2003 Toyota 4RUNNER: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Body, Steering · MI

At the end of June 2021, while driving I experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4Runner. I took the 4Runner to a Goodyear Automotive Service Center on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought I should take it to the closest Toyota dealership in Troy, Michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 200,000 miles · NJ

The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions..a loud clunk noise....then .brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board...car is not drivable...massive rust at failure points

Filed Apr 22, 2019 · Suspension · 97,500 miles · NY

The rear axle assy mount bracket rusted straight through and it does a loud clunky noise while driving. Brought it to a body shop and they said I have to change the whole assy, it cant be fixed. The car was purchased from down south, theres literally no body rust, but the frame is almost all chewed away. I also cant pass ny inspection until I get it fixed, which will cost more than I paid for the car.

Filed Jun 15, 2009 · Transmission · GA

My 4runner has been making an awful clunking noise coming from the rear for about 2 years now. I have done some research and it seems to have happened in the lexus gx470 as well. The 03-06 4runners have the same driveline as the lexus and unlike lexus, toyota has refused to fix this problem. Please help!

Filed Dec 14, 2007 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CO

Continuing problem on my 2003 v8 4runner with the drive shaft. When I come to a stop or when I accelerate after a stop there is a momentary lag that feels like a "clunk" or that someone has just run into your back bumper. Toyota dealer "fixes" the problem with grease to the slip yoke but after 2,000 miles it comes back and is only getting worse. I've complained to the dealer continually and lexus 470 (same vehicle) has a tsb on the same occurrence. It has become increasingly annoying and can only be classifies as a dangerous defect.

Filed Apr 25, 2007 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · WA

My 2003 toyota 4runner makes a clunk sound that is felt throughout the vehicle when coming to a stop or when beginning to take off. This was first noticed at approximately 40,000 miles. Per the toyota dealership, removing the driveshaft and greasing the spline yoke quiets the clunk for approximately 20,000 miles. This is partly true, as the greasing quiets it, but it does not go away and the clunk get stronger every day the car is driven until you feel like you are being rear ended. Toyota states this is normal for the operation of the vehicle. It is not normal, and it is absurd to think it is normal. The car should accelerate from a stop without a clunk and come to a stop without a clunk. This problem is widely documented, but toyota has yet to provide a fix. The "clunking" changes your driving behavior/habits in order to minimize the clunk, but in the end, the car clunks when taking off, and clunks when coming to a stop. The toyota dealership states no damage is being incurred to the vehicle by the clunking, this may be true, but you certainly do not feel safe and secure when the vehicle clunks and shakes the car at virtually every stop and start. Toyota needs to find a fix to ensure toyota customers are safe when they drive, feel safe when they drive, and are satisfied with the toyota vehicle they drive.