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.
I was driving down the road and I hit a bump didn't think anything of it until I went on the highway, the rear end started jumping as the car increased speed. I started to lose control so I slow down and eventually pulled over. I exited the car and proceeded to inspect the car's under body, I didm;T see anything so I proceeded to drive home doing under 20miles per hour as to not make the rear end jump. When I arrived at home I lifted the car up and further inspected the under side, I then notice that the rear lower control arm on the drivers side was completely dislocated from the frame upon further investigation I noticed the factory wield disengaged from the frame.
The drivers side rear lower control arm bracket rusted and broke free from the frame of the vehicle at full freeway speed during am rush hour traffic. Nearly lost control of the vehicle. Managed to make it to the nearest exit ramp aprox. 1/4 mile. Took the vehicle to my repair shop and was told to take it to a frame repair shop. The frame was rusted so bad they could not even give me a estimate for repair. I contacted Toyota to check on recalls and register a complaint to no avail. The vehicle is currently in my garage soon to be junked.
Frame has rust perforation where the rear control arm bracket mounts to frame.....apparently this is a known issue with 1996-2002 4 runners and Toyota has refused to do anything about it.
Vehicle started a clunking sound and began to sway from side to side. Mechanic inspected and found frame had rusted on drivers side near rear sway bar.
While driving on a busy road the rear lower control arm frame mount broke due to frame rot. The vehicle started to sway back and forth violently and I was able limp it to the repair shop. The frame and mount for the control arm are rotted through and the vehicle is not safe to drive, this is my main daily driver vehicle. There is no fix for this besides replacing the frame. I know there is alot of miles on this truck but mechanically there is nothing wrong with it and it runs great.
- Salem, WI, USA
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Two weeks ago I was driving down a flat paved road and my lower ball joint (atm 1012460) came off for no reason causing me to skid to a halt. My tire was sideways and pushed into my fender causing damage to the wheel well and other parts. This part (lower ball joint) was replaced 8 months prior along with tie rods, axle, control arm, upper ball joint and a number of other items in that area. Riebes auto parts replaced the faulty ball joint, tire, fender, and other parts that were damaged. I just got it back last night and my wife stated it felt like it was pulling to the left. I drove it to my mechanic and on the way the other side popped of going 15 mph on a flat road. So all the same damage again. This is a serious issue because Y wife and kids were just in the car a few hours before this happened. If it would have occurred on the freeway it would have resulted in rolling. Altrom lower ball joint for a 1998 Toyota 4runner was the part.
I was driving and suddenly it felt like the rear driver side tire fell off. Further inspection showed that the driver side rear control arm bracket was rotted out of the frame. There is no way I can drive my truck anymore. I had someone look at the frame and was told its completely rotted and the truck is a total loss. I do not understand why there is not a recall for the 4runners when the frame is similar to the Tacoma. The Tacoma did have a recall for rotting of the frame. There should be a recall for the frame on the 4runners since this is a serious safety hazard. The axle of the 4runner could fall out and could cause a fatal accident.
I was driving on a back road, hit a pothole and the rear drivers side control arm ripped away from the frame. Found out frame was rusted from the inside out, and should not have been inspected. I had just recently bought the vehicle, and it had gone through pa inspection two months before I bought it. Its a shame, the rest of the truck, motor, interior, body panels, was in perfect condition.
Vehicle started shaking and clunking. I was near home and able to get it back to my driveway. Upon towing to the mechanic, it was discovered that the rear control arm had rusted out and detached from the frame. Frame rot was discovered on the side rails. Car is considered undriveable and should be totaled.
Frame is rusted out around rear control arm brackets. Numerous rust holes in frame. This vehicle is unsafe to drive in this condition and Toyota does not want to do anything about it. I have seen hundreds of the same model vehicle online with this same issue. This needs to be a recall, just like the Tacoma frames. Vehicle is in excellent condition and has been well maintained. It is a shame this 4runner is unsafe to drive. Beautiful truck, unsafe frame.
Rear differential housing is leaking fluid as a result of rust. Local Toyota dealership says the entire rear axle needs to be replaced (it is all one piece) to the tune of $3000. An online search of a diy repair shows this problem (google: Rear differential rust) shows this problem is unique to Toyota 3rd generation 4runners. This amount of rust on an integral part is extreme and unacceptable that Toyota has not done a recall, even though they did one for virtually same vehicle in the Tacoma for frame rust.
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while entering a residential driveway at 5 mph, the front passenger ball joint failed. The failure caused the front passenger side of the vehicle to collapse. The contact stated the vehicle had an alignment performed eight days prior to the failure and there was no mention of any issues with the vehicle. The contact stated the failure also destroyed the inner and outer boot of the vehicle and caused grease to leak abnormally. The failure and the current mileages were 159,158. Updated 7/19/12 the consumer stated the failure of the lower ball joint caused the left front wheel to lodge in the fender, making it impossible to move. There was also damaged to the running board as well. Updated 07/23/12
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle started driving very erratically. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and noticed that the rear stabilizer bar was severely rusted and fractured. The vehicle towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not safe to drive and there were no recalls addressing the failure. The manufacturer was then notified and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 186,000.
The frame on my 1998 Toyota 4runner SR5 has completely rusted through on the rear and has broken in half. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. The Toyota Tacoma pickup (same model year time-frame) has the same issue and has been recalled, but the 4runner has not. The 4runner should also be recalled and a 15 year extended frame rust though warranty applied.
Rear bearings have failed. There was a recall issued by NHTSA #02V021, which sited the rear suspension parts needed to be replaced on all 1996-1998 Toyota 4runners. The problem was for 2wd but was issued for 4WD vehicles also to avoid confusion. (mine is a 4WD) my question is, if the springs were under-sized, will this cause damage or undue strain to the rear bearings? also, Toyota refused to honor the recall statement from the NHTSA that states that "Toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the replacement parts."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bristol, CT, USA