Toyota released a technical report regarding the roll-over issue. After a full day’s testing, which included getting feedback from Fortuner owners, the tyre manufacturer (Continental) and other people, the verdict from Toyota is that “after testing together with all the customers on the specific chosen road we can now conclude that the Fortuner suspension performed well within the design specifications/limitations”
Sounds like horse crap to me. We have definitely experienced this problem. Just last weekend, we were driving the Old Cape Road near Gouna in the Knysna forest. There’s one particularly sharp bend as yuo get close to the river crossing. We were doing about 25km/h; 4 adults, and going slowly because of the non-roll-over problem. As we went around the corner, we experienced the gatswaai, which nearly gave my wife a reason for divorce!
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&s=AARTsJqhOW4ciN4nWYiZ2rlMqm9ZKCv2UQ&msa=0&msid=111241005141081359329.0004564938508999898a6&ll=-33.991805,23.044521&spn=0.001557,0.00228&z=18&output=embed&w=425&h=350]
Tips for driving on a unpaved road, according to Toyota.
<Technical Tips when driving on unpaved roads>
- Check/Correct Tyre pressure 2.1 bar (laden/unladen) – weekly
- Use steel valve caps as they tend not to leak air
- Get own tyre pressure gauge to check pressures - weekly
- Check/Adjust wheel alignment (every 20,000km & 30,000km)
- Adjust vehicle speed to match the road conditions
- Check/Replace rear shock absorbers as per usage conditions (shock absorber damping or for leaks)
- Do not overload vehicle (stay within manufacturers specifications) – refer to below table
December we are planning to criss-cross Southern parts of Namibia, and do another desert crossing with the guys from http://www.thejourney.co.za. This little roll-over problem bothers me though. On our first trip, and Fortuner was written off even before they managed to get to the meeting point. As far as I remember, the guys drove all the way from SA, only to roll the Fortuner about 100km’s from Solitaire at about 60km/h.
Their holiday rolled with the car.
Download the official report from Toyota here: Toyota technical Report.
Thanks to the guys from http://www.4×4community.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23512 for always keeping me up to date with the issue.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Bull…..!!! I have a 2007 Fortuner with no problems. Drive gravel roads every day!!! Not even my wife complains. Nothing wrong with the vehicle, maybe the problem is with the driver.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Dave
I am glad you are happy with your car. You are certainly not alone in your thinking that I and a few other people are ignorant imbeciles.
Cheers
KC
November 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Cazzman, You have a blog? What is the address?
November 28th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’ll do the same
November 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Andrew,
Please see Cazzman’s reply to your comment. If you want to send me a photo, I will put it on my blog.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I agree , then someone will maybe realise that toyota is crap . Not worth putting my family at risk
November 28th, 2008 at 11:43 am
cazzman,
Terrible as it is, I would agree with you.
I saw a pic of an overturned Fortuner in a magazine, and it really shocked me.
I will post them, if people would send them in to me.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Hi there , can we not publish fotos of the accidents to make the people and toyota aware of the problem . seeing can make believing
November 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Another one bites the dust /roll.
This time it was a 3 l DC sinkpaat road , 2 injured but not to bad
Andrew 18 11 2008
November 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hi Tracy
It’s terrible what we are put in a position where we have to sell our very capable cars, in order to protect your family. And all because the manufacturer, Toyota, is not willing to accept responsibility, and and let things go on and on.
Please keep me informed if you hear more.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:34 am
We have experienced the same problem even on tar roads that are not flat and even, we almost rolled our Fortuner one night going past the Lion Park in Johannesburg which is not the safest road to travel at the best of times. I have told my husband to sell his Fortuner, it is not worth our family’s life! Apparently there is someone who has now decided to take Toyota to court, I will try to find out more.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Hi Peter
I completely agree. I don’t have to tell you how bad this problem is; we had a “gat swaai” at 35km/h over the weekend!
I am not happy.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Absolute nonesense! There is a problem, the Fortuner does not handle well on corrugations, irrespective of speed, and is a downright dangerous vehicle. Toyota’s arrogance is astounding.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I have been toying with the idea of replying to your comment, but then decided against. it.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Maybe Toyota is paying too much attention to the TOY part in their name….