Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 10/12/2012 | 106000 | 1 | |
| The dash of my 4 runner has split all the way across the front. it's not from the sun because my car is in the garage when i'm not at work. i keep my windows cracked when i'm at work it's hot outside. it's on the front where all my gauges are not on the top. i googled the problem i have and it looks like i'm not the only one with this problem. one picture i saw looked just like mine. i took it to our locate toyota dealership and they said they have never saw one split like it has split. i'm not the only one with this problem. if you need pictures i will send them to you. please look into this. thank you *tr | |||
| 07/19/2008 | 67000 | 1 | |
| The gas-filled struts that holds up the hood experienced premature failure. once the hood is opened, the hood would begin slowing coming down and the pace picks up. the hood would slam shut violently and can potential cause injury to someone who is working on the engine. *tr | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 02/04/2009 | 48000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. the contact took the vehicle to a private mechanic. the technician stated that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 48,000. | |||
| 02/04/2009 | 48000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the dash board was cracked. the contact took the vehicle to a private mechanic. the technician stated that the entire dash board needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 48,000. mah | |||
| 02/04/2009 | 48000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated the dash board cracked due to a metal strip for the air bag system heating up and causing the vinyl to stretch and crack. the contact took the vehicle to a body shop. the body shop stated the entire dash board needed to be replace. the contact did not contact the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 48,000. jo | |||
| 11/09/2012 | 110580 | 1 | |
| I bought the car new and other than a couple of fender benders caused to the rear of the vehicle, the car has been kept in excellent condition and garage kept both at home and at work. i noticed a hairline crack from the left (driver's side) on the top dash panel extending to the middle (top of the stereo). after researching online (several complaints both here as well as other websites), i called toyota @ 1-800-331-4331 and opened case # 1211091043 after mentioning that the issue seemed to have been widespread and citing another case # by a forum member (1208280716). however, toyota denied being aware of this issue and was unwilling to help citing an out-of-warranty condition. my concern of deployment of the airbag as a result didn't appear to concern them. i was given a contact name of the number customer relations manager at my dealership for possible help. i have also read that newer models use a different material (plastic) for the dash panel. i haven't taken it to the dealer yet but i believe the widespread nature of the defect calls for further investigation and possible recall. *tr | |||
| 11/09/2012 | 110580 | ||
| I bought the car new and other than a couple of fender benders caused to the rear of the vehicle, the car has been kept in excellent condition and garage kept both at home and at work. i noticed a hairline crack from the left (driver's side) on the top dash panel extending to the middle (top of the stereo). after researching online (several complaints both here as well as other websites), i called toyota @ 1-800-331-4331 and opened case # 1211091043 after mentioning that the issue seemed to have been widespread and citing another case # by a forum member (1208280716). however, toyota denied being aware of this issue and was unwilling to help citing an out-of-warranty condition. my concern of deployment of the airbag as a result didn't appear to concern them. i was given a contact name of the number customer relations manager at my dealership for possible help. i have also read that newer models use a different material (plastic) for the dash panel. i haven't taken it to the dealer yet but i believe the the widespread nature of the defect calls for further investigation and possible recall. | |||
| 08/08/2012 | 120863 | 1 | |
| Frame of vehicle is rotting out- not likely to pass inspection for very long. similar issues to frames of toyota tacoma and tundra frames that have been recalled. 4runner should be recalled as well. just discussed condition of frame with local toyota dealership today- recommended filing a complaint. *tr | |||
| 08/08/2012 | 120863 | ||
| Frame of vehicle is rotting out- not likely to pass inspection for very long. similar issues to frames of toyota tacoma and tundra frames that have been recalled. 4runner should be recalled as well. just discussed condition of frame with local toyota dealership today- recommended filing a complaint. | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked from the driver to the passenger side air bag areas. the contact was concerned that the air bags would not deploy in the event of a crash. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 118,364. kmj | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated the vehicle dashboard failed due to defective material. the dashboard cracked and the crack expanded to the driver and passenger air bag area, and could cause the air bags to deploy. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 118,364. li | |||
| 12/17/2010 | |||
| This vehicle has a rotted frame which is perforated in at least 3 places | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 129000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the subframe was rusted causing the transmission to hang very low from the vehicle making it inoperable. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where they reattached the transmission to the vehicle. the manufacturer was aware of the failure. the current and failure mileages were 129,000. bw | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS - UNDERBODY SHIELDS | |||
| 12/05/2012 | 125000 | 1 | |
| My 2003 4runner was brought in on the above date for routine service to fox toyota, east providence, ri. the service advisor notified me that in the process of servicing the vehicle,the tech noticed severe frame rot and broken welds on the frame. this condition was confirmed by the service advisor. service advisor then suggested that i call toyota's customer service 800 number since there have been recalls on other vehicles based on the same frame. a series of calls to toyota have produced no result. they are denying any responsibility for this problem. i am now afraid to be operating the vehicle, and toyota is washing their corporate hands of responsibility beyond their basic five year warranty. *tr | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 110000 | 1 | |
| The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion. the amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models. the amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and potentially during normal vehicle use as well. the problem was discussed with dealership service manager who referred me to the toyota national hotline. toyota representative at that department stated that toyota has not provided any extended warranty or repair programs for this condition, nor do they offer any financial reconciliation for the costs of correcting this problem. the information was documented in toyota case number [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||