Consumer states while driving at any speed, there was a strong smell of chemical fumes in the passenger compartment. The dealer had inspected vehicle, and was unable to duplicate or correct the problem. *ak the dealer duplicated the problem and said that it was not acceptable. The right front wheel center had faded. *scc
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER engine complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 99 of 99, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Exhaust odors enter cabin under middle, heavy acceleration, even with windows closed. Strong choking hydrogen sulfide, rotten egg smell, lingers in the cabin for a minute or more each time. Exhaust makes mechanical valve train noise, sounds like pinging or sticking hydraulic lifters on moderate acceleration.
Foul fumes enter cabin upon acceleration. This occurs with high octane gas or without high octane gas. Only use 93 octane, but due to several other complaints tried lower octane and strong odor continued. These fumes enter cabin with all windows closed, air ventilation on recirculation and with air conditiong/heat off. Makes breathing very difficult and become light headed or headache. This is not just a "smell" but literal gagging fumes.
Terrible sulfur smell on acceleration of 2003 4runner 6 cylinder sport. Most noticeable when the rear window is down. Complained to dealer twice. Told it was the gas I was using twice. Tried numerous different brands of gas with no improvement. I don't believe any of this. There must be something wrong with the catalytic converter or another exhaust component. Wondering if the exhaust smell could contain carbon monoxide!
Engine compartment fills with smell of rotten eggs even with windows up and air conditioning on, very unpleasant.
When accelerating the engine makes an odd noise that sounds like there is an exhaust leak. I also intermittently have the "rotten egg" smell inside the vehicle. I took it to the dealer to have it examined and after the service manager drove the vehicle for 1.6 miles, he told me "they all sound like that." it seems odd to me that a vehicle designed to be so quiet would make such an alarming sound when accelerating. I also find it odd that, if there were no exhaust leak, with all the windows closed, the rotten egg smell of exhaust is still able to seep inside the passenger compartment. I have read other complaints stating customers should use a "better quality" of fuel. I have only used hess and mobil 93 octane in the 3 weeks that I've owned the vehicle. I assume this is a good quality gasoline, but if toyota feels there is a better quality gasoline which will make resolve these problems, I will be happy to use specifically the brand they recommend.
Consumer states that vehicle smells like gas from inside of vehicle. Dealer notified.
Strong rotten odor/sulfur smell from vehicle when accelerating regardless if windows are up or down.
Consumer noticed strong chemical gas coming from the exhaust tail and absorb by the rear window gate. Dealer stated well don't open that window.
When engine is cold the belts make a loud screeching noise until the car warms, then the car make a ticking sound. Truck is a v6 model and has been in for this repair 4 times, dealer says toyota is aware of the problem and does not have the proper solution yet, they say it has to do with the belts and tensioner set up. Unacceptable response from toyota.
Engine makes a tick, tick, tick noise while running. Sounds like something knocking internally in the engine or an exhaust leak. Dealers repair shop says its normal. I don't believe them. I suspect a future problem or failure of a component.
We bought a new 4runner in may 2003 and we noticed a rotten egg sulfur smell. At first I brushed it off thinking it was the outdoors, however the smell is still present.
Ticking noises on acceleration. Engine uses a tremendous amounts of gasoline and always sounds as if it is over accelerating. Smells of burning rubber often. A belt has been replaced for the 3 rd time. No heat or fan on one occasion. Squealing fan belt on 3 occasions. The third time lost all water and coolant and had to be towed. Strong burning smell and loss of power steering. Could have had serious accident. It has been at the dealer 2 weeks this time and they claim they are replacing pulleys. I am fearful of driving this car. I have a 60 mile commute.
2003 toyota 4-runner v6 sr5 generates this unusual (tick, tick, tick) engine noise especially when accelerating. It sounds like a loose part in the engine block. This noise is especially noticeable when the 4-runner, driven by my wife, accelerates by me or when I drive with the window open next to a wall. It also sounds like there might be an exhaust leak somewhere in the exhaust system.
Rear window is open and exhaust smoke fumes will come inside of window while traveling.
Rotten egg smell from exhaust when hatch back window down for interior air circulation. Believe the cause is length and positioning of exhaust pipe.
The exhaust smell from the truck has a horrific and sickening smell. I have not been driving the vehicle due to this issue. It has made me sick to my stomach at times and my wife and kids can not stand the continuous smell either. I am very upset with this and would like a refund of my purchase price. Toyota sent out a tsb regarding the smell saying it was the gasoline (poor) that people use. Wrong! I use amoco and texaco only.
There is a strong sulfur smell inside our 2003 toyota 4 runner sport edition when we drive. It is hard to breathe at times. Our concern is that it is dangerous to our health. Are we also getting carbon monoxide? Toyota dealer told us there is no fix other than to try different gasoline. We have two other vehicles on the same gas with absolutely no smell. We are at a loss as to what to do. Suggestions? Toyota gave us a copy of a technical service bulletin dated 2/24/03 on sulfur odor from exhaust. Obviously, they are aware of this and are doing nothing.
2003 toyota 4-runner v6 limited generates this unusual (tick, tick, tick) engine noise especially when accelerating. It sounds like a loose part in the engine block. This noise is especially noticeable when the 4-runner, driven by my wife, accelerates by me or when I drive with the window open next to a wall. Will this noise affect engine performance and shorten engine life? Very concerned customer.
Passenger compartment fills with exhaust fumes (rotten egg smell) mainly when in motion with the back window down.
After a very frustrating and disappointing experience with a gmc SUV we bought a 2003 toyota sr5 4runner. Up to this point we have been pleased with it. However, an ammonia/sulfur odor has been noted inside the cabin when driving and causes extreme irritation and a burning feeling in the throat and lungs of anyone in the vehicle. They all immediately complain. We have never experienced anything quite like this. We checked this site to see if others have had the same complaint....they have. We talked with our dealer about it and were told it was the nature of the fumes given off from the fuel. We believe a wind deflector/rear spoiler may help this problem but also learned from our dealer that one is not made (yet) for this model 4runner. This physical irritation and burning felt while driving is totally unacceptable and we hope more complaints filed will cause enough concern to get something done. Either with the fuel or a product to eliminate these odors from entering the cabin.
I occasionally have sulfur smelling fumes from the exhaust in the vehicle even when the windows are closed. The dealership told me to switch brands of gasoline. I am less concerned about the smell than the idea that exhaust fumes are entering the car with the windows closed.
The vehicle was distributing excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide gas from the exhaust pipe . The gas was coming through the air vents and making the occupants sick.
Engine belt squeaks. Has been replaced once and adjusted another time. Squeak returned for third time with under 2000 miles on vehicle.
Exhaust fumes apparently entering cabin of vehicle. Smell of sulfur very strong even when all windows are up.
The consumer smelled strong chemical fumes in the passenger compartment, which seemed to be coming from the exhaust.
Exhaust fumes seeped into the passenger cabin while driving.
My 2003 4runner v6 limited generates this unusual engine noise especially when accelerating. My observations include a possible loss in power and affects engine performance, and possibly the longevity of the engine. I took it to a second toyota dealer where it was immediately recognized but a solution is yet to be determined since the v6 4.0 is a new engine. Currently, I wait for a toyota technician from the factory to examine the engine. Meanwhile, I continue to drive the vehicle and I am afraid that I am doing more harm to it's life expectancy. What steps can I take to accelerate the process since I feel that I am being given the runaround. I have been a faithful toyota customer as this is my 3rd 4runner, and have never experience anything like this. Many thanks.
Toxic sulfur/rotten egg smell in cabin of automobile
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