replaced. now 12/99 same problem - gasket needs to be replaced -oil blew all over the engine, the ream main seal is gone. toyota says its our problem now. *ak | |||
| 10/20/1999 | 0 | ||
| Truck burns a quart of oil every 15 miles. consumer received a recall notice for new engine head gaskets. took car to the dealer, repaired the head gasket . then discovered a problem with the engine block. dealer would have to send that part out. every sincevehicle was fixed, truck has just been burning oil too fast. consumer feeld it is unsafe to drive truck because the fear of breaking down due to lack of oil. *ak | |||
| 09/22/1999 | |||
| While driving at 35 mph engine head gasket failed due to the coolant which got inside and ruined engine. *ak | |||
| 04/10/1998 | 4 | 08/01/1994 | |
| Toyota issues an extended warranty for the faulty head gaskets in 1998-1994 4runners. when the head gaskets failed they were replaced under this warranty. however, the damage casued by the faulty head gaskets is extensive. after initail replacement--toyot adealership continued to find oil fouled plugs which let to replacement of lower engine block (december 1998). engine failed again in january 5 1999-- at which point 2 cylinder heads, camshafts, engine gasket, and knowck sensor were replaced. engine has not operated properly since original head gasket failure-- sluggish, poor acceleration, inconsistent idling speeds... engine has been looked at and worked on at authorized toyota dealerships 12 times to date for head gasket related engine problems. still unresolved, for these symptoms oil gouled plugs | |||
| 06/05/1999 | 05/01/1997 | ||
| Rod thrown, engine destroyed. warranty head work done last october after recall possibly related. massive oil loss sometime in last week, possibly at time of engine failure. | |||
| 12/03/1998 | |||
| The consumer was driving truck, and she noticed that there was no pressure when she hit the gas pedal and she smelled fuel. also she had a new engine put in july, the mileage was 75000 on the truck. the short block was replaced . then the truck burst into flames. the car wa stowed to the dealer for further investigation. *ak | |||
| 10/04/1996 | |||
| Bolt that holds the head on the engine gaskets is broken. *ak | |||
| The engine head is bad . tt | |||
| 06/17/1995 | 7 | ||
| Replaced both engine head gaskets. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 1 | ||
| While traveling on the highway without prior warning. the vehicle caught on fire underneath hood. the dealership is aware of the problem. nlm | |||
| 12/01/2001 | |||
| Engine blew at 13000 miles and vehicle started hesitating and cutting off without prior warning. dealership was aware of problem.*ak | |||
| 07/26/1999 | 1 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Put 5000 miles on used purchased vehicle and engine blew | |||
| 2 | |||
| Engine thermostat failed twice, engine failed due to collant leak. | |||
| 01/10/1996 | |||
| Engine compartment fire, consumer was driving under normal conditons and noticed lck of resistance from the hydraulic clucth and the vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, the fire department was unable to find the cause of the fire. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 09/18/1995 | 8 | ||
| Replaced engine belts. | |||