2003 Toyota 4RUNNER: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 19, 2019 · Body · 181,000 miles · KY

I was driving my 4runner at about 20 miles per hour when it suddenly jerked to the right. I stopped and got out to see the frame had rotted apart and one of the suspension bar mounts had dropped. Luckily no one was hurt. I contacted toyota and they said there was nothing they could do for me.

Filed Jan 12, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 181,073 miles · CT

I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When I let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When I applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. I can bend it back and forth with my hand. I have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. It is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.

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 8, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vsc tracking light illuminated, causing the vehicle to violently jerk when applying pressure to the brakes. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had been notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 29, 2010 · Brakes · 45,444 miles · VA

When stopped and holding down the brake pedal my 2003 toyota 4runner lurches forward. It feels like the vehicle is going to loose the brakes but then catches. The dealer calls this a known 4runner problem. They say there is no fix from toyota.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Transmission · VA

When coming to a stop and/or accelerating from a stop the car will jerk forward with a thud. Sometimes two or three thuds are felt and heard. The dealer witnessed this problem and ourisman toyota in chantilly, va replaced the transmission at 14,500 miles. The problem seemed to go away for a while. I returned to the same dealer with the same complaint at 32,000 miles and they replaced the drive shaft. I returned again on 11/30/04 and the service manager witnessed the same problem within 200 feet of driving. The service manager indicated he believes this is normal (even though this was not a problem till about 12,000 miles). He is going to discuss this with the toyota rep who is in town this week.*ak I

Filed Oct 30, 2004 · Transmission · 3,500 miles · IL

When coming to a stop or even when stopped, a loud thud is heard and felt as if torque converter is still down shifting. When brakes released, thud is heard and felt again as car accelerates. Dealer says brakes are fine! I'm concerned as this is not a normal sound and recently car actually felt like it wanted to move forward as thud was felt and heard. (this is unrelated to the car wanted to lurch forward at stop when A/C is on!)

Filed Mar 24, 2004 · Fuel system · 123 miles · NC

2003 4 runner..... 12,000 miles, running on amaco sliver gas, still smells as rotten as ever...been through hell with the scott clark toyota in charlotte and gaston (north carolina).....they are all liars!!!! Saying it's the first they ever heard of such a thing.....filed reports and contacted owners..called everyone...even those jerks couldn't mail me lemon law papers etc. I will never own another toyota automobile...something should be done, a class lawsuit with enough people may get something accomplished or at least my $39,000 back. The smell of sulpher stinks so bad that it's to hard to even sale the piece of junk.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Acceleration · 5,300 miles · GA

When vehicle idled at a stop and the heater/ air conditioner was on the vehicle lurched forward without warning. *ak the brake must be held down hard.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 38,000 miles · UN

My new forerunner has 60000 km(lots of highway driving) on it and is experiencing the same problems documented by so many others. I usually have a friend of mine do the oil changes and therefore do not have documentation of the details. This initial problem arose on a weekend. I contacted my dealer and they couldn't get me in for a week. They told me to get the engine flushed immediately at a jiffy lube(or the like). I did so and that is when I started seeing smoke and having the engine either jerk or not respond at all. When the dealer finally had a look at it he told me I had neglected the engine and he would not go any further until I agreed to pay (no price offered as of yet, although he did say that it would probably be at least a piston ring job, possibly an engine). He also accused me of putting in a new oil filter to hide a problem. You can only imagine how useless and pathetic that made me feel. I previously owned a '99 forerunner(purchased new as well) and had not experienced any problems at all. I liked it so much I convinced both my sister and parents to purchase toyota's! I suppose my first question is whether or not you have seen any issues regarding this models engine. I have seen notes documenting the 2002 forerunner 2.2(4 cylinder), 3.0 and 3.6 litre v6, but not the 3.4 litre(which is what I believe mine to be). At this point in time toyota has not called back to let me know what they will do and for how much, but have suggested it will not be covered under warranty.