Toyota 4RUNNER fuel smell problems

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Seat belts · 10,000 miles · KY · crash · fire · 4 injuries

The contact owned a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while her father was driving under 30 MPH on a side road, the driver swerved to miss a deer. The vehicle drove off a hill, rolled over and landed on its top, and all the seat belts simultaneously unbuckled, causing all the passengers to hit their heads against the roof simultaneously. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that she was unable to exit the vehicle. The contact's brother assisted the contact in exiting the vehicle, and all passengers were able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle then caught on fire. The fire department arrived at the scene, but it was unknown whether the fire was extinguished by the fire department. The origin of the fire was unknown. A police report was filed. It was unknown whether the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back pain, bruises and headaches. The contact stated that the headaches could be due to an impact on the brain cyst in the back of the contact's head. The contact's son sustained neck pain, back pain and bruises. The contact's brother and father sustained unknown injuries. All the passengers went to the hospital the following day and were still receiving medical assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Fuel system · GA

Vehicle was parked in garage. Inspecting vehicle at 22:00, noise was heard. Source of noise was fuel pump located behind drivers side rear tire. Garage smelled of gasoline. Vehicle was turned off at 15:00 that day. Started up Vehicle with no issues and let run for 1.5 minutes then turned off. Noise was still present until Vehicle was locked via remote. Vehicle was not locked after being turned off at 15:00 until 22:00.

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Body, Engine · 192,000 miles · OH

Severe corrosion of frame at the rear body mount location. The body of the vehicle is no longer secured to the frame at this location due to the severe rust. Significant rust also on the front cross frame member which has the tow mounts rendering them useless and unsafe. Cracked exhaust manifold causing excessive engine noise and exhaust fumes. This is a time consuming and costly repair.

Filed Apr 14, 2019 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · NJ

Exhaust smell entering cabin, gets worse when accelerating on ramp. Even with recirculation of airflow heat and or air conditioner still smells bad. I have to drive with windows open even in winter. Also rust all over suspension, undercarriage. Please tell if this is a common problem and safety recall. This started shortly after purchasing the truck in 2017 and has gotten worse since. The muffler was replaced already.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Engine · 124,000 miles · IL · 2 injuries

Exhaust manifold cracking on toyota v8 4.7 engine allowing exhaust fumes into the cabin and causing dizziness. When doing my research ive seen pages and pages of this issue known to toyota about the 4.7 engine that is used in a number of there models from lexus to the tundra pick lines and anything that uses the 4.7 engine. This is deadly being in the midwest and you have your windows up and heat on in the winter or summer with AC on. Thank you for your time

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Body · 91,000 miles · MD

Leaving work friday of labor day weekend 2018 I noticed the smell of gas. My co-worker also looked, and observed a puddle of gasoline under the car. Since the dealer was close, I took the risk to drive it the dealer. The dealer is heritage toyota in baltimore maryland. The car has only 91000 miles on it. The entire bottom of the car is rusted out. This is what caused the fuel leak. The frame is also rusted out to the point of not being safe anymore. My complaints are these: 1. The underside of the car completely rusted out. 2. Other toyota trucks of the same year are having their frames replaced by toyota. 3. My toyota was serviced with me letting the dealer do "anything it needs". I estimate spending about $15,000 at this dealer. Never once was I told there was a rust problem. With mounting repaired costs, I took it to another mechanic who immediately recommended that I take the car to the dealer for assessment. Never did the toyota dealer warn me about the rust. 4. Toyota was completely uninterested in helping. I did file a complaint #1808271490

Filed Apr 5, 2018 · Fuel system · 200,000 miles · CA

Fuel pressure damper failed spilling fuel onto exhaust crossover. I had an odor of fuel coming from vehicle for approximately 1 month. Unable to locate issue. Fuel smell would also come through the A/C into the cabin. Upon researching the issue, I came across many forum threads with owners complaining of this issue. This is a known issue and many fires have started due to this failure. Clues to failure are erratic RPM due to loss of fuel pressure and strong odor of fuel coming from engine compartment. Many owner complaints on forum threads. Granted it is an older vehicle, but many threads are from over 10 years ago indicating the failure occurred after vehicle was 15 years old. Part costs over $200 and I am making repairs myself to avoid further labor costs. Https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/3zve-fuel-pulsation-dampener-188341/

Filed Jul 15, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 67,000 miles · NJ

On 7/7/12 I was driving for a dog rescue transport and noticed a strong fuel smell in the vehicle. I thought nothing of it at first since I had just filled up the truck and a gas can. What I did notice was my gas gauge was dropping incredibly fast so I looked for a clear area on shoulder that should the truck catch fire. (very dry in nj at the time) I found my area and shut truck off and drifted into the shoulder. Exited the vehicle and began rushing to empty the seven dog crates (just in case) on the shoulder behind guard rail. Once we were all clear, I walked over to vehicle and popped hood. There was fuel saturating everything, including still dripping from insulation material under the hood directly onto and around the exhaust area. By toyota design, there is a clip that retains/separates two hoses directly on top of the fuel line that had worn a hole into the fuel line. On 7/9/12 I went to toyota dealer to get the hose which I find out is part number 23801(p)-62071. It turns out there are only seven of this listed part in the whole united states and that it would cost me $75 and a week or more to get the part. I went home and browsed the net to find only one store that stocks this item and ordered through them to save about $20 but still the same turn around time (lost about $67 in fuel as tank is now bone dry plus a $250 flatbed tow fee. I am out almost $400). I has been a week my vehicle has been out of service due to a toyota design flaw, and they will not fess up to the design flaw or even offer a loaner car.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Engine · AZ

Exhaust is being pulled into back window when cracked and the vehicle resets the air flow to recycle. I crack the back window to allow heat to escape and had the air flow set on fresh air. I make a stop and get back into the car the window is still cracked. Some time later there is a smell of exhaust and I realize the flow was reset and fumes are getting pulled into the vehicle. The biggest problem is my child is in the back seat and she is already choking when the odor gets to me.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Body, Visibility · 00

-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.