Engine Exhaust System problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner - part 1

This 2003 Toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame I. E. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and I believe that this issue needs to be addressed by Toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that Toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you.

2003 Toyota 4runner sport ed, 6 cyl. - at 100,400 miles, both my catalytic converters went out. Also the check engine light goes on which disengages the vehicle skid control, so I hear. Repairs are costly. Can't smog car on the first time car ever needs to get smogged. Seems like a recall issue to me?.

Toyota 4-runner 2003 six cylinder. Excessive sulfur dioxide odor. No events leading up to failure. Sporadic. Dealerships gave me a hard time, wanted $150. 00 to run test even though Toyota headquarters informed me that the dealer should just replace parts, so I never have had it fixed but I am concerned. I changed gas stations numerous times and still receive the odor. Odor comes and goes and can be strong at times especially in cold months. Concerns are that it will become worse and the smell is toxic.

I own a 2003 Toyota 4runner and have been experiencing a sulfur/rotten egg smell since I got it. It is intermittent and seems to occur most frequently upon acceleration. There have been times while driving that I get very dizzy. After researching I found there a quite a few complaints about this very problem. It seems along with the sulfur dioxide there is carbon monoxide inside the cabin, regardless if the windows are up or down. Toyota's response is that this is due to bad gas. I like my 4runner but there is no way I can drive it knowing that not only me, but my son also are being poisoned. Toyota must be held accountable and fix this immediately before someone gets seriously hurt!!!!.

Foul smelling exhaust - ammonia smell - very strong on accelerations uphill or freeway on ramps.

Ltr fm christine idland (NJ) re a problem with her 2003 Toyota 4-runner, it emits a pungent odor when she presses the accelerator; reply attn derek decosmo/haddon heights office. The NJ oep ran test on the vehicle which determined that when the consumer accelerated the carbon monoxide levels inside the vehicle became elevated. This occurred whether the windows were opened or closed.

Rotten egg/sulfur smell/exhaust entering cabin of vehicle even if windows are up. Have had problem since purchase of vehicle in Aug,2003.

I bought a 2003 4-ruuner sport edition withthe v-8 in August, 2003. Ever since I bought the 4-runner, there has been a strong rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust. It happens during acceleration or highway driving. The dealership inspected my 4-runner and said there was no problem. I then had the service writer ride with me to prove the rotten egg smell. I am afraid the exhaust gases getting into the car could create medical problems. I also wonder if my 4-runner will pass emissions inspections and I will be told to have it fixed before I can get a new sticker to drive. All indications is that Toyota has known of this problem and has decided to pretend it does not exist.

I am experiencing a repeated chemical sulfur odor in my vehicle cabin on even moderate acceleration. The smell is simply overwhelming. The windows are up, the sunroof is closed, and the air conditioner is set to recirculate. I understand from thousands of other posts on the internet that Toyota claims this is a gasoline issue, but I have recently traveled across the country from miami to seattle, and have experienced this problem throughout the trip. I personally would not care about the exhaust smell if it was outside the vehicle, but with all the windows up, with the sunroof closed, and with the air conditioning on recirculate, it scares me that substantial amount of exhaust fumes are entering the cabin of my vehicle on a regular basis. Only the sulfur smell on moderate acceleration is clue to a larger problem. I fear that something is very, very wrong with this Toyota product. I request that the NHTSA begin investigating this immediately before someone dies inside their Toyota 4runner.

2003 Toyota 4runner v6 limited - large amounts of exhaust fumes in the cabin. Exhaust fumes are experienced regardless of adjustments to environmental controls, including when the air conditioner is running and recirculation on. Exhaust fumes appear to be from the 4runner. All occupants become nauseous and experience significant eye irritation. I have significant concerns for the safety and health of my family, short and long term. I have discussed this issue with two local Toyota dealers. They are unable to fix the problem and appear to be avoiding the specific issue of exhaust fumes in the cabin. They try to redirect the issue to the sulfur smell that the vehicle emits. I don't care about the sulfur smell, but I have real concerns about the exhaust fumes in the cabin.

My problem dates back to 8-9 months ago. I bought my 4runner in Nov. 2002, brand new. After a couple of months my car started to make this sulfer/ammonia smell, every day, every time I accelerate or go up a hill. I have brought in the car 4-5 times to various dealers, everyone said theres nothing wrong, finally Toyota escondido smelled the smell and informed me that Toyota is well aware of the situation but theres nothing they are going to do about it. I have not had to spend any $ yet, but the smell is enough to drive you crazy. I am shocked that Toyota is taking that approach. I pay way too much for my 4 runner to be so unhappy!!!!! please help!!!!!!.

2003 v8 4 runner emits rotten egg smell, primarily during quick acceleration. Was told by dealer to use higher grade of gasoline. Have tried higher grades of gas in the past and this does not always help. Toyota does not see this as a vehicle problem.

We have owned the '03 4-runner for a couple of months and we have consistently experienced a "rotten egg, sulfur / ammonia type smell that has yet to subside. We have tried using exxon, sunoco, and shell 89-93 octane and the smell still persists. It is more apparent with the rear window down, but definitely exists with all windows up. The smell is choking and causes great difficulty to breath. It seems to be caused by moderate acceleration.

We purchased a 2003 Toyota 4runner in March 2003 of this year from power Toyota cerritos. From the first week of driving to the current date, the exhaust emits a sulfur odor during regular as well as hard acceleration. The odor is especially noticeable when the rear window is rolled down. Currently we have over 5,000 miles on the vehicle and have confronted the tustin Toyota dealership where we have had it serviced a couple of times. We receive the same response everytime that it is normal and due to the gasoline or the catalytic converter needs to "burn in". Since CA has the strictest emission laws, I'm sure the gas is the least of our worries. I read on alldata. Com that there is a TSB (eg003-03) for a sulfur smell, however there is no specific data on it. I have read hundreds of complaints on this issue on sites like edmunds. . Read more...

I have a 2003 Toyota 4runner and have had a strong sulfur smell inside the vehicle when accelerating to higher speeds. This smell is extremely irritating and this problem appears to be happening more frequently. Toyota reps say its the gas, but my 2001 Toyota sienna has never done this, even though the same gas is purchased from the same source. Judging by all the similar complaints I've read Toyota has a problem that is either being mis-identified, or ignored. One Toyota service man informed me that the 2003 4runner has a new catalytic converter. Seems logical to look into that area first.

My husband purchase a 2003 4 runner for me and while driving I have had a strong smell of rotten eggs in the car which has cause headaches;stomachaches as well as blur of vision. It not only comes through the windows while down but also through the ventsand more so while my air conditioner is on .

Terrible sulfur smell on acceleration of 2003 4runner 6 cylinder sport. Most noticeable when the rear window is down. Complained to dealer twice. Told it was the gas I was using twice. Tried numerous different brands of gas with no improvement. I don't believe any of this. There must be something wrong with the catalytic converter or another exhaust component. Wondering if the exhaust smell could contain carbon monoxide!.

Exhaust entering passenger cabin whether windows are closed or not. Sustained, overpowering sulfur odor when this occurs.

Consumer states while driving at any speed, there was a strong smell of chemical fumes in the passenger compartment. The dealer had inspected vehicle, and was unable to duplicate or correct the problem. The dealer duplicated the problem and said that it was not acceptable. The right front wheel center had faded.

Foul fumes enter cabin upon acceleration. This occurs with high octane gas or without high octane gas. Only use 93 octane, but due to several other complaints tried lower octane and strong odor continued. These fumes enter cabin with all windows closed, air ventilation on recirculation and with air conditiong/heat off. Makes breathing very difficult and become light headed or headache. This is not just a "smell" but literal gagging fumes.

Consumer noticed strong chemical gas coming from the exhaust tail and absorb by the rear window gate. Dealer stated well don't open that window.

Engine makes a tick, tick, tick noise while running. Sounds like something knocking internally in the engine or an exhaust leak. Dealers repair shop says its normal. I don't believe them. I suspect a future problem or failure of a component.

This is a continual problem. Whenever we have the rear window down, there is a terrible odor that permeates the automobile. It makes me nausea and gives me terrible headaches. The dealer said we should open one of the side windows. I put a date, because the site would not accept this unless I did.

I have become rather fed up with the sulfur smell problem on my 03' v8 4runner. I have read numerous complaints here, edmunds, and other websites on this topic and see anecdotal evidence of some people pursuing legal recourse. Other than one specific case in florida, I cannot find any other evidence of successfully making a lemon law case with the sulfur smell problem. I am in kansas and have been instructed by Toyota that I have to go to arbitration. . . . . And if I am not mistaken, this is also required prior to attempting a lemon lawsuit. I have three kids, one of which has a sulfur allergy in addition to my wife having a documented allergy. Frankly, I have been nauseated by this smell on a number of instances. Now at 10 mos. Of ownership, 7500 miles, trying every grade and brand of gas reasonably available, 2 dealer complaints, and 2 Toyota corporate complaints. . . . I am not only disappointed at Toyota's shifting of blame. . . . But now I am at a loss on what can be done to have Toyota recognize an obvious design flaw in the current 4runner model. Toyota blames the problem on bad gas. . . . Don't think so. . . I have tried every grade from every station near my house. It has been happening since day 1 of ownership. Have I researched this to figure out why it happens. . . . Absolutely. When Toyota says it is not their fault. . . . . I guess I wonder why they designed the vehicle to have rear vents that pull exhaust gas into the cabin. This is exactly why it happens. Here is my point. . . . Sulfur smell from the exhaust. . . Ok, I'm good with that. This is the case with the higher sulfur content mixes that are currently available. But should it be reasonable that I have to inhale it inside the cabin? now how is that the fault of the gasoline industry. . . . . Does that have anything to do with the sulfur content of the locally available gasoline? furthermore, if I am smelling sulfur. . . . . I am also inhaling carbon monoxide. . . . Gee, that seems real healthy. Please help.

Strong rotten odor/sulfur smell from vehicle when accelerating regardless if windows are up or down.

Rotten egg smell from exhaust when hatch back window down for interior air circulation. Believe the cause is length and positioning of exhaust pipe.

We bought a new 4runner in may 2003 and we noticed a rotten egg sulfur smell. At first I brushed it off thinking it was the outdoors, however the smell is still present.

I occasionally have sulfur smelling fumes from the exhaust in the vehicle even when the windows are closed. The dealership told me to switch brands of gasoline. I am less concerned about the smell than the idea that exhaust fumes are entering the car with the windows closed.

Rotten-egg like smell coming from the exhaust. Told by my dealership to try different gas because of sulfate content in the gas currently using is too high. I have been to 4 different gas stations, it is starting to get a little ridiculous.

There is a strong sulfur smell inside our 2003 Toyota 4 runner sport edition when we drive. It is hard to breathe at times. Our concern is that it is dangerous to our health. Are we also getting carbon monoxide? Toyota dealer told us there is no fix other than to try different gasoline. We have two other vehicles on the same gas with absolutely no smell. We are at a loss as to what to do. Suggestions? Toyota gave us a copy of a technical service bulletin dated 2/24/03 on sulfur odor from exhaust. Obviously, they are aware of this and are doing nothing.

The consumer smelled strong chemical fumes in the passenger compartment, which seemed to be coming from the exhaust.

Exhaust fumes seeped into the passenger cabin while driving.

This vehicle fills the cabin constantly with a "sulfur" or rotten egg smell. I have changed gas brands multiple times.

Toxic sulfur/rotten egg smell in cabin of automobile.

Dear auto safety, I purchased a 2003 Toyota 4 runner in November 2002. This vehicle omits a sulfur smell that is easily detectable and horrible to have to smell when driven. It plain stinks. It stinks with all windows up. It stinks worse with the side windows or sunroof open. I complained to the dealer the day after purchasing the vehicle. I have brought the 2003 4runner to the dealer numerous times and emailed complaints about the sulfur smell to Toyota USA to address the fact emmssons were entering the cabin. I even met with a regional tech from Toyota USA on two occasions. Each time Toyota failed to remedy the problem of emissions entering the cabin of the 2003 4runner. The sulfur smell being omitted into the the cabin is aweful to breath for not only myself, but anyone else traveling with me. I have no idea what health hazard the sulfur smell poses or what other emissions must be entering the cabin. I have been complaining to Toyota for almost one year about this problem, and recently I learned the issue of emissions entering the cabins of other the 2003 4runner is being widely reported by other 2003 Toyota 4runner owners. Toyota has failed to remedy this design defect with me, or address the health/safety issue of emmissions entering the cabin with me. The 2003 Toyota 4runner is defective and should be recalled to effectively correct the fact that emissions are entering the cabin of the vehicle. In addition, Toyota has been firm in their position that the vehicle is operating correctly, they are covering up a known defect and need to be held accountable. I would appreciate the help of auto safety in bringing this to the attention of Toyota and to any other agency that should be involved in order for Toyota to acknowledge and accept the responsibilty to correct the known defect of emissions entering the cabin of the 2003 Toyota 4runner. Thank you and best regards, bill valentine.