2003 Toyota 4RUNNER seats problems

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 115,000 miles · KS · crash · 1 injury

I was stopped on the highway behind a truck making a left turn when I was rear ended by another truck going 60 MPH. My 4runner was crushed between them, totaled, and my air bags never deployed. I hit the steering wheel so hard I bounced off of it and broke my seat from the momentum. When I awoke I had slid into the back seat (which is all that was really left of the vehicle). Although I am thankful to be alive, I feel that at that force, the airbags should have deployed!

Filed Jan 19, 2012 · Seats · 48,000 miles · VA

I was driving the vehicle at a slow speed and made a turn up a hill. Suddenly, I felt the seat jerk backwards and it seemed like the driver's seat went off its track. Later, when the vehicle was parked, I checked the seat in an attempt to resecure it to the track, but I could not improve the situation. It seemed as though the seat is not locked anymore. Whenever I accelerate or come to a stop, it feels as though the driver seat could come loose as it is not secure to the track anymore. I did some research and found out that there is a toyota technical service bulletin for this issue. The number is nvo11-06. I checked with the dealer, and they said there is no recall to fix this problem. The vehicle owner must pay for parts and labor to fix, with a total cost exceeding $1500 for cars outside of the 3 year/36000 mile warranty. I have a 2003 model vehicle that I purchased on 6/2003, and this tsb was issued on 10/2006 for my vehicle model, which means this tsb was invalid for me at the tsb release. I discovered this problem around 9/2011 because I have very low mileage on the vehicle. Many owners are not aware of this issue. I believe this is a safety hazard because even if you are wearing your seatbelt, the driver's seat is not secure and shifts during normal stop of acceleration and can cause whiplash. Also, I have felt dizziness during heavy stop and go traffic due to the rocking motion because the seat is not secure to the track. In case of an accident, it is more likely that the seat can become dislodged, thus rendering the seat belt useless during a crash. I am a mechanical engineer and I understand the issue. I have surfed online and many people who have noted this issue have resorted to jerry rigging a fix to the seat because they cannot afford to pay for fixing this defect. I highly recommend a recall for toyota to fix this problem.

Filed Jun 12, 2009 · Seats · 40,000 miles · OH

Drivers seat is defective. It once rattled and moved on it's own (just little bit). However, the seat frame has now collapsed over the time period. (please note it has been sinking slowly over a long time period.. I just noticed it in 2008) the frame must have been defective and/or is poorly designed. I am presently sitting on the electronics box which I believe to be the electronics for the side impact air bags. I hope sitting on that does not prematurely set off the air bags which could cause an accident. Or short out the air bags so they won't go off when needed. I went to the dealership a few times. I get the run-around and never get a straight answer . Now they won't return my calls.

Filed Feb 17, 2008 · Seats · NC

My drivers seat is broken and moves when I drive it developed over a few weeks. My seat belt locks some times because of the seat shifting I have never been in accident and only weight 178 I don't know how it broke but the dealerships said it is not covered in the warranty I explained that I thought it was a safety hazard but didn't get any response.

Filed Oct 12, 2004 · Seats · DC

While driving the consumer noticed that the seats height was not adjusted properly. The consumer contacted the dealer who attempted to repair the problem several times but was unable to permanently correct . *bf

Filed Jul 2, 2004 · Seats · 12,000 miles · GA

Front drivers side seat rattles or moves about 1/2 inch when slowing down, going fast & going over bumps.

Filed Jun 2, 2004 · Seats · 8,000 miles · MA

Consumer stated rear seats did not lock in place. As a result, when applying brakes suddenly the seats came up.

Filed May 8, 2004 · Seats · NY

Driver's seat backrest, moves or has a play making it unsafe to drive.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Seats · 500 miles · NC

The front driver seat on my 4 runner does not properly lock into place. The seat moves forward and backward on the track in certain positions under braking and/or acceleration. At first the dealer said they would replace the track, but since then they have decided to deny that there is even a problem. The regional manager dropped the case off of their records without even trying to solve the problem. They said it made their averages look bad.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Seats · 50 miles · CA

Manual seat of 2003 4 runner sport model continually retracts from elevated position. This makes it difficult to use the rear view mirror when driving. Since the seat lowers within 15-30 minutes depending on road surface the seat must be continously raised, creating another unsafe dirving situation. Service dealer indicates there is no solution to problem and it is "something I will have to live with"!!