This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Extensive rust on frame around weld of the control arm of the rear driver's side wheel. This caused the control arm to detach making the vehicle unsafe to drive. It appears there are quite a few complaints about frame rusting for Toyota 4runners.
Frame is completely rusted. The underside of the body is fine but the frame is rotted. There are holes rusted through in multiple spots including suspension mounts.
I was driving my Toyota 4runner at highway speeds (60 to 70 mph) and it started getting hard to handle. If you accelerated it would turn hard to the right, if you let off the gas it would veer back hard to the left. We stopped and checked it out and the frame mount on the passenger side is rusted off.
I own a 1997 4runner. During my driving the vehicle few weeks ago, the chassis located on the rear passenger side split apart and almost resulted in a fatal accident with my family. This failure, however, is purely an engineering design and manufacturing failures.hence, the vehicle has become un-drivable. When I contacted Toyota and its dealerships, they said to repair the vehicle will cost me $8,100. Hence, I feel that, in comparison to other vehicles from different brand of cars companies, therewith, whereby, they are still on some part of the world, are still drivable and useful. However, for the kind of money spent on the purchase, the required maintenance, the vehicle is that old they are liable for a fifteen year old vehicle.
Rear lower control arm mounts are severely rusted and broke away from frame while driving interstate causing near loss of control of vehicle due to bounce/sway of rear end.
- Floyds Knobs, IN, USA
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Wife was driving vehicle on state route, heard loud noise and vehicle started shimmying side to side. She slowed down and limped vehicle home. Today raised vehicle on my lift at work and found frame rusted through where rear suspension arm mounting brackets are welded to frame. Glad no accident had occurred, as my wife, children and new sister-in-law were all passengers! otherwise love the vehicle, was intending on replacement with a sequoia, but now I am unsure if that is a good move. I have seen many Tacoma come in that had frame rust in the same exact location. Wish Toyota would cover this problem in the 4runners, as we are just as loyal as the Tacoma owners. Seems like a coincidence that there are many people are complaining about frame rust on the internet forums about the 4runners too. I sure hope Toyota can keep me as a loyal customer and that I can continue to promote them to my customers as I very often do. I was really seriously considering spending the $3900+ tax + my installation time, but it seems Toyota has discontinued my frame. I even double-checked with corporate Toyota. What to do now?.......never thought it would come to this...just some help even...
This 1997 Toyota 4runner has premature structural frame failure. The frame is rotting from the inside out. The frame rot is located in the rear on the drivers side where the rear suspension bracket is welded to the frame. This is an epidemic among older Toyota trucks and SUV's. Toyota has already recalled the Tacoma's of this model year due to the frames rotting. I have read countless numbers of complaints on the internet from other 4runner owners. It is time to push Toyota to help all of the owners of these Toyota's out.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the rear end of the vehicle started to sway back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear lower control arms were detached from the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 258,625.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would sway from left to right. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they advised him that the frame was rusted and the suspension components were fractured from the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000. Updated 09/27/11
My wife was driving the vehicle when she heard a sound and the vehicle swerved, and then continued to be difficult to control the remainder of the ride home. While I was trying to take her description and begin troubleshooting what could be wrong, I noticed the vehicle felt like it was on ice. It felt like the rear was trying to come around, a very weird feeling in the summer. Trying to figure why, and several minutes of laying under this vehicle in my driveway I finally figured it out. The drivers side rear control arm attaching point is rotted and broken from the frame. I could not believe it. This is so dangerous. I have owned one of the recalled Toyota Tacoma, it was bought back from me by Toyota motor Corp. I own a 2000 Toyota Tundra and it is being recalled for rotting frames, and rotting spare tire brackets. I find it hard to believe that Toyota is not doing anything about the 4-runners. This 4 runner is the same year as the Toyota Tacoma, and two years older that my Toyota Tundra. There are thousands of these on the road, and thank god this did not have a disastrous outcome. And by the way, both of my small children were in the vehicle when this happened. Serious defect that Toyota needs to take responsibility for. I cant sell this as a used vehicle and I can't trade it in to a dealer. Help!
At 317,800 miles the front end was rebuilt. Within a week the right front ball joint separated from its mounting resulting in a low speed single vehicle accident. I suspect counterfeit bolts, but unfortunately saved no parts. This was a falcon K90262 right lower ball joint. At 322,055 miles a second low speed accident occurred, the falcon K90263 left lower ball joint failed catastrophically pulling the ball from the socket. Upon inspection the sealed joint appears not to have been lubricated at the factory and shows very visible signs of wear. Repairs were made using another brand of parts. I have the part in a bag, where it was placed uncleaned, after repairs, should you wish to inspect it. Had either of these accidents occurred at highway speeds the outcome would have been very different. Thank you for your attention.
Driver's side lower ball joint separated, axle dislodged and wheel pushed into wheel well. A separate, but exact incident happened on the passenger side of the same vehicle less than 5 years prior at 131,000 miles (). we were assured by Toyota dealer repair facility at that time that this is a unique incident and upon inspect that the driver's side suspension was in good condition. The suspension has been checked in the interim and showed no signs of future failure. Again, both sides have now failed on the same vehicle under light duty conditions.
We were southbound on I25, ext 261, state of Colorado, going about 45 mph in lane #1 when my vehicle, a 1997 Toyota 4runner suddenly veered to the left landing on the median hitting the guardrail and causing a 3 car accident. The weather was a little snow and the fwy surface appeared clear.
While driving on the highway at the speed limit (60 mph), the vehicle surged/jolted forward pulling to the right. I was unable to regain control of vehicle causing me to merge into the direction of a tractor trailer. I tried to turn away from tractor trailer to avoid collision. My vehicle hit the rear tire of the tractor trailer and I began to swerve out of control. My brakes didn't seem to help either, they didn't function. This resulted in the vehicle rolling over 3+ times, the car was totaled. All passengers were hospitalized but no other vehicles or people were hurt from the accident. My concern is regarding the periodic engine surge and/or jolting and lack of brake control. This is a safety hazard that must be addressed in order to avoid future incidents. We were very lucky to have not been killed in this auto accident.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact received recall notice number 02V021000 (suspension). The contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was on back order until August 6, 2007. He feels that he should not have to wait. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 180,000.
-the contact received a recall letter for the 1997 Toyota 4 runner on 01/05/07. He contacted the local dealership, and they informed him that they didn't have the part available for the repair and they couldn't put him on a wait list until the part came in. The contact called the manufacturer and was given a case# 200703090575 because they couldn't give him a time when will receive the part. They informed the contact that they will get him the parts as soon as possible. The contact stated that this was unacceptable, and the vehicle was on recall and should be repaired in a timely manner. There have been no failures to date. The current mileage was 11300.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rockford, IL, USA