1997 Toyota 4RUNNER: pulls to one side

Filed Jul 11, 2009 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CT · crash · 2 injuries

While driving on the highway at the speed limit (60 MPH), the vehicle surged/jolted forward pulling to the right. I was unable to regain control of vehicle causing me to merge into the direction of a tractor trailer. I tried to turn away from tractor trailer to avoid collision. My vehicle hit the rear tire of the tractor trailer and I began to swerve out of control. My brakes didn't seem to help either, they didn't function. This resulted in the vehicle rolling over 3+ times, the car was totaled. All passengers were hospitalized but no other vehicles or people were hurt from the accident. My concern is regarding the periodic engine surge and/or jolting and lack of brake control. This is a safety hazard that must be addressed in order to avoid future incidents. We were very lucky to have not been killed in this auto accident.

Filed Jun 25, 2007 · Tires · 185,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 toyota 4runner. The contact purchased goodyear wrangler at (lt255/85r16) tires. While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a hissing sound and the vehicle pulled to the right. He pulled over and noticed that the passenger side rear tire was flat. The tire has not yet been examined. The current and failure mileages were 185,000.

Filed May 18, 2005 · Suspension · 102,000 miles · OH · crash

I was driving on an interstate loop at approximately 30 MPH. At the top of the loop, as I straightened the wheel the vehicle began to rock back and forth as though it was going to flip over. The rocking turned into fishtailing, and the steering wheel was forcefully pulled to the left. This caused the vehicle to travel across two lanes of traffic and hit a guardrail, ending up facing oncoming freeway traffic. The airbags were deployed. I was 4 months pregnant and travelling with my 10 month old son. I was able to drive to safety in the median. This accident was a total mystery to me since I was not travelling at an excessive speed. The ground was slightly wet from a brief sprinkle.

Filed Sep 18, 2004 · Transmission · 74,557 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Driving in #1 lane of freeway when a stopped vehicle protruding into the lane necessitated me to take evasive action. I swerved to the right and avoided the car and then swerved back to the left to avoid car in lane to my right. At this point I felt the car get bumpy and I was unable to steer forward and was pulled to the left and into the center divider. The left rear wheel had snapped off the axle and the car was dragging on the pavement I was knocked unconscious and my left foot was broken.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Suspension · AZ

My 97 toyota 4runner has had repeated problems with leaking rear axel seals and bent rear axels. This causes the rear brakes to be soaked with lubricant and useless or pull to one side. My dealer has replaced 2 axels on the left rear and 1 axel on the right rear. Numerous seals have been replaced. The rear brakes have been replaced twice because of this problem. Besides an annoyance, besides a $1,000 repair bill, this problem is an extreme safety hazard for me and my family.

Filed Oct 11, 2003 · Tires · AZ · crash · 1 injury

The first tire that the tread came off was while traveling on the freeway - july, 2002. No damage to the vehicle or myself. Tow truck driver came out and changed the tire. Went to discount tire to have the tire replaced, they replaced it at no cost. When I asked if the others were safe, they said yes, leaving the other desert dog tires on. August, 2003 - driving on the freeway again with my husband, we felt a vibration, pulled off to the side of the road and found that the tread had come off once again. Had that replaced at discount tire, where they didn't mention again that there was a recall on the remaining desert dog tire on the vehicle. October, 2003 - my husband was driving on the freeway, traveling about 75 MPH, felt a tire go down, this time causing the vehicle to pull right, then back to the left. Then there was total loss of control as he veered down into the median where the vehicle rolled 6 - 8 times. Once again, the tread had separated causing what could have resulted in his death. Luckily, he did not have any serious injuries. The vehicle is totalled. There was a recall on these tires from pirelli on june 7, 2001. The recall states that pirelli would notify their distributors. Discount tire should not have let us drive away from their location with those tires!!

Filed Aug 8, 2002 · Suspension · VT

Ongoing problem with vehicle wandering across the road while driving at highway speed. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further infromation.