2001 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“After I my mechanic replaced the catalytic converter for $1500.00, this problem began. The vehicle began to buck (jerk violently) as I was accelerating to 45 MPH. It always happens at about 20 MPH as I try to accelerate to 30, 35 or 40 MPH. The engine revs up to 3 of 4k before the transmissions engages forcefully. This has been going on for now 3 months.”

“On october 11th 2014, I was driving my 2001 4RUNNER, on my way to work. Had just turned off a road with a speed limit of 55. As I hit 35mph, my car comes to a jolting stop with a loud bang and drag on the tires. The car still ran, but the car wouldn't move. I had to finish walking to my job, as I was cellphone-less at the time. I had to pay to have my car towed home, missing an entire day's work, which was a loss of 120$. The guy who towed me told me it was definitely something to do with my rear end. …”

“My vehicle has very little rust except for the rear differential. Large flakes of rust have formed. The differential recently began leaking. After searching online I see this is a common problem with 4runners.”

“Vehicle was parked in my gravel driveway. My home contractor smelled an odor & discovered that my rear was leaking gear oil. My husband, who is somewhat handy with cars, ended up sanding off lots of rust on the pumpkin, then cleaned it & used jb weld to seal where he thought the leak was coming from. (where the parking brake cable was attached.) this actually held for several years. Well, now at approx. 125,000 miles, the leak is back with a vengeance! And coming from a different place or places. The rust is bad. No one can believe it. …”

“When driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle vibrates on the highway. I have taken the vehicle constantly to the dealership for over two years complaining about this problem and they always told me that nothing was wrong. Today (5/10/14), the mechanic at the dealership put the truck on a rack and ran the car at 45 MPH and there was visible vibration coming from the drive shaft and a loud noise that I could never hear from within the vehicle. All this time, I have been driving a vehicle that I was unaware could have snapped apart. …”