FirstToy

I got this from edmunds site- has anyone recieved this notice?

SSC 301-2003 My Toyota Throttle Body Replacement Special Service Campaign

Fellow Owners,

Just received this letter from Toyota today about this special campaign. It was explained on the letter that "on certain 2003 model year vehicles, an electrical contact in the throttle body motor may malfunction. If this occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will illuminate on the dash, and the engine ECM will store a trouble code and place the vehicle on a "limp-home" mode". They further added that in California, where emission requirements are more strict than others, this could result in a failure in a smog test. However, they stated that Toyota will inspect the car and replace the throttle body assembly at no cost.
Did anybody else receive this notice. I am not that mechanically inclined so all this info is foreign to me. How serious is this issue? Should I be worried about possibly driving to work or home in "limp-home" mode if I do not get this fixed soon?
Any opinion would be much appreciated.

Thanks

tom_993

I didn't get the TSB, but I have a V8. Perhaps this is a V6 issue?

Tom

Dude

just got the letter today...guess I need that first oil change anyway.

Dude

woops.....thought I would mention I have a V-8 and got the bulletin.

03_4x4Runner

what are the build dates on yours (that have gotten it)

Dude

04/03 production date-Limited V-8

kaneman23

I haven't gotten a bulletin and my neighbor hasn't either. I did have something freaky happen several months ago that put my truck in "limp mode" . I just turned it off and started it back up(rebooted) . It was right after I got the truck so the ECU was probably adjusting to my driving habbits..? I will keep an eye out for it though. thanks for the heads up!

Justin

BT17R

No bulletin THAT I'M AWARE OF. Though I tossed the last one on the rear air suspension thinking it was a service coupon mailer.

uberdog

Just got the Toyota SSC 301 letter in the mail for the Throttle Body Replacement recall. I have a Limited V8 with a build date of 4/03. Seems it may be an issue with that production run, though the letter said nothing more than this being a problem on "certain 2003 model year vehicles".

My VIN ends in 6130, anyone getting this recall notice might also want to post their build date and last 4 digits of the VIN to help others know which Runners are likely to have the issue. Some folks may miss the notice in the mail or need the info when buying used.

BTW: A friend has a the same truck as me, but a build date of 6/30 and no recall notice so far (none of the other rattle trap issues that I and others have had either).

UB

Sac State

My build date was 2/03, no letter from Toyota for me. Don't know whether to be or

The Silent Man

I've had my truck since March and have yet to receive a TSB of any kind. I know there have been a few issued, no idea why I haven't had any sent to me though

uberdog

From what I have seen from posts here and on other sites, the 4th Gen Runners (like any mass produced item) has had some *bad* production runs.

It is possible, through luck of the draw, to own a 2003 that was built in 02/03 and have no issues at all. For example the rear air suspension TSB was only for early production vehicles (built in 2002).

My guess is that this throttle body TSB is aimed at trucks manufactured in Spring 2003 that were built with a bad batch of sub-contracted throttle body assemblies. This is why I am curious who has received notice of the problem and what the build date of their Runner is.

I think I will call a few dealers and run both my 4/03 VIN and my friends 6/03 VIN and see what they say. Unfortunately Toyota is not supplying the information regarding how many units were effected and when they were built (i.e. 3000 vehicles built between April and May 2003). This would make it easier for folks than wondering if they may have missed the mailer.

Dude

FYI: addition to my previous post....vin# 005428
Limited V-8, production date 04/03. I have received the recall letter.

uberdog

I spoke with a number of Toyota service deparments in my area today and ran two VIN numbers by them. One VIN is for a 2003 V8 Limited built in 4/03 ending in 6103, the other was the same truck trim built 6/03 ending in 7959.

As I suspected I was told that the 301 TSB seems to be for trucks built in April - May 2003 and that trucks built 6/03 and after seem to not be affected. It was not clear if this was only V8's, but I would guess that is the case.

If anyone else reading this finds out that they are subject to this recall please post your build date and last 4 digits of your VIN. Thanks for posting this FirstToy and thanks for follow up Mr. Dude.

UB

Dude

Just an update for all. Finally got enough miles to justify an oil change and to get it checked out for the recall. I was told that the recall was an "inspection only" and "replace if necessary". When I picked it up, all I was told is that they replaced the throttle body assembly. So, I'm not sure if I was told some BS or if they just automatically replace it to get to bill out the warranty work. Other odd thing....they actually had the part in stock....I can tell you that this dealer has serviced my last 4 toyos and NEVER has a part in stock.....So, I'm guessing that they have dealt with a number of these already....just a hunch.

Anyways, it is done and I don't have to worry about being in the middle of nowhere with the truck in "limp home mode"