03 4Runner seat rattle

[ssmumich00]

have them keep on replacing your seat frame, it should EVENTUALLY go away. . .mine was fine for about 1.5years, and is only NOW recently acting up after they replaced the frame twice. . .it's a PITA, a deterrent for me if I ever considered trading this one in, but what are you gonna do. . .

 

[pdoel]

I have an appointment on Wednesdsay, November 24th. Taking it for my yearly inspection, the sunroof rattle, and the seat rattle.

This is the second time I've had it in for the seat. First time, they replaced the seat frame, and when I picked it up, it was worse than when I dropped it off.

They are having a Toyota Rep meet me Wednesday morning. He won't come out at all, unless I'm there. I'm thinking he's hoping I'm some 500lb guy, so he can blame that for the seat problems.

When I made the appointment, they denied knowing that this is a known problem, but they did admit there was a TSB on the sunroof. So just to be safe, I'm going to print out this thread and take it with me, to show to the regional Toyota rep. I'm sure they know about this, but I'm just as sure, they are going to deny that it's a known problem.

 

[ATLRunner]

Has anyone gotten this resolved??

I am curious to know of anyone that had the seat rattle, took it in to a dealer, and got it fixed to their satisfaction. It seems many people who have taken it in still have some intermittent rattle problems. If I can't get a 100% fix I probably won't take it in and risk them scratching up something else.

 

[msanta]

I took it to the dealer and the back rest was fixed not the bottom of the seat. It took two days and they never told me it was going to take that long! I don't know if I am going to take it back to the same dealer.

 

[rabeet]

Yeah but did they fix it?

I basically gave up on it. Just not worth the hassle.

I felt pretty lucky they replaced my sunroof without any problem and don't figure to not look the gift horse in the mouth.

By the way, I would swear the design of the new sunroof is a little different. When fully open, there are plastic shields in front of the side rails I would swear were not there before.

 

[Kanab]

I've never opened my sunroof and never plan on opening it. Anyone have a problem that never opened their sunroof?

 

[sharp4runr]

I've never opened my sunroof and never plan on opening it. Anyone have a problem that never opened their sunroof?

I guess the question that begs to be asked is, how do you know if there is a problem if you don't use it? :

 

[VAlemon]

04 drivers seat

I have just returned from the dealer, for the third time. They told me that Toyota is working on a fix, but gave me no other information. I asked when the fix would be ready and they got nasty and told me to call the 1-800 ## and ask for arbitration papers.

I guess they are done with me.....

 

[rabeet]

They are awfully nice until something is actually wrong.

I enjoyed how they called and sent a survey, etc. after I took mine in last time. When I answered the phone I said "what's the point?" He seemed confused. As I said they did fine with the roof, so I told him I hated to spoil his day over the seat.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me for Toyota to let something so simple cost them the time and trouble, not to mention the ultimate cost: my next truck will probably not be a Toyota.

 

[ttenrag]

Here is the answer to the seat

A couple of things about the driver seat problems. First I have figured out how to eliminate the noise in the seat. I put a piece of wood (1 1/2 x 1 1/2) between the thigh lumbar bar and the seat frame while having the thigh lumbar in its highest position. Then I slowly lowered the thigh lumbar until it puts pressure against the wood...then a few more cranks to make it real tight......problem solved.

Second, I called my dealer today because I am having comfort problems with the back of the seat (foam padding). I told her that my seat still makes noises (after one earlier replacement of the seat frame). She told me that Toyota is finally fixing the problem and in the process of designing an entire new front seat!!!It will be a few months before it is available and possibly longer....but they are finally fixing the problem for real.

Take care guys...and keep up the hope.

 

[ATLRunner]

Re: Here is the answer to the seat

Second, I called my dealer today because I am having comfort problems with the back of the seat (foam padding). I told her that my seat still makes noises (after one earlier replacement of the seat frame). She told me that Toyota is finally fixing the problem and in the process of designing an entire new front seat!!!It will be a few months before it is available and possibly longer....but they are finally fixing the problem for real.

Take care guys...and keep up the hope.

Thanks ttenrag... sounds encouraging! Hopefully the new front seat becomes a TSB so we can just take it to the dealer and have it swapped out without too much hassle. I will try the trick you described on the front seat and see how it works. A temporary fix would be great while I wait for this!

 

[VAlemon]

Seat rattle

My seat actually has two rattles. First, the thigh support. Second, there is a lateral movement of the height adjustment lever. Also, has anyone noticed tears in their leather wrapped stearing wheel?

 

[fflan513]

Damn Seat rattle continues

Took the 4RUNNER to the dealer and they kept it all day long (8:00am-6:00pm) only to tell me that they are :UNABLE TO REPAIR DRIVERS SEAT FOR CLICKING. TOYOTA IS RESEARCHING A UPGRADED SEAT REPAIR AT THIS TIME".

What a bunch of crap, Toyota should have had this fixed before the 2004 was put on the market, especially since there was a TSB on the 2003 for the same problem.

I guess all we can do is hope they actually get a fix and do a recall.

 

[Kanab]

Re: Damn Seat rattle continues

Took the 4RUNNER to the dealer and they kept it all day long (8:00am-6:00pm) only to tell me that they are :UNABLE TO REPAIR DRIVERS SEAT FOR CLICKING. TOYOTA IS RESEARCHING A UPGRADED SEAT REPAIR AT THIS TIME".

What a bunch of crap, Toyota should have had this fixed before the 2004 was put on the market, especially since there was a TSB on the 2003 for the same problem.

I guess all we can do is hope they actually get a fix and do a recall.

So now you are covered for having your seat fixed even when the warranty is up. Keep us posted on when the fix comes from Toyota. Did they mention when they might have the Fix?????

 

[ky4runner]

Welcome to the clunk club!

Welcome me to the seat clunking club.

I bought a new 04' on election day (go figure) and soon started noticing the imfamous popping and clunking in the front driver's seat. I am convinced that I am having the same issue as others mentioned in this thread. At first I didn't really notice it, then it became annoying. The seat rocks slightly back and forth, but the really annoying part is the popping and clunking coming from underneath and from the thigh adjustment which has a LOT of play in it. The noise usually occurs while making right turns, braking, and getting in and out of the vehicle. This is NOT a creaking/squeaking sound as mentioned in the other TSB's its a pop and clunk sound that you can feel!

I have not taken it to the dealer yet. I have decided to wait and do some homework and hear some other testimony before I let them shim it up which may cause problems down the road or making it worse. After hearing other folk's testimony on various sites (yotatech and autoforums?) and other places I decided to call Toyota's National Customer Center. I called on 12/07/04 and talked to Elouise. She said their has been no TSB's or Special Service Bulletins regarding this issue. I couldn't believe it. Then I found this thread. This appears to have been a problem since 03'

So I call them back tonight. I first talked to Victor, he actually yelled at me when I kept saying this HAS to be a widespread issue. After I got through saying what I had to say to his sorry _ss he hung up on me. I called back and talked to John. He said the same thing and advised not to believe everything you hear on the Internet. No sh_t Sherlock, I thought, but why would people lie about this! If someone wanted to defame Toyota they should say that their 4runner is haunted, caught on fire, or somehow mysteriously commandeered its own steering or some crap like that.

ttenrag and fflan513, you give us hope, but who told your dealer that Toyota was working on a fix for this "unknown" problem? What dealer are you talking to I would like to talk to them also, they may be able to give me some guidance?

Toyota doesn't seem to know anything about this problem (of course) with the 03's or 04's.

I plan to call some more dealers in my area next before I choose one to go to.

 

[rabeet]

Very disappointing to hear that Toyota's customer service people would behave that way.

Geez, I have asked other 4Runner owners I have happend to see in parking lots and ALL of them with the same seat say the SAME THING. On one occasion I and some guy with another 04 tried each other's seats out and yep, they were exactly the same.

Still, I am finding I am quite happy with this truck otherwise.

Comon, Toyota, figure it the heck out.

 

[ky4runner]

I agree rabeet. I am very well satisfied with my 4runner except for this one thing. I would be less concerned if I was sure it wasn't a safety issue.

I'm sure if I had went with the 05 pathy I would have more than one complaint. I still have confidence they will come up with a fix for this. As for their customer service, Toyota could save lots of $ by just getting rid of that line, its worthless. Everyone should go to the NHTSA web site and file a complaint about this issue and maybe they'll have to do something about it.

I'm still curious as to where those dealers got that information about the upcoming fix, or if it is more pacifying. Let us know guys!

 

[Sac State]

Did you report the two un-professional CSR reps to Toyota HQ?

They should NEVER hang up on you.

 

[ky4runner]

Supposedly he was a representative from national headquarters, I called the 1800 line and they transferred me to this person. He was definitely uncourteous and condescending. I have done customer service/technical support before, you NEVER scold or raise your voice to a customer! I was just asking questions calmly, but needless to say when he changed his tone, so did I. He didn't handle the situation correctly, and maybe I didn't either in the end. I was NOT an irate customer when I was asking him questions, nor was I being rude in any fashion, I was just looking for some answers and wasn't accepting that Toyota knew nothing about this issue. I mean how could they not? Surely if anyone in this forum has taken their 4runner in for this problem they have logged it somewhere and have a record of it. There is at least 9 complaints at the NHTSA, and I for one have reported it to Toyota.

 

[ATLRunner]

I think with all the people on this forum we could certainly sign a very large petition urging them to fix the issue before we file a class-action lawsuit. I am sure the problem is widespread enough to support legal action if the proper actions aren't taken by Toyota. Those of us that have the side curtain airbags (and even that don't) can certainly point out that the seat is an intergral part of the safety system and there is no guarantee that a loose seat will not affect the safety of the vehicle in a collision.
They have certainly worked very hard to get a "best pick" rating on this car, but I am quite certain the iihs would not look favorably upon this situation if they became aware of it. I hope it doesn't come to this, but I am sure many of the people on this forum are ready to play hardball.