lumbar support 'crunching'

[emsmatt]

Had the 20K service done on my truck today and told them the lumbar is doing the crunching again. They looked at it and ordered another seatback. This will be the 3rd seatback Ive had. Im just going to make them keep replacing them everytime. Eventually someone is going to look at this and wonder why they keep sending seatbacks to Toyota of Santa Cruz.

 

[tpirman]

Had the 20K service done on my truck today and told them the lumbar is doing the crunching again. They looked at it and ordered another seatback. This will be the 3rd seatback Ive had. Im just going to make them keep replacing them everytime. Eventually someone is going to look at this and wonder why they keep sending seatbacks to Toyota of Santa Cruz.

I like this idea! Hopefully a Toyota bean counter somewhere notices and does something about it.

 

[Ramzey28]

Here's a request to everyone who has this issue: please report it to your dealer if you haven't already. I reported it today but specifically requested that they didn't "fix" it by ripping my seat apart and putting in the same defective design.

If Toyota hears about this then hopefully they will redesign the mechanism and issue a TSB so that we can all get an upgraded unit.

Will do the same at my 5k check up...

 

[Turn_down]

Here's a request to everyone who has this issue: please report it to your dealer if you haven't already. I reported it today but specifically requested that they didn't "fix" it by ripping my seat apart and putting in the same defective design.

If Toyota hears about this then hopefully they will redesign the mechanism and issue a TSB so that we can all get an upgraded unit.

Wouldn't it be better to contact Toyota directly, and not go through the dealer?

Someone posted the number earlier in the post. I've already done it and have a tracking number straight from Toyota.

 

[sandcrawler]

it's a good idea to do both. in the end, the dealer is the only one who can really "make it right."

 

[desertred]

As luck would have it, my lumbar just started krackling/crunching this morning after 16K miles. Feels like some wadded up aluminum foil behind the seat.

 

[emsmatt]

***UPDATE*** Brought my truck over to the dealership again to have them replace the seatback for the 2nd time. They had ordered a new seatback and it came in and was the same kind thats already in there so its just gonna break again. The service guy called Toyota and found out that they have made a new updated seatback that will replace the old ones that are failing. They are suppodly ready to roll out but we were unable to get a release date as of yet. They did order new seatback for me so that tells me it shouldnt be long and that they arent just blowing smoke. So, looks like this may have finally gotten the attention of corporate and its been fixed. Will update as soon as I have one.

 

[swansong04]

well digging up this thread again ...
our 4runner limited is only 3 months old with only 5 km on it and i too have lumbar issues ...mine isn't crunching it feels like somebody is sitting in the back hitting their foot against the back of the seatfrom time to time .. this drives me crazy !!!!
will bring it up at the stealer on our first visit ..

we'll keep you posted ..

Gary

 

[apenso]

Photos of the lumbar from my 2011 4Runner SR5. Just had the seat back replaced, its not crunching now, but it may come back ...

 

[harper7]

Photos of the lumbar from my 2011 4Runner SR5. Just had the seat back replaced, its not crunching now, but it may come back ...

Thanks for the pics. The only difference I see between our pics is you have a white sticker that says" NEW MOTOR"

Maybe that was the fix even though I don't see how unless they changed something else too. Let us know if and when it's starts making noise again.

There is a TSB on the passenger side "not reclining on one side" and they need one on this issue as well as the headlight lens fogging on top.Need more complaints to Toyota corporate on these well known issues so they issue a TSB by calling or e-mailing here....Toyota Help:hello: These are my only 2 complaints after 22 months and 33k miles so not too bad.

Complaints to the NHTSA might get their attention too.
Here's a updated list of TSB's from the NHTSA website........ Service Bulletin - Search Results | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

 

[Jesse1983]

Need more complaints to Toyota corporate on these well known issues so they issue a TSB by calling or e-mailing here....Toyota Help:hello: These are my only 2 complaints after 22 months and 33k miles so not too bad.

i have the lumbar and headlight issue. i called he number and made them aware also. took 5 minutes.

 

[4RunnerTrail]

i have the lumbar and headlight issue. i called he number and made them aware also. took 5 minutes.

Done. I reported my headlights, lumbar and transmission lag thing.

 

[JJ227]

***UPDATE*** Brought my truck over to the dealership again to have them replace the seatback for the 2nd time. They had ordered a new seatback and it came in and was the same kind thats already in there so its just gonna break again. The service guy called Toyota and found out that they have made a new updated seatback that will replace the old ones that are failing. They are suppodly ready to roll out but we were unable to get a release date as of yet. They did order new seatback for me so that tells me it shouldnt be long and that they arent just blowing smoke. So, looks like this may have finally gotten the attention of corporate and its been fixed. Will update as soon as I have one.

Anyone knows if the redesigned part is already available?

 

[scanny]

It's funny but my lumbar support is not crunching anymore. I'm due to oil change and I was going to mention it to the dealer, but I can't reproduce the crunching anymore...

 

[TX7.62MM]

So does the lumbar crunch if you have it fully deflated? I have a bad lower back (two spinal surgeries) and the other day when I test drove a 4runner it was actually most comfortable with the lumbar support not even there.

At least Toyota finally (or so they claim) has gotten around to redesigning the lumbar support.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

So does the lumbar crunch if you have it fully deflated? I have a bad lower back (two spinal surgeries) and the other day when I test drove a 4runner it was actually most comfortable with the lumbar support not even there.

At least Toyota finally (or so they claim) has gotten around to redesigning the lumbar support.

Nope, there is no crunching on mine if its fully deflated.

 

[TX7.62MM]

Cool, thanks!

 

[CptKirk]

Just wanted to say that my lumbar support stopped crunching after about a year. In the first months it was terrible, now, no matter how inflated/deflated it is it doesn't crunch. Have owned for 20 months.

 

[emsmatt]

VENT ALERT: As this thread states Ive had my seatback replaced already. Toyota of Santa Cruz is my local dealership where I bought my truck and have it serviced. The crunching started again and I told them and they ordered a new seatback a while ago. They called me when they got the part and I made an appt to leave my truck for the day to have it replaced again. I got a call about 3pm to hear that the same faulty part had come in so they figured it was gonna fail again so what s the point in replacing it. They knew a new part was in the works and told me sorry for the inconvience, we will call you when we get the new updated part. Fast forward to this past monday when I got a call from my dealership that me part was in and too make an appt to have my seat replaced for, hopefully, the last time. I made the appt for today. Mind you I work 24hr ****s and am a single father which leaves me 3-4 days a month where I am free to leave my truck to be worked on. I dropped my truck off this morning at 730am. Got a call at 230pm to hear that they cant find the part anywhere and as far as they can tell it vanished and they reordered a new part again! So this is the 2nd time in a row that they had my truck all day and nothing was done and they didnt tell me till the afternoon. They said they will comp me a loaner for the day next time when the part finally does come in, YAY! Whatever. Im so close to going on the war path and doing what I can with those I know against Toyota Santa Cruz. Thank you for listening and be sure to tip your waitress.

 

[Jtraskell]

VENT ALERT: As this thread states Ive had my seatback replaced already. Toyota of Santa Cruz is my local dealership where I bought my truck and have it serviced. The crunching started again and I told them and they ordered a new seatback a while ago. They called me when they got the part and I made an appt to leave my truck for the day to have it replaced again. I got a call about 3pm to hear that the same faulty part had come in so they figured it was gonna fail again so what s the point in replacing it. They knew a new part was in the works and told me sorry for the inconvience, we will call you when we get the new updated part. Fast forward to this past monday when I got a call from my dealership that me part was in and too make an appt to have my seat replaced for, hopefully, the last time. I made the appt for today. Mind you I work 24hr ****s and am a single father which leaves me 3-4 days a month where I am free to leave my truck to be worked on. I dropped my truck off this morning at 730am. Got a call at 230pm to hear that they cant find the part anywhere and as far as they can tell it vanished and they reordered a new part again! So this is the 2nd time in a row that they had my truck all day and nothing was done and they didnt tell me till the afternoon. They said they will comp me a loaner for the day next time when the part finally does come in, YAY! Whatever. Im so close to going on the war path and doing what I can with those I know against Toyota Santa Cruz. Thank you for listening and be sure to tip your waitress.

Your patience is admirable. You are a credit to all 4 runner owners. However, even saints can have their limits. If they mess with you again, push the button! Nuke the bas****s.........