03 4Runner seat rattle

vin

vin

New member
My drivers seat just started to rattle. If you sit in the seat and rock back and forth the whole seat moves. If your standing outside the truck and grab the back part of the seat it moves back and forth. The bottom part of the seat where your thighs would be also rattles. I see on AllData there is a TSB for 'Front Seat Squeak/Creak Noise' #NV010-02. I guess this is a common problem. I've read about people having noises from the rear seat not the front. Anyone else have this problem ?

This adds to the list for the dealer,
(1) pulley noise when cold TSB

(2) when braking, the truck seems like its still accelerating

(3) front seat noises
 
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Vin,
I just got my truck back from the dealer today. I went for my first oil change and had them check out my seat and the moonroof rattle at the same time. They kept the truck 24 hrs. to take apart the roof and fix the rattle. I can now say it is fine. For how long?? Who knows.
For the seat, I was told they ordered a complete new frame(which is back order in Canada) and that they would install the new seat asap. My seat did exactly what you said about yours, it was loose and rocked sort of diagonally.
At least you know you're not alone.

Forerunner
 
HiredGun said:
Is there a TSB on the braking problem that you mention? I think I've experienced the same thing.
Click to expand...
Not that I have seen. The thread mentioned above has links to the Alldata and the NHTSA sites for you to get the latest information.
 
The DAMN Seat

My problem was gettig worse, it made small clicking sounds on acceleration and deceleration, so a NEW frame was installed. . .well, the new one does the SAME thing. . so the dealer is installing a NEW frame again (don't ask), apparently a lot of driver's seats are having this problem. . .personally, I think it's the recliner adjuster knob on the bottom left area of the seat, but I guess I'll post an update later today once I get it back. . .it's a hastle for sure. . .

Suneil
 
Here's an update....

The pulley noise is still there when cold :mad:

The seat still makes noise, waiting on seat rails.
:mad:

NEW problem..Drivers seat gets lower as your driving :mad: :mad: WTF !!!

Im going to mention the braking problem when they do the seat, is anyone else having this problem ?
 
Seat rattle and roll . . .

Alright guys, they actually fixed it.

Have your Toyota service rep guy REPLACE the frame of the seat. That's all.

As for the seat get lower as you drive, I discovered this yesterday. There's a knob on the front left portion of the drivers chair, and then a lever in the middle, and a lever all the way to the back near the b-pillar.

To adjust the recline, use the KNOB at the front.

To adjust HEIGHT you have the use the middle lever, and pull up to raise it (you have to pull hard, it's like a pumping mechanism), or PUSH DOWN to lower it plat. Your lever mechanism, if you're not adjusting it, is probably busted and they need to replace the WHOLE driver's seat.

And DUH, if you want to move the seat back forward or back, use the last lever on the left of the drivers seat.

BTW, the clicking and noise are all gone. I don't know what's going on with these seats, but I expect a little better from Ford.

Suneil
 
I lied, the clicking came back after a day. . .anybody have a sucessful FIX so far??

Any info would be great. . .thanks!

Suneil
 
Did you ever get your issue resolved?
I HAD the same issue but my dealer could not do anything about it. According to them it is just the way the seat is constructed. This problem does not exist on seats with electronic controls. Toyota is fully aware also. In 2004, Toyota will not have the lumbar support on the driver's seat. Again, that's according to my service advisor.
I took a closer look at the seat and had to "fix" the problem myself. It was extremely annoying to me. I love the 4Runner but that little quirk was bugging the heck out of me each time I drove it.
 
so it's a lumbar support problem?

never got the problem resolved. . .

what did you do to fix it ur self???? That would be awesome if it worked, I have a feeling it's just a faulty problem. . .maybe have them replace the 2003 seat with a 2004 one??

Let me know what you did, I was going to take it to my local friendly Toyota service advisor on Monday. . .and they would replace everything with a part that'll do the SAME damn thing. .

Suneil
 
back again. . .

I'm starting to wonder about my Toyota Service people.

They claimed they NEVER saw the TSB on the seat rattle.

Well, it's been in THREE times already, and the rattle and now MOVEMENT have become worse, and UNSAFE.

They gave me a rental ON THEIR $$$, which was nice, and it's been in the shop for two days. . .I told them I'll pay the difference for a Limited 03 Seat or whatever as long as this damn rattle squeak goes AWAY!!

I'll post details as they come. . .and I'm washing and Zainoing her this weekend, so PICS will be on here for ONCE!!

Suneil
 
Here's another update....

I have been waiting for 3 weeks for a new seat rail, nothing yet.
I called the 800 # for Toyota customer service and complained to them...it was like spitting in the wind
banghead.gif
. I did talk to my service advisor today and he said they are not replacing the seat rail but they are going to replace the whole seat frame. I guess they finally realized just replacing the rails wasnt working. No ETA on when it should be in :mad:
 
Has anyone got there seat fixed yet ?

Is there a toll free number for toyota Tech Support ?
 
seat rattle currently gon e

hey-
since the last time I posted, I haven't had a rattle. . .so it's all good, they need to replace the entire seat frame or something like that, there have been enough complaints that they should be able to get this done for you pronto. . .my toyota dealership had the parts in stock after I took it to them like three times, so scream and raise hell if you're still waiting, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE POTENTIALLY since the seat does move under hard acceleration and braking. Tell them you don't feel safe and want a rental car paid by Toyota until it's taken care of. . .wait and see, the part will show up the next day. . . .

Suneil
 
Seat bottom loose

When tilted upward with front rotating knob, it creats play and I can rattle the seat bottom up & down by hand. When tilted back toward the flat position, it tightens up. Doesn't rattle when driving.

I guess I'll have it looked at next dealer visit.
 
Lumbar Support

Sorry for not responding sooner. After driving with the seat raised to my comfort level I ccould not get used to driving with the seat completely "flat" just to do away with the shifting. So, I FIXED it.
I cut 2 pieces of plastic, almost the shape of a block, and forced them inbetween the top of the metal lumbar support and the bottom part to create a sort of column on both the left & right side. The piece needs to fit very snug to prevent any play. A block piece of wood will also do the trick. I know this sounds cheap but it WORKS! The seat no longer rattles or shifts up and down. It's a temporary fix until Toyota can figure something out. I understand the 2004s are going to have a single framed seat instead of a two-piece design found on the 2003. If you try to do this, please be careful. There are sharp edges under the seat. The only bad thing about this fix is that you will not be able to lower the lumbar support. This doesn't matter to me because I don't plan on anyone else driving my 4Runner. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow.
 
TSBs do not address the seat issue

I'm having the same problem with the seat and I believe the current TSBs (NV010-02, NV001-03, NV004-03) do not address the seat issue.

All the TSBs describe this issue as some type of front seat squeak, which is not accurate - the issue is that the seat track (which controls back and forward positioning of the seat base) allows too much play (or movement) when locked into position. This in turn leads to a creaking (aka squeaking) noise.

NV010-02 is the same fix as NV-004-03, which is to take apart and put back together the seatback assembly - this does not address the movement on the seat track.

NV001-03 adds white grease to the tracks, which again does not address the seat track movement.

The seat movement is normal according to the dealer. I beg to differ - I owned 4 cars before this 4Runner, 3 of which had manual seat base adjustments (including a 1996 Toyota RAV4), and I never had this issue.

Can everyone please call Toyota and let them know the 3 TSBs on the seat do NOT fix the problem and they need to address the seat movement - Toyota Customer Assistance 1-800-331-4331.

* Woody
 
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I am meeting the factory rep in a few weeks about this. It will be the 4th try to fix this problem. I'll let everyone know what happens. If I get nowhere I will get the ball rolling for the Lemon Law. This is a MAJOR SAFETY issue, the seat is no longer in spec and may not perform the way it was designed it in an accident.
Everyone should call the number that Woody said and complain.
 
seat rattle still an issue with 2004's

I have a 2004 4Runner and I am experiencing the same issue with my seat bottom - when tilted upward with the front rotating knob, it creats play and I can rattle the seat bottom up & down. When adjusted back down, it tightens up and doesn't rattle.

So, no, this issue has not been corrected in the 2004 model. I have to go back to the dealer tomorrow for a sunroof problem (for the second time) and I'll have to bring up the seat issue as well.


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2004 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD - Titanium
 
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