Consumer Complaint Detail

TOYOTA / 4RUNNER / 1990

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 000228899 Incident Date: Sep, 30 2000
Consumer's City: BURBANK Consumer's State: CA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Model Name: 4RUNNER Model Year: 1990
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: JT3VN39W2L0 Date added to File: May, 16 2021
Date Complaint Received: Aug, 07 2003 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: May, 14 1998
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 6 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: I purchased my 4runner used in 1998. the mileage at purchase was only 30k, as it had been used primarily for driving in inclement weather. the original owner informed me that a notice had been sent by toyota regarding head gasket failures (tsb #97121797017), and that toyota would honor the repairs (if necessary) up to 100k miles, regardless of time since original use. the tsb, however, states that the extended warranty lasts until 8 years from original use or 100k miles, whichever occurs first. since october 2000, i have experienced intermittent low engine idling (and stalling) after driving at high speeds. on at least five different occasions, i have asked that the vehicle's idle speed be adjusted and the throttle plate be cleaned to resolve this problem. i did not realize until just recently that the source of this problem is a leaky head gasket. the toyota dealership i go to here in glendale, ca reported this diagnosis after i questioned them on why the vehicle needed repeated idle speed adjustments. the current mileage of the vehicle is 99k. i have approached toyota customer service to inquire if they will authorize a head gasket replacement for the vehicle free of charge since the problem is a problem that they have been aware of and previously issued an extended warranty covering it. i have been told this is not possible because of the age of the vehicle. i feel that toyota should authorize the repair in this case despite the age of the vehicle, as the engine began exhibiting symptoms of the head gasket problem well below the 100k mileage requirement that toyota originally stated that they were willing to repair in the tsb. i do not know what further i can do regarding this matter, and would appreciate any help that can be provided.