2003 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · Transmission · MI

Complete corrosion of entire frame causing unavoidable damage to framework.

Filed May 10, 2022 · Body, Engine · CA

The frame of the car has been rusting at a significant rate in the last 4 years. Mechanic identified major rust issues that would make the vehicle not safe in case of an accident.

Filed Apr 15, 2022 · Engine, Suspension · NY

The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. I called Toyota on 4/12/22 and was told that there is not a recall for this issue and that any repairs would have to be paid by me. I then proceeded to call the number given to me by the representative to call 800‑331‑4331 for the Toyota Corporate office. I spoke to Blake who gave me the same answer, there was not a recall on this vehicle for rust/corrosion on the frame of vehicle. At this time, Toyota charges $150 just to check car and unfortunately, I don't have those funds to pay such a fee. I asked Blake if there was a way, Toyota can check without charging a fee and his answer was no. Currently, there is not any warning lights on, but with increased time and pressure of exhaust pipe and muffler will create more problems. I cannot have the exhaust system fixed until the frame of truck is replaced. My car was checked by an independent shop.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Suspension, Transmission · 215,000 miles · NJ

Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 96,000 miles · NC

Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts. *this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled. This 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle. The pictures are disturbing! All of our cars are older and never have we had an issue like this. The 2003 4runners are affected.

Filed Feb 13, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 176,654 miles · OH

Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the toyota tundras and tacoma's.

Filed Dec 14, 2017 · Body, Transmission · 150,000 miles · IL

There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old I find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in pennsylvania, illinois, ohio, new york. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been coated, or at the very least notify the customers to make sure they do it. These car should last much much longer and as expensive as the 4runners are they should last.

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Transmission · 130,009 miles · KY

Extensive frame rust through and rear differential/axle rust the frame rust is in an area that connects the rear axle to the vehicle.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · AR

My 2003 toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly. It took me two years and lots of money later to determine that the cause of this is because transmission fluid is wicking its way through the transmission solenoid harness all the way to the ecu and once there because of the way the ecu is mounted gets into all of the other wiring harnesses of just about every other sensor. I went to toyota and the first technician never heard that happening before but another overheard our conversation and said "I bet you have a 4runner" so yeah its happened to others. They wanted nearly $4500 to fix the issue. New engine wiring harness $1500-$2000 and another $1000 for the labor and the rest of the estimate is for other parts not specified. Their solution is to cut the wire below the transmission wiring harness connector then splice and solder but I would have to replace nearly all the critical wiring in that car. I cant give an exact date on when it started going wrong but I can look at the service history on the toyota owner's website and give you this timeline. 0-89,997 - no, issues with emissions or electrical systems. 89,997mi - 90k service done - transmission fluid change w/flush done at dealer. 98,152mi - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces maf sensor. 100,117 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces o2 sensor and a/f sensor bank 2 position 1 & 2 105,312 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces bank 1 position 1 a/f sensor and maf sensor again. Total cost $798.76. There are more but I have character limits. I will say this though that the problem should have been obvious because you can clearly see the fluid when you unplug the o2 sensor from the harness but toyota was content charging me $500-$700 every 10k miles without actually fixing it. Car still remained functional but ruined fuel economy.

Filed Jul 3, 2013 · Body, Steering · 125,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines and the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.