'07 4R has a bad stereo

[G.I.G.]

So about two months ago, I get in my car and the stereo comes on, but there is no display. Then it beeps, and proceeds to spit out every CD that was in the stereo. The mode, volume, and presets still worked, just no display. Then the display comes back on but it is all solid black squares and is totally blured out.

So I think to myself "my car is under warranty, I'll just bring it in". Well, then the problem fixed itself. but now my stereo does that intermittently so I can't take it in when it's working, they will tell me to pack sand.

So, I have two questions....

1. Has anyone experienced the same problem with their stereo (or something similar)? My 4R only has 17k miles so it seems a bit early to have this kind of problem.

2. Any suggestions on how to approach the dealership with this problem? If I tell them I want a new stereo because mine is bad, they will laugh at me when I show up with a stero that works fine (at least at the moment). I did take a picture on my camera phone of the jacked up display, but I have a feeling they won't accept that as evidence of a problem.

 

[07runner]

Did it happen to do this under very humid conditions? I had the same problem with my 07. The radio shut down three times, but it only did it under very himid conditions.

The last time I had it in for service I mentioned it to the service manager. They checked it out, but of course they couldn't get it to do it in the shop. But, they have had similar problems with Tundras and Tacomas with the same system. So, bottom line, I have a new radio/cd system coming in next week.

If it were me, I'd take it to the dealers and at least have it entered into your service records. Who knows, you might end up with a new system too.

Ken

 

[G.I.G.]

Sounds like I'm not the only one then. I live in Colorado and it is typically bone dry. We do have our muggy days here and there but I can't pin it down to that. I thought it was the heat at first but then it started doing it on cooler days to.

Did Toyota make any adjustments to the new system? I'd hate for the dealer to replace my stereo only to have the same problem with the new one.

 

[G.I.G.]

I spoke with the Toyota dealer this morning and they are taking my word for the fact that it is having problems, saving me the trip up there for them to look at it, only to say it works fine. They are ordering a new stereo for me and it should be at the dealer within a week.

Overall, pretty cool of them to do that for me. For those of you who live in the Denver area, Stevenson Toyota West's service department has been pretty nice to deal with, on the few occasions I've needed them.

 

[amt006]

I have been having the same problem for months now. I just haven't had the time to take it to the dealer. I will call my rep tomorrow and see what he can do.

Aaron

 

[trd_4runnin]

I had the same problem when I took my parents 07 to pick them up at the airport. About 1 hour into my trip I did something and all of the sudden the whole display was blurry black shapes like you said. Then I stopped for gas, and when I turned the car back on the radio was fine.

 

[amt006]

Does everyone with this problem have the JBL Synthesis AM/FM 6-Disc In-Dash stereo?

Aaron

 

[G.I.G.]

Does everyone with this problem have the JBL Synthesis AM/FM 6-Disc In-Dash stereo?

Aaron

I don't have the JBL system. I have the regular Toyota in-dash 6-disk system. Hopefully the new stereo fixes the problem. I will probably have it installed this week so I will keep everyone posted. I would hate to have this problem again when my warranty expires. I'm already half way through my warranty period....

 

[amt006]

I called my service rep and they asked me to dring it in so they could get the serial number and will order a new radio for me once they see the truck. Finally got sick and tired of all my cds getting ejected every few days. Some time more than once per day.

Aaron

 

[EEtM33t]

This happened to the 6 disc factory radio in my 2007 4Runner.
It would occur inconsistently and once the radio turned on by itself. I took photos of the LCD display using the camera on my phone so that I could show the service tech at the dealership considering the issue arose inconsistently. I took it to Arapahoe Toyota in the Denver suburbs and they ordered a replacement radio without issue. Came back two weeks later and they replaced the radio.
Based on their quick response with ordering a replacement radio rather than doing anything else I presume that this is a known issue...

 

[KimoSan]

Radio issues

Did the display look anything like this?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22566

If that link doesn't work, do a search for "fiunky radio display" from me and it will come up.

I ended up taking a picture with the cell camera and showed it to the dealer. Got a new one and no problems since then.

 

[G.I.G.]

Re: Radio issues

Did the display look anything like this?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22566

If that link doesn't work, do a search for "fiunky radio display" from me and it will come up.

I ended up taking a picture with the cell camera and showed it to the dealer. Got a new one and no problems since then.

Ha, it looks EXACTLY like that when it acts up. Again, real intermittent. It's funny when people ask about moisture. I see that you live in the Denver area as well. It is BONE DRY here so I can't see that as being the problem.

Just out of curiosity, what dealer did you take your 4R to? I convinced Stevenson Toyota West to order me a new radio without taking it in first which I thought was very cool of them. They called and said the radio had arrived, I just need to call and schedule an appointment.

 

[KimoSan]

Funky radio

Well, formely from the Denver area. I now live just north of Salt Lake City.

Anyhoo, took my Runner to Go Toyota (formerly John Elway Toyota) on Arapahoe Rd. just east of I-25. My service rep was always top notch and never had a complaint.

 

[malmgren]

Wow, this just happened to me earlier this week. I got in and immediately after starting it, all the CDs were ejected. I didn't notice the"square LCD" problem, and the stereo worked fine after that. I put all the CDs back in and haven't had a problem since.

I too have the JBL Synthesis HU.

 

[G.I.G.]

I just scheduled an appointment to have my stereo replaced. My only concern is that they are going to replace my stereo with the exact same thing (no improvements having been made). I just hope the new one lasts more than 18k miles.....

 

[icantsee]

I never had this problem w/ my 4Runner...
...however I did on my 2001 Accord.

In 2002, it would blink blink a few times & then spit out the CD.

But when I put back in the CD, it worked fine.

It did happen often, but not enough that would have bothered me.

Later on when my buddies helped me install a Clifford G4 alarm, I saw that the Headunit was Refurbished.

Perhaps our Headunits are Refurbished as well?

 

[G.I.G.]

I had the dealer replace my stereo today. So far so good, but only time will tell.....

They replaced it with a refurbished unit rather than brand new, which I think might actually be better in the long run. If they just pulled a new one off the shelf, good chance that it was manufactured around the same time as the one in my 4R (my 4R is barely a year old) and I could potentially run into the same problem. Hopefully they have identified the problem and the refurbished one is a little more resilient. I'll keep my fingers crossed....