Table 1 shows one common traction control system related problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Traction Control System problems |
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving 30 mph over a bump in the road, she heard an abnormally loud sound and the windshield shattered without impact and the sunroof panel loosened. The contact also stated that the vehicle was shaking uncontrollably. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
While driving, the cel (check engine light) came on and the vsc trac and vsc off lights came on as well. Apparently Toyota disables vsc when the cel is triggered. In my case, the 2 times it has occurred has been due to emissions related failures (1st time the cat failed, 2nd time one of the O2 sensors failed). In the 1st case, I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership as I was approaching the end of the emissions warranty. They made the repairs and cleared all the codes so wasn't aware that the vsc system was actually disabled. The 2nd time (O2 failure) I replaced the failed O2 sensor, the cel has cleared, however the vsc lights are still on and vsc is disabled. I have serious concerns that Toyota disables key safety systems due to emissions related failures especially given the inherent stability problems with SUV's. If I'm on a trip with my family and an O2 sensor fails, or a catalytic converter fails, or the gas cap fails, key safety systems that help keep my family and I safe should not be disabled! I think this deserves an investigation.
My 2004 Toyota 4 runner skidded in stop light when there was little ice on street. When I tried to accelerate the car after stopping a stop light, the vehicle makes humming noise and skid making it out of control. In winter 2009, similar incident happened on I-69 (20 miles east of flint, mi), when I tried to accelerate the SUV and lost control as the car skidded off the road causing injury. This is a serious problem and I believe is a design defect with the acceleration system. This may be life threatening as I am always worried to drive the car. This serious design problem with 2004 Toyota 4 runner should be investigated for safety.
Warning lights began coming on around 60,000 miles or so. Started with the low tire pressure light & now has progressed to the vsc on, vsc off, abs warning lights being on all the time and the low tire pressure light is still on. I have taken this vehicle into 2 different dealers to be fixed for 40,000 miles or around 3 years which amounts to multiple trips to the dealer, waiting while they work on it or going without a vehicle for days at a time while they try to figure out what is wrong. They have replaced abs sensors, engine computers, brakes, speed sensor wires, reset computers, ordered new valve stems for the tires. I can get online & find thousands of complaints regarding the same issue in Toyotas & Lexus vehicles since at least 2001. The dealerships look at me like I am the very first & only person to ever mention these problems. The solutions online have ranged from defective master cylinder/brake booster assembly, faulty ignition coil, O2 sensors, vsc computers, catalytic converters & brake pedal switches. Also problems with the exhaust system & acceleration module under the console was listed as fixing these issues. Why has this issue not been addressed and/or fixed in 8 years ? there have been times when my brakes did not work, times when they barely worked, times when I put the brakes on & it abruptly pulls to the left or right & a couple of times when my vehicle would not accelerate as I was pulling across traffic. As I read of these "freak" accidents lately with Toyotas, I have to wonder if they really are "freak accidents". I do not want my family or myself to be one of the Toyota fatalities this year or anytime. When is something going to be done ? how many more innocent people have to die ?.