what toyota quality?

T

tcpoob

New member
2005 v6 4wd SR5 4Runner bought new Jan '05.
current odo < 16k miles

lately, i heard loud rubbing sound making turns in parking lot. Investigated, I suspect it's caused by the broken rubber mud flap on the inside of front passenger side wheel well. so here is the list of issues i had for the 1+ years owning it.


  1. broken rubber flap in front pasngr wheel well causing rubbing when cornering
  2. dead o2 sensor causing check engine light
  3. loose window motor causing door rattle
  4. door lock defective
    [/list=1]

    I really want to believe in Toyota quality but i am losing faith.:mad:
 

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I had the rubber flap thing happen to me on a road trip to PA. It looked like the plastic plug holding it in came loose and the rubber piece just started flapping. Annoying, but not critical.

Also had the O2 sensor go "bad" and the VSC TRAC, VSC OFF and CEL light go on. In all fairness this happened as I pulled off the dealership lot right after I got the Sulfur TSB done. I think a tech did the procedure incorrectly or damaged the O2 sensor in the process so I can't blame this one on build quality.

I've had my Sunroof worked on because it would no longer close. This was after I took it in because it was making a grinding noise. I picked it up after they fixed the grinding noise and tested it in the dealership lot and all of a sudden the sunroof won't close. Now the grinding noise has returned so I'll be reporting that in my next service interval.

Now those are my complaints. You may think your complaints are a big deal, but for me it is more of a nuisance. At least my truck has not left me stranded on the side of the road...
 
tcpoob said:


I really want to believe in Toyota quality but i am losing faith.:mad:
Click to expand...

Go buy yourself an Explorer, Trailblazer, or Grand Cherokee. Then you'll have a true perspective of the qaulity of your 4Runner.

Prior to buying my 4Runner, I owned an Explorer and Trailblazer and your list is nothing compared to the things that went wrong with those two vehicles.

Now quit whining about a rubber flap. My Trailblazer left me stranded on the side of the road the first day I had it!
 
I think we've discussed this before in the Problems & Warranty section, but here's my list:

  1. Side airbag electrical fault - caused airbag warning light to come on; dealer had to replace the entire seat assembly
  2. Misc. rattle -- required an examination by the dealer's body shop (something to do with the door striker panel)
  3. Misc. rattle -- traced to the JBL speaker in the center of the dash
  4. Misc. rattle -- caused by loose trim in the cargo area, right side, by the JBL subwoofer
    [/list=1]

    I've reported the flickering information display (dealer could not reproduce) and another rattle in the driver door (again, could not reproduce).

    With the exception of the airbag, my issues have been relatively minor. The airbag was a bit concerning, but I was assured that the fault wouldn't cause the airbag to inflate accidentally while driving. :p
 
1996 GMC Jimmy:
  1. Front brakes @ 20k (inside pads worn to metal, outside pads still looked new)
  2. Power brake booster @50k+/- ........$275
  3. AC condenser froze up after 1 hour of use (to the dealer at least 4 times to fix)
  4. Recalls on the wipers and the fuel tank
  5. A $100+ piece of trim flew off the drivers door at 70 MPH and disappeared
  6. Heater core @ 45k. $500 to replace and they left a puddle of antifreeze in the floorboard
  7. Check engine light came on every month, and would go out by itself
  8. And the final straw, water pump at 65k. My 1991 T4R pump was still going strong at 222k
    [/list=1]

    The first and last American made vehicle I bought!
 
Here is the list of vehicles our family owned in the past 15+ years:

84 Corolla: Drove it for 30k miles. Replaced: Oil pressure sensor, and something on the brakes.

92 Corolla: Dad bought it brand new. Drove it for 75k miles replaced brake pads, waterpump, spark plugs.

91 Corolla: My first car. Bought with 140,000 miles, drove it for 22k miles. Replaced brakes, shocks & struts, sparkplugs. Drove like new till the last day I had it.

96 Corolla: Bought with 120kmiles, put on 15k and is still running strong. Replaced: spark plugs, brake lines (rusted). My sister rolled it in the ditch. Car got written off. Bought it back, did some body work and is still running strong.

97 Corolla: Bought with 85k just a couple weeks ago. Runs like new. Replaced: Spark plugs.

91 MR2. Replaced: Alternator, brakes, caliper, o2 sensor, speedometer subassembly. Still some more things to replace. Looks like the previous owner didn't maintain it properly.

1993 Dodge Caravan: Bought with 120k miles, drove it for 50k. Replaced: Suprisingly just sparkplugs and oil. Started to act really weird at 170k. Tranny was probably on its way out. Got rid of it as fast as we could by trading it in for our 2005 T4R.

2005 4Runer Sport V8: Bought brand new. Current milage: 7k. Replaced: Nothing except oil & filter



We could't be happier with Toyota. And we won't ever buy anything else.
 
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My '99 has 113k on it and the only thing that has been replaced besides usual maintenance stuff is the rear axle seals at 100k otherwise everything works including the power antenna.

All vehicles can still have issues but true peoblems in a certain make or model are ones that are consistent across the line;other problems can just be on one vehicle here and there and unfortunatly your's is the uncommon one with a few issues.
 
1984 Nissan Maxima, differential burned up within a month. Lack of diff fluid from the factory, covered by warranty. Sold after a year and 8k miles. Uncle drove to 160k. No major problems to my knowledge.

1986 Nissan truck, total junk. Stalled all the time when cold, rough idle. It put the nail in the coffin for consideration of any Nissans. 50k, gave it to my other uncle. He said reverse and second gear went out. How the heck does he drive, I don't know.

1990 Toyota truck, replaced timing belt at 63k, water pump and starter at ~70-75k. Sold at 95k. No major work, aside from the Toyota service campaign on the head.

1993 Mazda MPV, airbag light lit up about 5 yrs ago and driver's side window quit working. No other major problems. Original timing belt, 106k now. Lacked features and amenities for its time and Ford influence doesn't help to give Mazda consideration. Though it's never given us major problems, unlike others we know who have the same van.

2000 Chevy Astro, brake failure within 6 months of ownership, 3k and again at 38k. Numerous trips to the dealer for doors not staying open and closing when on hills. Lots of rattles. Sold at 43k. Given up with American made cars.

Current Toyotas, no problems to report.

Every vehicle owned ran dino oil and changed at every 3k.

I don't think every Toyota out there is perfect, BUT given the number of them that do have problems are far and few from other manufacturers. Toyotas or anything from Toyota Motor Corp. are only vehicles we will ever by.
 
Took it in for service to fix the broken flap. the service req said i tore the mud flag off by driving it over something and broke it. i told her nah, never off roaded, it's likely a result of the plug becoming lose and the flag got torn by wind resistance. she insisted this isn't an warranty item and i pay for it. i wasn't gonna argue and told her "whatever" when we inspected the vehicle. Guess what - she became such a bitch and said "you didnt have to say whatever, we can be professional ...". Thats' just hilarious. Again, I was calm and wasn't gonna argue. Asked to speak to mgr. She said "i am the assistant mgr" so I asked for the mgr mgr ;-) waited 10 mins and she said "ok, my mgr and i inspected it again and we'll cover it under warranty".

What a bitch.

I don't understand this - they get paid either way, from Toyota or me, why they've to argue about something so obvious and so minor?
 
When I was 16 I had my first 4Runner, it was my mom's old 1991 SR5. We had the vehicle since brand new, I traded it in for a car in 2000. The truck had 270,000kms (162,000Mi) on it. The only thing we had to replace was the speedometer cable, exhaust system, battery and alternator.

If you think your 4Runner is lacking in quality... you really should look at something like an Explorer or a Envoy/Trailblazer. I have driven many and have been much less than impressed. My dad has an Acura MDX and I wouldn't hesitate to add that truck to the list as well. He has had numerous problems with it. Last count was 4 recalls from Acura Canada :bash: and MANY, MANY issues that had to be recified through the dealership.
 
Re: Re: what toyota quality?

tcpoob said:
Took it in for service to fix the broken flap. the service req said i tore the mud flag off by driving it over something and broke it. i told her nah, never off roaded, it's likely a result of the plug becoming lose and the flag got torn by wind resistance. she insisted this isn't an warranty item and i pay for it. i wasn't gonna argue and told her "whatever" when we inspected the vehicle. Guess what - she became such a bitch and said "you didnt have to say whatever, we can be professional ...". Thats' just hilarious. Again, I was calm and wasn't gonna argue. Asked to speak to mgr. She said "i am the assistant mgr" so I asked for the mgr mgr ;-) waited 10 mins and she said "ok, my mgr and i inspected it again and we'll cover it under warranty".

What a bitch.

I don't understand this - they get paid either way, from Toyota or me, why they've to argue about something so obvious and so minor?
Click to expand...

This doesn't surprise me! I have had simliar experiences with a couple of Toyota service dept's in the past as well. Usually, I go straight to the service manager whenever I get the slightest feeling that things aren't going my way. I wish Toyota service dept's were like Lexus. When I was just looking at a GX470, the service manager took me on a tour of the service dept and treated me with respect. Customer service in general in the US seems to be getting worse.

The problems you are having appear to be cosmetic. And, while they are a pain in the butt, remember that you are driving a vehicle that far exceeds domestic vehicles in powertrain reliability and resale value. Even our beloved 4Runners are made on an assembly line in Japan and occasionally need some tweeking. But, I have owned MANY vehicles in my days and nothing still compares to the quality of a Toyota/Lexus. Of course, other companies are getting better, but still are light years away from the refinement of Toyota. Lastly, I can't remember any NEW vehicle that I have bought that didn't need something minor done to it. Bottom line, when they come off the assembly line, most are not perfect and may need a few things fixed to make it worthy of your expectations. If you had bought a explorer, grand cherokee, trailblazer, or other suv, I can promise you that your list of problems would have more than likely been worse than you currently have. Trust me, I have owned 2 out of the 3 listed. Good luck and I hope that is the end of your problems.
 
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I bought my dad a Corolla 3 yrs ago. While the finally inspection, we found a bolt missing on the rear driver side. They placed a new bolt on. 40K miles later, the dash rattled. Cost $55 for dealer to fix. Over all it was a great car.

All manufactures have fault. Toyota has been know for great quality. Milliions people can't be wrong.
 
mtnc said:
1996 GMC Jimmy:
  1. Front brakes @ 20k (inside pads worn to metal, outside pads still looked new)
  2. Power brake booster @50k+/- ........$275
  3. AC condenser froze up after 1 hour of use (to the dealer at least 4 times to fix)
  4. Recalls on the wipers and the fuel tank
  5. A $100+ piece of trim flew off the drivers door at 70 MPH and disappeared
  6. Heater core @ 45k. $500 to replace and they left a puddle of antifreeze in the floorboard
  7. Check engine light came on every month, and would go out by itself
  8. And the final straw, water pump at 65k. My 1991 T4R pump was still going strong at 222k
    [/list=1]

    The first and last American made vehicle I bought!
Click to expand...



  1. The midsize Jimmy's and Blazers were a automotive disaster. GMC fullsize vehicles are considerably better quality.
    No problems on my 4Runner yet other than the rear seat squeak which doesn't bother me, and the horrible front driver seat.

    Bill3508
 
bill, i thought someone posted a toyota TSB on seat problems not long ago here. not sure if it'll fix your problem but look for it and i can send u a copy if you've trouble finding the TSB.

Bill3508 said:
The midsize Jimmy's and Blazers were a automotive disaster. GMC fullsize vehicles are considerably better quality.
No problems on my 4Runner yet other than the rear seat squeak which doesn't bother me, and the horrible front driver seat.

Bill3508
Click to expand...
 
tcpoob,

I appreciate it. I know of the TSB, but it doesn't really bother me. I may do it myself later as I normally don't deal with dealerships unless its something major. They end up messing up something most of the time.

Bill3508
 
qs933 said:
...
I've reported the flickering information display (dealer could not reproduce)...
Click to expand...

Me too, the right half is dimmer than the left when it flickers. I'll just wait until it flickers more and when my truck is a tad older. I rather not have them rip apart my new truck so soon.

Oh wells, if I were to do it all over again, I still get a 4Runner without a second thought.
 
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mtnc said:
1996 GMC Jimmy:
  1. Front brakes @ 20k (inside pads worn to metal, outside pads still looked new)
  2. Power brake booster @50k+/- ........$275
  3. AC condenser froze up after 1 hour of use (to the dealer at least 4 times to fix)
  4. Recalls on the wipers and the fuel tank
  5. A $100+ piece of trim flew off the drivers door at 70 MPH and disappeared
  6. Heater core @ 45k. $500 to replace and they left a puddle of antifreeze in the floorboard
  7. Check engine light came on every month, and would go out by itself
  8. And the final straw, water pump at 65k. My 1991 T4R pump was still going strong at 222k
    [/list=1]

    The first and last American made vehicle I bought!
Click to expand...


  1. I feel your pain!!!

    I had a 95 S10 size 4x4 blazer. It was my first suv so I didn't know any better.

    Bought it used at 35k. In the next 100000 miles it went through 2 engines, the rearend, fuel spider assembly, starter, 2 U-Joints in the rear drive shaft, and intake manifold gasket. Upper & Lower ball joints, 2 new coils, and new brakes every 25k. One of the new motors they put in had no o-rings on the valve seals and used a quart of oil every 500 miles it took multiple trips to convince them something was wrong. In that time it took out the O-2 sensor, the cat and spark plugs.

    Then the tranny started to go. It wouldn't go into lock up in overdrive. When that started I dropped it on a dealer as soon as I could.

    It was a real POS!!!
 
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