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SUVs Toyota 4Runner Sulfur Smell from Toyota 4Runner
862 messages, Last post on Aug 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
You are in the Toyota 4Runner Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Purchase a new 2003 V6 basic 4 runner, no spoiler, about a year ago and have 19K miles on it now. The smell does not go away! Experienced the smell most recently while towing small trailer. Made the wife and kids moan and groan out load, it was that strong. A couple of weeks earlier experienced the same strong smell 3 or 4 times during a 3 hour trip from Mass up to New Hampshire, yet did not get it once coming back. Called Toyota hotline and they registered my complaint, suggesting I take it in to the dealer. They said they would notify the dealer of my pending visit. I hope they can help but I'm very pessamistic after reading almost all the previous posts on the subject. I have to say I was surprised that many posts didn't think it was much of a problem. To me it's very simple, A new car should not have that kind of smell, ever. I don't care about the gas, driving conditions, etc. These are all normal inputs that Toyota should have considered in building the 4 runner. You can't say that because the manual says don't drive with the rear window down Toyota is free and clear. Putting a rear window on a SUV, with dashboard controls, begs for it to be used. I work for a medical device company and in our risk analysis process we cannot dismiss things easily by saying we say don't do it in manual. IF we know operators will do something we need to have several layers of mitigation. Toyota needs to do more to solve this problem. To their credit, I had also experienced the sun roof rattle and they fixed it with no issue. I showed them the service bulletin I found on this site. Thanks for all the good info and keep it up. |
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" have to say I was surprised that many posts didn't think it was much of a problem. To me it's very simple, A new car should not have that kind of smell, ever. I don't care about the gas, driving conditions, etc. " ** I think that there are not very many posts because most people don't experiece this sulfur problem. For others that do, it may only happen under certain conditions and to various extents. The only time in the past where I have experieced the Sulfur problem is when driving with the rear cargo window open. Recently, I drove for about 50mi with the rear window opened and didn't smell any sulfur gases. It has finally gone away under all conditions for me after 12,000 mi. I do agree, however, with you that manufacturers should do all in their power to reduce harmful emissions from entering the passenger cabin. Fortunately, with this newest TSB, Toyota is "doing the right thing." I hope that this TSB will solve all problems with the aformentioned issue. Perhaps if Toyota really wanted to prevent drivers from operating the rear cargo window while driving, they would have some sort of a mechanism preventing it. I do find it somewhat disconcerting that the rear cargo window can be opened from the key fob, but must be closed either via key or the dash mounted button control. I do believe that if the manual warms someone not to do something, then the owner should not do it. If Sulfur only entered the passenger compartment while the rear cargo window was opened, then I am sure that very few people would have reason to complain. However, if sulfur can enter under other conditions (ie. all windows closed), then this is a true safety hazard. I agree that the rear window control is pretty tempting to operate and to "show off" the convenience of the rear powered cargo window.
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Replying to: alfster1 (Jun 01, 2004 12:24 pm) Regards, Bill |
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| See post #9914 in the Toyota 4Runner forum | |
| Yes, I posted the Rotten Egg TSB in the main 4 Runner forum for maximum exposure. The NHTSA item number is 10007092 and refers to the Lexus GX 470 Odor TSB. No item number yet for the 4 Runner but it will not be long I don't think. | |
I was on another site and found out that there is a TSB on the sulfur problem for the 2003-04 v6. The person posted the letter he got. From two production plants(forgot names's), with certain vin #'s.
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Replying to: loudog2 (Jun 03, 2004 1:55 am) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?s=624892871fccbc66a3- 725dc96ae1bdfa&postid=30258 it should take you to the TSB form for the sulfur smell for v6's... |
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| For owners of 2003-2004 4Runners that stink there has now been a TSB issued to help relieve the problem. Effective May 27,2004 this TSB includes flashing your Electronic Control Module (ECM) with a new set of instructions and the replacement of the catalytic converter assembly. This TSB is identified as “EG015-04” and is applicable to V6 engines only with VIN numbers that are earlier than the following numbers: (2WD) JTEZU##R#40026890, (4WD) JTEZU##R#40032900, (2WD) JTEZU##R#480115332, and (4WD) JTEZU##R#480119048. Remember that this coverage is provided if you have a complaint. Toyota is not anticipated to send you a notice of a recall. A recall for V6 engines is also coming on potential oil leaks stemming from an error in fabrication of the crankshaft pulley housing. Effected customers should receive a recall in the mail. Unfortunately I don’t have the numbers for this recall yet but your dealer should already be aware of this work and the effected vehicles. | |
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"there are not very many posts because most people don't experiece this sulfur problem..." This has been one of the most common "issues" affecting 2003 and 2004 4Runner owners. How many specific vehicle problems generate 700 posts on just one web site? "Fortunately, with this newest TSB, Toyota is "doing the right thing..." Toyota may be "doing the right thing" (finally!), but how long have they skirted the issue? For almost 1-1/2 years they have pretty much ignored the problem, advising owners to "change fuel brands" or to "drive with the windows up" etc. Meanwhile, owners have had to buy and install their own tailpipe extensions, drive with their windows up, and go through the hassles of "self testing" different fuel brands. Toyota did not go through the trouble and expense to issue this TSB because "only a few owners complained", they did so because they were forced to due to a massive amount of complaints. What is really apalling with this issue is the fact that Toyota is STILL using the SAME defective parts on current model production! According to the TSB dealers are advised to install the corrected parts ONLY if a customer complains of the sulfur order! That tells me the new 2005 models will probably also have this issue. Unbelievable. |
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"This has been one of the most common "issues" affecting 2003 and 2004 4Runner owners. How many specific vehicle problems generate 700 posts on just one web site?" ** There may have been 700 posts, but were they 700 specific, separate cases? Yes, it is one of the more commonly mentioned problems with the new 4Runner, but considering the many tens of thousands sold, there is still a comparatively small number of complaints specific to the sulfur problem.** "Toyota may be "doing the right thing" (finally!), but how long have they skirted the issue? For almost 1-1/2 years they have pretty much ignored the problem, advising owners to "change fuel brands" or to "drive with the windows up" etc. Meanwhile, owners have had to buy and install their own tailpipe extensions, drive with their windows up, and go through the hassles of "self testing" different fuel brands." **Sorry to say "it's better late than never," but even Toyota can make mistakes. Some of the so called remedies mentioned by Toyota are shameful. If I had these sulfur problems, I would probably also feel disenchanted, considering I have owned Toyotas over the past 17 years. Changing fuel to a lower sulfur content fuel seems to have helped many people with this problem. What really is interesting is that if the sulfur problem is due to a design flaw, shouldn't many more 4Runners be affected? I am now able to drive with all (or any) of my windows open, even the "forbotten" rear cargo window.** "Toyota did not go through the trouble and expense to issue this TSB because "only a few owners complained", they did so because they were forced to due to a massive amount of complaints." **Remember,this is only a TSB, not a recall. If a large number of vehicles were affected and the issue was truly dangerous, then a government mandated recall would probably be evident. A TSB is usually issued for smaller issues or for a smaller number of affected vehicles. It is entirely possible that a recall could be issued at a later time. I realize that this is little consolation for an owner with this sulfur problem. I guess it's our responsibility to let anyone we know who has a 4Runner know about the TSB and let the owner decide what action to take.** "According to the TSB dealers are advised to install the corrected parts ONLY if a customer complains of the sulfur order! That tells me the new 2005 models will probably also have this issue. Unbelievable." **Of course, the owner must complain if they have an issue with the sulfur 'odor.' Toyota has no idea which vehicles are affected. It is up to the owner to seek a remedy if their is a problem. This doesn't, however, imply that the 2005 modles will have this sulfur issue. Without seeing any official figures (because there are none), it would appear that looking through the past posts that most issues with the sulfur odor appear more frequently on the '03 than on the '04 model year. Every model redesign has the potential for posessing a flaw. The 4Runner is not immune. However, the sulfur problem, while evident in some vehicles, still comprises a minority of all 4Runners sold.** |
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