1994 Toyota 4RUNNER engine problems

Filed Apr 7, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 155,000 miles · CO

A couple of years after purchasing this toyota 4-runner there was a recall due to faulty head gaskets. They leaked. A recall was (supposedly) done. 100,000 miles later the same problem had to be fixed again. I contacted toyota and was informed that they were only responsible for one fix. That would be nice if they had actually fixed it. A (fix) implies that it has been really fixed. Head gaskets are not supposed to leak . . . Ever! So I am wondering of they really accomplished a fix the first time. Obviously not since it cost me $2000 to get it fixed again for the exact same problem. If they did attempt a fix they certainly must have used inferior of defective parts since the same problem needed to be fixed again. I think there ought to be a law that if a recall (fix) fails and need to be done over the manufacturer should be liable for the redo. Thank you

Filed Mar 22, 2012 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a popping sound from under the vehicle and noticed an abnormal odor of oil. The contact stopped the vehicle and upon exiting, noticed a flame under the front driver side. The fire department was called and reported to the scene. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Engine · 173,000 miles · SC

This is a failure that has no events leading up to it . I own a 1994 toyota 4 runner with 4 wheel drive. The harmonic balancer has broken more than 3 times on this vehicle. It seems that the key that fits into the slot on the crank shaft is too short. The key that fits into the slot also keeps the harmonic balancer in place as it also has a slot for the key to fit into. When this happens it is sudden and gives you little or no time to react. All of the instrument lights come on at once and the steering and brakes fail causing loss of control. I have spoken with dozens of mechanics and toyota owners and they all say this is a common problem with this vehicle. This is not only a safety hazard but also a costly repair. This happened to my car again for the fourth time recently.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Engine · 115,000 miles · FL

Engine blown head gasket caused water to leak into engine causing engine failure. Toyota repaired under recall several years ago. Now the same problem occurred and now it will cost me $1,900.00 to repair their poor quality, or craftsmanship. Why can't we get toyota to warranty this problem for the life of the car. I have read hundreds of posts regarding this matter, and we cannot get fair results from anyone. My friend had toyota offer him $500.00 towards the purchase of a new toyota, pretty funny offer.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NE

Blown head gasket on 1994 toyata 4runner. 98k on engine.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Engine, Steering · WV · crash · 1 injury

1994 4 runner 4 wd steering control locked up while driving. Vehicle lost all power. *ts ***nar*** the consumers wife lost control of the vehicle and subsequently the vehicle rolled over an embankment into a stream. The vehicle was deemed totaled.

Filed Sep 27, 2006 · Engine · 90,700 miles · NH

I own a 94 toyota 4runner with a 3vz-e motor. The head gasket was replace under the recall in 1997 when the vehicle had 45000 miles. The toyota dealership just replaced the head gasket and never resurfaced the heads. On september 20,2006 head gasket blow again.it is well known about the design flaw in this motor and toyota should be held responsible for the repair to be done correctly. My vehicle only has 90700 miles on the motor.I called toyota and they told my that they only fix it one time. I advised them that they never fixed the first head gasket correctly and they should be held accountable for making there recalls corrected in a proper manner.I would like to see a class action law suit against toyota in regards to this issue.

Filed May 8, 2006 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NC

I own a 94 toyota 4runner and a 94 toyota sr5 pickup truck. Back in '98 I received a recall notice I brought both my vehicles to fred anderson toyota in response to the recall. They replaced the head gaskets on both vehicles. Recall notice: a 3vz-e head gasket replacement june 26, 1998 vehicle: toyota truck 4x4mileage: 46,623 july 17, 1998 vehicle: toyota 4runnermileage: 38,037 the beginning of february 2006 of this year, my toyota pickup truck blew a head gasket when I cranked it up one afternoon. Dense smoke and radiator fluid flowed from the tailpipe and the engine was vibrating.less than 12 hours after the head gasket blew in my pickup truck, the very next morning I started my wife's 4runner to make a trip into town. Immediately when I started it, dense smoke and radiator fluid flowed from the tailpipe and the engine was vibrating even worst than before. I immediately turn the truck off. Toyota opened a case# 200602060829. I was told they would call chan coleman at sanford toyota and try to get a special price. I called chan and was told I would need to speak with someone in his service department. He transferred me to service and was quoted a price of $1,600 per vehicle to repair. I had both vehicles towed and repaired by a local repair shop. Below are the dates and mileage for the repairs. February 16, 2006 vehicle: toyota truck 4x4 mileage: 120,000 february 4, 2006 vehicle: toyota 4runner mileage: 102,000 I was told by the mechanic at the local repair shop that the reason the head gaskets were blowing was because of a casting design flaw with the engine heads and not the head gaskets. The heads had dimples which over time would cause the head gasket to blow. The heads on both my vehicles had to be resurfaced to remove the dimples. I called toyota with this information but was told they show both my vehicles were fixed in accordance to the recall and it is a one time fix only and the owner needs to take responsibility at some point.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Problem with 5 cylinder engine on 1994 toyota 4-runner. *ph

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Engine · 95,668 miles · PA

In short, I brought a 1994 toyota 4 runner with a warranty back in june 2002 from potamkin springfield auto world. In november 2003, the truck was deemed unsafe to drive because the head gaskets blew. I had the required maintenance done plus other repairs and took the truck to be serviced whenever there was a problem prior to this situation. I complained to the dealership about this because this was a costly repair and of course the warranty did not cover the part. I paid out of pocket for the repair not knowing then that there was a recall for defected head gaskets on this model. I had the head gaskets replaced but with no guarantee that it won't happen again and guess what, I'm still not able to drive the truck. I don't know how many times this may of happen before me but I know the dealer knew of this problem when it was sold.