1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER Suspension Problems

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE LOOP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AT THE TOP OF THE LOOP, AS I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER. THE ROCKING TURNED INTO FISHTAILING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FORCEFULLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A GUARDRAIL, ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I WAS 4 MONTHS PREGNANT AND TRAVELLING WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD SON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO SAFETY IN THE MEDIAN. THIS ACCIDENT WAS A TOTAL MYSTERY TO ME SINCE I WAS NOT TRAVELLING AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. THE GROUND WAS SLIGHTLY WET FROM A BRIEF SPRINKLE.

CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FLOOR MANAGER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING , SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA 13 TIMES BUT THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED EXCESS TIRE WEAR. *NM

NAR 3-11-03. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMERS 4RUNNER SLIPPED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGES COST APPROX $2000. SOON AFTER A RECALL WAS RELEASED BY TOYOTA ABOUT A FAULTY SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR MADE AFTER THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FAULTY SUSPENSION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. *CB *JB

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, THE DEALER STATED TOO MANY PEOPLE DROPPED THEIR VEHICLE'S OFF ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY, EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD A 9:30 AM APPOINTMENT. *TS *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE SUSPENSION, HOWEVER WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*JB

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WANDERING ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

MFR'S# SSC & NHTSA# 02 V 021 000/REAR SUSPENSION: CONSUMER STATES DEALER (ANDY DODGE TOYOTA; SAINT ALBANS, VT; PHONE# 802/527-7512) WANTS TO CHARGE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL WITHOUT CHARGE. NLM IN ORDER FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE, THE DEALER HAS TO TAKE APART THE SWAY BARS. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLES SWAY BARS ARE RUSTED AND FROZEN AND THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO CUT THEM OFF. SINCE THE SWAY BARS AREN'T A PART OF THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. *JG

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE SNOW, VEHICLE LOST DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING A ROLL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. CONSUMER HAS JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REAR SUSPENSION.*AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GREASE LEAKS ON TO THE BRAKE PAD CAUSING BRAKE TO MALFUNCTION. NLM

THE VEHICLE HAS SPUN OUT ON THREE OCCASIONS. NLM