I bought a new 2024 Toyota 4Runner Limited less than 4 months ago. With less than 200 miles on the 4Runner I found a problem.
If I adjust any of the keyless entry parameters on the infotainment system, it somehow deactivates the remote entry system in the ECU. When this happens, I'm no longer able to remotely lock or unlock the vehicle.
I took the vehicle to the Toyota dealership where I bought it. They reactivated the sensor. When testing with the service representative, it deactivated again. They reactivated the sensor and it happened again, only this time worse. When changing one keyless entry parameter in the infotainment system, it would randomly change others. The dealership checked the vehicle back in and (under Toyota in Japan's direction) changed the infotainment system. That did not fix the problem, so (under Toyota in Japan's direction) changed the ECU. Nothing has fixed the problem.
The dealership is waiting on further word from Toyota Japan and has told us to pick up the vehicle (the dealership has been diagnosing the issue for over a month) and keep it until they receive further word. Apparently, Toyota has known about this issue since at least 2021, and not fixed it (forum link below). Some people believe it is a software issue, but my 2020 4Runner has the same infotainment system with the same software on it, and it does not have any problems.
2022 4Runner Key Fob Issues | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]
It seems like Toyota will never fix my vehicle. What can I do? I'm feeling frustrated with myself for buying a Toyota and not a Mazda or a Honda.
dealership will try to argue that the problem does not substantially impair use
If you can't lock your vehicle, then you can't take it out of the garage. I would call that severe impairment of usage and safety.
The fact that you can't use it because it's sitting at the dealership is impairing your ability to get around.
How much did the RKE feature cost extra? A feature that doesn't actually work sure sounds like loss of market value to me.
Time to start raising a stink, or the dealership will string you along forever.
Check the lemon law in your state.
Thanks. I've read the lemon laws and been building my case.
The easy part is that 1 month cumulative in the shop or 4 visits for the same problem qualifies the vehicle for return under the lemon law. the downside is it says the inability to comply with the warranty must "substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle."
I have a feeling that the dealership will try to argue that the problem does not substantially impair use, value, or safety.
If I adjust any of the keyless entry parameters on the infotainment system, it somehow deactivates the remote entry system in the ECU.
Good thread at 4Runners.com on the issue. I'd advise anyone owning a 4Runner manufactured in the last few years not to adjust their lock settings.
my 2020 4Runner has the same infotainment system with the same software on it, and it does not have any problems.
Owners have bought and used Caristas to successfully set/personalize their lock preferences which means there is software which will address the issue. Dealerships are apparently 'behind the curve' when an inexpensive aftermarket Carista OB2 scanner will do the job. Toyota needs to get their act together.
I included a link to the thread on 4Runners.com in my original post.
It seems unacceptable that the fix is to just take it to the dealer to reprogram the ECU every time, or buy a OB2 Bluetooth dongle and pay a subscription fee for an app to fix it myself on a vehicle that costs over $50,000.
My reference was to the link you provided. My brother has a new 4 runner and was at the dealership earlier this week. (We've both worked on cars our entire lives) While discussing this with him yesterday he mentioned he was disappointed in the service dept., especially their mechanics' lack of knowledge. He commented he felt I knew more about his Toyota than they did. We laughed at such a scary thought. All manufacturers seem to be building lower quality vehicles, including Toyota. The 4 runner is still an extremely reliable vehicle. It's a nice ride and although you're currently disappointed with it, I would stick with it. As I mentioned above the issue can be addressed via software it just hasn't been addressed yet.
Sorry for my misunderstanding. I thought you were saying I should visit that site as a resource.
I really wonder if the dealerships aren't just playing ignorant. It would seem to be not uncommon (even if it might not be common). with all the reports from Reddit to 4runners.com reporting the issue.
While I could understand not every dealership in the USA and Canada having experienced this issue, Their are several reports that the dealership had to consult Toyota's Japan offices for resolution. My technician at the dealership said that Toyota doesn't have any service notifications open on the issue. In the course of getting my management degree, we did case-studies on organizations covering up issues. One way they did that was by not creating service notifications for recurrent problems.
I have a couple concerns. The first is that my Toyota technician said that the head unit has started randomly reprograming the ECU without any input. The second is that my wife found a video (though she hasn't been able to find it again) from someone that worked at a Toyota dealership where he said that it is a result of an electrical short from somewhere in the system wiring. That dealer employee said the only fix was to replace most of the electrical system.
The above makes me worry about a repeat of the 2009-2011 accelerator and braking problems that killed people and resulted in the recall of more than 14 million vehicles and a $1.4 billion settlement in the US.
has had the infotainment system replaced twice
IF they actually did what they claimed, which I wouldn't bet on.
How much time do they have, or attempts, according to your lemon law?
30 business days or 4 attempts.
Performance Toyota in bountiful appears to try to get around the law by not working on the vehicle for more than 29 day for the same issue and/or to not see the vehicle for the same issue more than 3 times.
Then they try to go after customers with lawfare to keep from having to follow the law.
Also found out that what the dealership has printed out for me in work accomplished on invoices is different from what they have reported in the system to Toyota.
just stick to it. They're hoping you give up before they do.
I have a couple concerns. The first is that my Toyota technician said that the head unit has started randomly reprograming the ECU without any input.
The head unit sends signals to the ECU, they communicate with each other, but the head unit doesn't program or reprogram anything. I have no idea why the mechanic stated this - it's nonsense. Remapping is the only method I've ever heard of where one might alter or change the default parameters set by the ECU.
The second is that my wife found a video (though she hasn't been able to find it again) from someone that worked at a Toyota dealership where he said that it is a result of an electrical short from somewhere in the system wiring. That dealer employee said the only fix was to replace most of the electrical system.
Replace most of the electrical system?! Nuts.. She can find the video by searching her YouTube history for that date/time.
The above makes me worry about a repeat of the 2009-2011 accelerator and braking problems
That recall applied to my car. The NASA engineers who researched the 'defective accelerator' looking for an 'electronic glitch' found nothing. There was no evidence connecting the 'accelerator issue' to electronics, none. Instead they concluded the stuck accelerators were caused by carpet mats, a 'mechanical' issue: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-releases-results-nhtsa-nasa-study-unintended-acceleration
The tech at the dealership said that when changes were made on the head unit to the remote entry system that it was deactivating the remote entry sensor in the ECU. The only way to make the sensor operate again was by connecting to the OBD2 port and reenabling the sensor in the ECU again.
Toyota replaced the ECU and radio with no luck. The new radio does not have Sirius XM installed on it for some reason.
The tech's comment is 'spot on'. You definitely have a right to be frustrated because the bottom line is you've paid $50,000 for a 4Runner and Toyota hasn't been able to fix it. Specifically, the keyless entry's wireless function cuts itself off when it shouldn't. Toyota has not been able to fix the problem and there's no future remedy in site. IMO, time for a lawyer. (It's $50K)
For the stuck gas pedal apparently, it wasn't a software issue, but a hardware issues. It was reported that leaked internal documents from Toyota showed they knew the cause, but covered up the problem, and issued false recalls, claiming it was an issue with floormats.
Apparently the issue was with faulty gas pedal assemblies. A piece of plastic material inside the pedal could cause the accelerator to become stuck.
https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/legacy/2014/03/19/toyota-stmt-facts.pdf
Although the Washington Post link is only available to subscribers, it's clear Toyota USA settled the suit regarding their obfuscation of the "floor mat entrapment" problem. The dates in the pdf from Justice are concerning in that the most recent date in that doc was 2010 or 14 years ago.. Not very comforting..
Picked up the 4Runner on Friday. Currently no solution. Apparently, a regional service advisor might be able to help. They will want me to bring the vehicle to their dealership the next time he will be in the area. They believe it could also be the main wiring harness, so that might need to be replaced. The new radio they installed is missing Sirius XM as an audio source option. I have reported that issue to the dealership.
Thanks for getting back to us. I'm with @mmj on this one because I believe they're stringing you along. They've tried several times but can't seem to fix it. Apparently they want you to continue to wait.. but on what? The dealership seems to lack 'proper motivation' .
I think you're right. I am documenting contacts and building my case. They are running out of time before I ask for my money back because the car is a lemon. They haven't been able to figure out the problem in almost 50 days now.
I just got off the phone with the service director (after calling to let him know Sirius XM isn't working and finding out the Service Advisor didn't update anyone). They would like me to drop the 4runner again this afternoon.
Continuing to deal with problems from the 4Runner and Performance Toyota in Bountiful Utah.
On 25 April I contacted my service advisor to let him know that the Sirius XM app disappeared from my infotainment unit. He said he would check with his manager and then get back with me. He did not so I called back on 29 April and talked to the Service manager. The service manager said to bring the car in for diagnostics.
i dropped the 4Runner off on the 29th. On the 30th they said it needed another new infotainment system. I picked up the vehicle while waiting on the part.
on May 9th they said the parts were in and I brought the 4Runner in for service. On 10 May they said the vehicle was ready. When I came to pick up the vehicle a service rep came with me. Sirius XM was still missing.
The 4Runner has less than 500 miles on it, and has had the infotainment system replaced twice, the ECU replaced once, the struts on the rear lift gate replaced, and a faulty lug stud replaced.
Just talked with the assistant service manager here. She said Toyota knows that all 2023 year model and newer 4Runners have the same issue with the infotainment system/ECU.
well finally. Some acknowledgement is nice. I don't suppose they'd provide that in writing.
Pretty sure they would never put anything in writing. I thought it wasn’t a wide spread issue, just some sort of glitch because of a random mix of sensors.
Though they said the issue started with the 2023 year model. I’ve seen the issue documented on earlier year models (see a thread on another forum above).