Nine problems related to power train driveline 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.
2003 Toyota 4runner was stuck in 4-lo, vehicle unable to travel at safe highway speeds. Part that needs replaced is transfer case actuator.
My 4runner has been making an awful clunking noise coming from the rear for about 2 years now. I have done some research and it seems to have happened in the Lexus gx470 as well. The 03-06 4runners have the same driveline as the Lexus and unlike Lexus, Toyota has refused to fix this problem. Please help!.
My 2003 Toyota 4runner makes a clunk sound that is felt throughout the vehicle when coming to a stop or when beginning to take off. This was first noticed at approximately 40,000 miles. Per the Toyota dealership, removing the driveshaft and greasing the spline yoke quiets the clunk for approximately 20,000 miles. This is partly true, as the greasing quiets it, but it does not go away and the clunk get stronger every day the car is driven until you feel like you are being rear ended. Toyota states this is normal for the operation of the vehicle. It is not normal, and it is absurd to think it is normal. The car should accelerate from a stop without a clunk and come to a stop without a clunk. This problem is widely documented, but Toyota has yet to provide a fix. The "clunking" changes your driving behavior/habits in order to minimize the clunk, but in the end, the car clunks when taking off, and clunks when coming to a stop. The Toyota dealership states no damage is being incurred to the vehicle by the clunking, this may be true, but you certainly do not feel safe and secure when the vehicle clunks and shakes the car at virtually every stop and start. Toyota needs to find a fix to ensure Toyota customers are safe when they drive, feel safe when they drive, and are satisfied with the Toyota vehicle they drive.
This condition could be related to item 2. This condition started last winter and is getting worse. ) after being at a stop and releasing the brakes, I get a hard shake/thud from the driveline/brakes. This occurs in 90% of stops/starts. (e. G. , if it was normal, it would do it all the time to some degree. ) there is no metal on metal noise, just the shake/thud like the brakes are releasing too hard or the driveline has too much lash in it. (condition is worse if you come to a hard stop, before starting again. ) 2) sometimes (about 20% of the time) after coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, the transmission goes into first gear hard and/or the converter/torsen differential is unlocking/locking incorrectly. It will actually rock the vehicle forward. Sometimes it gives the same sensation as in item 3. (actually, on a few occasions I get item 2 problem followed by an item 1 problem.
Vibration in steering, most prevalent around 70 mph. Started at 15,000 miles. Rebalanced tires 3 times and dealer determined that oem tires were bad. Tried new tires and the problem persists. Believed to be same as Lexus GX 470 problem with TSB fix st004-04. No Toyota TSB yet.
2003 Toyota 4runner v8/awd w/ under 5,000 miles at highway speeds there is a vibration and low frequency "roaring" noise that appears to come from the from axle/differential. Sound ceases when coasting. Noise and vibration was noticed within first 500 miles of ownership and is increasingly getting worst. Thought to be tires which were rotated and did not solve problem. Dealer analyzed and stated this is a normal working noise from the differential which has aluminum parts. Noise is getting louder. Concern there is a defect and safety issue.
Drivetrain vibration felt in steering column and floorboards at approx 1200rpm to 2000rpm. This is not to be confused with wheel shimmey due to tire or wheel imbalance. Service dealer indicates this is normal and will resolve itself with more mileage.
Vibration in steering wheel ,floorboards, driveline and droning noise. This is an update to id# 10060725. Lexus of Toyota has announced a TSB for the GX 470 which has the same mechanicals as the Toyota 4runner. This TSB addresses the indicated problem that is in both vehicles. It is :"steering st004-04" "steering vibration and driveline vibration/drone". Unfortunately the fix can only be applied to the Lexus vehicles per dealer.
Have had the vehicle for a month now. I went back to the dealer after the first week with noticeable vibration in the steering wheel and the vehicle in general from approx. 45 mph and above. Dealer balanced wheels. Returned again another week later with same symptoms. Dealer again attemped to balance tires and analyzed rims, speed balance, etc. And determined it was the tires. After the song and dance about the dealer being unable to replace the tires without a long drawn out process, I was directed to the local bridgestone dealer for tire replacement. Had tires replaced the following Tuesday. Same symptoms re-occurred after a few days. Back to the dealer a third time this past Friday. Re-balanced the new tires again, service manager drove it afterwords and said everything was fine. Left that afternoon on a trip, and the symptoms re-occured again. Have had enough ! I am filing a lemon law notice to Toyota this week with one last chance to repair. If unsuccesful, will be filing for arbitration to receive a refund.