2003 Toyota 4RUNNER acceleration problems

Filed Nov 9, 2021 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while his wife driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle rapidly started to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and parked on the side of the road. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her destination. The contact stated that in October 2021 his wife experienced a similar failure. The contact also stated that on 11/8/2021 while his wife driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated quickly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed on the brake pedal with both feet and shifted gear to neutral to slow the vehicle. The driver stated she saw smoke coming from both front brakes. The drive was able to park on the side of the road. The driver stated that the brake pedal was seized on the floorboard. The driver stated she applied the parking brake to release the brake pedal. The driver was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that his wife had experienced the failure on 3 different occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V113000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 03V146000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Acceleration · 58,000 miles · HI

I was at a complete stop. Right after I let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently. It was a traumatic experience. I don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common? Also, shortly after I took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles. Toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler. I just noticed two rust spots above the rear window. It appears water is seeping in from above the black strip and ponding on thr bottom of it (above the window), resulting in rust. I am wondering if this is common or a problem because the black strip was removed to repaint, or wasn't sealed as well by the factory?

Filed Aug 11, 2017 · Acceleration · 75,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. On several occasions, while attempting to slow down the vehicle, it independently accelerated. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed at sunrise toyota north (located at 910 middle country rd, middle island, ny 11953, (631) 924-8100). The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 90,000 miles · FL

The engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The engine 02 sensors were found to be defective. The manufacture will not replace or replace since there are no advisories on the part. There is a high risk the engine may under perform which may cause lack of control and a potential accident while driving. Leading to injury.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 102,000 miles · CA

I was driving normally with no issues on local streets. Suddenly the vsc,trac, and e-brake lights came on the dashboard with a very loud audible alarm. No prior issues with this system. I was able to drive slowly home on side roads (1.5 miles away). I made it to my driveway, pulled in on my upsloping driveway and then I had no brakes. Pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to get the car into the street and had it towed to the shop. I feel lucky to have had this happen at low speed and in town. There was little to no warning for a critical system failure. Diagnosis by mechanic is brake master cylinder/traction control module, at approximately $3000 to replace. I have found multiple incidents of this failure across multiple vehicle types. The lack of responsiveness upon failure (including the emergency brake) and the short window to react makes me feel lucky that I did not hit or harm myself or anyone else with this failure.

Filed Nov 22, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 160,000 miles · CO

We were driving along normally, the vsc, trac, ABS and e-brake lights came on the dashboard, along with an audible alarm. Then we had no brakes. I had to push with all my strength just to slow down at all. We were lucky we did not crash, we could have been killed. I am finding out it is a common problem on this year and model, as well as other toyota models that use the same brake master cylinder/traction control module.

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Acceleration · 142,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without any warning. The contact mentioned that she was able to decrease the speed by continuously depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 142,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 24,000 miles · AK

Near the end of august four warning lights came on at the same time in my 2003 4runner. They were the vsc trac, vsc off, ABS and brake. I scheduled an appointment with the local toyota authorized repair shop to determine and fix the problem. They looked at the vehicle and discovered significant rust and corrosion on the frame, rear axle and attached parts. I have asked for an estimate to repair, and they are unable to do so as there is so much rust, corrosion, and lack of material to work with. I am the second owner of this vehicle. The first owner, a friend of mine, had the vehicle undercoated the day after purchase, kept the car in a garage, and washed the vehicle frequently including the underside. I purchased the vehicle in february 2007 with 13,750 miles. It has also lived in a garage here. As of august 29, 2013, the date of the inspection, the vehicle had 24,005 miles. The exterior of the vehicle is in perfect condition, and the interior is the same. However, the underside is a different story. I have contacted toyota and received this response. "there are no known issues or current recalls relating to body and frame rust issued for your vehicle...your vehicle is out of warranty, and we would be unwilling to offer you any compensation for any repairs to the vehicle. While we understand your dissatisfaction with this decision, it does represent toyota's final position in this matter."

Filed Aug 27, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,000 miles · MD

On approximately february 28, 2012, the ABS/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner. I called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away. They diagnosed the car and came up with "no sensor reading?. It cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. I picked up the car and a few weeks later I brought it back for the same problem. The computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650. The next week the lights came on again. The dealership kept the car for a few days but later reported that they could not duplicate the problem. They told me that I should wait until it got worse and bring it back. I suffered with this problem for months. I say suffered because when I was in park and these lights came on, I could not shift out of park. The lights would eventually go away and allow me to drive. On 8/24 the problem became worse. I could not shift my car out of park for more than 15 minutes on over 10 different occasions. The warning lights remained lit almost constantly over 3 days. When I called to return the car to the dealership on 8/27, the service person said that she thought there was a recall associated with that issue, but then told me that there was not. Later that day, they called and said that they again could not replicate the problem. After a quick internet search, it seems that many people have had the same experience that I have had on various toyota vehicles. I feel an investigation is appropriate in this instance.

Filed Dec 12, 2011 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without any warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.