2003 T4R Question

[98A4LS1]

I hope this is the right forum for my questions

I am wanting to purchase a 2003 T4R V8 4WD. Are there any major issues/problems with this model year as far as mechanical ie drivetrain?
I checked alldata.com for TSB's and there seems to be very few problems. I am not concerned about rattling seat, poor fit body panel, etc. only major engine and trans problems/issues or ball joints fail ie Durango, or oil pump failure (Yukon), etc.

Lastly, also considering a 2002 V6.

Any help/input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sac State]

No major issues, just mostly rattles and trim. The V8 is bulletproof and the V6 had a few issues with valve clatter, but Toyota claims that is normal.

 

[slyangel9]

I've had the car for almost 1 year and this car is the best I've ever had. My only minor issues are:

1. Sulfur smell during hard acceleration
2. weird sound when closing sunroof

My previous cars were:
89 Mustang
98 Maxima
00 Miata

 

[98A4LS1]

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to decide between a V6 and V8 SR5. Yesterday, I test drove a 2003 V6 4WD cloth interior with 30K miles for $20,000. Seems kind of high priced to me.

 

[bulldog-yota]

The most common issues on the 03 T4R 4x4 are:
1) Driveline jerk when coming to a complete stop, this is normally fixed with a driveline lube
2) Front end vibration at 65MPH or so, mostly tire and balancing realted. Most have disappeared after replacing tires and balancing them. Also make sure wheels are torqued correctly.
3) Sulphur smell, TSB out to fix it.
4) Manual seat looseness, no fix yet. SO check when you buy, obviously not an issue on Limited with power seats.
5) Sunroof rattle and sealing issues. TSBs out for those.
6) V6 had some issues in the early versions with fuel rails, etc, TSBs out for those, most are fixed.

That's about it, I can think of. If you search here you wil find the fixes and TSBs for these issues.

 

[98A4LS1]

Bulldog-yota, thanks for the reply. Any issues with the 2002 or 2004?
Yes, I checked the TSB's on alldata.com as well as a search on this website. Just trying to get some input from T4R owners.
Thanks again!!

 

[bulldog-yota]

2002 is still 3rd gen, so common issues listed doesn't apply. the 2004 seems better with the issues listed, especially the later ones. Toyota probably fixed most issues at factory.

If you buy used, you can just check for these issues chances are previous owner had it fixed.

All in all I only know of one owner who had his V8 replaced, nobody really knows what happened to the engine. Definitely the exception.

As you can see most issues are minor, so no major mechanical issues are common but rather exceptions.