2003 Toyota 4runner Latches & Locks Problems

Your driver's side door won't open even though the electronic locks work—the mechanical door latch inside is stuck and won't release. This is a safety concern because you could be trapped in an emergency situation like a fire or flood. The repair requires removing the door panel to access and fix the internal latch actuator, which can cost around $1,150.

SAFETY RELATED TO 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION SUV. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FROZE UP FOR THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS. THIS TIME, COULD NOT OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. 63-YEAR OLD DRIVER HAD TO EXIT OVER CONSOLE, THEN THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. DRIVER LATER HAD TO RE-ENTER FROM PASSENGER SIDE, OVER THE CONSOLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR REPAIRS. POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. THIS IS A FLAW OR DEFECT IS COMMONLY NOTED ON THE WORLD-WIDE WEB. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

POWER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MALFUNCTIONS AND LOCKS VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING WITH THE INABILITY TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM INSIDE. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM (COPIES OF E-MAILS FROM TOYOTA CAN BE PROVIDED). CUSTOMER MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATE THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT INITIATES AN INVESTIGATION. THE INABILITY TO EXIT A VEHICLE COULD POSE AN EXTREME HAZARD TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS. THANK YOU *TR

THE DOOR LOCKS ON FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT SIDES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER AT BELL TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THERE ARE BAD ACTUATORS. CONSIDERING THAT THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT LOCKS ARE NOT OPERABLE, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT DOORS ARE SPARINGLY UTILIZED INDICATING THAT THERE IS A QUALITY ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION. *NM

POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM

ALL FOUR OF MY DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. EACH REQUIRED A NEW LOCK ACTUATOR TO BE INSTALLED ON EACH DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT 26,598 (7/16/04) - FRONT DRIVER, 50,327 (6/10/05) - REAR RIGHT, 67,878 (12/30/05) - FRONT RIGHT, 81,435 (05/2006) - REAR DRIVER. IF A USER DOES NOT NOTICE THE FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR - AS THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED, BUT IT IS NOT. *NM