Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 08/01/2011 | 124000 | ||
| I bought a regularly maintained, used 1995 4 runner with 119,000 miles. within a month, it began running poorly and the repairs began. had to have the truck towed numerous times after it left me stranded with my infant child. i have replaced everything possible but now the mechanic tells me i have a blown head gasket. there was no incident of overheating. i have seen enough complaints about this issue to understand that toyota is aware and refuses to rectify this situation. i was told by toyota customer service that my truck is not on the recall list. why not? every other year was recalled for the very same problem. i cannot afford this repair and since this vehicle has 'nickel and dimed' me to death, it sits in the driveway. i can't fix it, can't sell it, can't trade it in. it was a waste. my husband's car has been a real trooper but it needs repairs. the 4 runner has taken so much, we can't even fix the basics on hubby's car. just want to know when toyota is going to admit the problem and help us all that are stuck with their mess! | |||
| 09/11/2011 | 179000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. while driving 25 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe and the vehicle began driving erratically. the engine was turned off but would not restart after four to five attempts. when restarted, there was thick white smoke coming from the tail pipe abnormally. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic and after inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic noticed that the head gasket was fractured. the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 179,000. | |||
| 09/11/2011 | 179000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. while driving 25 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe and the vehicle began driving erratically. the engine was turned off but would not restart after four to five attempts. when restarted, there was thick white smoke coming from the tail pipe abnormally. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic and after inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic noticed that the head gasket was fractured. the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 179,000. kmj | |||
| 09/11/2011 | 179000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. while driving 25 mph there was smoke coming out of the tail pipe and the vehicle was driving erratic. the engine was turned off but it would not restart after four to five tries. when it restarted there was a thick white smoke coming from the tail pipe again. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic and after inspecting the vehicle he notice the cracked head gasket. the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 179,000. mw | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 130000 | ||
| I've talked with toyota about the head gasket recall on this 4runner , and i've been told yes they will fix the head gasket but only if i pay for any other repairs to the engine and they tell me they will only do it under these conditions. is this true or are these dealerships trying to extort money from me . i just want the head gasket fixed all other is my responsibility and i will repair the other myself. | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 104500 | 1 | |
| Blown head gasket on 1995 4 runner. happened in 2/2009. toyota has had recalls on head gaskets for 1995 4 runners but has claimed this vehicle was not covered. many many other owners are experiencing the same problem see: http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_45660.html requires head gasket replacement - toyota won't cover it. *tr | |||
| 12/05/2008 | 107500 | 1 | |
| I own a 1995 4 runner # with one of your 3.0 motors in it and it only has 107,000. miles on it. the head gasket blow out on it, it started eating coolant. i have called your customer service department case # 200812190092 with no regards to my problem, i was blown off just like the head on this motor, blown off. i have owned 4 toyota?s including new camry's, my parents both drive toyota's. the 4runner is now sitting in my drive while the snow is piling up around it, i bought it to drive in the winter, i'm left driving my car. i want this fixed by you ( toyota) you know you have a design flaw with this motor. contact me asap to resolve this problem. this is not a problem that you can walk away from, there are to many occurrences. i will let this truck set in my yard with a sign on it that tells all who drive by it that toyota will not stand behind their products-blown head gasket at 107000 miles. i want an answer as to when you will get my truck repaired at your cost, not mine. call today if you would like to resolve this matteror thank you for your time. have a great day. kb *tr | |||
| 05/01/2008 | 124500 | 1 | |
| Driving down the road at 40 mph and car started blowing white smoke. was told it was a blown head gasket. car has 124,500 miles. currently do not have money to repair and is driven sparingly. *tr | |||
| 05/09/2008 | 1 | ||
| Car was approaching hot and so changed out coolant just to be sure. then car was still showing hot. then car started smoking and now leaks coolant out of the oil pan. loses a lot of coolant every time i fill it up. *tr | |||
| 02/04/2008 | 132567 | 1 | 03/14/1998 |
| 1995 toyota 4 runner head gasket blown out. *tr | |||
| 01/05/2008 | 168000 | 1 | 08/10/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. while driving 40 mph, the head gasket failed. the contact drove home and the vehicle was towed to a mechanic. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current and failure mileages were 168,000. | |||
| 06/01/2007 | 108000 | 1 | |
| 1995 toyota 4runner, 3.0v6, coolant loss, white smoke from tail pipe, rough idle. it appeared like so many other 4 runner owners the head gasket has blown even though toyota said. they fixed the problem on the 1995 models. this seemsedto be a constant problem on this vehicle in this year range. toyota needed to step up and take responsibility for this continuing issue. nhtsa needed to hold toyota responsible for this problem since it seemed to be an inherent problem with this motor and they supposed to fix what was not working. no vehicle should blow head gaskets regularly at 100,000 miles. *ak | |||
| 01/15/2007 | 102000 | 1 | 08/20/1995 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. the contact lost coolant, when it was cold a white vapor coming from the muffler. aaa tested the vehicle, and found 800 hydrocarbons in the radiator. toyota was notified, and stated that the head gasket, and a defective spark plug was the cause of the failure. the most recent failure occurred january 15, 2007. the failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 103,200. *ak updated 05/23/07. *jb | |||
| 11/20/2006 | 108996 | 1 | 08/20/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle slightly lost power. the vehicle was driven to the destination, where grey smoke was noticed emanating from under the hood. the vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic determined that the head gasket had blown out, causing radiator fluid to leak into the engine. | |||
| 11/14/2006 | 92000 | 1 | 11/12/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 55 mph, white smoke was seen trailing behind the vehicle and the engine began to run roughly. the vehicle was steered off to the side of the road and was turned off. the problem was identified as a blown head gasket. when the vehicle would not restart, the contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. the manufacturer was notified. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 03/19/2009 | 163000 | 1 | |
| Blown head gasket on 1995 toyota 4runner 4x4 with v-6 engine. i see recall information for 91,92, 93, 94, and 96. what about 95. i have talked with others that have had same problem with this year. *tr | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 02/05/2011 | 135000 | ||
| Vehicle with 3.0l v6 has blown two head gaskets in 135,000 miles. vin is just outside of the special service campaign. gasket failed (again) with no warning, vehicle stalled in the middle of highway in inclement weather, driver lost control | |||
| 12/15/2009 | 140000 | 1 | |
| Properly cared for 1995 4runner blew head gaskets. looking at approx. $2k repair. toyota recall for this problem ends at man. date of 10-94. they won't cover the same problem that has apparently happened to hundreds of 95 owners. *tr | |||
| 03/19/2009 | 163000 | 1 | |
| Blown head gasket on 1995 toyota 4runner 4x4 with v-6 engine. i see recall information for 91,92, 93, 94, and 96. what about 95. i have talked with others that have had same problem with this year. *tr | |||
| 04/28/2008 | 133000 | 1 | |
| 3 days ago i noticed water leaking underneath the engine. took it to the mechanic first thing monday morning and he confirmed it was the head gasket. 1995 well maintained toyota 4 runner with 133,000 with a blown head gasket. so much for reliability. it is going to cost $1600-$2500 to fix. *tr | |||
| 04/06/2008 | 101935 | 1 | |
| Blown head gasket. *tr | |||
| 02/17/2008 | 140000 | 1 | 01/10/2000 |
| Blown head gasket 1995 toyota 4runner --twice---. *tr | |||
| 04/10/2007 | 215000 | 2 | 10/24/2006 |
| Loss of speed/power, ended up with blown head gasket, had it repaired, happened again within 3 months. was told it was a very common problem in this type of vehicle, you should do something!!!!! *tr | |||
| 02/03/2008 | 167000 | 1 | 01/27/2008 |
| Blowing white smoke from the exhaust and was losing power, losing coolant, then a few days later, blown head gasket. *tr | |||
| 09/08/2007 | 79680 | 1 | 03/25/1995 |
| Check engine light came on, noticed loss of power, rough idling and poor pickup(stumbles). then recently while driving home after work at 3am, temp. gauge rapidly elevated and engine overheated. saw white smoke coming out of exhaust and hood. left me stalled on the highway at 3am, towed home. now i find out blown head gasket. truck has only 80,000 miles, well maintained, and in excellent condition(was anyway). never had a major problem before. will take to maui toyota on monday. not sure how much this will cost me! *tr | |||
| 07/06/2007 | 02/11/2005 | ||
| 1995 toyota 4runner head gasket failure.*ak | |||
| 05/09/2003 | 151891 | 1 | 02/03/1995 |
| Blown engine head gasket. *ak | |||
| 03/12/2006 | 132000 | 1 | 07/10/1999 |
| My 95 toyota 4runner is leaking from the head gasket, and thousands of others with the same vin number are doing the exact same thing. there was a recall on most other 4runners of the same model but, not on mine. there is a 4 runner with thousands of complaints about this very problem and all say toyota will not bat an eyelash at the problem. i and others want something done about this! *jb | |||
| 01/24/2007 | 143000 | 1 | 08/01/2005 |
| Everything was running smooth and strong when the 1995 toyota 4runner hit 143k. just today the vehicle started idling really low and rough, and finally this afternoon the engine & battery light came on. the more it drove, the rougher it got. the engine was noticeably running much worse than when the vehicle was started and took off for home. i shut it off to get a look at it, and everything was fine, until i started it up again and it blew white smoke from the tailpipe. water seems to be leaking but not at the radiator, hoses, or pump. it is a blown head gasket. from mechanical experience and speaking with other 1995 toyota 4runner owners, i understand that blowing the head gasket on this particular vehicle is more commonplace than i had expected. *nm | |||
| 12/11/2006 | 84000 | 1 | 11/03/2006 |
| Head gasket blown on original engine with 100k miles on it destroying engine. used engine put in with 80k miles on it and head gasket blown again. *nm | |||
| 09/09/2006 | 119000 | 1 | 11/01/1999 |
| Brought in to dealer for service because engine running rough. dealer informed me that head gasket leaks @ #6 cylinder. this vin is not included in the recall on this item. estimate of repair is $3100. i'm looking for the recall to be expanded. *jb | |||
| 03/07/2006 | 130000 | 1 | 08/05/2004 |
| The 4runner suddenly began driving very roughly. the suv was immediately taken to a mechanic who informed us that at 130, 000 miles the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. we discovered that toyota has a service bulletin (nhtsa # 600350) out for 1995 toyota 4runners to correct this type of engine and head gasket trouble; however, we were informed by marion at toyota corp. that our 1995 suv does not qualify even though we are having identical head gasket failure due to a deformed manufactured head gasket. we are in the process of having the head gasket replaced at considerable expense. we have received quotes averaging around $2,000.00. the defective head gasket is still available at this time. *nm | |||