03 4Runner seat rattle

[Woody]

Little visibility from Toyota

Unfortunately, because the seat-play is a design flaw (meaning that all 4Runners with manual seat base adjustments are affected), there's little your dealer can do.

If enough owners complain to Toyota's Customer Assistance (1-800-331-4331) and to NHSTA (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/), then hopefully this issue will get more visibility from Toyota, potentially resulting in a recall/design-fix.

At least through Toyota's Customer Assistance, Vin and I were able to schedule some sort of "District Overseer" to review this issue.

* Woody

 

[Mort]

Hi. I'm new to the forum. Just got a Titanium 04 SR5 V8. Love it but am having issues with the driver's seat. Manual seat height adjustment is drifting. That is to say, when I set the height of the seat, over time, sometimes within a day, the seat sinks down. I have been reading some of the issues here and it sounds related. I took it into my local Toyota dealer last week who immediately said they needed to replace the lumbar assembly. Most likely they know of this problem ahead of the game and it is referenced in a TSB as to the fix. I sent it back in and they replaced the assembly. Well, it doesn't fix the problem. The seat still drifts down. Not sure what to do next. If they just replaced the assembly blindly because Toyota Corp. tells them that's the fix and in fact all they are doing is replacing a bad assembly with another one, it seems a waste of time to send it back to the dealer. Anyone else having any luck? Is there a specific part or assembly that needs to be specified? For example a new version of the assembly that may not yet be widely available?

 

[mdabrows]

seat problems

I brought my '04 4Runner to the dealership for the seat bottom play issue and they told me they need to replace the seat frame assembly (part no. 71200-3D780-B7). They ordered it and I'm waiting to hear back when they get it in. As far as the seat hight adjustment drifting - I have not noticed that on my 4Runner.


--------------------

2004 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD - Titanium

 

[vin]

Well I had my meeting with the factory rep, what a waste of time. He acted as if he was unaware of this problem. He said since the '04's are doing the same thing its "normal operation". What a bunch of B.S. If this is normal why has the dealer been trying to fix it ? I told him I will go lemon law because its not safe to drive with a loose seat (like he cared).

Mort..... I am also having the seat lowering problem.

mdabrows..... A new seat frame will not fix it. A while ago the dealer ordered a bunch of them to fix this problem but when they did the first one it didnt solve the problem so they sent them back. Please keep us posted how it works for you.


Everyone that is having this problem please call the Toyota's Customer Assistance (1-800-331-4331) and complain about this. The more complaints they receive, then maybe they will get off their ASSES and do something about it.

 

[Woody]

District manager outcome

Well Vin, if it makes you feel any better, I had the district manager tell me the same thing - the seat rocking is "normal" and have a nice day.

For those calling customer assistance, bypass this useless and time-consuming process, if possible.

* Woody :-(...

UPDATE: I called customer assistance after the district manager reviewed the issue, and they said Toyota's position is the district manager's position. The next step in the process, according to customer assistance, is to enter arbitration which starts with them mailing you the arbitration forms. Estimated time for the arbitration process to complete is 40 days.

Did anyone have a response with NHTSA?

 

[toyo]

I am having the same problem on my manual seat on the drivers side. I took it in today, the technician said it needs replaced, service manager said to repair it because they are above there warranty claims for the month! Shit is going to start rolling pretty soon.

 

[smooth22]

I've noticed a problem with my '03 drivers seat sinking down over time. Given that it was very subtle, I just brushed it off convincing myself I'm "feeling" things.

Since many of you are having the same problems I'm going to pay close attention to this within the next few weeks. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[Woody]

Arbitration outcome

I sent the arbitration letter and received a reply from the arbitrator: Can't help since this is a design issue, not a defect.

If anybody from Toyota is reading this:

I will live with this, but I shouldn't have to.
A manual seat should not jiggle, not in any new car, not in a Toyota, and certainly not in a $27K 2003 Toyota.

* Woody :-(

 

[toyo]

See, this is where I think Toyota is wrong. If it is a design problem, then ALL seats would be doing this. If they designed a seat to certain specs, the jig would be making all the seats the same. There are too many people who dont have the seat problem.

 

[Woody]

Agreed - the response is not accurate. If all 4Runners had doors fall off, would this be "normal" and therefore they wont fix it? I think the difference is that the door example is a direct safety issue, unlike the seat jiggle.

The seat jiggle is like a rattle - extremely annoying to live with, but it wont make headlines and therefore adversely affect Toyota's reputation.

* Woody

 

[JungleJim]

A couple of thoughts:

- Try to get this issue published somehow. Like in the "Click and Clack" column published in many papers throughout the country.

- I sure sounds like a safety issue. Maybe having your lawyer contact Toyota about this would help.

- Talk to your lawyer about your state's lemon laws.

 

[Woody]

Lawyer?

hahaha sorry - I don't know a lawyer that can help, but if you do, please let me know (class-action would be nice).

I agree this needs more publicity. One thing that might help here is to combine this thread with the "Rocking/moving driver's seat?" thread, making this I'm guessing the most commented on and widespread 4Runner problem on this forum.

* Woody

 

[vin]

See, this is where I think Toyota is wrong. If it is a design problem, then ALL seats would be doing this. If they designed a seat to certain specs, the jig would be making all the seats the same. There are too many people who dont have the seat problem.

99% of the manual seats are doing this. Some seats are worse than others. The first week I had the truck I didnt notice it. Many people ignore it.

 

[toyo]

How in gods name can people ignore this. First off when I stop,start,turn move in the seat it moves. Second, why would someone accept this in a Toyota? Its people like that that lets toyota and other makers get away with bullcrap.

 

[Mort]

I should note that when they replaced the lumbar assembly of my driver's seat, in doing so they took the seat out and scratched the inside of the door (the plastic lower half). They ordered the part (marking on the service report "replace due to miscolor"). When I went back to have it fixed I told them that the seat still would not stay at the height that I set it, it would still sink down. They told me that they ordered and replaced the wrong part. Then they ordered and replaced the seat rails. I have had it into the dealer a total of 4 times to fix it but still the problem occurs. I am going to go back and tell them to weld the !%&$#! into place in regards to the seat height. If they won't they need to tell me what it would take to make it a power seat. Does anyone know if power seats on Limiteds have this problem?

 

[toyo]

Too funny!! My dealer scratched my door panel when removign my seat also. They charged Toyota for it also.
I wish mine had the power seats likewise, I also wish it had heated seats.

 

[vin]

If they won't they need to tell me what it would take to make it a power seat. Does anyone know if power seats on Limiteds have this problem?

The power seat does not have this problem. When I met with the "factory rep" I asked the same thing about giving me a power seat. He said it is not possible, I think its
:bs:

 

[smooth22]

I do notice my seat "sinking" and having to readjust it but it's very subtle. However, it's still unacceptable. I can force the front portion (the section controlled by the round knob) of the seat to move. But it only moves if I force it. Besides that my seat doesn't move or rock.

I've read similiar complaints at the NTHSA website. I think this is a good place to start if Toyota isn't addressing it. If it is safety concern they may force a recall.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

 

[vin]

Ok, the paperwork was just mailed today for the Lemon Law. I will keep you informed when the next step comes.

 

[Sad4RunnerOwner]

Hello ! ! !

My SR5 4X4 was produced 12-20-02.

I have just completed the first step with these seats.

While my drivers seat rocked, rolled, twisted and turned, I WAS able to have the dealer agree that the vehicle needed new seat rails as well. It took three attempts to get to the following answer. The fourth was the new seat installed.

The TSB is for the early 2003 4Runner LIMITED, produced in 12/02. There are no other fixes for the 2003 SR5 manual seat which rock except to replace the seat. It took over a month for the seat to come in to the shop and to be fixed.

According to Toyota, (I stated this and was told I was correct by the Toyota rep in my meeting yesturday, 01-12-04) the side seat adjusters must be completly tight, to stop the "Shaking" of the seat."

However, from what I learned and from what they did to our 4Runner, the twisting and back and forward motion can only be corrected with the new seat structure. Plus, IF YOU HAVE THE SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS IN THE SEAT, and have this process done, be prepaired for the seat covers to look like crap. Your vehicle will more then likely be sent off site to have the seats ripped apart and re done. This is AN ALL DAY PROCESS.

We ended going to the Dispute Center over the whole situation. I attended my meeting yesturday. I will know by Friday the 16th if I get a new vehicle or my money back.

Also, watch the window trim that runs up the windshield to the roof. It will begin to rip and fall apart.

As for a dealer standing behind their vehicle, the Toyota dealer who did my 2003 4Runners SECOND oil change, distroyed my entire breaking system by "Changing the oil and TOPPING off all levels." They put power steering fluid into my break system and all of it had to be replace, for a tune of $4,780.78. Plus, had the balls to tell me that they did not do it, and to file a claim under my auto insurance as a vandalism claim.

Toyota has now (After three claims people and a fraud unit that I sicked on them) have agreed that they have had another case, of the same as mine, and have to repay State Farm Mutual Co. as well as myself for all damages. The bill is close to $6,000 now.

There are many 4Runner owners out here that blew me out of the water for "Saying mean things" about there new 4Runners. I hate to say this, but I'm glad that there are others that are having the same problems. If you want to talk about it, post and I will get back to you.

For those who have a great 4Runner, Yippee! And I do honestly mean that. I LOVED my 1997 Limited, and now wish I never got rid of it. For the rest of us, it's OK, you can get through it! The dispute Settlement process for California is exactly 40 days.

Be very careful out there . . . Toyota appears not to be what they were.