2001 Toyota 4Runner power train problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A MUFFLER REPLACEMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MUFFLER COULD NOT BE REPLACED AND A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER (MCGEE TOYOTA OF HANOVER, 860 WASHINGTON ST, HANOVER, MA 02339, (866) 942-1756) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FRAME WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.”

“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.”

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. MY HOME CONTRACTOR SMELLED AN ODOR & DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR WAS LEAKING GEAR OIL. MY HUSBAND, WHO IS SOMEWHAT HANDY WITH CARS, ENDED UP SANDING OFF LOTS OF RUST ON THE PUMPKIN, THEN CLEANED IT & USED JB WELD TO SEAL WHERE HE THOUGHT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. (WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS ATTACHED.) THIS ACTUALLY HELD FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WELL, NOW AT APPROX. 125,000 MILES, THE LEAK IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE! AND COMING FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE OR PLACES. THE RUST IS BAD. NO ONE CAN BELIEVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC IN TOWN TWICE IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS, WHERE HE HAS TRIED TO SEAL IT WHILE IT WAS UP ON A LIFT, BUT IT KEEPS LEAKING BADLY. I DO NOT DRIVE THAT OFTEN BUT DO HAVE TO MAKE A 100 MILE ROUND TRIP AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, & UPON ARRIVING HOME JUST NOW, IT IS A MESS AGAIN. MY HUSBAND JUST PUT IN ABOUT 20 OZ. OF GEAR OIL & WE ARE WONDERING WHAT TO DO NEXT. I HAVE BEEN READING ON 4 RUNNER INTERNET FORUMS ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL CHEAP TO BUY, BUT APPARENTLY THEY ARE CHEAPLY MADE WITH INFERIOR METAL. I AM AFRAID TO…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS AN OIL STAIN ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,528.”

“ON THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, THE BACK COVER AREA (NON REPLACEABLE) HAS BECOME SO POROUS BECAUSE OF HEAVY RUST SCALING AND FLAKING THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID SEEPS FROM IT. THE REST OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS MADE OF THICKER, HEAVIER GAUGE METAL AND SEEMS OK. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE THE GEAR OIL TO DROP BELOW THE REQUIRED LEVEL CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE OR LOCK UP AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DISASTROUS. WHEN I REALIZED I HAD THIS PROBLEM, I SEARCHED THE TOYOTA FORUMS ONLINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND TOYOTA IS AWARE BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WILL REPLACE ENTIRE RUSTED OUT FRAMES ON TRUCKS UNDER RECALL, BUT REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THEY WANT $3000 TO REPLACE A KNOWN INFERIOR/DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO MAKESHIFT REPAIRS USING BRUSH ON BED LINER TO STEM THE LEAKING AND CHECK THE FLUID TO KEEP IT FULL. BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED OR WHO ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE?”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING CORRODED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”