GATORSR1

HOLY COW!!!!

I couldn't believe all the complaints about 2003 4runners on the NHTSA website! I personally experience the two main complaints. First the awful "rotten egg" or sulfur smell from the exhaust. Second the vibration between 60 and 65 mph. You would think that with so many complaints that Toyota would address these issues. Especailly when we are talking potential carbon monoxide poisoning of children riding in the back seat!

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

I love the "blame it on the gas" game that Toyota is playing. Personally, all I've used is 93 octane from different locations, but always have the smell. Atleast mine is only while the rear window is down. Then again, maybe I don't ride in the back seat enough to notice!

I love my 4runner and can live with the two issues above, as long as one of them doesn't cause harm to anyone, but I hope I don't develop any ticking or other issues!

FirstToy

I don't experience any vibration or sulfer smell...

Maybe the vibration is due to the crappy Dunlop tires.

Well not that complaints are good, at least there are only a couple complaints per section. Maybe more than one from one owner so in total, there maybe aren't too many 4Runners represented.

I have that driver's seat problem too. I can live with it because the alternative is for Toyota to give it to a local upolstery shop and *maybe* fix it, and it doesn't bother me.

I have 3 years so maybe later if I feel like doing it.

Jonathan

Is the "rotten egg" smell present on only the V8's or is it on both the V6 and V8? A friend of the family just bought a new V6 and I was just wanting to know.

hre814

I have the '04 V8 and experience the smell from time to time, sometimes in the cabin itself when I come to a quick stop. Had it checked out at the dealer for the cabin smell (for leaks that might allow CO into it), but no leaks. I rarely smell it in the cabin anymore. I don't think changing gas will do much. I've read that several new cars (Subaru) have this sulfur smell problem and have been told and read that it is b/c the cat. conv. breaks down the emissions so much that it releases sulfur, making for a more atmosphere friendly emission. I don't know if that is true since I don't know enough about cat. converters. I never have experienced the vibration and have been up to 80 mph. I read once that someone suggested these problems are do to poor break in but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Mine was broken in for 1000 miles which included speeds < 60 mph. I've also read that someones sulfur smell disappeared after 7000 miles.

JGage

My smell has pretty much gone away (17K)... Friend just got an '04 V6 a few moths ago and he has it... I can smell it in his.

I don't have the vibe... But, my stereo still sucks.

Herd72

I can make it do it (the smell) by acceleratin hard and then stopping quickly if the windows are open but do not experience it on a regular basis.
If you want an experience roll down your second seat sindows at highway speed while keeping the front and sunroof closed. You will experience "turbulence" that will actually nake your ears hurt. Open a front window a bit and it dissapears.

Stranger and stranger!
Jim

Plays_with_Toys

Doesn't that happen in all cars? In my grandpa's mercedes's (3 of them) they all have had the "turbulence" effect, as well as my aunts volvo and BMW, and on the lesser end, my dad's old audi, and my mom's, now totalled, ford escort wagon.

Its all about the aerodynamics... Cars aren't designed to have the windows down at high speeds, thats why race cars hardly ever have a window down.

GATORSR1

Most complaints come from V6 owners, but there are some V8 owners that have also complained about smell. If only a minority of 4runner owners have it, shouldn't it then be considered "NOT NORMAL" and a problem? Personally, I would be less concerned if it was a majority and not a minority.

As for the "Dunlop" tires causing the vibration, that can't be it, b/c I have always had the 18" Kumhos. They did a balance and rotation, but I still have the vibration. Also, there is a vibration complaint on the site, where the dealer said, "it's the Dunlop" tires, so the 4runner owner changed tires, but still had the vibration, after changing!

JGage

Just as an afterthough... Toyota does say, don't drive around with your rear window down. The smell is normal, there were a few times where I drove with my 300ZX's hatch open when I was transporting something too large, the sulfur smell rivaled that of the 4th Gen 4Runner... Most SUVs and autos do have rear windows the roll down.

My V6 buddy also has the Dunflops and he doesn't get the vibration... But, he has had a flat !

FirstToy

I actually have heard the V8 has the most complaints with the sulfer smell. I have never smelled the sulfer on any car so I have no idea what it is like.

But I do know the sulfer is not just a 4R or Toyota problem. It is fairly widespread amongst many cars.

oscarz

According to what I've read, the "sulfur smell" issue is mainly V8s not V6s. I don't have the smell (V6). I do have vibration issues though: wheel and engine related. My brakes are quirky (master cylinder), driver's door vibrates, seat bottom is loose, truck is slighty tilted, some rattles here and there.

Am I being picky? Yes and no. Is my 4runner a quality truck? Yes and no.

If I could start over: I'd get the V8. I like my V6 but the ticking noise and vibration affect it's character. Power is pretty good but you have to floor it to get it.

FirstToy

oscarz,
yeah but if you got the V8 you would be complaining about the sulfer smell, high speed vibration (that I have heard GX and V8 4R complaints) and then you would say it has more power but not that different from the V6.

I agree with you, being picky is good and bad. I am picky and love cars but this car (nor any car) is not my life.

My equation is this: Am I enjoying it? Yes= satisfied No= unsatisfied
Problem? fix it or get over it. Move on.
It's just a car, not a wife after all. I expect high quality and reliability but I don't expect perfection. If that were the case, I would be disappointed with every car I have ever bought.

Maybe I'm a bit less understanding because I haven't had any problems except a couple nitpicks.

oscarz

Can't argue, but I'm still in the fix it stage. Couldn't fix my wife either.

GATORSR1

Either way, this shows that it's not the engine type, but something else, since both have the problem. It is an awful smell, and in large amounts can be quite overwhelming. I really feel for those who have it coming in internally, with the back window closed. I've thought about changing to an exhaust that kicks out to one side or both, but since it doesn't bother me that much, I'm not going to invest that much money in a leased vehicle.

FirstToy

I think my theory stays the same when it comes to relationships too
"I expect high quality and reliability but I don't expect perfection."

Mohamed

You guys just gotta stop feeding yourself with bean burritos and eggs...see...problem solved!

GATORSR1

Now that is funny, b/c that's the first thing my girlfriend asked, when she smelled the smell was, "did you fart or something?"

Then I saw that there were some ladies filing complaints. Now, we all know that women don't fart and even if they did, they wouldn't stink!

M1911

I've got the V8 -- 2003 V8 4x4 Ltd. On very rare occasions (maybe 2-3 times in 5000 miles) I have smelled sulfur. It seems to be less often now than when I first got the truck. And I don't have any vibrations.

M1911

FirstToy

m1911,
I think both 4R's are fine vehicles. My only point was if you always think the grass is greener on the other side, you will never be happy.

GATORSR1

Since I started this thread, I don't want anyone to think that I was "trashing" the new 4runners. Every first year model has it's quirks. In fact, I think that they are by far, THE BEST overall suv on the market! For all the options that are available and backed by Toyota, it's just the best "bang for your buck!" I'm currently in a lease, and as First Toy knows, with all the knowledge, confidence, and attraction that I've gained in the new 4runners, I would BUY another one in a heartbeat!