1999 Toyota 4RUNNER: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Electrical · 185,000 miles · VA

Fuel gauge reads inaccurately causing a running out of fuel situation, very dangerous. Gauge is very erratic, but usually shows 1/2 tank when it runs out. Sometimes goes all the way to full, sometimes all the way to empty. I have replaced the fuel sender in the tank with no change. I understand there is a toyota service bulletin # el010-00 which addresses this issue and a the federal safety agency action number 950312. Toyota says the parts are not available to make the repairs. Am I now supposed to scrap the vehicle because I never know when I will run out of gas because I have no idea when the tank is actually near empty? I have been experiencing this issue for well over a year. I am not asking for toyota to provide the parts at no charge, just that be made available to me. I am filing this inquiry on behalf of my grandson, as it is his car. I, however am a retired mechanic who will be doing the repair and have been unable to source the required parts.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · OH

The fuel gauge does not read correctly and will indicate full at times and empty at others leading to risk of running out of fuel. I finally reailzed this and so don't use the gauge anymore. Created risk of running out of gas on the highway if I hadn't seen it.

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Body · 198,000 miles · MI

I have bought toyota's for 25 + years and always keep them well-maintained. The visible exterior and interior of the vehicle is in very good shape. A few years ago, I took my 4runner in for a muffler repair and was told that I had a real problem with a rusting frame and that there were spots that were actually total perforation/holes. Two years later, my vehicle was in for a fuel gauge issue and the shop called to say they could not repair the vehicle because they could not safely raise the car. The rust on the frame was so bad the pads on the hoist slipped thru holes in the frame. I had the vehicle towed again, this time to the dunning toyota dealer in ann arbor, mi. The service representative agreed to have the toyota technical rep. Look at the vehicle. It took several months before the rep. Could actually look at the vehicle. Photos were taken of the frame corrosion. I asked if the vehicle was safe for me to drive and was told "probably not". Months later, my vehicle is still at the toyota dealer....unsafe to drive. *tr updated 5/22/13 *cn the consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted and advised that there was no remedy for the failure yet. Updated 06/12/2013 *js status update 07/31/14

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 196,001 miles · IA

The fuel gauge is inaccurate readings will vary all over the place ran out of gas several times now. It says 1/2 tank but there was no gas in the tank. I understand it is a know issue toyota should fix.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · CA

I'm the original owner of this 1999 toyota 4runner. Fuel gauge is inaccurate, gives misleading information. According to specification this gas tank can holds 18.5 gallons, but when the gauge said it was empty I filled it all the way up and it only took ~13 gallons. This a faulty design and it needs to be recalled and repaired for customer. I didn't notice this problem until I have a long trip ~ 500 miles away from home.

Filed Nov 12, 2012 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · CA

The fuel sending units on the '99 and '00 4 runner are defective and cause the fuel gauge to not read properly. I have run out of gas several times while the gauge is reading half full. Toyota has a service bulletin on this but no recall. Bulletin el010-00 and el010-99. It is a definite safety issue as I have run out of gas on a busy highway.

Filed Jun 9, 2012 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · NJ

The fuel gauge always reads 1/2 full to full. Ran out of gas 6 times due to this problem. Toyota has a tsb (el010-00) out on fuel gauge inaccuracy. After replacing an expensive sending unit, still no help. According to this tsb I do not have to replace the circuit board behind the instrument cluster. This is a factory flaw and toyota should be responsible for this problem. Thanks.

Filed Jan 11, 2011 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CO

I purchased a 1999 toyota 4runner 2 years ago after driving it off the lot we noticed within a week that the fuel gauge was not working. They explained that had they knew it was broken, how wouldn't you, they would not have been able to sell it for that price. I paid for the fix and was reassured that this would solve the problem. Well, starting about 1 month ago I am now having the same problem. I contacted toyota goodwill and they told me it was only covered under initial warranty. I have read several forums and columns on this issue and the problem does not occur within the first 36 k miles so alot of good that does. I am still waiting to see if management reviews my case, but I doubt anything will get done unless I continue to call back. I would think that toyota would want to extend some goodwill considering this is not the first time it has happened to me. The safety issue is relevant considering there is no real way to exactly track your miles and becoming stranded on the side of the highway or late at night is certainly not a good thing to have to experience.

Filed Aug 7, 2010 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · GA

I have a 1999 toyota 4-runner and the fuel gauge has stopped working. It began by showing a quantity of fuel when it really did not have any fuel. This caused me to run out of fuel and almost have a major accident. It now may read full, zero, 1/2 etc. You cannot depend on the accuracy. I contacted dealer who told me they knew it was a toyota defect but that the vehicle was out of warranty and they would do nothing about it but tell me to bring it in and they would fix it for between $500 - $1000!!! Toyota has even issued a service bulletin tsb # el 010-00 to address the problem but not offer repairing the problem. This is a dangerous situation for those unaware and could result in death or serious injury.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · PA

Sudden loss of power when driving 1999 toyota 4runner sr5. Fuel gauge reads full and vehicle stalls due to no fuel in tank. I have been able to verify that this is a known issue to toyota and that they have refused to correct the problem under warranty even though they have acknowledged that a problem with the part as delivered in this vehicle and they issued tsb:el010-00 titled "fuel gauge inaccuracy" to fix the problem only under warranty. This is not a warranty issue, but a safety issue as vehicle can run out of fuel and stall without warning at high rates of speed on congested highways. This issue has not been resolved. I have had to use the odometer to guess how much fuel is remaining the fuel tank at any given time. Factors such as highway conditions, weather, necessary use of 4wd can impact the number of miles achieved in a single tank of gas. Also, fuel tank must be filled to top when refueling to most accurately guess number of miles that can be driven before the vehicle stalls.

Filed Dec 5, 2009 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · OH

Vehicle stalls and dies on freeway almost causing wreck. Find out there is no fuel in tank even though fuel gauge reads 1/2. Toyota says tsb el010-00 addresses known defective 1999 and 2000 fuel gauges and also addresses some gauges inaccurately reading empty when 4 gallons remain.

Filed May 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · PA

While driving on interstate during rush hour, in the passing lane at 70 MPH, the vehicles engine quit, lost all power steering, brakes, etc. Very dangerous for me and my family. Was able to drift to a turn around. Bottom line, vehicle had run out of gas, even though fuel gauge showed a little over 1/2 tank. This is very dangerous.