Toyota
Complaint 95156 Details

I purchased a used 1995 Toyota 4Runner 3.0 VZE V6 engine, knowing that there was a head gasket problem with this particular engine. I did some research(on the internet) and found hundreds of complaints referring to the same problem. I read one article on a web site, don't remember which one, that stated that the voluntary recall was for early 95 models. If they found that the head gaskets were blown, they would replace them and the heads if needed. this article also stated that it did not matter, the mileage or age. So I went to my nearest Toyota dealership, gave them my VIN # and got the same response too many of the other complaintaints got, my VIN# was not involved in the recall. How can you build something, knowing that the product is faulty and still put it on the open market for consumers to purchase, then admit that it was a design flaw on this particular engine, and not take care of all of that model engine. I began to do the job of replacing the head gaskets myself. I removed the heads from the engine, started cleaning the parts, including the heads, and found that the heads have too much erosion on them to have them resurfaced. Now I am facing a cost of $600.00 more to replace the heads, Knowing that the same thing could happen again in another 100,000 to 175,000 miles. How do I find out, without trying to go to Toyota, what can be done about the design flaw that they,Toyota, have already admitted to. I would really like to know, just like the other thousands of people that have these vehicles.