1997 Toyota 4Runner Problems

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!

VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTED MY BROKEN, RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE, BAD SHOCK AND THE CONDITION OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN GENERAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THIS RUST.

FRAME RUST MAKES VEHICLE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, STOPPING POWER DECREASED AND THE ABS ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR UNDER BODY FRAME HAD FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 159,000..... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY BRAKES WOULDN'T PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS RANDOM, BECAUSE OF THE REAR -END SWAYING FROM BEING DETACHED. UPDATED 03/11/13

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!

MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE 1997 4RUNNER AND HIS FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST. HE SAID HE COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BUT MANAGED TO SLOWLY CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THIS STORY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR, SO I GO TO CHECK MY FRAME AND SURE ENOUGH, IT IS ALSO QUITE RUSTED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING ON IT THAT IT WILL SNAP AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT *AS

THE TREADS OF MY CONTINENTAL TIRES SEPARATED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. MY CAR LOST TRACTION AND SPUN UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. MY TIRES WERE PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO AND HAVE ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON THEM. THE OTHER 3 CONTINENTAL TIRES ALSO SHOW SUBSTANTIAL WEAR THAT ARE BEYOND THE TYPICAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT OF THE TRAILING ARM SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE DISINTEGRATED FRAME CAUSING THE AXLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND BECAME WILDLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

VEHICLE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION. TRAILING ARM MOUNT FROM AXLE TO FRAME IS SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD A BAD MUFFLER IN IT SO I TOOK INTO TO THE MUFFLER SHOP AND AS THEY FIXED THE MUFFLER THEY FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR EVERYDAY ( 4 YEARS OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD) CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I AM CURRENTLY OUT A VEHICLE AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS DAMAGED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE . SHE ALSO STATED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE GROUND WIRES WERE BURNT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT SHORTED OUT, THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195942.

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE NOSE, SPINE, LEFT WRIST, RIGHT LUNG WAS PUNCTURED, AND 3 FRACTURED RIBS ON HER LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN A COMA AND HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *LN

I OWN A 1997 4RUNNER. DURING MY DRIVING THE VEHICLE FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CHASSIS LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT APART AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS PURELY AN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FAILURES.HENCE, THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERSHIPS, THEY SAID TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL COST ME $8,100.00. HENCE, I FEEL THAT, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT BRAND OF CARS COMPANIES, THEREWITH, WHEREBY, THEY ARE STILL ON SOME PART OF THE WORLD, ARE STILL DRIVABLE AND USEFUL. HOWEVER, FOR THE KIND OF MONEY SPENT ON THE PURCHASE, THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE IS THAT OLD THEY ARE LIABLE FOR A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE CONSUMER THINKS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DUE TO THE FAILURE TO TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES. *TC

FAIL STATE CAR INSPECTION DUE TO ILLEGAL INSTALLATION OF HEADLIGHTS BY A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE. PREMIER SOUND WHO INSTALLED A $400.00 PLUS HEADLIGHTS ON MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THIS HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ON THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WOULD COST ME $900.00 PLUS . IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE WOULD REGULATE AND SAY YOU MUST TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT WHAT I'M INSTALLING IN YOUR VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL? THIS KIND OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD ON THE MONEY TO RIP YOU OFF BY NOT TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL. PREMIER SOUND IS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AIN'T THAT SOMETHING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW. THE LAW MUST BE CHANGE TO MAKE THEM HONEST TO THE COMMUNITY THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. PLEASE HELP CONGRESSMAN OUT THERE AND BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZEN LIKE ME WHO LIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. SINCERELY, F.I. CANTADA *TR

THIS LETTER IS TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC OF A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WITH OUR TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THIS VEHICLE IS A VERY GOOD VEHICLE OVER ALL AND HAS GIVEN US BARELY NO TROUBLE WHAT SO EVER, WE TAKE GREAT CARE OF THE CAR AND WERE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE WHEN WE WERE ALMOST SET ON FIRE WHILE PREPARING TO RIDE OFF . WE WERE AT A MOTOR CYCLE SHOP LOOKING AT 4 WHEELERS AND DIRTBIKES WITH OUR CHILDREN AND NEPHEW,AS WE WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON, AND MY ASTHMATIC SON BEGAN TO GASP, MY WIFE BEGAN TO COUGH AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SMOKING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WE MADE IT OUT OK GETTING THE KIDS OUT AND,THEN OURSELVES AS WE TRIED TO FIND AND CONTAIN THE FIRE. NEARBY CITIZENS HELPED TRYING TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION USING A EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME COMPLETELY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS OCCURRED IN MARCH AND OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE REPAIR IS BRUTAL. FROM WHAT WE DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIPS AND USED CAR PARTS, THAT MODEL CAR HAS BEEN REQUIRING THAT PART , THEREFORE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING TO OTHER 1997 4-RUNNERS TO THE EXTENT THAT PLACES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SOLD OUT OF THE PART IN MANY STATES. WE DID PURCHASE OURS THROUGH THE DEALER, TO NO SURPRISE WE AREN'T FIRST TO HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PART, THIS IS NOT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, NOR IS IT A ROUTINE CAR PROBLEM. I WROTE TOYOTA AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE, I KNOW IT IS AN GREAT COMPANY, WITH QUALITY VEHICLES. WE PAID 29,000+FOR THIS CAR IN CASH....DEFINITELY NOT TO WATCH IT BURN UP...ALL OF THE SUDDEN OVER SOMETHING COMPLETELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS MATTER WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3,000 AND NO ONE FEELS ITS FAIR. MY 7 YEAR OLD RESULTED WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A MONTH, AS WELL DID MY WIFE. MY 12 Y/O HAD STINGING IN HIS EYES FOR 2 DAYS, MY NEPHEW HAD TROUBLE BREATHING AND I BURNED MYSELF AND INHALED SOOT & FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUMES, RESULTING IN CHEST PAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. WE DESERVE OUR MONEY BACK AT THE LEAST FOR REPAIRS. *TR

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT *AS

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

THE BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT SEATS TO THE CAR RUST OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY BREAK

WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN THE VENT ON THE BACK OF THE HOOD AT WINDSHIELD KEEPS MY CARPET SOAKED HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED? ALSO MY HOOD LATCH IS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH MY HOOD GOES UP 2 INCHES WHEN IM AT TOP SPEEDS (55 OR 65). *JB

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH A 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. SHE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE POLICE HAVE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA TWICE TO REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION FOR A TOYOTA RECALL. BOTH BEFORE THE RECALL AND AFTER THE RECALL THE REAR END WAS SAGGING AND WAS NOT STABLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE. BOTH CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEATH. *NLM IN SPEAKING WITH INVESTIGATIVE SHERIFF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 38-51 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED 2-3 TIMES DOWN A 50-70 FOOT DROP. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DAMAGED REARWARD AND THE DRIVER SLID OUT OF THE SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS DAMAGE. UPON INSPECTION THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL FASTENED. THE INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER STATED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE SEAT THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A VEHICLE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELT OR SEAT. CW

CONSUMERS CHILD WAS PLAYING IN VEHICLE WHEN THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK, WHEN HE TRIED TO REMOVE IT, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND JUST KEPT RETRACTING, CONSUMER STATES THAT HER SON TURNED PURPLE AND COULD NOT CATCH HIS BREATH BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOWOUT, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC ONE MONTH AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE, A TIRE BLEW, WITH HOLES THROUGHOUT IT, AS IF SOMEONE HAD SHOT IT, CLEARLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE TO BEGIN WITH. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRES . THE CONSUMER WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THOMPSON DEALERSHIP IN HOW THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO HANDLE MATTERS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION CONCERNING MATTER. BRIEFLY READ OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH IN THE PURCHASING OF THE VEHICLE. *CB THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE SUN VISOR FELL OFF. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK HAS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB THE RIGHT REAR SEAT WILL NOT FOLD. THE BRACKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE SEAT IS STILL HALF WAY FOLDED. ALSO THE DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND DOES NOT GO OFF AND THE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK. THEY WERE INSPECTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS FALLING. THE BRAKES NEEDED REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD EXCESSIVE ROUT OUT. *JG

FAIL STATE CAR INSPECTION DUE TO ILLEGAL INSTALLATION OF HEADLIGHTS BY A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE. PREMIER SOUND WHO INSTALLED A $400.00 PLUS HEADLIGHTS ON MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THIS HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ON THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WOULD COST ME $900.00 PLUS . IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE WOULD REGULATE AND SAY YOU MUST TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT WHAT I'M INSTALLING IN YOUR VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL? THIS KIND OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD ON THE MONEY TO RIP YOU OFF BY NOT TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL. PREMIER SOUND IS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AIN'T THAT SOMETHING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW. THE LAW MUST BE CHANGE TO MAKE THEM HONEST TO THE COMMUNITY THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. PLEASE HELP CONGRESSMAN OUT THERE AND BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZEN LIKE ME WHO LIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. SINCERELY, F.I. CANTADA *TR

WHILE BRAKING TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THIS COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO OTHER DRIVERS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED/JOLTED FORWARD PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO MERGE INTO THE DIRECTION OF A TRACTOR TRAILER. I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRACTOR TRAILER TO AVOID COLLISION. MY VEHICLE HIT THE REAR TIRE OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER AND I BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. MY BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP EITHER, THEY DIDN'T FUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER 3+ TIMES, THE CAR WAS TOTALED. ALL PASSENGERS WERE HOSPITALIZED BUT NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE WERE HURT FROM THE ACCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS REGARDING THE PERIODIC ENGINE SURGE AND/OR JOLTING AND LACK OF BRAKE CONTROL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE INCIDENTS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED IN THIS AUTO ACCIDENT. *TR

LOSS OF AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF CARE IN VERIFYING SUFFICIENT FLUID SUPPLIED AT POINT OF SALE. OWNER POINTS OUT THAT FILLER NECK VERY SMALL AND NEXT TO IMPOSIBLE TO RE-INSERT DIPSTICK, MAKING RE-FILLING A SEVERE CHORE AND ENCOURAGING WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID CHECKING THAT SUFFICIENT FLUID HAS NBEEN PROVIDED.

MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I'VE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT REAR SHOCKMOUNT AND BAR REPLACED, AND THE LEFT IS ON ITS WAY TO RUSTING COMPLETELY THROUGH. ON THE LEFT SIDE, HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED UP, AND WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS THROUGH AND BREAKS, IT WILL VERY LIKELY CAUSE SOMETHING TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. THAT COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE, SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SO, IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WILL BE ON THE ROAD WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED WHEN YOU RECALLED THE TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF RUSTY FRAMES? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MANY PEOPLE IF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE STREETS!