My dashboard is melting and cracking.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 11 of 11: complaints 281 to 310 of 310, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact noticed a large amount of rust on the frame near the radiator. The dealer stated that the boots on the front axles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Frame has excessive rust. The vehicle has spent most of its life in nh/me. It is now registered in fl. It has been in florida for about 16 months. I have filed several complaints with toyota and they keep telling me my vehicle is out of warranty so they will not do anything. The rust is bad enough that the front cross member can be flexed by hand. It is not unusual for me to find large chunks of rust in the driveway in the morning after the vehicle sits over night. I have cleaned and treated the rust myself as well as several coats of paint to try to stop/slow the rust but it has not done much good. Toyota has voiced problems with every other full-framed vehicle they have including the older pick ups, tundra, sequoia, and most recently the 05-08 tacoma's. I am on several toyota forums and this is not a problem on a few vehicles. If the vehicle has been in the rust belt the frames are severely rusted. I do have several pictures I can send if needed.
Dashboard is riddled with cracks all over. Many of the cracks follow along the same lines as other owners who have posted pics of their dashboard online. My other car from a similar year, had the same issue and that manufacturer replaced it with a goodwill repair, probably to avoid a full recall. It seems to be a common issue for multiple manufacturers for cars in the early to mid 2000s.
Inspection of underside of vehicle revealed extensive frame rust and perforation through the sides of the frame. Lower radiator support rusted through, control arm support rusted through. Dealer inspected and verified, no program available for repair. Dealer stated common problem in northeast vehicles.
My dashboard has several cracks form one side to the other all across the airbag which concerns me a whole lot, I also have a 2002 4runner which does not have this problem, the material is pretty different to the 2004, the 2004 looks and feel very poor, not sure if toyota will step up to the plate to warranty this defect ! If the airbag deployed on its own and someone get injured then I guest toyota will try to help. These trucks are made in japan, the quality should be a++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Frame is rusting out.
Underbody frame rusted out in several places.
In 2006 of sept, I noticed a little hairline on my dashboard and as years go by up to this year 1 sept 2013 that hairline develop to a crack. This car is garage keep, windows are crack open for air circulation and a sun visor cover for windshield and not much driven, actual mileage is 50600 as of today, 1 sept 2013. I am just scared that the airbag might deploy if a sudden stop or because of the crack becoming wider.
Drivers door latch mechanism would not permit driver to exit the vehicle. Door would not unlock, though all electric and manual actions to unlock the door appear to work, latch handle would not move. This condition was normal for the vehicle when new if the door was locked. All other doors in the vehicle would open from the inside if locked. Drivers door latch failed prohibiting driver from exiting the car and was replaced. Replacement latch would permit emergency exit from the vehicle if the lock was activated.
Major rust on frame and other mechanical parts. Not exposed to salt does not occur with my other vehicles.
2004 4runner limited, frame rusted out.
Vehicle was being parked alongside the curb when it suddenly jumped the curb, the sidewalk onto the uphill grassy landscape, hit and severed a tree, and almost crashed the house inches away, then bounced back to the street- all in about 3 seconds. The tires spun violently and left a thick residue of rubber and thick smoke throughout. The brake was hard and stuck , as I managed to put the stick to neutral and then to park. I was truly shocked and shaken that I could have hurt or killed myself or others. This is the second time this happened- the first in july 22, 2009 when the same acceleration happened when I was moving the vehicle into the garage, surged in about 2 secs. Crashing into the storage and the garage walls. Reference: toyota claim no.[xxx] (2009) and no.[xxx] (2012). In both cases toyota disowned any responsibility. While toyota assures me of the safety of the vehicle, I cannot in my right mind continue to drive this vehicle nor pass it on to somebody else except to return it to toyota. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact noticed that the entire length of the dashboard exhibited cracks which originated from the driver's side air bag housing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 97,377.
I began to notice that my dash has started to crack and it is in the area of the air bag. I did some research and found out that many 2004 toyota 4runner owners are having the same problem. I called toyota to ask for info and they refused to assist in the matter or even help pay for it to be replaced. This concerns me for my safety, since it is in the area of the air bag. Toyota is aware of this defect in the dash but has done nothing to remedy the situation. It is not only a safety concern, but it also depreciates the value of my vehicle. I have listed my case number and one other that I know of below with toyota. Other from research- [xxx] mine - [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
On or about july 16, 2012 owner noticed that the vehicle dashboard had vertical cracks near the driver side and passenger side air vents. On or about 9/21/12, owner noticed a horizontal crack in the passenger side dashboard above the glove box. Vehicle has not been in any accidents and has been housed in garages at work and home.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard developed multiple cracks and he was concerned that the air bags would become exposed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who filed a report and offered to pay half of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 64,000. ...updated 10/19/12
Approx 3 years ago, I noticed a small crack in the dash on the passenger side, I thought maybe someone did something and did not tell me. Since that time, my dash has increased in the amount and length of the cracks. One crack is about 24-28 inches long and others are about 2 inches and longer. I looked on the internet and found many complaints about the same issue. My 4runner is garage kept and I have not done anything to my dash that would create they cracks. What can happen if the passenger airbag is deployed in an accident? Can this cause flying pieces of the dash board to be in your face when the airbag hits causing possible facial damage?
Linear cracks appeared seemingly overnight across the entire dash (toyota calls it the safety pad). Car is in pristine condition, and a sunshade was used daily. This must be a defect in materials.
I have been reading online where many owners of toyota 4runners in the 2003-2004 year range are having a cracked dash on the passenger side above the airbag. In an accident, the plastic could cut you if the air bag goes off and water could go down crack and get into airbag system. To my knowledge, toyota will not admit fault in the dash. This is too common to not be a toyota defect. This should be made right.
I have a 2004 4runner limited. The dash has a long crack all the way across the front. The dash on the passenger side right above the glove box is covered with cracks. I believe that this is a defect in materials used by toyota and that it can potentially cause the airbag to not deploy correctly. The local dealership claims that they have never seen anything like it before, but there are numerous other complaints online. I believe that if it was caused by the weather or products used that the cracks would be all over the top of the dash, not just the front where the airbag is suppose to deploy. A recall needs to be issued and toyota needs to own up to its faulty dashes.
I have a toyota 4runner 2004 w/ 62000 that has been kept in the garage and is in immaculate condition except for cracks on the dashboard around instrument panel and above glove box . I brought to the dealership and they said I have to replace it and would cost around $1500. The same dealership replaced another 4runner dashboard for free plus $300 for installation. I went online (repairpal)and there is many toyota customer w/ same problem .
Around the end of 2010, I noticed a crack on the dashboard over the passenger side airbag and took the vehicle to my local dealer to see if the factory representative could look at it at his next visit. Instead of the rep looking at it at a later date the service manager had me bring the vehicle back so he could take a picture of it. I got no help from the dealer/manufacturer. Mid 2011 the one crack has developed into 2 cracks with one being approx 15 inches long and the other approx 4-5 inches long. December 2011 I called the dealer back again to set up an appointment with the factory rep and I was told to call the manufacturer customer service phone number and they told me I had to call my local dealer. I called back to my local dealer and the service manager told me he would call me when he knew when the rep would be at the dealership. One month later, after not receiving a phone call I called the service manager back and was told he still did not know the reps schedule yet. My concern is that if I am involved in an accident and the airbags deploy, how will these cracks affect the deployment of the passenger side airbag?? Will the dashboard break into pieces when the airbag deploys and hurl plastic pieces of the dashboard towards the occupant of the passenger side at great speeds instead of cleanly coming out of the dash.
My 2004 toyota 4/runner dash board has cracks all in the front of the right side air bag (passenger side) they continue to grow becoming deep. They appeared at one time, this very unusual, I have owned a 1993 toyota 4/runner and the dash board never has cracks and it was always parked out side. My 2004 toyota 4/runner is a garage kept vehicle. This is a safety violation, only cracks on the front of the dash board above the glove box where the air bag is. I called toyota dealership and they said nothing can be done, to replace it will be about 1,000.00..I also sent a complaint to toyota customer service and the field inspector will not look at my 2004 4/runner because it is out of warranty and the year...my 2004 toyota is very clean and very well kept, as stated at the dealership when they inspected it and said they never saw anything like this. This is a safety issue and toyota field inspector will not see my truck...no one can tell me that this will not deploy the air bag...I am a toyota customer and I am not getting customer service. Do I need to take my toyota 2004 4/runner to another dealership that cares...or I should not buy a toyota vehicle. I am getting the run around from the dealership and toyota customer service.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was severely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 67,000.
2004 toyota 4-runner dash cracking above glove box/ air bag in two places. Getting larger daily.
Toyota 4runner 2004 dash cracked.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4 runner. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a state inspection. The technician observed frame perforation due to severe rust corrosion. As a result, the vehicle failed inspection because of the frame. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a structure body welder shop for a second opinion and the technician stated that the frame had excessive blisters. The technician did not recommend that the frame be repaired because the failure would recur within a year. The failure mileage was 61,980 and current mileage was 62,400.
-hatchback electronic closure fails for the second time within a one year period -replaced motor once because vehicle does not operate without--exhaust fumes come through the hatchback, unable to lock vehicle, lights don't automatically shut off, water during rain or snow gets inside vehicle, etc there is no manual over-ride to enable closing the hatchback there is no purpose for an electronic closing device--you still manually pull down the hatch, and once closed, the motor engages to latch it shut! The part wasn't covered under warranty, despite other hatchback complaints (poor aerodynamic design with lots of dirt thrown up on hatchback), so there have been issues with using the key lock, being unable to roll down the window, and now the vehicle is rusting around the window.
I purchased a 2004 toyota highlander jan. 2004 and drove it for two weeks before the weather permitted me to drive it with the windows down. I first noticed a excessive harmonic drumming noise when I opened the sun roof. I tried the other windows and the noise became unbearable to the point of causing extreme pain to the ear drums. The back windows being the worst. This problem was not disclosed at the time of purchase . I found out later that toyota has known about this for some time.
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