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.
The ball joint on my 1999 Toyota 4runner broke while I was driving the vehicle. By the grace of god, I stopped at mcdonald's before my long journey onto the freeway, with my 9 month old baby in the car, and that saved us from a very bad crash that may have taken our lives had we been going 60-70 mph. How does a ball joint break in half"?"
As I was driving down the interstate I crossed a bridge approach and rear end of vehicle started swaying all over the road. About caused a accident. The rear sway bar on passenger side separated from the frame and about caused an accident. The frame seems thin for a utility vehicle.
As I was driving down the interstate I crossed a bridge and rear end of vehicle was going all over the road. The passenger side sway arm and ripped away from the frame. The frame to me seems to made out of too thin of metal. Never had a vehicle frame do that ever.
I have a 1999 Toyota 4runner. I am the original owner, and this vehicle has been garage keep and well maintained since I have owned it. While driving on the highway at about 55mph on 10/18/16, without warning - the 4runner began to shake violently from side to side... I almost lost control of the 4runner and could have been involved in a serious accident. The reason I lost control of the 4runner is because of a serious rusting issue in the frame (this issue has been well documented on the NHTSA, and also many other websites). The reason this rusting issue is so dangerous is where the rusting has occurred. The frame is rusting right at the section that the lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame. The lower control arm bracket is attached to the link/bar that holds the rear axle in place. The rust on my 4runner frame caused the lower control arm bracket on the drivers side to completely separate from the frame, causing a loss of control of the vehicle (see attached photos). I check the control arm bracket on the passenger side, and it also shows the same severe rusting at the frame where the control arm bracket is attached. There are still many 3rd generation 4runners on the road, and I feel this rusting situation is putting many lives in danger. There is no warning, you just lose control. I understand that my 4runner is 17 years old... but as I mentioned earlier, the rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape. A frame should not rust this badly, especially in a critical section. Please hold Toyota accountable for a vehicle defect that is putting live in danger. Thank you.
- Cockeysville, MD, USA
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I was traveling approximately 70 mph on a straight highway. I felt a bump and then heard a grinding noise and saw sparks from my front left wheel well. I pulled to the shoulder and saw my front tire, wheel, and brake assembly were detached and lodged under my vehicle. On further inspection, the lower ball joint gave out and my wheel assembly detached. Very hazardous and would have led to a collision if I had not been so late at night. This is a known problem with this ball joint and Toyota issued recall on 2001-2004 4runners for the issue. Needs to be expanded to older years. Joint assembly was redesigned for 2005-current models to correct the problem. See attached photos.
The front suspension lower ball joint seperated from the knuckle and broke off while I was driving and left me in on coming traffic that I had to get out of the way of. Toyota has a recall for the exact same issue for Toyota 4runners from 2001-2004 (special service campaign 50J ' front suspension lower ball joint 2001 through 2002 4runner). It should be expanded to include additional years. It is extremely dangerous and can potentially put lives in jeopardy. www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/owners/searchresults?searchtype=id&targetcategory=R&searchcriteria.nhtsa_ids=05V225000 safety recall notice
Simply driving down the road and the vehicle started to sway all of a sudden. Had shop look at it next day and the rear left control arm detached from frame due to rust. I have been told it is impossible to repair. The rest of vehicle in great condition except the rust on the control arm/frame/underside.
Perpetual rear brake failure due to leaking rear axle grease seals which throw grease onto rear brake shoes. Soaking them and rendering them useless and innefective. Causing unsafe braking. According to Toyota dealer, and sears auto service in dover, Delaware., repairs similar to this are being performed on similar vintage Toyota four runner models on a weekly basis. The average repair cost is over $1000, . this appears to be a vehicle manufacturers defect not a standard maintenance issue and could result in injuries or death. I had no brake power in a number of emergency situations, in others my braking distance increased dramatically, in a few cases, I've had the repairs done but the problem has returned, .
The 3rd generation 4runner frame is falling apart due to rust issues and is making vehicle unsafe to drive. Drivers side trailing arm mount rusted through and was disconnected from vehicle. I had to have the frame patch welded at great expense to myself.
Frame snapped at the drivers rear torsion bar due to frame rusting from the inside. I just had this checked and a little rust to the frame was apparent because it is rusting from the inside and not so apparent. Once it began to decay it just became mostly rust damaged beyond repair and replacement of frame only option. Contacted Toyota and was told there is no help on this model (4runner) but is on other truck models, same frames same year..
Frame rusted on inside surface and at both rear lower control arm mounts. Drivers side rear lower control arm mount separated from the frame and allowed axle to move and tire to contact inner fender. The passenger side rear lower control arm mount was also severely rusted. The entire center section of both inner frame rails had new plate steel welded in place to repair the original rusted steel. Reinforcements were welded on the inner and outer frame for both rear lower control arm mounts. The vehicle is now safe to drive, but these repairs should not have been necessary on a 14 year old (at the time of incident) vehicle.
Original owner, not located in the "rust belt" took 4runner to exhaust shop to have a new exhaust put on and once underneath the vehicle you could see that the frame has completely rusted through near where the trailing arm brackets are and on the inside/underneath of the frame. The rest of the frame is in great condition because the 4runner has been take care of and maintained. There will be about a 2 foot section of frame that will need to be cut out as well as new trailing arm brackets to be cut and welded in. This vehicle is no longer safe to drive and worth scrap value, when it should be worth about $5000. The interior is perfect, it runs great, and everything works as it should but the most important part of the vehicle, the frame is crumbling. I will never buy another Toyota. I have domestic vehicles that are 10 years older with more miles that look nothing like this. They recall Tundra, Tacoma, and seqouias, but not the 4runner? give me a break.
The driver's side lower rear link fell off the frame due to severe rusting. Passenger side about to. Mechanic won't even attempt a repair. The frame is too rusted. The vehicle is not safe to drive. I bought it used and have had it for 2.5 years. Toyota has no recall on it and can not assist me, even though this is the same issue that the Tacoma and other models were recalled for.
The frame metal and bracket that connects the frame to the rear axle has rotted off completely making the car undrivable and unsafe to drive. The whole rear axle can move forward and backward.
While daughter was driving on highway. The left front lower ball joint failed causing the wheel assembly to come off the car frame. Speed was the posted 55 mph. No other traffic, thank goodness. Was able to pull off the road for assistance. This is a stupid design. A major component if it fails should not cause this type of catastrophic failure. It dangerous and Toyota should warn the consumer of this stupid design.
The frame has serious internal rust rot. The exterior of the frame appears relatively rust free, but the interior is filled with rust and crumbles when pushed with a finger.
The vehicles frame, in the location where the rear lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame is completely rotted out. This point on the frame secures the lower link of the rear suspension. If this bracket separates, an accident would likely occur. The rest of the vehicle is rust free and the frame is not expected to rot within the vehicles lifespan. Toyota was contacted and refused to assist wi repairs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kaneohe, HI, USA