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.
Traction control system malfunctions intermittently while driving around curves. Several times while driving approximately 30-40 miles per hour on a mountain road, the anti skid light illuminates without warning on a dry paved road with a subsequent sudden pull to the right and "grinding" noise. This has happened multiple times without warning. The Toyota dealer can not help, since he can not replicate the problem. The latest occurrence pulled the vehicle across the center line into the oncoming traffic lane. (had there been oncoming traffic this would have been a serious accident)
I took my vehicle in for a routine oil change recently and the technician said that I have some major rust issues on my rear axle and drivetrain. He should me when it was on the lift. He explained to me that the bolt and clip than holds the brake line down on the rear differential had rusted and broken off of the differential cover. The rear differential is now leaking gear oil. The technician advised me that it is too risky to attempt to repair as it may cause the entire differential to be damaged and the whole rear axle would need to be replaced. The technician also said that it is a risk to drive the vehicle and is possibly unsafe to keep driving. He stated that it is unknown how much longer I would be able to drive it until the rear axle ceases.
I have a 2002 Toyota 4 runner that was taken in for yearly state inspection and the technician informed that the frame is rotted through. He stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and a rejection sticker has been placed on the vehicle. Not sure what to do now. The vehicle still looks and runs very well, but unable to drive.
Vehicle was stationary. While replacing exhaust system components. Found what appeared to be minor rust on the passenger (right) side rear suspension mount. Further investigation uncovered a larger area of rust along the 3 welds on the inner frame rail. Cut / ground the metal back to good metal and am in the process of patching for my yearly Maine vehicle inspection. Either Toyota has built an inferior frame or the newer chemicals being used to keep the roads clear in the winter to be the cause of this rust which could cause the rear suspension to fail at this point in the frame and cause a accident.
- Turner, ME, USA
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Frame and some suspension parts are very rusted, frame has holes and is becoming unsafe to drive. Vehicle is only 13 years old, only 100100 miles. Passenger side front suspension pop's when stressed in cornering. When at idle, you can hear the vibration from rust chunks in the frame. All heat shields rusted. Skid plates on front and fuel tank so rusted must remove. Now nothing is protecting the fuel tank.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear trailing arm on the vehicle prematurely deteriorated and fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic. Who diagnosed that the rear end housing and axle differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 11/20/15 the consumer stated the vehicle should not have to be repaired at the owner's expense. The rear differential had to be replaced. The frame of the was also badly rusted. Updated 2.3.16
After buying this vehicle I was underneath vehicle to repair a axle seal leaking and found extensive frame rust on passenger rear of frame. By extensive I mean the frame was rusted completely through! I have lived in Ohio all of my life and have never seen a vehicle with this mileage and of this year have such severe frame rust! after further inspection I noticed rear end housing was also severely rusted. The rust on the frame is severely perforated at point where trailing arm for the rear end attaches to the frame! I was not aware of this issue before buying vehicle but after some research have found that this is definitely a manufacturer defect of some sort! these vehicles are not safe to drive with these frames in this condition and Toyota is aware of this!
The frame on the 2002 4-runner has completely corroded and caused the Toyota dealership to deem the vehicle unsafe for driving. Even though this a recognized design failure, Toyota refuses to cover the cost of replacement. Toyota has recalled Tundra models for this defect, but refuses to acknowledge the 4-runner design flaw since it was manufactured completely at their hino Japan plant.
Vehicle bucked and swayed as rear frame separated at the joint on driver side was unaware of issue before this tried to find sway bar issue it was spotted at a distance by coworker.
Extensive rust thru on drivers side of frame, rear suspension link rusted to the point where complete failure in coming soon. Last two feet of frame completely gone. Doubt it will pass another safety inspection without significant repair. Rear differential rusted to the point gear oil leaks. This is common on all 4 runners and should be recalled just like the Tacoma.
Rust perforation in right side rear frame rail across from fuel tank inboard side. I understand Toyota has already recalled the Tacoma (same year) for the same issues however has not recalled the 4runner. Car will not pass inspection nor can dealer repair.
2002 Toyota 4runner recall id from NHTSA: 05V225000 auto recall date: 05/17/2005 vehicle component: Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint estimated vehicles affected: 768379 2002 Toyota 4runner defect summary: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort. Defect consequence: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Recently purchased this vehicle and started cleaning it, after I drove it home and pressure washed undercarriage, pieces of the rear differential started flying off and gear oil started running out of holes. I have a 1971 Dodge challenger with original rear end that has never been in garage and have never seen a rearend rust like this. I'm really worried about how strong the axle housing structure is and if it could possible break in half while driving vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Signal Hill, CA, USA