2001 Toyota 4Runner Engine Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,518.

NHTSA ID

11098010

Incident

May 18, 2018

Mileage

256,518 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A CITY STREET IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ( FLATBUSH AVE) WHEN I SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE FOLLOWED BY FIRE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I DID NOT HIT ANY BUMP AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE ENTIRE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11066126

Incident

Jan 7, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

SINCE I GOT THE CAR, THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT GET IN PROPERLY AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT START THE CAR. THE MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL HELPS SOMETIMES. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN LEAKING ENGINE COVERS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUCTURE GETS RUSTY AND THERE IS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID

10817356

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BECAME DISABLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RECONFIGURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10644643

Incident

Oct 7, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi

AFTER I MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $1500.00, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK (JERK VIOLENTLY) AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO 30, 35 OR 40 MPH. THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3 OF 4K BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS ENGAGES FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NOW 3 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485031

Incident

Aug 30, 2012

Mileage

132,500 mi

ON 7/7/12 I WAS DRIVING FOR A DOG RESCUE TRANSPORT AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST SINCE I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TRUCK AND A GAS CAN. WHAT I DID NOTICE WAS MY GAS GAUGE WAS DROPPING INCREDIBLY FAST SO I LOOKED FOR A CLEAR AREA ON SHOULDER THAT SHOULD THE TRUCK CATCH FIRE. (VERY DRY IN NJ AT THE TIME) I FOUND MY AREA AND SHUT TRUCK OFF AND DRIFTED INTO THE SHOULDER. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN RUSHING TO EMPTY THE SEVEN DOG CRATES (JUST IN CASE) ON THE SHOULDER BEHIND GUARD RAIL. ONCE WE WERE ALL CLEAR, I WALKED OVER TO VEHICLE AND POPPED HOOD. THERE WAS FUEL SATURATING EVERYTHING, INCLUDING STILL DRIPPING FROM INSULATION MATERIAL UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY ONTO AND AROUND THE EXHAUST AREA. BY TOYOTA DESIGN, THERE IS A CLIP THAT RETAINS/SEPARATES TWO HOSES DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE FUEL LINE THAT HAD WORN A HOLE INTO THE FUEL LINE. ON 7/9/12 I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER TO GET THE HOSE WHICH I FIND OUT IS PART NUMBER 23801(P)-62071. IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN OF THIS LISTED PART IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $75 AND A WEEK OR MORE TO GET THE PART. I WENT HOME AND BROWSED THE NET TO FIND ONLY ONE STORE THAT STOCKS THIS ITEM AND ORDERED THROUGH THEM TO SAVE ABOUT $20 BUT STILL THE SAME TURN AROUND TIME (LOST ABOUT $67 IN FUEL AS TANK IS NOW BONE DRY PLUS A $250 FLATBED TOW FEE. I AM OUT ALMOST $400). I HAS BEEN A WEEK MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO A TOYOTA DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY WILL NOT FESS UP TO THE DESIGN FLAW OR EVEN OFFER A LOANER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10465689

Incident

Jul 7, 2012

Mileage

67,000 mi

I INITIALLY CONTACTED MAGIC AUTO CENTER AND WAS DEALING WITH [XXX] REGARDING A 2001 TOYOTA LAND ROVER THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN. [XXX] TOLD ME HE COULD GIVE ME $1000 FOR MY TRADE AND USE THAT FOR MY DOWN PAYMENT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY THE 29TH, I SPOKE WITH [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE I WAS INTERESTED IN HAD BEEN SOLD BUT THEY HAD A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER PRICED SIMILARLY. AT THAT POINT, I SUBMITTED ALL OF MY CREDIT INFORMATION BY E-MAIL TO [XXX] ADDRESS ABOVE. ANTHONY CONTACTED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THE OWNER WANTED $1000 CASH AND WOULD GIVE ME $500 FOR MY TRADE. I AGREED TO THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD CAUSE ME A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BECAUSE I NEEDED A MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE THAN WHAT I HAD. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP A BIT BEFORE 8PM ON THE 29TH AND ADVISED THEM THAT I WAS IN A HURRY AS I NEEDED TO PICK MY DAUGHTER UP BY 9PM. WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS THEN ASKED TO PROVIDE $750 CASH, $250 ON 11/2/2010 AND AN ADDITIONAL $500 ON 11/18/2010, PLUS MY TRADE. I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THAT EVERYTHING BE IN ORDER BEFORE MY ARRIVAL SINCE THEY ARE LOCATED FAR FROM MY RESIDENCE. I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND UNTIL ALMOST 8:30 PM. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR (MY FAULT) BECAUSE I WAS SO RUSHED, BUT WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION BY BOTH [XXX] AND[XXX]. I SIGNED THE PAPERWORK, PROVIDED THEM WITH A CHECK FOR $500 DATED 11/18/2010 AND AGREED THAT I WOULD BRING $250 ON 11/2/2010. I TRANSFERRED MY BELONGINGS FROM MY TRADE TO THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WITH MY SON\S HELP, TOOK THE 4RUNNER, MY SON, AND OUR DOGS AND HEADED FOR THE FREEWAY. WE GOT ON THE 170 SOUTH, TO THE 101 SOUTH, AND THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON...WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ALREADY AFTER 9 AT THIS POINT. WE GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND INADVERTENTLY GOT ON THE 10 FREEWAY WEST, AT THAT POINT A LOUD POP CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A HUGE PUFF OF STEAM, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *

NHTSA ID

10373639

Incident

Oct 29, 2010

Mileage

198,000 mi

HVAC ISSUE CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON FOR 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. TOOK ISSUE TO BE REPAIRED BUT STILL OCCURS. GAS LEAKS DUE TO THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10310952

Incident

Sep 5, 2008

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR WAS THE ROOT OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED A $5,000 REBUILT MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ID

10252226

Incident

Dec 2, 2008

Mileage

67,000 mi

[XXX] JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON, NO CRASH OCCURRED BUT EASILY COULD HAVE AS THE OIL PAN WAS PUNCTURED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE DISCOVERED FIVE OUT OF WARRANTY CASES IDENTICAL TO MINE IN 5VZ-FE ENGINES WHERE JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON AND IN EACH CASE NO OTHER SERVICE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED: 1999 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 78,000 MILES IN 2003 1999 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 98,000 MILES IN 2006 2000 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 78,000 MILES IN 2006 2001 4RUNNER, FAILED AT 103,000 MILES IN 2008 2001 TACOMA, FAILED AT 92,000 MILES IN 2007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10237799

Incident

May 15, 2008

Mileage

47,000 mi

I DRIVE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THEN 10% ON CITY STREET. I WAS TOLD BY GREENVILLE TOYOTA THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED $1,070.00.00. I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2WD, SR5. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE DON'T DIE THIS SOON. IS THERE A RECALL? *JB

NHTSA ID

10143950

Incident

Nov 29, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE CAM SHAFT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER HAS WRITTEN 5 LETTERS, TO TOYOTA, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MD,USA (2), ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MD (1) AND SERVICE MANAGER AT TOYOTA OF GLEN BURNIE. WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED THE VEHICLE KEPT COASTING THEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER ADDED OIL BUT IT CAME OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION WHICH SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10113353

Incident

Feb 17, 2005

Mileage

112,000 mi

WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THEN T STALL OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10037815

Incident

Jun 12, 2002

VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *MR THE ENGINE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH AND LAST ABOUT 4-10 SECONDS. NEITHER DEALER COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. SCC

NHTSA ID

10015514

Incident

Dec 1, 2000

Mileage

1,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10009752

Incident

Nov 15, 2002

CONSUMER STATES ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. WHEN CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING A COLLISION. CONSUMER ADVISED ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT FUNCTION. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID

8019572

Incident

Sep 21, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER WASHING AND SPRAYING THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO WASH OFF ROAD SALT, CONSUMER BACKED CAR INTO GARAGE WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START. *JG

NHTSA ID

785970

Incident

Jan 2, 2002

VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN REAR WHEELS SPIN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

8002634

Incident

May 1, 2001