Four problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2003 4Runner.
Rear window is open and exhaust smoke fumes will come inside of window while traveling.
Rotten egg (sulfur) smell with carbon monoxide (CO) in the cabin is making passengers sick! (poisoned) I just did a little research on this problem and have learned that 60 complaints have been submitted to the NHTSA for this sulfur smell. However what everyone is focusing on is the smell of rotten egg. This is disgusting and potentially dangerous but that is it is not what will kill you. The carbon monoxide(CO)is the real danger because it is without odor and deadly it is also getting into the car by the same means as the obvious egg smell. I was so concerned that I contacted a enviromental company who came for a ride along in my 2003 sr5 4runner. This ride proved to me that(CO)is indeed entering the cabin and alarmed the tech who came along with a (CO)tester. At one point he yelled "close the f@#%@%& rear window". I saw the readings go off the charts depending on the configuration of the windows. I did not pay for this test as they were being kind enough to just see if I had any (CO)entering the cabin. This was enough for me! I have since contacted Toyota customer service and I am waiting to hear from the regional rep from FL. Another option for people to find out on their own is to go to the home depot and buy a (CO) tester. This can be plugged into the 110 outlet in the glove box. I did and I do not drive with the rear window down at all any longer and have postponed trips of longer than 50 miles to reduce exposer to this harmful chemical. This is a serious problem that may be corrected by changing the location of the tail pipe to vent to the side of the vehicle. I hope this will get the people (NHTSA) who are supposed to be professionals that protect us "to wake up. " if someone else could do a similar test in their state we could have more ammunition to fight Toyota. I have found out that the epa company would do a complete test with report and all for around $340. 00. I am going to see if the service rep would do this but I doubt it.
Rotten egg sulfur smell with carbon monoxide (CO) in the cabin is making passengers sick! (poisoned) I just did a little research on this problem and have learned that 60 complaints have been submitted to the NHTSA for this sulfur smell. However what everyone is focusing on is the smell of rotten egg. This is disgusting and potentially dangerous but that is it is not what will kill you. The carbon monoxide(CO)is the real danger because it is without odor and deadly it is also getting into the car by the same means as the obvious egg smell. I was so concerned that I contacted a enviromental company who came for a ride along in my 2003 sr5 4runner. This ride proved to me that(CO)is indeed entering the cabin and alarmed the tech who came along with a (CO)tester. At one point he yelled "close the f@#%@%& rear window". I saw the readings go off the charts depending on the configuration of the windows. I did not pay for this test as they were being kind enough to just see if I had any (CO)entering the cabin. This was enough for me! I have since contacted Toyota customer service and I am waiting to hear from the regional rep from FL. Another option for people to find out on their own is to go to the home depot and buy a (CO) tester. This can be plugged into the 110 outlet in the glove box. I did and I do not drive with the rear window down at all any longer and have postponed trips of longer than 50 miles to reduce exposer to this harmful chemical. This is a serious problem that may be corrected by changing the location of the tail pipe to vent to the side of the vehicle. I hope this will get the people (NHTSA) who are supposed to be professionals that protect us "to wake up. " if someone else could do a similar test in their state we could have more ammunition to fight Toyota. I have found out that the epa company would do a complete test with report and all for around $340. 00. I am going to see if the service rep would do this but I doubt it.
My 2003 Toyota 4 runner has an extremely strong smell of sulphur in the cabin when I drive with the windows open. I have reported this 3 times to my dealer, and on the third time, they acknowledged that the smell was from the fuel. I have owned many cars, and never experienced such a smell, and I have compared to other 4runner owners, all of whom have the same situation. The smell is immediately noticeable.