Little problems, huge disappointment!!
- Thread starter DLSWyo
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Atomic 4Runner
New member
Everybody has a boss, and every dealership has a regional rep. If you aren't getting any satisfaction from your dealer, tell them you want the name and number for the regional contact. Don't just accept one persons refusal to help, talk to their supervisor and work your way up the line.DLSWyo said:
Follow up each conversation with a letter, detailing what you told them, and what response you received. Start a paper trail of all of their excuses, it will come in handy if you end up suing. Document everything, even if it's just keeping notes for yourself. Write down the names and dates of everyone you talk to.
If the problems are as evident as you say they are, it shouldn't be difficult for you to reproduce the noises and problems for them.
File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Contact your local TV station that has the investigative reporter. They love to tell the public how a company is screwing over the little guy.
Write a letter to the editor. Each week until they get it fixed.
Register a complaint with the state consumer protection agency.
There are a lot of options besides putting up with a mediocre product,
Stand up for yourself and make some noise.
I wish you the best of luck.
Maybe you could do something to the seat to make it actually break, then you could get a new one under warranty. Perhaps jump up and down on it for 10 minutes 
The bump/thump in the drivetrain is something (in my experience with a Jeep) that will never go away, however much a dealer tinkers with side gears and differentials and driveshafts. I got used to the bump in my Jeep after several drivetrain stripdowns by the dealer assured me it was nothing serious. However I would not expect such a feature from a Japanese car, so I can understand why it annoys you.
I thought the excessive sulphur smell was fixed by a TSB. You might want to check that out. My 2004 SE doesn't have it... just the smell of a nice rich mixture filling the garage in the morning (which always has my girlfriend saying "do you smell gas?")!
The bump/thump in the drivetrain is something (in my experience with a Jeep) that will never go away, however much a dealer tinkers with side gears and differentials and driveshafts. I got used to the bump in my Jeep after several drivetrain stripdowns by the dealer assured me it was nothing serious. However I would not expect such a feature from a Japanese car, so I can understand why it annoys you.
I thought the excessive sulphur smell was fixed by a TSB. You might want to check that out. My 2004 SE doesn't have it... just the smell of a nice rich mixture filling the garage in the morning (which always has my girlfriend saying "do you smell gas?")!
tomlowery
New member
Ok i work for a GM dealer. whatver you do DO NOT TRADE IT FOR A TAHOE. if that little stuff bothers you have fun when in your tahoe. we get some in the dealer ship that have lik 15k miles on them and the steering wheel clunks. the suspension feels like shit and it just has this horribly mushy feel. Oh and all of the interior panels will begin to incessantly squeek once you get past the 20k mile mark. also enjoy your wonderfully styled parts bin interior that can also be seen in every other goddamn car they make just different sizes. ive heard bad things about the commander as well just havent experienced them first hand. i love my 4 runner.
but yea that sucks dude. make some noise and hopefully your problems will be corrected.
but yea that sucks dude. make some noise and hopefully your problems will be corrected.
Iowa4Runner
New member
DLSWyo said:
Northof49
New member
Re: Re: Little problems, huge disappointment!!
What are they supposed to do....give you a new engine because you don't like the noise it makes? A new engine that may very well make the same noise because it's normal?
What brand are you going to that you expect to better your Toyota experience? Lexus is the only realistic option....
If the engine lasts for 300,000+ miles despite your self-diagnosed "awful noises," would you agree that it was "normal" ?Iowa4Runner said:I agree with your general sentiment, and am disappointed in my T4R as well. You should hear the awful noises my engine makes on a cold day. This is of course "normal", like all the other problems people complain about. I don't know how Toyota has the reputation they do. Maybe it's because so many other car companies suck worse and Consumer Reports only wants to hear about major problems or safety issues. In any case, my next car will probably not be a Toyota...
What are they supposed to do....give you a new engine because you don't like the noise it makes? A new engine that may very well make the same noise because it's normal?
What brand are you going to that you expect to better your Toyota experience? Lexus is the only realistic option....
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Iowa4Runner
New member
Re: Re: Re: Little problems, huge disappointment!!
This reply is nothing but an inflammatory mountain of presumption and speculation. How can you say this without knowing anything about me, what's wrong with my engine, and who's taken a look at it? What did my oil analysis show? How many engines have I rebuilt? What would it take to fix it? How many miles are on my engine? How many other 4Runners sound like mine?
How many of these questions do you have answers to?
Northof49 said:
This reply is nothing but an inflammatory mountain of presumption and speculation. How can you say this without knowing anything about me, what's wrong with my engine, and who's taken a look at it? What did my oil analysis show? How many engines have I rebuilt? What would it take to fix it? How many miles are on my engine? How many other 4Runners sound like mine?
How many of these questions do you have answers to?
Koz
New member
Re: Re: Little problems, huge disappointment!!
All I can say is the 4Runner is the best all-round vehicle I've owned! Like my old man used to say, you can't please everyone.
If your not happy dump it. :behead:
Koz
Iowa4Runner said:I agree with your general sentiment, and am disappointed in my T4R as well. You should hear the awful noises my engine makes on a cold day. This is of course "normal", like all the other problems people complain about. I don't know how Toyota has the reputation they do. Maybe it's because so many other car companies suck worse and Consumer Reports only wants to hear about major problems or safety issues. In any case, my next car will probably not be a Toyota...
All I can say is the 4Runner is the best all-round vehicle I've owned! Like my old man used to say, you can't please everyone.
If your not happy dump it. :behead:
Koz
Mark86
Super Moderator
My 4Runner has absolutely no problems. The only time I get the stink is when I drive with the rear window completely down. Never happens when I drive with the sunroof or side windows opened. The only noise I hear is the lovely sound of my V8 roaring when I hit the gas!!
My only 'complaint' on the 4Runner is gas mileage. On the other hand, I would complain about any car that gets under 40 mpg with gas prices the way they are!
My only 'complaint' on the 4Runner is gas mileage. On the other hand, I would complain about any car that gets under 40 mpg with gas prices the way they are!
Iowa4Runner
New member
Re: Re: Re: Little problems, huge disappointment!!
I don't expect perfection, I'm not unreasonable. But nobody wants a 4Runner that knocks like a diesel. I also don't like the way my local dealer's service wiener boy dismissed my opinions and gave me fake explanations like "your valves are sticking". If my 4Runner didn't kick so much butt in the snow I probably would dump it.
On a lighter note, do you have a 14 yet? I'm closing in on a deal for red one....
:zoom:
Koz said:
I don't expect perfection, I'm not unreasonable. But nobody wants a 4Runner that knocks like a diesel. I also don't like the way my local dealer's service wiener boy dismissed my opinions and gave me fake explanations like "your valves are sticking". If my 4Runner didn't kick so much butt in the snow I probably would dump it.
On a lighter note, do you have a 14 yet? I'm closing in on a deal for red one....
:zoom: