Consumer Complaint Detail

TOYOTA / 4 RUNNER / 1995

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 001085458 Incident Date: Dec, 01 2001
Consumer's City: ANNAPOLIS Consumer's State: MD
Vehicle Transmission Type: Manufacturers Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Model Name: 4 RUNNER Model Year: 1995
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#: JT4VN36H9S0 Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Dec, 18 2001 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Feb, 28 2001
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 0 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: Head gasket failure: dull bang occurs in engine, excessive white smoke billows from exhaust. exhaust smells sweet from anti-freeze. engine ran rough from one cylinder misfiring. coolant is being blown from radiator cap. had to pull over immediatly in heavy traffic. vehicle towed to home. test on engine oil finds that coolant has mixed with engine lubricating oil. discussion with toyota certified mechanic result: this is a common problem with the new head gaskets and is usually catastrophic needing engine rebuld/replacement as the engine block usually needs re-decking(milling) beyond maximum allowable tolerances; coolant gallery comes too close to cylinder wall at head. contacted dealer, refered to toyota national service hotline (800-331-4331) and was told that the prior years head gasket recall did not include my year, and was resolved for my year vehicle by installing heavier head gaskets at point of engine manufacture. no assistance from toyota national service, but if i was willing to purchase a new toyota that toyota national sales would offer assistance after the sale was made. the estimate to replace the engine is $5,300.00 with rebuild (jasper or other). seeking financing to repair/replace engine.*ak