Problems with 2004 Toyota 4Runner ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

While driving, the cel (check engine light) came on and the vsc trac and vsc off lights came on as well. apparently toyota disables vsc when the cel is triggered. in my case, the 2 times it has occurred has been due to emissions related failures (1st time the cat failed, 2nd time one of the o2 sensors failed). in the 1st case, i immediately took the vehicle to the dealership as i was approaching the end of the emissions warranty. they made the repairs and cleared all the codes so wasn't aware that the vsc system was actually disabled. the 2nd time (o2 failure) i replaced the failed o2 sensor, the cel has cleared, however the vsc lights are still on and vsc is disabled. i have serious concerns that toyota disables key safety systems due to emissions related failures especially given the inherent stability problems with suv's. if i'm on a trip with my family and an o2 sensor fails, or a catalytic converter fails, or the gas cap fails, key safety systems that help keep my family and i safe should not be disabled! i think this deserves an investigation. ...

This incident was 1st noticed 12/9/2009. i started my car in the morning and let it warm up, when i went to get in it a few minutes later, the heater fan would not work. since then, i find that the heater fan will work off and on, seems to be after vehicle has warmed up a bit -maybe (not sure of the rhythm or reason). i do not feel safe driving this vehicle in cold weather especially since i have small children and fear getting stuck or stranded with no heat! i purchased this vehicle in december of 2008 and drove it all last winter with no problems-therefore i am concerned as to when and where it will malfunction again. *tr

Vibration is felt in steering wheel at highway speeds (55 mph or higher). this is especially present when steering wheel is turned slightly to the right. have had tires rebalanced with no change in vibration. problem has been with vehicle since purchase. tire replacement and rotation does not correct vibration. *cn

1.) there is a serious "clunk" noise when braking and also the same noise when starting from a complete stop when you take foot off brake. 2.) there is "sulfur smell " in cabin from catalytic converter. *tr

Excessive sulfur smell when accelerating. occupants of the car can smell the sulfur, and all windows must be rolled up in warmer weather to block out smell. i have taken the vehicle to the toyota dealership, but they will not fix the problem because there is no tsb for the v8 (but there is for the v6) toyota 4runner. *jb

After 2.5 years and about 25000 miles, my 4 runner sport develops a strong sulfur odor inside the cabin when driving. brought the car to the dealer (caldwell toyota) in west caldwell, nj who informed me the problem was normal and caused by the type of fuel used. caldwell toyota had no answer to my question why the problem suddenly surfaced after 2.5 years nor did they offer to further investigate. the caldwell toyota technician could not explain how the sulfur smell from the exhaust, which should be contained within the engine and should only to be expelled from the car through the muffler entered, the cabin while driving (seems physically impossible). the strong sulfur odor inside the cabin causes nausea, light headiness and general discomfort, which distract me from driving. this problem should be investigated as a potential cause for toyota 4runner accidents. *jb

dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speed or even parked with the engine running, there was strong gas odor inside the cabin. the vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic who discovered rust in the injection system and a catalytic converter failure.

My 2004 sport 4runner has a periodic strong sulfur smell ongoing since i bought the vehicle in august. *jb

Steering wheel and gas pedal high frequency vibration when accelerating at 1500 rpm to 1800rpm (in various speed). i had taken this concern to my local toyota dealer. the dealer service was good, but no solution provided. the reason was "all 4 runner v8 4x4 do this, and there is no tsb solution for it". i have seen complains about this annoying vibration in '03 and '04 4runners in various place - edmunds.com, this site, and etc. should toyota consider this a defect of the vehicle and provide a solution?*ak

My toyota 4 runner smells like rotten eggs. the dealer tried to replace the catalitic connverter and it still smells.*ak

Strong sulfur smell (rotten eggs) when accelerating. can smell with all windows up. even worse if rear window is down. what's the point of having a rear window if you can't open it. i also own a 2000 4runner and it never smells this way. *nm

1. 2004 toyota 4runner purchased from fred anderson toyota, 9101 glenwood avenue, raleigh, nc,27622 on 3/18/2004. on 3/29, the service department installed an electrochrmic mirror that had been ordered at the time of purchase. 2. after that i noticed that the engine warning lights, the vsc trac and vsc off light came on in the dash. also noticed an ammonia smell. 3. i took the vehicle in 4 times for each problem, for a total of 6 times. the first time 4/15, the problem was diagnosed as the purge valve and it was replaced. the second time 4/29, the charcoal cannister was diganosed as the problem, but the part had to be ordered. the third time 5/6, , the charcoal cannister was replaced. the fourth time, 5/24, it was found that the electrochromic mirror was installed incorrectly. the lights have since gone off, but the ammonia smell still occurs intermittenlty during acceleration. i am currently in arbitration because toyota has been less than willing to cooperate with me. i'm also wondering what permanent damage has been caused to the vehicle. additionally i have also noticed a vibration in the steering and ...

I just perchased a 2004 toyota 4 runner sport edition v8 in february. i have just completed the "break-in" period and have begun to increase my speed on the highway. a cyclical vibration and noise is noticed from the engine at 70 miles per hour that increases in frequency as vehicle speed is increased. the noise subsides once you let off the gas regardless of speed. in addition, steering wheel and brake pedal vibrates between 1500 and 2000 rpm range at various speeds. *ak

Annoying engine or drive train vibration between 1400 and 2000 rpm. more noticeable on upgrades. releasing accelerator pedal results in eliminating the vibration as the engine speed decreases. the vehicle is a 2004 toyota 4 runner v8 limited. this issue was initially noticed at about 700 miles on the odometer. *cb