1995 Toyota 4RUNNER: engine failure

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Engine · 166,265 miles · CA

May 2015 on way to drs and then oil change at pep boys. Head gasket on car blew for 2nd time (6000 and 2 years, since first time). Driving on freeway proceeded to overpass and in the middle of this extremely high, curved overpass, bridging the 23 to the 101, driving at highway speed, the car "farted", cloud out back side and speed just dropped. Coasted down other side and car "limped along slowly" from there. Most terrifying experience. Prayed no one would hit me and send me flying off the connector to freeway below. I had no problem with car prior, running beautiful. Took the grades, highway, passing street driving. No problem. Back to issue: luckily, no cars immed. Behind me and those coming were far enough to and could use l lane. Was able to get off freeway. Car,died at every light, but made it slowly, to pep boys. They said head gasket blew. Please note this was a relatively newly repaired head gasket. Repaired 2/16/2013 done @ 160,227. Was gifted car in nov 2013 by family member with meticulous records and spot on reg maintenance of this vehicle. Here I am at the 166,265 and for some reason again the head gasket is incapable of function with the specs of the vehicle. Went with a re-manufactured engine, by certified engine repair only facility, but since the big bang. The car has an unidentifiable speed issue. Can hit up to 80- 85 on hwy, (runs almost beautifully, again but passing power, varies, does hill and then, it doesn't. Loosing speed/power foot to the floor. Then running beautifully. Had 39 point inspection aaa. 4/1/16 passed shifting/engine cranking/ handling etc, does not follow any, if then, you will notice, no engine, od, warning lights. Loss of dash function, RPM , speedometer, gage functions...came here and found out not only one who's engine blew way before its time, again have complete care repair history and maintenance records.

Filed May 22, 2007 · Engine · 151,891 miles · CA

Blown engine head gasket.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Engine · 151,000 miles · OK

I purchased a used 1995 toyota 4runner that was serviced regularly by a licensed mechanic. The car had no problems leading up to the head gasket failure that I just experienced. The head gasket blew approximately 75 miles from home while my daughter was driving and may have caused other engine problems not yet determined. From searching the internet I have found that this is a very much more than isolated problem with toyota head gaskets. Toyota issued a service campaign admitting the problem, but it limited the number years. The problem has obviously continued in the same manner since the campaign but toyota refuses to admit that fact. The federal safety agency needs to investigate, and protect the consumer from the danger of engine failure on the roadway, as well as extreme repair cost by forcing toyota to extend their campaign or announce a recall to fix the problem.

Filed Jul 6, 2005 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MD

Engine overheats, antifreeze disappearing apparently into the engine through the defective failed head gasket, engine skipping, huge white smoke cloud exits the tailpipe. Antifreeze enters the engine block through the failed head gasket. Engine needs to be replaced $2500 , rebuilt or best case a new head gasket installed for $1000

Filed May 24, 2004 · Engine · 104,000 miles · CA

Head gasket blew while driving up a long grade on the highway. Temperature gauge read normal. I realized it was overheating when anti-freeze started spraying on my windshield. Blown head gasket caused engine to overheat and crack block. Had to replace engine at $8,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · 90,000 miles · VA

My 95 toyota 4 runner has 90k miles and the head gasket has broken. This problem existed w/ 89 - 95's. Toyota did a complimentary campaign to fix the head gasket @ toyota's expense, but our VIN # was not covered, due b/c our VIN # was 6 months prior to the new engines w/ the corrected problem. We have contacted the better business bureau, toyota corp. Our local toyota dealerships,our local toyota regional rep, but to no avail will toyota assist us in anyway. It seems to me that this is a danger and if toyota is aware then they should accomodate their customer and should be responsible to ensure the safety of their customers.

Filed Feb 18, 2004 · Engine · AL

Engine failure.

Filed Jul 9, 2003 · Transmission · NY

A toyota dealership is looking to replace a complete transmission on my daughter's 1995 4runner. The truck has 80000 miles-that is only 10000 miles per year and the vast majority of the miles are highway miles. It has never gone off road.*ak the truck has been maintained; it was also included in a toyota recall for bad head gaskets where the upper half of the engine was replaced. My complaint is that the transmission is defective if it only lasted 80000 miles but of course it is out of manufacturers warranty.

Filed Jun 6, 2003 · 59,902 miles · CA

In april, 2000 my 1995 toyota 4-runner needed a new block. We were still under warranty and had toyota of garden grove do the work necessary. Total charges were 5300. Insurance picked up most of this. Then in may of 2003, the same thing happened-only this time we were not under warranty. With rental cars and repairs, our total is up to 3200. We were told by the 2nd mechanics that the first mechanics who claimed to put in all new engine and parts that this was not so. This seems absurb for a vehicle that has only 93,000 miles on it to need 2 engines in a 3 year period. We were completely lied to by toyota of garden grove-thus causing us alot of money in repairs this time around. I am not a negligent car owner-I maintain my car because I am aware of the consequences if you let things go. My father has worked as a service manager my whole life so I am aware of maintaining a car.

Filed Mar 10, 2003 · Engine · 89,129 miles · OH

The head gasket blew causing antifreeze to leak into the radiator. At the time I was in a remote location in montana. Both mechanic and myself called toyota and both were told there was a recall on '95 4-runner, but I was off by 1 vehicle identification number, which excluded me from the recall. Gasket replaced, then at 89,129 miles. Engine rod blew. The entire engine had to be replaced. At that time I was 30 miles outside missoula, montana, so vehicle was towed to toyota dealer in missoula. (purchase was from classic toyota in mentor, oh.) I was told by dealer that once again, my vehicle identification number did not fit recall. Toyota service mechanic offered to buy vehicle from me for $5000, told me it would cost 4,500-4,900 to fix. Once again took back to same indiana mechanic, calls were again made to toyota by him again (also by myself), told sorry wrong vehicle identification number, off by a digit. Engine was replaced then at 124,096 miles engine blew again. No other problems have been encountered with this car-just the same engine/gasket component. It should also be noted that oil changes and dealer recommended routine care was taken. I can not even give the car away, it has been sitting in my driveway since september 2002. Toyota has not proven to be helpful or courteous in this issue. I will never buy a toyota product again.

Filed Mar 2, 2003 · Engine · 119,000 miles · CA

Vehicle was taken to privately owned service and owner was told that a cylinder is blown and that the vehicle needs a new engine, this was due to head gasket problem with the vehicle. The owner had the head gasket replaced during the limited recall, but has since had oil leakage, engine was sluggish, the engine check light was on continuously, white/toxic billowing smoke from exhaust among other problems. I do not feel that it is my financial responsibility to replace engine or any other components involved due to toyota's head gasket problems. I was told that the problem was taken care of on the first replacement of head gasket and now I find out that the problem is not. Otherwise, vehicle is in excellent shape. Also, never received recall notice, happened to run into another recall victim at enterprise rentals and looked into the matter as a result of the conversation. I am definitely not recommending toyota as a reliable/consumer sensitive company anymore. A solution to this problem would change my mind. As of now, my vehicle is failing and I do not feel safe driving it.

Filed Jul 26, 2002 · Engine · OH

Engine failure when oil just changed at sunnyside.