2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Service Brakes Problems

UNKNOWN: Excessive frame rust. frame is excessively rusting to the point where the brakes and suspensions is connected to the frame has been compromised. brake lines rusted to the point of failure, thus almost causing a wreck. Vehicle is now parked due to safety concerns involving the excessive rusting that is happening to the frame and any components that is attached to the frame.

Unknown: we were on [XXX] when the car went out of control. It first spun one way and then the other way and then we hit the concrete abutment where the guardrail connects to it. We hit it head on. It was as if we were on ice or oil, unable to gain control or brake. We checked the road and it was dry. Other cars were going by with no problem. The airbags didn’t deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I bought my 2004 Toyota 4runner Sport edition as a new car, and have been the sole owner of the vehicle. I have taken good care of it the entire time. Regular car washes, service maintenance and necessary repairs over time. I recently had my 4runner in for repairs and spent a considerable amount of money, over $6,000 in anticipation of driving it for many more years. Following the repairs I was told by the mechanic that the frame was EXTREMELY rusted and that the entire frame would need to be replaced. There are large holes rusted through in many areas of the frame and a tremendous amount of rust over the entire frame. Rusted Pieces of the frame have fallen off. I fear for the safety of my family and me if I were to drive the vehicle at all. I have barely driven it since learning of the dangerous condition of the frame. I've limited any driving at all to my immediate area, and have driven very carefully and slowly, as I am extremely concerned that there might be a catastrophic failure of the frame while driving and I may be injured or killed, or worse....the vehicle might cause harm or death to another person. I am now basically without a vehicle and have been forced to rely on my daughter's car, leaving the family with only one vehicle. This is a major failure of the vehicle. I can provide photos and video at your request. Toyota must be held accountable for the failure of this frame. The vehicle is now useless. I expect Toyota to rectify this situation immediately. Please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The frame is rusted completely throughout. VERY DANGEROUS!

Seized front right brake caliper caused vehicle to slide off road during sudden stop to avoid debris in roadway. Took vehicle to a brake shop and they found that right front wheel was locked. This is the third time I have had the EXACT same problem with the brake system. The previous times, the problem occurred during nice weather and with windows open I smelled the burning brake pads and was able to get the problem fixed before it became a hazard. On the first previous incident, the repair required replacement of both front brake caliper, rotors, and pads. On the second previous occasion less than 20,000 miles ago BOTH front and rear calipers, rotors and pads were replaced. This is apparently a known defect in the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, yet Toyota has not conducted a recall to fix an extremely dangerous and ongoing problem. NOTE: I originally purchased the vehicle in New Jersey in 2004 and a Virginia Toyota dealer (Koons Toyota) worked on the brake system multiple times (2005-2006) and finally replaced the entire system.

OUR 2004 TOYOTA FORERUNNER WITH V6 ENGINE WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN 2019 WITH 106,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN, IT HAS DEVELOPED MORE AND MORE AREAS OF RUST ON THE FRAME DESPITE OUR EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE FRAME, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. WE CONTINUOUSLY INSPECT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND CONTINUE TO DISCOVER MORE AND MORE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT RUST/DETERIORATION DESPITE EFFORTS TO CLEAN, TREAT (WITH PAINT, RUST INHIBITORS, WELDING REPAIRS). WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS DETERIORATION WILL SOON RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH.

Mileage: 143,000

TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND HAS 330K MILES ON IT. ALWAYS CLEAN AND MAINTAINED PROPERLY BY MYSELF AND PREVIOUS OWNERS. FRAME IS SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE FRONT BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND AT ALMOST ALL OF THE WELDED AREAS. SOME AREAS OF FRAME ARE COMING OFF IN CHUNKS AS IT APPEARS TO BE ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS ALSO AFFECTING FUEL/BRAKE LIKES AS WELL AS SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. PICTURES CAN BE SENT UPON REQUEST. FAMILY HAS THE CAR AT THE MOMENT. *TR

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN MOTION LEAVING FROM A STOP SIGN. I LATER FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION LINES HAD CORRODED AWAY LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ADDING BRAKE FLUID I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM BOTTOM. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS DUE TO CORROSION.

Mileage: 190,000

I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH ON POOLER PARKWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND A BUZZER WENT OFF. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DASHBOARD GIVES OFF MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS: VASC TRAC, TRAC OFF, ABS (I) BRAKE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS SO I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TRY TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES FAIL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. CHATHAM TOYOTA IN SAVANNAH GA TELLS ME IT'S ABOUT $4,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY.

Mileage: 155,000

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON POOLER PARKWAY IN POOLER, GA ON A CITY STREET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A BUZZER GOES OFF AND MY DASHBOARD IMMEDIATELY GIVES OFF MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS. VASC TRAC, TRAC OFF, ABS (I) BRAKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRY TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES FAIL. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. CHATHAM TOYOTA IN SAVANNAH GA INFORMED ME THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I NOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS WERE HURT OR KILLED. THEY ALSO STATED TO REPAIR THIS WOULD BE $4,000.00 UNBELIEVABLE! TOYOTA SHOULD WARN AND INFORM ALL BUYERS OF THIS!!!!

Mileage: 155,000

CHASSIS, BRAKES AND ALL UNDER CARRIAGE OF 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTED. SOON THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I DO NOT LIVE IN A SALT WATER ZONE. MY CAR HAS NEVER DRIVEN THROUGH SALT WATER. I HAVE 71,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE SO RUSTED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. THE CAR WILL BE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SOON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE SUBFRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. ALSO, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE LINE WERE RUSTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND ATLANTIC TOYOTA (193 SUNRISE HWY, WEST ISLIP, NY) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Mileage: 34,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE BRAKE LINES STARTED TO RUST AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD ACCUMULATED RUST, WHICH LED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH KOONS WESTMINSTER TOYOTA (375 BALTIMORE BLVD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, 410-876-6400), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE RUST STILL REMAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG ISLAND TOYOTA KAILUA-KONA (808-329-8517, LOCATED AT 74-5504 KAIWI ST, KAILUA, HI 96740) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS ABOVE NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 120,000

RUMBLE WHEN OVER 20 MPH AND TURNING SLIGHTLY RIGHT ON ANY SURFACE.

Mileage: 94,500

THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK IS COMPLETE MUSH! I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY 4RUNNER AS IT HAS BEEN MY MOST FAVORITE VEHICLE. I'M BEING WARNED TO GET THIS FIXED DUE TO IT BEING A DANGEROUS SITUATION & WOULDN'T YOU KNOW I'M DRIVING HOME & I LOOSE ALL CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE ON HELLACIOUS MOUNTAIN ROADS, BRAKES COMPLETELY GONE! EVERYTHING ROTTEN! WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED HOW DANGEROUS THESE TRUCKS TRULY HAVE BECOME?

Mileage: 194,000

FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED, IT JUST FLAKES OFF AND AFTER INSPECTING THE JOINTS AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOON BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD ALSO THE BRAKE CALIPERS BECOME IN-OP (FROZEN) HAVE REPLACED THE 2 FRONT CALIPERS 3 TIMES AND THE 2 REAR CALIPERS TWICE

Mileage: 117,000

KINGS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAYS RUST IS SO BAD THEY CANNOT PUT IT ON A LIFT..

Mileage: 138,000

BRAKE CALIPERS KEEP SEIZING & NEED TO BE REPLACED. 09/10/2018 07/24/2014 04/17/2013 04/13/2013 06/18/2012

Mileage: 270,000

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS IN THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. MOST OF THE CAR MAINTENANCE HAVE BEEN AT THIS LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I JUST HAD THE CV BOOTS AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS REPLACED THIS PAST SPRING AND SUMMER. I HAVE THE RECORDS FOR THESE PARTICULAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. MY SERVICE MECHANIC MENTIONED THERE IS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME/ CHASSIS. ON SEPTEMBER 7, THE MECHANIC AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME AGAIN THE EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. IT IS SO SEVERE, ONE OF THE LOOPS FOR TOWING THE TRUCK IN THE FRONT OF THE FRAME JUST BROKE OFF. I ATTACHED THE PICTURE OF THE BROKEN HOOK/LOOP IN THIS DOCUMENT. THE TRUCK HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS MOSTLY IN THE GARAGE IF NOT BEING USED. I UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER MODELS IN THE SAME YEARS LIKE THE TOYOTA TACOMA & TOYOTA SEQOIUA HAVE THE SAME EXCESSIVE RUST BUT THERE IS AN ALREADY RECALL PROGRAM FOR THESE MODELS. DO THE 4 RUNNER FROM THE SAME YEARS HAVE THE SAME FRAMES. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE 4 RUNNER FOR THE EXCESSIVE RUST ISSSUE WHICH CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS? THE MECHANIC DOES NOT RECCOMEND ME DRIVING THIS CAR DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE RUST. THE MECHANIC WARNED ME THAT RUST IS SO EXCESSIVE THAT MY RADIATOR CAN JUST FALL OFF BECAUSE THE PART OF THE FRAME HOLDING IT IN PLACE IS SO CORRODED FROM RUST. I AM HOPING TOYOTA CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SOONER THAN LATER. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 102,000

THE FRAM IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED FROM YEARS IN 'COLD WEATHER STATES.

Mileage: 165,000

I'VE PUT A DOWN PAYMENT OF 1200 AT PREMIER AUTO SALES . IN VICTORIA TX I LEFT FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT THE VEHICLE . THE SALES MAN TOLD ME AS SOON AS THEY GET A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT . IT DIDN'T HAVE AN INSPECTION EITHER . SO I TOOK IT TO P&H ALL THEY DID WAS RIGHT IN A PAPER AN SENT IT BACK WITH ME TO THE CAR LOT AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM IT BEING DEAD THE BATTERY TERNINALS WHERE HORRIBLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE OIL LIGHT AFTER A BRAND KNEW OIL CHANGE KEPT SMOKING SO TOOK IT BACK SO THEY COULD LOOK AT IT TO FIND OUT THEY JUST CLEARED THE CODES . PICKED IT OUT HE FOLLOWING MONDAY WELL THE VEHICLE SMELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP . CALLED THEM AND THE SALES LADY IN THE FRONT SAID IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM STILL WITHIN THE 30 DAY PERIOD SO TOOK IT TO THE BRAKE PLACE DOWN THE ROAD FROM THEM MY BRAKES WERE SO BACK THEY HAD TO CHANGE EVERYTHING HE SAID I COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK BECAUSE OF THEM BEING SO WORE DOWN . I CALLED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT WITH THEM AND THEY WERE JUST BEING UGLY ABOUT THE SITUATION OVER ALL . I'VE TRIED TO BE NICE AND DO THE RIGHT THINK THIS WAS UNSAFE FOR ME AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN .

ABS, VSB TRAC ON/OFF, AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SUDDENLY ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS HIGH-PITCHED ALERT. BRAKES EVENTUALLY BECOME DIFFICULT TO WORK. HAD TOWED TO DEALER, BY THE TIME DEALER LOOKED AT, IT WASN'T HAPPENING AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. PICKED UP CAR, HAPPENED AGAIN ON WAY HOME (BOTH TIMES MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS). I AM TOLD THIS MAY BE AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM BUT REGARDLESS, TO FIX IT, IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ($4500 FIRST QUOTE) AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF A NUMBER OF PARTS/AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY: BRAKE BOOSTER/ACCUMULATOR/MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. BESIDES THE DANGEROUS CONDITION, DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IS BUILT SUCH THAT SO MUCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND COST SO MUCH. PRIOR TO THIS, SEEMED TO HAVE HAD MORE THAN USUAL PROBLEM WITH BRAKES, WITH MULTIPLE FROZEN CALIPERS FOR EXAMPLE.

Mileage: 158,000

AFTER TRAVELING AT SPEEDS CLOSE TO 75 MILES AN HOUR. I EXITED HIGHWAY TO PARKING LOT. BACKED OUT AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP CAR FROM ROLLING. MOVED CAR TO NEW PARKING AREA AND HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. SHUT DOWN CAR CHECK FUILDS. RESTARTED CAR TO LOUD BUZZER AND ABS LIGHTS. VERY CONCERNED IF HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MYSELF AND OTHERS AROUND.

WHILE DRIVING, AN ALARM BEGAN SOUNDING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT, ASB LIGHT AND VSC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, WE STOPPED AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND IT WAS FULL. WE THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. WITHIN 2 MILES THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THERE HAD BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG UP TO THAT POINT. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 168,000

WHILE DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AT 30 MPH, VSC, ABS AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND CABIN ALARM SOUNDED. THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND EVASIVE DRIVING TO AVOID REAR ENDING A SCHOOL BUS. AFTER BRINGING TO MY MECHANIC I LEARNED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE PART IS $3,100 FROM TOYOTA. SPENDING MONEY ON CAR PARTS AND REPAIR IS ALL A PART OF OWNING A VEHICLE, BUT NO CAR SHOULD BE DESIGNED WHERE THE BRAKES COMPLETELY STOP OPERATING BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IT IS INSANELY DANGEROUS AND THIS WILL CAUSE DEATHS FOR SURE, HOW CAN IT NOT? I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE. A LOT OF DRIVERS HAVE BEEN VERY FRIGHTENED BY THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING MYSELF.

Mileage: 137,000

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITH 3 YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO REPLACE FAULTY ABS ACTUATOR PUMP. LUCKILY NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BRAKES WENT OUT. OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE PART. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

DRIVING (SLOWLY), EVERY LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE LIT UP DEALING WITH, ABS, TRACTION ETC...ACCOMPANIED WITH A HIGH PITCH WARNING TONE, DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP...ONLY NO BRAKES, USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP, NO INCIDENT. CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP.TOYOTA DEALER SAID CODES C1223 (ABS CONTROL MALFUNCTION), C1252 (HYDRO-BOOSTER PUMP MOTOR) AND C1256 (ACCUMULATOR LOW PRESSURE) APPEARED. WHEN HE CHECKING THE CODES, THERE WAS ALREADY A SERVICE BULLETIN SHOWING PREVIOUS (KNOWN) ISSUES WITH THIS. I CALL THIS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, NO COMPONENT SHOULD RENDER THE BRAKING SYSTEM USELESS AND NOT BE A RECALL. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS AND SUCH. WE WERE QUOTED $3000.00(ISH) TO REPAIR. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT BE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA CORPORATE/REGIONAL SUPPORT.

Mileage: 146,000

REAR BREAKS - LEFT AND RIGHT (BOTH) SIDES CEASED UP.

BOUGHT 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER IN 1-15 FROM DEALER AFTER OWNING 4 PRIOR 3RD GENERATION ONES AND THIS ONE IS PLAGUED WITH EXCESSIVE RUST BEYOND NORMAL WEAR IN FRAME (SOME HOLES), SUSPENSION, STEERING RACK AND SHAFT, BRAKE COMPONENTS, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING STEEL UNDER THE BODY HAS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY WHILE BODY REMAINS RUST FREE. I KNOW 95-03 TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS WERE UNDER FRAME AND BRAKE LINE RECALL DUE TO SAME ISSUE BUT FROM THE HUGE NUMBER OF POSTINGS ON INTERNET OF PROBLEM BEING JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE IN 3RD AND 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER. YES THE FRAMES WERE A DIFFERENT STYLE BUT THE FRAMES IN THESE 4RUNNERS ARE EVEN WORSE AS PROBLEMS WITH RUST DUE TO DESIGN ARE EATING THEIR WAY FROM INSIDE OUT MAKING IT MORE OF A SILENT KILLER AS IT GOES UNNOTICED UNTIL RUST BREACHES ALL THE WAY THRU FRAME AND BY THAT POINT IT IS NOT ONLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE GETTING TO THAT POINT. THIS IS MAJOR PROBLEM AS NOTED IN 1000'S IF NOT MORE NOTED CASES ON INTERNET FORUMS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY LEAVING ALL THESE PEOPLE STUCK WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND KIDS THAT THEY PUT IN THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS AT RISK OF FRAME, BRAKE, STEERING, SUSPENSION FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, AND DEATHS. I'VE CLEANED, SPRAYED RUST PREVENTATIVE OILS AND PAINTS ON AREAS OF CONCERN AND RUST MAKES ITS WAY BACK THRU IN WEEKS TIME. THE MANY OF OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE ARE STUCK WITHOUT RESOURCES TO BUY ANOTHER DAILY DRIVER AND HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE CHANCE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF POTENTIAL FAILURE AT ANYTIME. TOYOTA IS AWARE AND OBVIOUSLY KNEW THEY HAD RUST ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL YEARS BUT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE SAME ISSUES WITH NEWER MODELS NOT INCLUDED ON ORIGINAL FRAME RUST RECALL AND ITS TIME THEY ARE FORCED TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY FRAMES AND UNDERBODY STEEL COMPONENTS.

Mileage: 152,000

THE BRAKE GET HARD AND ABS, BRAKE VSC AND TRAC SIGN CAME ON WITH ALERT WHISTLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBOTHOOD LUCKILY.. MECHANIC SAID IT IS RARE TO GO BAD BUT IT IS BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY GOES BAD. IS THIS THE SAME ISSUE AS PRIUS?

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE, BREAKS FAILED AND LOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GRASSY SWALE, APPLY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DOWN SHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING INTO TRAFFIC. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ABS PUMP BREAK MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,300. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS IN BLOGS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND SOME THAT CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST MINUTES EARLIER. MERITS AN INVESTIGATION.

Mileage: 194,000

WHEN I RETURNED TO MY HOME AND PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, AN ALARM SOUND WENT OFF IN THE DASHBOARD AND ALL OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE JUST PRIOR. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO TRY TO DRIVE IT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING ABILITY. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY (AKA AN ABS MODULE). THE BRAKES THEMSELVES WERE REPLACED WITHIN 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ON THE DAY THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE ALARM AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE INDICATIVE OF. I SAW THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE MOST OF WHICH HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WERE THEREFORE LEFT WITH THE INABILITY TO BRAKE. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 174,000

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED, HAS EXCESSIVE CHASSIS RUST AND ROTTED OUT AT SOME POINT ON THE SUB FRAME, CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND RECALL IS NOT AVAILABLE.I AM AFRAID THAT THE CHASSIS WILL BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 86,000

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT AROUND 50 MPH AND HAD TO BRAKE AND SUDDENLY THE VSC/ABS BRAKE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND A LOUD ALARM STARTED TO SOUND. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, I JUST PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHOLE SYSTEM WENT OFF. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXIT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER, A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY, SO I DROVE VERY CAREFULLY TO IT AND PARKED THE CAR. WHEN THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE VSC, ABS, BRAKE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH THE AUDIBLE ALARM ONCE AGAIN. SHE ALSO SAID THE BRAKES WERE HARD AND THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SYSTEM COST ME AROUND $3700, OUT OF POCKET. SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION, MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY DON'T COVER MAINTENANCE REPAIRS. AFTER CHECKING IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH THERE WASN'T AND READING ABOUT OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE VSC/ABS BRAKE DASH ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, I TRULY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TOYOTA VEHICLES USING THIS VSC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MY CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 60K MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS TOYOTA 4RUNNER.

Mileage: 60,285

FRONT CALIPER SEIZE UP L/F AND R/F 3 INCIDENTS 11/2012 02/2015 06/2015

Mileage: 84,000

DRIVING HOME AND MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE ABS MODULE HAD FAILED. HE SAID THAT ONLY MY FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 198,000

I HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA 4 DOOR 4 CLY PICK UP..I WAS ON THE INTERNET AND JUST NOTICE A RECALL ABOUT BRAKES,,IS MY TRUCK INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? AND ANOTHER I HAVE NEVER GOT ANY LETTER OR ANYTHING TELLING ME ABOUT ANY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND I SEE HERE THERE HAS BEEN RECALL FOR FRONT BALL JOINTS AND CRACK FRAMES ,,,SEAT BELT PROBLEMS..I WAS IN SHOCK..SO WHAT DO I DO CAN THEY STILL FIX ANY PROBLEMS IF ANY AND CHECK MY TRUCK..THANK YOU *TR

I STARTED MY VEHICLE @ 3PM WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AS SOON AS IT STARTED THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A ALARM IN THE DASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE CLOCK IN THE DASH SAID 1:00 INSTEAD OF 3:00. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE I HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND FOUND THAT A BAD GROUND CABLE ON THE BATTERY CAN SEND A LOW VOLTAGE SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER AND SHUT DOWN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS RECALL! *TR

Mileage: 235,000

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNERAND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKESAND LET OFF OF THE BRAKES I KEPT ON MAKING A THUD SOUND AS THE FASTER I DRIVE THE LOUDER IT WOULD MAKE THAT SOUND AND IT HAD A BURNING SMELL TO IT SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE PADS WHERE COMPLETELY GONE I HAD TO GET THE ROTORS REPLACED THE MECHANIC SAID THE PISTONS IN THE CALIBER FROZE IN THE OPEN POSITION SO THAT IS WHY MY BRAKES FAILED ME. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN NORTH CAROLINA VSC LIGHT TURNED ON, TSC LIGHT TURNED ON, ABS LIGHT TURNED ON, BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. CAR WAS DRIVABLE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN BRAKING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. LIMPED HOME WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN HER CAR SEAT AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT INCIDENT AS GIVEN TIME OF DAY AND LOCATION FROM HOME, VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC MADE TRAVEL POSSIBLE. SEVERAL TIMES THOUGH I CONTEMPLATED STOPPING AND CALLING A TOW SERVICE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, IT'S A $3000 PART THE ABS MODULE AND $700 INSTALLATION PRICE. *TR

Mileage: 187,529

8/6/14-STARTED MY 2004 4-RUNNER TO LEAVE WORK AND A HIGH-PITCHED ALARM SOUND STARTED AND THE VSC, ABS, AND OTHER DASH LIGHT SYMBOLS CAME ON. I REVERSED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, AND BRAKE, AND NOTHING OTHER THAN THOSE THINGS WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I PULLED FORWARD AND PULLED INTO ANOTHER SPOT AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO LET HIM HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON TO SEE IF HE KNEW WHAT IT MAY BE. HE ASKED ME TO REVERSE, PULL FORWARD, AND SEE WHAT ELSE I HEARD/SAW, SO I DID SO DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 5 PARKING SPACES AWAY) ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE 4TH LEVEL OF THE PARKING GARAGE I WAS IN. I STARTED TO BRAKE TO TURN LEFT AND NO BRAKES. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PETAL AS HARD AS I COULD WITH BOTH FEET AND NOTHING, SO I PUSHED THE PARKING BREAK AND AS IT CAME TO A STOP, I PANICKED AND THREW IT INTO PARK. I WAS WITHIN 1 FOOT OF THE CONCRETE WALL 4 STORIES OFF THE GROUND. GOT IT TO A LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD THEM I JUST GOT NEW BRAKES 6 WEEKS AGO, COULD THEY HAVE POSSIBLY GONE BAD? THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE THAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THE USED PART AND LABOR IS $3000 AND THE NEW PART AND LABOR IS $5500.00. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND ARE BEING TOLD "RARE DEFECT". THIS "RARE DEFECT" COULD HAVE BARRELED ME THROUGH A CONCRETE WALL OR WORSE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN THE PARKING GARAGE WITH ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS AT A MINIMAL SPEED. I WAS LEAVING DURING A LUNCH BREAK. HAD I BEEN LEAVING AND THIS OCCURRED AFTER WORK, I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS "RARE DEFECT"? I HAVE A CALL INTO THEM AND OF COURSE, NO CALL BACK YET. SO, I'M CURRENTLY STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAD A RECALL FOR AN ACCELERATION ISSUE AND A "RARE DEFECT" FOR A BRAKE ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 121,000

I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURE. UNDER 50K I HAD A FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER FAIL. THEN AGAIN AT 99K THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FAILURE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THEIR BRAKE CALIPER DESIGN ON 4-RUNNERS. TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY, I ALWAYS BOUGHT TOYOTA'S, BUT NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS LAST INCIDENT. TOYOTA DOES NOT BUILD CARS LIKE THEY USE TO. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT RATHER ABOUT A REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE/SOLD BY THE FOLLOWING OUTFIT: PH: (954) 970-8820 FAX: (954) 970-8819 [email protected] WWW.FINESTAUTOPARTS.COM THE CALIPER (NEW) I PURCHASED FROM THEM WAS NOT ONLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA CONTRARY TO THE COMPANY DESCRIPTION "GERMAN EFFICIENCY FOR JAPANESE CARS" AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR SITE WHICH MAY NOT CONSTITUTE A CRIME THESE DAYS BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (MISSING BRAKE FLUID SUPPLY CHANNEL IN THE CASTING) IS A CLEAR HAZARD AND AN OBVIOUS INDICATION OF TOTAL ABSENCE OF QUALITY CONTROL. SAFETY-RELATED ITEMS MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR FOR IMPORT INTO THE US, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, THE PUBLIC IS NOT PROTECTED. *JS

Mileage: 137,000

SUFFERED SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF VSC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. VSC, ABS, BRAKE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 1 MILE, THEN LOST MOST BRAKING CONTROL. NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO HAVING MINIMAL BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD TO USE EVASIVE STEERING AND EMERGENCY BRAKE MANEUVERS TO SLOW AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON AUTO REPAIR BLOGS THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VSC/ABS SYSTEM IN MOST TOYOTA VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY CAMRY'S. REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART COSTS $3200 AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY ANY MANUFACTURER. PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED ON ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES USING THE VSC/ABS SYSTEMS BEFORE MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HAD HARDLY BEEN WORN DOWN. I HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT I NEEDED MORE ROOM TO STOP, AND MY RATE OF DECELERATION HAD LESSENED. I DISCOVERED THAT MY INNER LOWER PISTONS ON MY FRONT CALIPERS HAD RUSTED AND FROZEN. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND ON A FORUM I AM PART OF (T4R.ORG) SHOWED THAT THIS HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS OTHERS. THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE INNER LOWER PISTONS TO FREEZE UP. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE AFTERMARKET CALIPERS THAT WERE INSTALLED BY MY LOCAL SHOP. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

WHILE APPROACHING A RED STOP LIGHT, THE ABS, BRAKE! VSC OFF, VSC TRAC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD BUZZER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. 1 BLOCK LATER I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT THAT WAS LUCKILY EMPTY, BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK, I HAD NO BRAKES...ZERO!!! I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, THAT IT'S THE ABS MODULE AND UNATTAINABLE WITH TOYOTA AT $2500 PLUS THE INSTALLATION. WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A USED ONE, BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND VERY HARD TO FIND. THIS SENDS OFF A FEW RED FLAGS IN ITSELF. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION, SOME HAVE NOT HAD AN OUTCOME AS MINE, AND HAVE HAD CRASHES AND INJURIES AND I WONDER HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT TOYOTA HAS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THIS PROBLEM, DOING NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMER, NO RECALLS, NO WARNINGS AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I FIND THIS FRIGHTENING AND WONDER HOW MANY INJURIES AND DEATHS IT WILL TAKE BEFORE TOYOTA OPENS THEIR EYES AND STEPS UP TO REMEDY THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS NOW WORTHLESS AND UNDRIVABLE UNTIL WE CAN HOPEFULLY FIND A PART, AND AM FORCED TO RENT A VEHICLE UNTIL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED. I'M HARDLY IN A POSITION TO PAY FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN IT REALLY IS A FAULTY ITEM ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S REVOLTING THAT TOYOTA ISSUES A RECALL FOR FRONT FLOOR MATS, BUT NOTHING FOR A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. HOW MANY INJURIES/DEATHS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE TOYOTA TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY AND DOES SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER ASIDE FROM CHARGING A SMALL FORTUNE FOR A PART THAT IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE? I AM THANKING GOD DAILY THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY...I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS, HAD I BEEN. I'M DONE WITH TOYOTA AND WILL TAKE THIS TO ANY LEVEL NEEDED FOR RESOLUTION BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR DIES. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

1.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 10-15 MINUTES WITH RADIO ON (NOT RUNNING) (BATTERY TESTED GOOD/700, 701, 691 OUR OF 75 CA) 2.) 4RUNNER WOULD NOT START, BATTERY ISSUE, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED. 3.) DROVE 4RUNNER 10 MINUTES, PARKED, TUNED OFF AND STARTED BACK UP JUST FINE. 4.) 4RUNNER SAT FOR 3 HOURS, STARTED 4RUNNER, BUZZER/WARNING SOUND EMITTED AND BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON. 5.) TRIED DISCONNECTING BATTERY TO SEE IF SYSTEM WOULD RESET AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA DEALER TO NO AVAIL. 6.) BACKED 4RUNNER OUT OF PARKING SPOT, LIGHTS AND BUZZER STILL IN EFFECT, AND 4RUNNER HAD NO BREAKS. 7.) TOOK 4RUNNER TO DEALER, DEALER CLEARED CODES, BATTERY TEST, RESET BRAKE SYSTEM, TEST DROVE, ALL WORKED. 8.) DROVE 4RUNNER APPROXIMATELY 10-11 MILES, HIT BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, WARNING/BUZZER SOUND, CRASH - NO FATALITIES. 9.) CODES FROM DEALER C1223, C1251, C1256; BRAKE FLUID LEVEL GOOD. 10.) DEALER REPLACED ABS AND MASTER CYLINDER. $3,356 REPAIR COST. 11.) DEALER (FROM MULTIPLE DEALERS IN THE ORLANDO, FL MSA) INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND ONLY BY UNACCEPTABLE ODDS DO YOU AVOID CRASH, DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. 12.) TOYOTA HAS NO SAFEGUARDS FOR EARLY INDICATION PROBLEM COULD OR MAY OCCUR. 13.) TOYOTA HAS NO MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREVENTING OR RECOGNIZING A POSSIBLE FATAL MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. 14.) TOYOTA HAS NO ECONOMICAL SOLUTION TO RESOLVE/REPLACE THE ABS PUMP/MASTER CYLINDER AND IS IN THE TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. 15.) TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM ORLANDO, FL MSA DEALERS FROM WHAT I AM TOLD AND HAS DISREGARDED, NEGLECTED, REFUSED, DECLINED TO ADDRESS. *TR

Mileage: 123,000

MY WIFE WAS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE TAKING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND AN ALARM START TO SOUND, THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ON SCHOOL SPEED ZONE AND NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF HER AND THE VEHICLE STOP BY IT SELF BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED, SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER ON THE FREEWAY TO TAKE OUR SON TO OTHER SCHOOL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAD HAPPEN IF THE BRAKES WOULD FAILED WHILE SHE WAS AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. WE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 4 RUNNERS OWNERS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THIS CAN END UP TAKING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES, BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONS IN THIS VEHICLE, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CERTAINLY EXIST AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SINCE THEN OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN USELESS IN STORAGE. *TR

Mileage: 77,860

DRIVING TO CORAL GABLES AT AROUND 20 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN FOUR LIGHTS COMES ON AND LOUD BEEPING NOISE. VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON AT THE SAME TIME, BRAKE PEDDLE IS HARD AND NO BRAKES AT ALL. I HAD TO GO INTO NEUTRAL TRY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO TRY AND STOP AND PULL OVER, I HAD TO TOW MY TRUCK HOME, I CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY I NEED TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY COSTING $2600.00. *TR

Mileage: 144,094

I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING "ACCELERATION PROBLEM" THIS PAST WEEK AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT A LOCAL STORE. I'D ALREADY SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A HALT, BUT AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH SHOCKING SPEED. I INSTINCTIVELY THREW THE GEAR INTO PARK; IT STOPPED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE STEPS LEADING TO THE STORE ENTRANCE. THE CAUSE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A FLOOR MAT (I DON'T HAVE ANY) NOR "STICKING" GAS PEDAL (THE CAR HAD ALREADY COME ALMOST TO A HALT BEFORE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED). THE BRAKES WERE USELESS AND FELT LIKE THEY WERE DISENGAGED; ACCELERATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL (THIS IS STILL CLOUDY IN MY MIND). I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IN 2004. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD ANY PROBLEM. I WONDERED WHAT I MIGHT HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM AFTER SO MANY YEARS WITHOUT ANY. I REALIZED I'D NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, UNTIL RECENTLY, ONLY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WAS NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE SUDDEN FORWARD SURGE FELT EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DROPS BENEATH THE SPEED AT WHICH IT'S SET; IT SURGES FORWARD, ON "ITS OWN." I BELIEVE THERE'S A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP. MY CONCERN IS TWO-FOLD: FIXING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IN MY OWN TOYOTA, AND HELPING IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM SO IT CAN BE FIXED BY TOYOTA BEFORE ANOTHER TRAGEDY. *TR

Mileage: 50,850

I OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO PLACE MY BAG DOWN. THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF GEAR DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THEN I HAD TO JUMP INTO THE ROLLING CAR TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. *TR

ON 8/22/2011, PHIL BACHMAN TOYOTA IN JOHNSON CITY, TN REPLACED A LEAKING LEFT FRONT CALIPER ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE SATURATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE FLUID COVERED MY TIRE AND WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL HAD SEVERAL KNICKS FROM SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED RELATED TO THE BRAKES AND THIS ISSUE. ON 3/16/12, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER; THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT PHIL BACHMAN DID THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY. ON 1/31/13, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS WITH THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER, AND IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003 AND 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE--BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EACH TIME, MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 137,000

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). *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A SUDDEN STOP, THE 4-RUNNER LURCHES TO THE LEFT, AND THEN, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, BACK TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ON A TRIP AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON SATURDAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I HAD TWO FROZEN PISTONS IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS, AND THE REAR SLIDES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS 2 YEARS AGO FOR FROZEN CALIPERS. THE WARRANTY FOR THAT REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR, SO I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $1200 TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN, AFTER HAVING SPENT $2000 2 YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN AND TOYOTA SHOULD EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS, OR FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR LURCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN OR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, IS QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 04 4RUNNER. THE BRAKE CALIPERS RUST OUT, AND FREEZE, SIEZE, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ANY TIME THE BRAKE PADS NEED TO REPLACED. THIS ALSO DAMAGES THE ROTORS. TODAY, I HAD TO OVERHAUL THE ENTIRE FRONT END BRAKING SYSTEM, INCLUDING PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND HAD ALL NEW PARTS INSTALLED 2 YEARS AGO, AND THE TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE IS 56K. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, AS AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS TURNED UP MANY POSTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 56,977

DRIVE SHAFT IS CLANGING, BANGING, CAUSING SLAMMING WITH THE BRAKING ACTION SURGING FORWARD SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. *TR

Mileage: 56,000