general problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner

The vsc system in the vehicle becomes disabled due to a firmware 'glitch' identified by Toyota when an emission system issue is detected by the onboard diagnostic system. The vsc system is listed as an 'essential safety feature,' so I'm curious why a recall was never ordered to patch defective firmware that can cause vsc to become disabled due to a completely unrelated emissions issue.

Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as I just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and I noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once I took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.

Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by Toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. There’s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.

The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions. . A loud clunk noise. . . . Then . Brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board. . . Car is not drivable. . . Massive rust at failure points.

While driving my abs, break, vsc trac and vsc off light came on solid. It was all accompanied by an alarm. I was in heading down a hill in the snow. Right after the alerts came on I had a hard break pedal with no movement and no breaks. I was not able to use the emergency break as in snow that would not have helped. I have done some research and this has happened to multiple people online and its concerning that if abs stops/faults you lose all ability to break at all.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While driving in a parking lot, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to priority Toyota chesapeake (1800 greenbrier pkwy, chesapeake, va 23320, (757) 213-5000) where it was diagnosed that the brakes were not working. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer where a state safety inspection had been performed two months earlier. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The dealer stated that the brake repair would cost $5,000. The failure mileage was 153,596.

The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!.

When in motion or stopping, on city streets or the highway, turning included, the abs system makes excessive nosies such as chirping, squeaking, and grinding. Currently, there has not been a crash or injury as a result; however, there is documentation within Toyota service and online forums of this issue and concern among 2003 models.

Car was running perfectly. Brakes were services 6 months ago. Traveled from nc to FL for holiday. Started car maintenance light went on showed air bag indicator light with ear piercing buzzer. Went to drive car to Toyota service department and had no brakes. They would work slightly but to dangerous to drive. Did not have brakes.

Abs problem disables brakes function. While driving the dash alerts lights (vsc track, abs and brakes ) went on. Thanks god this happened while driving at a very low speed and in a flat terrain. A Toyota ex-employee told us that the company became aware of this problem almost 10 years ago. No security alert was issued. However, a company bulletin described the abs malfunction and offered replacement to those who requested it. This offer is no longer offered. I went to a Toyota dealer and the cost to fix the problem is 3622. 41 for service and parts. At present the unit is out of service. I am the original owner and bought this unit in March 1, 2003. It has 58,239 miles. I have taken the unit for service whenever a recall has been made for this vehicle. Toyota company has never alerted me about the possibility of brake malfunction and the security risk that this problem involves.

Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma�s, tundra's and sequoia�s, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. Spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. It was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.

I am deeply disturbed by the thought itself that my son and I could have died or severely injured while the brakes didn't work last weekend. All of a sudden, bunch of lights on the dashboard came on and continued loud sound started coming from the dashboard when I was reaching my son's school to drop him off for a tennis match. While I feel very fortunate that I was driving very slow and I was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the car before it hit any other vehicle or a tree, I am very concerned for the safety of the other drivers who may face the same issue while driving at a higher speed and/or on a busy road. I would like your immediate attention to this issue and request you to investigate the issue with Toyota. There are few others who have reported the same issue. Toyota dismisses the case by saying its 'wear and tear'. How can wear and tear can be a justification when it is a safety hazard and people can lose lives? please don't wait to warn and investigate until someone loses a loved one's life.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was started, the abs, emergency brake, and vsc trac lights remained illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact placed the vehicle in drive and then depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop. The contact quickly placed the gear in park and called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hydraulic abs and the tc motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was at the shop for repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 260,000.

Exact same issue identified date complaint filed: 01/07/2015 component(s): service brakes date of incident: 01/05/2015 NHTSA id number: 10670783 drove car to shop without losing brake power. Quoted $3,000 and told the abs actuator requires replacement. I've replaced transmissions and engine parts over car lifetimes, but never run into this part failing before, not even in a Ford. Would like to know if this is a design defect.

No accident - items need to be investigated for safety defects on Toyota's. 1> front brake calipers (constant freezing of the front brake calipers). 2> dash cover (excessive cracking on the dash covers especially areas that contain airbags). 3> fuel pump connection (on top of fuel tank, connection to fuel pump appears to create a short, which in turn causes vehicle to stall also could cause a fire). 4> excessive frame rust (frame has excessive rust outside and inside which is causing frame to fail. This is a manufacturing issue). These are ongoing issues with Toyota that have been reported and nothing is being done about it. Multiple 4runners are having big time excessive frame rust, which are causing the frame coming apart during highway driving. These photo's show the rust on the outside and inside, all metal is having rust issues. Paint has been applied to cover said rust but it still reappears with-in a few months. Best way to contact me is via e-mail.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

When stopped and holding down the brake pedal my 2003 Toyota 4runner lurches forward. It feels like the vehicle is going to loose the brakes but then catches. The dealer calls this a known 4runner problem. They say there is no fix from Toyota.

Erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predict brake application .

The brakes are inoperative. As a result, vehicle is hard to stop.