03 4Runner seat rattle

TSB questions??

I was checking out NHTSA's web site and did a search on 2004 4runner TSB's. One was on a seat cushion height adjustment improvement (bulletin #01304 NHTSA #10008433) issued in June and another was on the front seat track removal process (bulleting # 00704 NHTSA #10007097).

Since much of my noise is coming from the thigh height adjustment mechanism inside the rotating knob this sounds applicable to my T4R.

Has anyone had these specific TSB's performed on their T4R?

Can anyone explain these two procedures?

Would they help our seat clunking issues, perhaps?
 
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You are out of luck as neither one applies to your seat problem.

One is for a different shaped height adjustment handle, the other
just shows you how to remove the plastic clips on the seat tracks.

Cliff s
 
Cliff s said:
You are out of luck as neither one applies to your seat problem.

One is for a different shaped height adjustment handle, the other
just shows you how to remove the plastic clips on the seat tracks.

Cliff s
Click to expand...

Bummer! That stuff seems insignificant when the clunking and popping seems to be actually bothering people.
 
back again

The dealer I spoke with is a service manager at Toyota of Washington in Washington, Pennsylvania. I am not sure if she is just buying time with me or what, but she told me they cannott do anything to the seat because Toyota is in the process of making a new one.....yata, yata, yata.

The reason I went back is because ever since they replace my original seat frame the back of my seat has felt very uncomfortable. They took me to their upolsterer(sp?), who worked out of a run down shack, and he said he didn't change anything to make it worse but he can reinforce it with extra padding. At first I did agree to that, but the next day I cancelled and said I would only be satisfied with new padding for the back of my seat. The service manager called back and said they would NOT pay for that and that I need to bring it in so the guy can stuff generic padding in it.....

I then asked them how much the padding cost.....and they said it would be $118.00. I thought a bit and said I wanted to order that padding, have it sent to my house, and I will never return to that dealership ever again for anything accept a seat recall!

Just wondering if anyone else has notice your driver seat not feeling as comfortable and plush as the passenger seat. Also, did I do the right thing or should I take a different approach?

Thanks for any help....

G
 
Re: back again

ttenrag said:


The reason I went back is because ever since they replace my original seat frame the back of my seat has felt very uncomfortable.

G
Click to expand...

This is why I am afraid to let them tear into my seat right away. I can learn to live with the popping/movement (for now) until they address the problem and get a "real" fix, easier than I can deal with the running back and forth and getting the run around and shotty work. That's why I want to find a way to confirm that a fix is definitely on the way. It appears that several people, according to these posts, are getting the same story about Toyota having a real fix in the make. I called several dealerships in my area and none of them have dealt with this issue (they say).

As for my seats, they both seem VERY firm to me. The passenger side is more comfortable simply because it seems to be very solidly built and feels very sturdy and doesn't aggravate me with noise.

KEEP US POSTED GUYS
 
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Well Kids I hate to tell you this but I just purchased a 05 Sport last month and I am having the same problems with the seat. IT IS KILLING ME so I am going to visit the dealer tomorrow and see what they know. I will keep all of yo updated.
 
After they replaced the seat frame on mine, I wouldn't say the seat is more uncomfortable. However, now, not only does the same piece rattle (and worse than the first one), but the back of the seat rattles, and the entire seat rattles on the frame.

I hope they come out with a "real" fix soon.
 
Ask them to call Toyota

Let's all ask our dealers to call Toyota to check on a real fix and see if we all get the same answer. I called ttenrag's dealer in Washington, PA and tried to pry out some more answers from them. They did say that Toyota WAS working on a new seat and that Toyota had informed their service mgr of the redesign, but they could not give a time frame on when it would be available. My dealer didn't know anything about it and neither did customer service at Toyota, obviously the service managers have a little more inside information about what's going on.

When I take mine in for its first service in early January I am going to ask them to check it out and call Toyota to inquire about a "real" fix. I don't want them to replace a badly designed seat or frame with another badly designed seat or frame, since that's what seems to be happening.

Keep us posted on what you find out.
 
Anyone else feel that not only is this problem annoying, but even more so, somewhat of a safety issue?

After they attempted to fix mine, my whole seat now rattles on it's track, and the back of the seat rattles.

I have no confidence that this seat would hold up in an accident. What if I get hit from behind, and my hole seat falls apart.

Kind of scary.
 
question for those who have taken theirs back in

When they "attempt" to fix this issue, do the seat covers look/fit right, or are they loose (especially around the bottom of the seat where they are attached).
 
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seat solution part 2

Hi guys,

I originally posted a fix for this seat rattle, but I think I have finally figured a way to fix it for good. I unbolted my seat and removed it completely, turned it upside down. Once upside down it is easy to fix the thigh lumbar rattle.

Turn the knob on the thigh lumbar to extend it in its highest position. Then either use 2 pieces of wood (in a sort of triangle shape), or use 2 rubber stoppers (about 1/2 - 3/4 inch high).
Wedge the pieces of wood (or rubber) between the thigh lumbar metal on the extreme sides of the seat, and the seat frame sides.
Then once the wood is wedged firmly and the lumbar doesn't wiggle, turn a few cranks down for extra tightness. This has eliminated my thigh lumbar noise completely!!!

I also tightened a few loose bolts (including my seatbelt bolt which happened to be loose).

Before you remove the seat be sure and disconnect the battery so that you can disconnect the 2 wire connections under the seat.


I also have been dissatisfied with the comfort of the drivers seat, so I took the fabric off the bsck of the seat and stuffed a 1 inch thick piece of flame retardant foam about the size of the back of the seat. The result was a more plush and comfortable seat!!!

Other than my driver seat problems, I absolutely love my 4runner.
I challenge anyone to find a better equipped and more reliable SUV for under $30,000, and 2 days ago I added a 2005 Subaru Outback to keep my 4runner company in the garage.

Hope some of this helps.



:awais: :awais: :awais:
 
2005 4Runner seat rattle

Sup fellas,

Sorry to say but I'm now an "unfortunate new" owner of a 2005 Sport Edition 4x4 Runner. And I too have a seat rattle only after 800 miles (23 days of ownership). Tried talking to the service manager and got the same F$king answer. I was told that when Toyota finds a fix to the problem, they'll notify me. Basically, I'm being screwed by Toyota. It'll be a month old in a few days. I'm upset and very disappointed by Toyota for not addressing this problem. Please advise for those who had this problem resolved by Toyota.

Johnny

2005 Sport Edition 4x4 V6

Besides the seat, I do really enjoy the truck. I'm just waiting for the Steering wheel shake (above 62 mph) to appear anyday, I've seen most of you 2003 and 2004 owners complain about this.....
 
jamlim,

Did your dealer tell you that they were aware toyota was DEFINITELY working on a fix? Just curious.
 
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2005 Sport seat rattle !!!!

No, they did not tell me about a fix. They said the only thing is to keep a look out for a TSB from Toyota and they'll contact me. The head mechanic did assure me that when the local rep comes out in the next few days, he'll push the issue about my seats b/c apparantly there is another guy with an '05 and same problem. I'm getting pretty ticked off about the rattle though. I'm making an appointment with the sales manager that I purchased the car from and try to work him about this problem. I don't think Service Dept. really cares. It's funny, the Service Dept. said "we're on your side, we really want to fix this for you, we just don't know how."

Keep ya'll posted!
 
Re: 2005 Sport seat rattle !!!!

jamlim said:
No, they did not tell me about a fix. They said the only thing is to keep a look out for a TSB from Toyota and they'll contact me. The head mechanic did assure me that when the local rep comes out in the next few days, he'll push the issue about my seats b/c apparantly there is another guy with an '05 and same problem. I'm getting pretty ticked off about the rattle though. I'm making an appointment with the sales manager that I purchased the car from and try to work him about this problem. I don't think Service Dept. really cares. It's funny, the Service Dept. said "we're on your side, we really want to fix this for you, we just don't know how."

Keep ya'll posted!
Click to expand...

They don't have a fix for this yet. Just get the service manager to show on your work order that it is screwed up and he doesn't have a fix. That will cover your claim when/if they come up with a fix (if you are out of the warranty period). What I did was crank the seat down to the lowest setting now it doesn't rattle or cause me any problem, and after a few months I am use to it this way and it's OK, no squeak or rattle. Hey I'm not saying this is right but since the dealer can't fix it why give them shit and piss everyone off when it won't change anything. JMHO
 
I thought about just letting them get away with this but I am very disappointed by their priorities. Let me explain. The first thing the Service Manager said was "It is an inherent problem from Toyota." "Inherent meaning my 4runner has it, your 4runner has it." So I asked him if he means they are supposed to roll off the trucks from Japan with rattles? Then he said "defects means only your car would have this specific problem, but since all 4runners with manual seats has this, it's not a defect." I was laughing b/c I thought this guy was joking but unfortunately, he was serious. He did not want to do a damn thing about the seat. He did not even give permission for this head mechanic to take the seat apart to see what can be done b/c his 4runner ( Service managers get loaners...his is a SR5...with manual seats) had the same problem. You see, he was more worried about wasting his mechanic's hours then to deal with my problem. He said, "it comes down to who's going to pay my mechanic" because Toyota won't pay for this problem, they know there is no fix to this problem. You may be right, I might be barking up the wrong tree, but it comes down to basic fundamental principles of consumer protection. I just feel betrayed. I've owned 5 Toyotas in my lifetime and this one is the first to give me a true sense of dissatisfaction.....I guess if I didn't mind my seats rattling after 25 days and 900 miles, I would have bought a Kia.
 
Kia???????

Come on now, don't even mention a Kia "SUV" in the same sentence as 4runner.

The seat problem on this vehicle really sucks, but other than that the vehicle is great! It would just be something else with another vehicle anyway. I bought a 2005 subaru Outback last week and was very excited to have a new car with a solid seat, well, after 300 miles my seat in my Subaru is already having some problems.......hopefully Subaru will be more responsive.....I don't think it is a defect anyway.

As for the service manager, he is sort of right. He knows there is no fix for the problem. Your best bet is to just wait...thats all we can do.

I posted a temporary fix for this problem earlier. My seat noises are 100% gone because of my fix. It works for now. Good luck!
 
jamlim said:
I thought about just letting them get away with this but I am very disappointed by their priorities.
Click to expand...

I agree with you Jamlim, but it's not just the priorities of the dealership.........it also lies with Toyota itself. Toyota has known about this problem since the 2003 models, yet they are unable to fix the problem? Isn't this the the "quality" leader in the industry? It's one thing to be unable to create a fix for earlier vehicles, but the same problem is occuring in the 2005 models! They can't redesign the seat? Of course they can, Toyota just doesn't want/need to because there are so many loyal customers who are willing to buy Toyotas, even if they have such annoying defects.

You need to formerly register your complaint with Toyota directly (not just at the dealership.)
 
My seat is squeaking/rattling/rocking pretty bad, and my dealer has ordered an entire new seat for me. Hopefully it'll be here soon and will fix it. I"ll update once it gets installed
 
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