Common problems

[bluewolf]

We've never had a brand-new vehicle, nor paid nearly as much for a vehicle, so we wanted to do it right. We did months of grueling research before finally purchasing our 4runner and drove literally every single mid-sized American and foreign-made SUV currently on the market . . . even though we knew from the beginning what we wanted, we needed to be sure of what we were doing. Somehow, I forgot (or didn't even think to look into) any problems that Toyota might be experiencing with their new 4th gen. 4Rs. I guess I didn't look into it because:

1. Consumer reports LOVES Toyota.

2. I myself have had excellent results with Toyota.

3. Everybody I know raves about Toyota for their legendary reliability.

So we took it for granted.

1500 miles into the vehicle we are still exstatic about our purchase, however, I have read a lot more about potential problematic issues (on this forum and elsewhere) and I'd like to get some more opinions from you fellow-consumers (if you don't mind).

First, the sulpherous smell of the exhaust. I know why this has to happen, I know lots of other vehicles (usually new) that have the same problem, and it's not a huge concern for me. With our driving habits, we rarely notice it anyway. Unless it gets much worse than it is right now, it's not a problem.

Second, the seat problems. This seems VERY common, and I am naturally very concerned. I brought this subject up to my service manager and he told me that the problem is NOT an issue in the 04 models because the mechanical component which caused the seat to come away from the rail (or become loose) has been replaced. True or not, I really can't prove.

Third, moon-roof rattles. I know this can be a very frustrating problem from past experiences with older vehilcles with sun/moonroofs. I was surprized to see that it's still a potential issue. Is this a common problem?

Fourth, screwy warning indication lights. Oh no!! I REALLY hate vehicles whose warning lights are constantly going on an off for no serious reason. I hope this complaint has been blown out of proportion. Computer issues are almost as bad as electrical issues.

Drive-line / transmission noise. *sigh*. It seems I read about this same complaint no matter what SUV I am reading about. Is this a legit mechanical problem or are some people "listening too closely".

These are the things I'm trying to reassure myself about. Have I missed any? Feel free to add. I want to know if these "issues" are the exception or the "norm". Thanks.

 

[sharp4runr]

Other than the sulfur smell, I have been fortunate to not have any problems with my 2K4 Sport. I'm glad I went with the 2K4 versus the first production year 2K3. Hopefully they got those bugs worked by the time I got mine...

 

[Sac State]

Instead of making a list of potential problems, that haven't occurred yet, why not just enjoy the vehicle?

If and when one of these issues arises then you can worry about it.

I have had my Runner almost a year and 16K later have not experienced any of the catatrosphic problems you listed. It has a rattle every once in a while, it farts once in awhile(sulfur) and the driveline clunks on occassion. But what vehicle is perfect?

After owning over 15 brand new cars in my driving career, this Runner is the tightest and best built, as all of my inconveniences listed above usually work themselves out...by themselves, without a trip to the dealer.

Enjoy your Runner and sleep better at night knowing you made a wise decision. If nothing else the resale of the Runner blows anything else away.

 

[EXTEX]

Problems

Make that NO problems. I have read everything around here, so am quite familar with them. None of them, or any of their gremlin cuzins, live in my 4R. There's probably something to the '03 / '04 thing Sharp4runr mentioned.

 

[Kanab]

Instead of making a list of potential problems, that haven't occurred yet, why not just enjoy the vehicle?

If and when one of these issues arises then you can worry about it.

I have had my Runner almost a year and 16K later have not experienced any of the catatrosphic problems you listed. It has a rattle every once in a while, it farts once in awhile(sulfur) and the driveline clunks on occassion. But what vehicle is perfect?

After owning over 15 brand new cars in my driving career, this Runner is the tightest and best built, as all of my inconveniences listed above usually work themselves out...by themselves, without a trip to the dealer.

Enjoy your Runner and sleep better at night knowing you made a wise decision. If nothing else the resale of the Runner blows anything else away.

I totally agreed, but if you want to feel good go on a Ford or Dodge or Chevy site I know they can't sleep at night. My 4runner is great no problem after I lowered the seat with that front knob.

 

[ricedo]

I have had a few MINOR problems with my 4Runner...

-The sunroof does rattle a bit, had it fixed, still makes a little rattle, but not a big nuisance.
-The engine makes a ticking sound when I accelerate, had it fixed, but still makes the noise.
-When I turn the steering wheel all the way, in any direction, like making a U-turn, there is an irritating squeaking sound.
-Also, recently, the cladding is starting to make noise, which I hear is common in '03 models.

Other than that, no other problems. I don't know if I'm being too picky, but those are the problems I have encountered. Since all these problems are pertaining to noise, my solution is to turn up the volume on the radio, and enjoy the smooth, comfortable, reliable, kick ass ride the 4Runner offers.

 

[bluewolf]

sac state,

I agree with you 100%, and we are completely in love with the vehicle. The "catastrophic" issues I have read about are all quite trivial compared to the problems we experienced with our 01 Grand Cherokee. You are confusing obsessive-preoccupation with casual awareness.

pitbull,

Been there. I was one of those poor suckers on the Jeep/Chrysler boards desperately searching for answers to what seemed like "unsolvable" problems.

 

[Mark86]

I asked the dealer yesterday about it when I had to run there for a liftgate malfunction. They said there is rumor that Toyota is making something to fix that. They said it should be out in a few months. The tech was sure that they would come out with something so that made me feel happy!

 

[EXTEX]

ricedo

Here Here :cheers: to ricedo: a man with a half-full glass!
I like your style - turn the stereo up & gassit. We all cope with problems a different way. Good to see you're not makin' a life pursuit of bichin, like the half-empty type.

 

[peter78]

I have a third generation model and I was excited to see the 4th generation model come out. Like you I am concerned over some of the problems mentioned.

I think we should look at some of these problems, but understand the ability to commicate has become greater over the years. Now the average guy can communicate on forums like this over the inter-net.

I see Consumer Reports giving the Toyota 3.0 high marks and yet people were complaining of sludge, which Toyota did address and fix. Still the people affected were so small Consumer Reports still gives the engine a "much better than average" in reliability. I think we can say the inter-net was a deciding factor on Toyota doing something about the sludge problem, real or not.

So I would take all of this with a grain of salt. Be aware of certain problems, but understand the problems are not happening on most vehicles. I wonder how the 1996 head gasket problem would of been like with forums like this were around?

 

[Kanab]

Peter you are exactly right. I use to own a Dodge Cummins Turbo diesel and posted on the TDR site. It is a very large owner group with a lot of power. Things were addressed because we ID'ed them and called Dodge on the problem, Other things were not addressed I think because of economics but at least perspective buyers new what they were dealing with. I am amazed at now few problems are ID'ed on the Toyota's. Most problems that do appear are on a very few owners vehicles. Personally having been on a lot of sites I would only worry about a problem that has hundreds of posters complaining about the problem. Example on my Nissan 350Z there is a front tire feathering problem. If you go on the Z site you will see several thousand posts on this problem with hundreds of owners complaining. You will also see that Nissan is now addressing the problem. I don't see anything like this on the 4th generation 4runners. JMHO

 

[bluewolf]

No worries. I just like being informed. If something breaks, I can fix it . . . my glass overfloweth with optimism.

On the other hand, if an annoying little rattle or a mysterious "clunk" develops in my brand new truck I can't simply turn the sterio up and pretend it's not there. That would be like leaving a nice big purple pile of bird-poo on it's otherwise flawless hood. You could look the other way I suppose, but why???

When it's 15 years old there will be squeaks, rattles, and dried-up bird poo on the hood and it just wont seem to matter as much anymore.

 

[darktiger]

I have had 0 problems with my 04 V8 SE. So far only 10k miles one, still puts a smile on my face. I would not worry about any problems, if anything arises, well that is what this forum is about. Enjoy your ride.

 

[NoDak]

When it's 15 years old there will be dried-up bird poo on the hood and it just wont seem to matter as much anymore.

um i do that now, hehe.

but then again now that the new car wow factor is over, i treat it to a car wash at least once a month and treat it as a daily driver. in my younger days i had time to spend 6-8hrs and wax it by hand, but after having 2 kids i dont have the time or inclination for what you guys do to keep it pristine. i already scratched the drivers door edge with my keys, the rear bumper has 4 scrape marks that has revealed black under coating under the plastic bummpers. oem mats are dirty, the kids have spilled coke on the rear seats, its still dirty from last weeks rain, but i dont complain. i will enjoy the vehicle the same as when it had 4 miles on it or 40,000+ miles.

 

[Kanab]

um i do that now, hehe.

but then again now that the new car wow factor is over, i treat it to a car wash at least once a month and treat it as a daily driver. in my younger days i had time to spend 6-8hrs and wax it by hand, but after having 2 kids i dont have the time or inclination for what you guys do to keep it pristine. i already scratched the drivers door edge with my keys, the rear bumper has 4 scrape marks that has revealed black under coating under the plastic bummpers. oem mats are dirty, the kids have spilled coke on the rear seats, its still dirty from last weeks rain, but i dont complain. i will enjoy the vehicle the same as when it had 4 miles on it or 40,000+ miles.

You let your kids eat and drink in your vehicle. Never would happen in my family, plus when I was old enough to clean the car my dad let me enjoy that wonderful experience. Can I come and live at your house???

 

[bluewolf]

We do not have kids. If we HAD kids, my wife would be driving a '88 disposable mini-van with plastic seat covers, not a beautiful new 4runner. You can't have kids and nice things at the same time!

 

[NoDak]

yep i do let the kids eat drink in the vehicle. if i didnt, not much point in having a vehicle your family cant ride in and enjoy. as i have gotten older, my main concerns have shifted from, shoot and birds looking funny at the truck, straigh jacket the kids in the back seat, to oh well, at least i dont have to sit back there and live with the mess. they mess it up, they clean it up and live with sitting/dealing with the seating conditions they made for themselves.

in the end, it doesnt bother me as much as it use to.

 

[toybox]

You can't have kids and not have them eat and drink in it unless all you do is take 5 minute trips. And I would not put my family in a 1988 van if I can help it, safety has come a long way you know.

Don't get me wrong I'm a little anal about my truck that is why we have a Sienna also. The van isn't trashed but it definitely isn't pristine either. Baby bottles spilled, juice box spills, lollipops and gummi bears stuck to the rug, cracker crumbs all over, 4 years of three sets of dirty little feet getting in and out and climbing and sticking their feet on the seats. With kids you would just drive yourself nuts trying to keep it perfect. Oh and how about all the little dings in the outside from stuff the kids do. Frisbees, hockey sticks, bikes .............forgetaboutit.