Page 2 of 10 · complaints 51–100 of 483

2000 Toyota 4Runner complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2000 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 5, 2018179,900 milesPA

VEHICLE HAS 180K ON IT. ITS RUSTED OUT BEYOND REPAIR ON THE FRAME AT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SHACKLES. THE TACOMA HAD A FRAME RECALL, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TO. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY STARTING ITS LIFE. CAN GO 500K PLUS MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 30, 2018239,000 milesPA

FRAME RUSTED AND TIRE CAME DETACHED FROM CAR WHILE DRIVING. FELT LIKE DRIVING ON ICE

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 2018214,025 milesWI

THE FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEETS IS RUSTING OUT AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT IS GOING TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN A FEW MONTHS WHEN THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE RIPPED OFF FROM THE FRAME RAIL. THERE IS ALMOST NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK AND IT SPEND MOST OF ITS LIFE IN ARIZONA OUT OF THE SALT BELT. IN ONLY 5 YEARS THE FRAME HAS STARTED TO DESEGREGATE AND IT HAS BEEN CLEANED REQULARLY. I'VE STARTED UNDERCOATING IT WITH PETROLEUM BASED PRODUCTS AND RUST CONVERTERS/ INHIBITORS AND IT IS STILL JUST METING AWAY. THE RUST HOLE HAS GROWN TO OVER 2 TIMES THE SIZE IT WAS 2 MONTHS AGO. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FRAMES ARE THIS BAD, I HAD GM VEHICLES OLDER AND LESS MAINTAINED DO BETTER THAN THIS.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 25, 2018212,150 milesIN

WHILE IN MOTION WE NOTICED SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH FELT UNSTABLE..THE RIGHT REAR SPRING ARM BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF COMPLETE FRAME ASSEMBLY HAD 1 1/2 IN WIDE GAP RUSTED AWAY THE COMPLETE LENGTH OF THE FRAME.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 24, 2018200,000 milesMD

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2000 4RUNNER, IT STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY, IT WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THANK GOD THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY, I HAD TIME TO GET IT BACK IN MY LANE. IF NOT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A CASUALTY. I GOT IT HOME AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE WHOLE FRAME WAS RUSTED, HOLES EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKED. I JUST SPENT $2,000 ON NEW TIRES AND OTHER REPAIRS THREE MONTHS AGO. NOW THE 4RUNNER IS USELESS, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS WAS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL. WITH ALL THE 4RUNNERS ON THE ROAD THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE KILLED. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO FAIL UNTIL IT THROWS YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND KILLING EVERYONE IN YOU CAR AND OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE OTHER CARS THAT YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH. THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL AND HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE FRAMES. THIS 2000 4RUNNER IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, NO RUST ON EXTERIOR AND RUNS GREAT. DOES NOT BURN OR USE ANY OIL. BAD DEFECTIVE RUSTY FRAME WHICH WAS A POOR DESIGN OR LACK OF PREP IN MANUFACTURING.

Steering
Filed Oct 29, 2018350,000 milesVA

RUST IN ALL PARTS OF THE FRAME FRONT/REAR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 26, 2018167,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SWING ARM FRACTURED AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER WAS ABOUT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 24, 2018182,453 milesNE

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE 'CATASTROPHIC' BY THE DEALER MECHANIC AS THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY COMPLETELY ROTTED. IT HAS BEEN STORED MOSTLY IN A GARAGE OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS!!! OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING THIS CAR!

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 15, 2018220,000 milesMA

DRIVERS SIDE BRACKET HOLDING REAR WHEEL SNAPPED OFF WHILE STOPPED. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS IS.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 12, 2018120,000 milesPA

THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE IS ROTTING AWAY THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT PASS THE PA. STATE INSPECTION

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 6, 2018IL

FRAME CORROSION ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. WILL CAUSE BODILY HARM OR DEATH SHOULD FAILURE OCCUR.

Suspension
Filed Sep 29, 2018168,000 milesTX

THOUGHT SHOCKS WERE BAD,PUT NEW ONES ON GOTTEN BETTER ONE PAYED ALMOST A 1,000 DOLLARS FOR FOUR SHOCKS.THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE I HAVE EVER IN COUNTER, YOU FI'LL EVERY BUMP AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE HIGHWAYS. SURELY THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO RIDE,.I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA OF ANY STYLE FOR THIS REASON EVER AGAIN. UNHAPPY OWNER

Suspension
Filed Sep 15, 2018170,000 milesFL

I BOUGHT A TOYOTA YEAR AGO, MY FIRST EVER CAR PAYMENT, COUNTING ON TOYOTAS BEING RELIABLE. NOW I HAVE 4RUNNER IN DRIVE WAY WITH BROKEN REAR TRAILING ARM & FRAME ROTT I WISH DEALER WHICH SHOULD IT TO ME OR TOYOTA WOULD STEP IN. WIFE & 15 MONTH OLD BABY TRAVELING 35-40MPH FELT RIGHT REAR DROP LIKE TIRE WENT SIDE WAYS... TRUCK WOBBLED/ROCKED LIKE BOAT IN WATER. LIKELY NEEDS NEW FRAME

Suspension
Filed Sep 11, 2018145,000 milesCA

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I AM SUBMITTING THIS ON BEHALF OF ALL 3RD GEN 4RUNNERS! IT HAS NOT, YET, HAPPENED TO ME BUT I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL I REPLACE THE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY SEEM FINE. AT THE LEAST A BETTER, SAFER DESIGN COULD BE MADE SO THAT WHEN IT DOES FAIL, PEOPLES LIVE AREN'T PUT INTO JEOPARDY. HELLO! I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT 1996-2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER'S AND THEIR VERY COMMON ISSUE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS FAILING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STOCK OR MODIFIED, FIRST YEAR OR LAST YEAR RUN BUT SOMEHOW TOYOTA ONLY HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2001 AND 2002 MODEL YEARS. LEAVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF US VULNERABLE TO A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE POINT IS THE BAIL JOINT AND WHEN IT FAILS IT SEVERS ITSELF FROM THE VEHICLE, PULLING THE AXLE SHAFT OUT AND CAUSING THE FRONT END TO DIP TO THE GROUND CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE AS YOU COULD POSSIBLY DIE AT ANY SPEED. YOU CAN FIND THOUSANDS OF STORIES ON GOOGLE, IT HAPPENS LITERALLY EVERYDAY WITH PEOPLE REPORTING IN MANY 3RD GEN 4RUNNER FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS. GOOGLE '3RD GEN 4RUNNER LBJ FAILURE' FOR INSTANCE. WHY DOES TOYOTA ONLY NEED TO RECALL 2 YEARS OF A 6 YEAR VEHICLE RUN? ALL YEARS ARE EQUALLY AFFECTED. TOYOTA IS A NAME OF DEPENDABILITY SO THIS RARE ACT OF BETRAYING THE CUSTOMER AND PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE IS JUST SO UNLIKE THEM. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HELP YA OUT? I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY HAD THIS HAPPEN BUT I CHECK MY LOWER ARMS ALL THE TIME FOR ANY PLA

Suspension
Filed Aug 28, 2018186,000 milesMA

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME ROT. REAR SUSPENTION IS SEPERATING FROM THE FRAME, MIDDLE OF THE FRAME HAS A 2 FOOT SECTION MISSING, AND THE FRONT OF FRAME RIGHT BY THE FIREWALL HAS BIG ROT HOLES IN IT. THE TRUCK IS BECOMING UN SAFE TO DRIVE AND HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 24, 2018185,000 milesVA

TOOK MY TRUCK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THEY LET ME KNOW THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 2018220,000 milesWI

MECHANIC FOUND FRAME RAIL ROT NO OTHER RUST OR CORROSION I TOOK TO SEVERAL PLACES IN TOWN SUURPRISED NOT A RECALL WAS EVERY RESPONSE

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 22, 2018211,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TRAILING ARM, WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME SAFELY AT A REDUCED SPEED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM LA CROSSE TOYOTA (800 3RD ST S, LA CROSSE, WI 54601, (608) 793-7000) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

Suspension
Filed Jul 6, 2018180,000 milesWV

I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED ACROSS THE CENTER LINE FROM THE REAR END.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 9, 2018212,098 milesMD

THE FRAME ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS MISSING SECTIONS OF DUE TO THAT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE INFORMED ME THAT MY 4RUNNER IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR RUSTED FRAMES. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO TO GET MY 4RUNNER'S FRAME REPAIRED OR REPLACED. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 2018175,000 milesOH

MY 2000 4RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT NEXT TO THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I TAKE IT FOR REGULAR WASHES--AND THIS STILL HAPPENED. I PURCHASED MY 2000 4RUNNER BRAND NEW WITH AN ADDITIONAL UNDERCOATING PROTECTION--BUT YOU WOULD NOT KNOW IT BY LOOKING AT THE RUST DAMAGE. THIS IS THE TELLTALE SPOT, IT SEEMS, FOR 4RUNNERS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TOYOTA!!

Structure › Body
Filed May 1, 2018289,900 milesPA

PROGRESSIVE SEVERE REAR FRAME CORROSION LEADING TO STRUCTURAL FAILURE.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 23, 201835,000 milesNY

MY FRAME ROTTED FROM RUST

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 19, 2018265,000 milesMI

THE FRAME ON MY 2000 4 RUNNER IS RUSTED THROUGH. I BROUGHT IT TO GET WORK DONE IT BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE WOULDN'T PUT IT ON THE LIFT BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO ROTTEN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 2018266,000 milesIL

TOYATA SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTING SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRAME ON THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, RENDERING VEHICLE UNSAFE.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jan 11, 201863,000 milesNM

DRIVING IN MILD WINTER CONDITION (LIGHT WET SLUSH) ON A MAINTAINED HIGHWAY MY 4RUNNER BEGAN TO FISH TALE. WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CORRECT THE FISH TALE NO CONTROL INPUT FROM THE DRIVE WOULD CORRECT THE SLIDING MOTION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE TOWARD THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW TO ALMOST A STOP, HOWEVER, THE REAR END WAS FAR ENOUGH OFF THE SHOULDER THAT IT BEGAN TO BE PULLED BY GRAVITY DOWN HILL. WHILE IT SLID DOWN HILL THE REAR WHEEL HIT A ROCK CAUSING THE AXLE TO SNAP NEAR THE CONTACT POINT OF THE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ONE AND A HALF TIMES ENDANGERING FOUR LIVES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY HOWEVER NONE WERE INJURED. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED AND NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 29, 2017164,000 milesNJ

FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS CORRODED AND I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS PICKING UP SPEED, I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 20, 2017166,000 milesMI

JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 4RUNNER FROM A DEALER. BEGAN SWAYING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PRODUCING A FAINT CLICKING SOUND. THE SWAYING WAS NOTICEABLY PREVALENT WHEN ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR, DRIVING OVER SMALL TERRAIN FEATURES (RAILROAD TRACKS, ROAD SEAMS ETC.) SWITCHING LANES AND COMING TO COMPLETE STOPS. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THE LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS FATALITIES. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, IT APPEARS THAT 17 YEARS WAS THE MAGIC NUMBER.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 15, 2017145,000 milesSC

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL SPOTS.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 20, 2017144,100 milesFL

SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME AFFECTING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 16, 2017168,175 milesVA

FAIL SAFETY INSPECTION DOE TO A VERY BAD ROST FRAME COMPLETE UNSAFE TO USELESS

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 16, 2017NJ

"TAKATA RECALL" I NOTICED A VERY LARGE RUST WHOLE IN MY FRAME RIGHT NEXT TO THE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER, IT SPANS ABOUT 5-6IN FROM WHERE THE VISIBLE WHOLE IS. ALSO WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET ATTACHES TO THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY. BOTH WHOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 10, 2017134,000 milesIL

THE TRUCK BEGAN TO FEEL FUNNY WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET,I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION,AND THE FRAME HAS SEPARATED FROM RUST,MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE,AND A POSSIBLE DEATH TRAP FOR THE MOTORIST.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 7, 2017197,000 milesWI

FRAME RUSTED OUT DATE IS WHEN I WAS INFORMED OF THE ISSUE

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 4, 201776,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME RAILS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Suspension
Filed Sep 25, 2017142,491 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE AND THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED A METAL BAR HANGING FORM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,491.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 25, 2017250,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT PRIORITY TOYOTA CHESAPEAKE (1800 GREENBRIER PKWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320), THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED AND HAD SEVERAL HOLES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 14, 2017NC

THE FRAME ON THE CAR IS RUSTED BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 6, 2017260,000 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND WENT OVER A SMALL TRANSITION IN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED ROCKING VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER. ANY TIME THAT THE CAR IS OVER ABOUT 40 MPH AND IT HITS EVEN THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS, THIS IS THE RESULT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED, WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT, INCLUDING ONE OF THE STABILIZERS HANGING LOOSE. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO SEE IF IT WAS REPAIRABLE, AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS THE WORST CASE OF FRAME RUST THEY HAVE EVER SEE, EVEN ON VEHICLES TWICE ITS AGE! AND THAT IT CANNOT SAFELY BE REPAIRED! THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER 4RUNNERS OF THE SAME AGE, AS EVIDENCED BY READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND THE NTSB WEB SITE, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER WEB SITES OF THIS TYPE. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT CAUSED THE 2000 TOYOTA TACOMAS TO BE RECALLED. THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE, AND CANNOT BE SOLD TO SOMEONE AT THE PRICE IT SHOULD BE VALUED WITHOUT THIS ISSUE, SO I HAVE LOST THE FULL VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE! THERE IS NO REASON THAT A 17 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF FRAME DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF RUST!

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 28, 2017147,551 milesMI

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC AT MUFFLER MAN SHOWED ME THAT IT IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK ITS RUSTED SO BAD. HE SHOWED ME THAT WHERE THE AC UNIT IS PLACED THE WATER FROM IT RUNS DOWN THE FRAME COLLECTS THERE AND THEN RUSTS OUT THE FRAME. DRIVER SIDE IS GOOD. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A HOIST WHEN THEY SHOWED ME.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 21, 2017164,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED WITH HOLES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 11, 2017135,000 milesVA

I TOOK MY WELL MAINTAINED THIRD GEN 4RUNNER TO THE SHOP TO GET NEW TIRES BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN ACTING UP AND I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WORN OUT TIRES THAT AFFECTED THE DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO SWIFT AND JERK BUT TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS ACTUALLY A BROKEN RUSTED FRAME THAT CAUSED THE HAZARD MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING AND NOT THE TIRES. THE MECHANIC SHOP TOLD ME IT'S NOT FIXABLE AT ALL AND SHOULD NOT DRIVE. THEY RECOMMEND I LOOK INTO A RECALL BECAUSE AS I'M AWARE NOW THIS HAS BECOME A PROBLEM FOR MANY 3RD GENERATION OWNERS OF THE 4RUNNER. I'M THE 3RD OWNER TECHNICALLY 2ND SINCE IT BELONGED TO MY FATHER WHO BOUGHT IT OFF THE FIRST OWNER FOR ME. AND IT'S BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BOTH BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND I.

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2017185,000 milesPA

FRAME HAS ROTTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE BAR FROM AXLE TO FRAME TO BREAK AT THE FRAME. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SWAY SERIOUSLY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD PREVENTING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Suspension
Filed Jul 16, 2017243,000 milesMD

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY AND WAS TAKING IT TO HAVE IT SAFETY INSPECTED. DRIVING DOWN A CURVY ROAD, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER STRAIGHT. A LOUD THUNKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR QUARTER. UPON INSPECTION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LOWER 4 LINK FRAME ATTACHMENT TOWER (JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE) HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CONDITION SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SEVERE METAL DETERIORATION FROM THE INSIDE OUT, HIDING ITSELF UNTIL IT PERFORATED THE FRAME. ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRAME WAS FOUND TO BE PERFORATED ALL ALONG THE LOWER INSIDE WALL - FROM THE 4 LINK TOWER TO THE MIDDLE CROSSMEMBER ATTACH POINT . THIS AREA OF THE FRAME IS ADJACENT TO THE MUFFLER AND IS EXPOSED TO EXAGGERATED THERMAL CYCLING ON A DAILY BASIS. SOME METALLURGICAL REACTION TO THIS CONDITION IS CAUSING EXTREME CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAILS TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF 1999 TO 2003 4RUNNERS IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT AND IT'S GOING TO GET SOMEONE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. MANY PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE ANYTHING IS AMISS UNTIL THEY POKE AROUND THE AREA OF THE INSIDE FRAME RAIL.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 6, 2017180,000 milesOH

I HAVE A COMPLAINT.. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SWAY BARS TURNED OUT TO BE A FRAME PROBLEM. IAN VERY DISAPPOINTED AT TOYOTA THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE FRAMES. THEY ARE THE SAME AS THE TACOMA FRAMES. VERY UPSET. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THIS MISTAKE ..

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 28, 2017196,000 milesWV

FRAME RUST FOUND NEXT TO MUFFLER ON PASSENGER SIDE AND NEXT TO GAS TANK ON DRIVER SIDE. HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CONTROL ARM IS ALMOST BROKEN OFF. REQUEST FRAME REPLACEMENT.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 6, 2017VA

FRAME RAILS RUSTING THRU. I HOPE I DON'T DIE IN THIS THING OR KIIL ANOTHER ELSE.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 3, 2017NJ

I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 2 MONTHS. THE FRAME IS ROTTEN SO BAD THAT THE METAL CO NETTED TO THE REAL TRAILING ARM HAS FALLEN OFF THE FRAME... THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A 17 YEAR OLD CAR BUT THERE IS NO WAY THE FRAME SHOULD BE ROTTEN THIS BADLY. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE TOYOTA'S OF THESE YEARS AND TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON TACOMA BUT NOT 4RUNNERS...... I HAVE A HONDA THAT IS 5YEARS OLDER AND DOESN'T HAVE ANY FRAME FOR LIKE THIS.... TOYOTA CAN DO A RECALL ON TACOMA AND TUNDRA THEN THEY CAN FIX THE 4RUNNERS TOO!!!!!!

Structure › Body
Filed May 27, 2017123,000 milesNY

VEHICLE HAS BEEN FAMILY OWNED SINCE NEW, WELL CARED FOR AND GARAGE KEPT. VEHICLE HAS 123,000 MILES AND LOOKS GREAT. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 5/26/17 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE AND I FEEL IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER MAY HAVE CAUSED A ROLLOVER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS INSPECTING ALL COMPONENTS IN FRONT AND REAR WHEN I NOTICED THE TRAILING ARM BRACKET ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR END HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME AT THE FACTORY WELD. NO OTHER VISIBLE FRAME RUST THAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR BUT I HAVE NOT COMPLETELY INSPECTED. WITH TOYOTA HAVING NOTORIOUS FRAME RUST ISSUES AND RECALLS ON THE TACOMA, I CANT BELIEVE THEY HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THE SAME DANGEROUS ISSUE ON THE 4RUNNER. MY WIFE OWNS THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR 4RUNNER AND I HAVE ADVISED HER NOT TO DRIVE IT AS WELL UNTIL IT CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED. I HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 10 TOYOTAS IN THE PAST AND WERE IN THE MARKET TO SOON PURCHASE NEW ONES. IF TOYOTA FAILS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE I WILL BE SURE TO SHOP FOR ANOTHER BRAND.

Structure › Body
Filed May 24, 2017180,000 milesMD

THE FRAME IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL GEN 3 4 RUNNER HAS SEVERE RUST DUE TO A SUBSTANDARD STEEL THAT WAS USED FOR PRODUCTION. THE TACOMA'S FRAMES WERE VOLUNTARILY REPLACED BY TOYOTA . NONE OF THE 4 RUNNERS QUALIFIED EVEN THOUGH THE STEEL USED AND CHASSIS WERE THE SAME. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS UNSAFE CHASSIS BY MECHANICS WHO HAS INFORMED ME OF THIS HORRENDOUS CONDITION EXISTS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND OTHER YEARS UP UNTIL 2005. THIS CONDITION CAN ,IF NOT ALREADY, CAUSE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, AND IS DETREMENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF OUR HIGHWAYS.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2000 Toyota 4Runner → · Every 4Runner year → · How the figures are calculated →