Hey Guys--

I need some input/advice here. I have a 03 4runner AUTOMATIC with 70,000 miles, rock soild every way but the transmission.

At 580 miles I had a whole new one put in because of a loose internal part from the factory, now at 70,000 the clutch and tranny went out completely.

The factory will pay for only half the parts. I did all the regular maintenence, and drive mainly on road.

Have you guys heard of any other cases or stories like this!?!

Let me know your thoughts....I'm having a hard time swallowing the 3K to fix it this time and for it to go out in another 70K. This car is too new for something like this.

Love to hear your comments.....

Thanks-

Mtn2srf

 

I haven't heard of tranny issues with the 4th gen, at least with them failing.. you may just be having a streak of bad luck with the tranny..

Do you have the 4spd or the 5spd?

 

I have the 4spd... yeah, I guess it's my bad luck, I'll take it for the rest of ya!

Mtn2srf

 

You have the V6 Engine?

 

There's a lot of 4th gen members on t4r.org. I think moreso than here, and you may want to try asking there.

To mods and admins, sorry if I'm breaking a rule with posting another forum site on here, but there is a high concentration of 4th gen owners there, and I think it would be beneficial for the op to ask the question there also.

 

Man this is the first that I've heard of and I frequest LOTS of forums. Sounds like you just got a bad tranny. You might want to see if they can vouch for everything since it's one of those rare cases.

Good luck

 

Try also googling "toyota transmission problems". I did that when the wifes Odyssey tranny went bye-bye, and subsequently discovered it was very common, tho my dealer first tried to snow me.

Also, if you can prove that you serviced your Runner per factory schedules, and at a Toyota dealer, then I'd play hardball with them. Let them know that you paid a premium (over MSRP if its the truth), etc. for the legendary Toyota reliability, and not to have tranny problems as evidenced by your tranny which went kaput at 580 miles. Don't be rude and cocky, just persistent about your belief that you thought the Toyota was suposed to be reliable, and your extreme dissapointment to find that your Runner hasn't been.

Also, don't waste your time just with the dealer. Call Toyota of North AMerica as well. Ask your dealer what their customer service phone number is, or try their website.

BTW, do you tow with your Runner?

 

Lance, there thas been a couple, but not too many.

 

wow, i'm surprised! i guess it's soo few that I just never noticed... i think it sux regardless. hopefully toyota will take good care of you.

 

Now they changed to the 5 speed transmission in 05 correct?

 

Don't mind me if this is a stupid question... but do Automatics have Clutches?
I thought that the only thing an automatic has is a torque converter. Or does a clutch mean something else in auto tranny terms?

-Mike

 

i know the 4th gens (03+) started with 2 different transmissions, a 4spd (V6?) and 5spd (V8?). dunno if that's still the way it is or not...

 

My '05 v6 is a 5 speed auto

 

hmm maybe the different transmissions are specific to 2WD and 4WD... all i know is that my dad's 04 2wd V6 has a 4spd auto...

 

4runner transmission spec for 03+: (2wd/4wd)
03/04 v8 = 5 speed auto
03/04 v6 = 4 speed auto
05 + (both engines) = 5 speed auto

 

guess I should be looking to unload my '03 4 Runner b4 70k...
I noticed this funky freewheeling going on while in slow traffic, then a really mushy 1-2 shift when getting on the highway. All at less than 10k. 2 Dealers said nothing is wrong. Freewheeling is gone and the 1-2 I have gotten used to. (like the rocking chair front seat...) Maybe I can get a hold of a 6 speed mt box.

 

Hey Guys-

Still no solution to the Tranny problem. Hopefully I will hear more tomorrow....I even got the original paperwork from the dealer that did the work at 580 miles and it was really vague. I will pass this along to Toyota's Customer Service Center.

And to add insult to injury, while my 4Runner was at the dealer one of their guys backed into it while moving another car and they now need to fix the right rear quarter panel......Good Times...This sucks.

I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'll let you all know what happens.

Wish me luck.

Mtn2srf

 

bummer.. hopefully things go well for you..

 

Yes, and yes. Automatics do have a torque converter, but there are clutch packs inside the transmission that engage the different gears.

I have an 03 V8 5spd that I have also had some problems with. Mine gets stuck in 3rd gear. It's done it several times, but I've never taken it to the dealer because I can't duplicate it at will. When I say several times, that's over a period of about 2 years. If you stop, turn the key off, then start back up and go, everything's fine again. BTW, mine has about 38k miles.