2008 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · VA

Diagnosis found trans fluid wicking up harness to engine ECM contaminating harness and ecu given false/abnormal readings at ECM. Extensive repairs necessary w/ internal trans wire replacement, engine harness replacement & engine ecu replacement. Other cleaning may be necessary or other harness replacement necessary [other]: transmission wire replacment [other]: engine harness replacement [other]: ECM replacement

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · OH

The actuator in the transfer case went bad in such a way as to not allow the vehicle either move (under its own power) or to be in a parked state; though the shifter and indicator lights indicated PARK and although you could turn off the vehicle and also remove the key, the vehicle was actually in a NUETRAL state that allowed the vehicle to freely roll. I put something behind the tire THANK GOODNESS I noticed! Anyway, Toyota wants more than the vehicle is worth to fix it so my mechanic replaced the transfer case with a used one. I've heard of others having this problem and it seems like it could be a safety-related concern. And an expensive concern, as well.

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 163,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle displayed a check engine light due to a non sealing gas cap. This condition also disables the stability control system. Vehicle lost control on wet conditions and was unable to recover due to all traction and stabilization systems being turned off due to a check engine light (faulty gas cap). I have owned the vehicle for 6 years and have put over 80,000 miles on it without incident. Vehicle was in motion traveling the speed limit on a rainy road.*dt

Filed Jan 6, 2019 · Brakes, Suspension · 158,790 miles · UT

Tamara recall prev owned veh, bought from dealership as "safe" to operate,110,000 mi on 11072016. Prev owner and current owner had ve had veh serviced regularly. Undercarriage and braking noise while in motion on hwy. Rear door not able to open, manually or with remote. Maint light and tire light came on. Post noise inspection by mechanic, left (?)front axle boot is split. Front noise undetermined (sway bar links or strutts?) at this time. Rear left driver's side axle bearing and seal leaking transmission fluid(?) into brakes. Brakes affected by leaking fluid and will have to be replaced due to damage by fluid, which could cause brake failure while driving. Rear door lock failure due to interior corrosion/rust. May need to be replaced.

Filed Nov 25, 2018 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · MI

When driving, the car was making a thumping noise which went away when the brakes were applied. Toyota dealer said it was a bent rear axle and would cost $2300 to replace. The vechicle is in excellent condition with 108,000 miles. Have never hit a big pothole or run over a curb. I believe it is a defect that came with the car and showed up after driving for 10 years. There are a lot of bent axles reported over the internet on toyota trucks and suvsl more than any other vechiclel I have owned many many cars and suvs and never had a bent rear axle beforel dealer said I would get reimbursed if toyota issued a recall. Very unhappy with this!

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Suspension, Transmission · CA

Vehicles undercarriage including frame, rear axle and manifolds are so severely rusted that mechanics can not maintain it properly putting me at risk.

Filed Aug 21, 2018 · Suspension, Transmission · 128,000 miles · WA

Frame rust is so pervasive on my 2008 4runner that the toyota dealer refuses to make necessary repairs to transmission. The dealer suggested that I "walk away from the vehicle", citing future rust-related problems with caliper replacement and other routine maintenance. Rust on differential axle LED to the shearing off of the fluid drain bolt, rendering that impossible to drain/refill. Attached are notes from the dealer's maintenance engineer, citing rusted cross member bolts and other components interfering with necessary repairs. I have serious concerns about the ongoing safety and road-worthiness of this vehicle.

Filed Sep 16, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 119,266 miles · PR

Engiene/powertrain computer/module checked. Has been rescheduled four times by the dealer and continues to give the same fault in the car. The fault is the following as it runs and brakes the second beautifulness of the trasmission is left. And when he releases the brake a little, the throat is thrown to the front giving a blow. He does it many times in the day. By untoyota 4runner 08 engine control module (ECM) defective.

Filed May 13, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · KS

Excessive rusts on frame with concentrations around mountings of critical components like suspension, gas lines, brake lines etc.

Filed Jan 9, 2014 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · NY

Won't engage in four wheel drive 4 wheel drive.the 4 wheel drive indicator light kept flashing along with the wheel stabilizer indicator. Driving in snow, steering became very unstable. Vehicle has extended warranty which dealer seems to refuse to honor. Staten island toyota service claims someone emptied fluid from transfer case..no one has done work on car and no oil leakage ever evident in my driveway..car was in driveway for several days before moving that evening. Rarely driven in 4h position for gas purposes, and 99.9% of the time the car is driven on paved roadways. Seems the dealer isn't willing to honor the extended warranty on the vehicle and has managed to right up the service call to cover toyota's butt. They now want an additional $500. To drop transfer case. I am not feeling very trusting of the service center since. I have paid $200 already to diagnosis the problem. I would think they dropped the case already to diagnose the problem. Now staten island toyota service center wants $500 from me to drop the transfer case for toyota headquarters so maybe they can what ?? Possibly null and void warranty. They are requesting $4,000 to do the job. I have taken it to a private independent mechanic I trust. This vehicle isn't abused im a 62 year old women who bought the car because I have a dog and needed cargo space.