CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,440 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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 body/frame of the car is suffering from severe corrosion/rust. The rust has started eating through the frame. This appears to be a common problem in Toyota 4runners from 2003-2007 model year. In my case my vehicle is a 2004 model year. This is a serious risk and hazard.
My frame has 10 plus holes in it all over the vehicle, it's sitting in my driveway as it will split in two any second by the transmission cross member, Toyota it's time to start recalling these frames as there are millions of complaints
Toyota 4 runner in motion, driving the highway and local when noticed noise coming from the back of the vehicle. It was moving unstable like wiggling and slowed down. My husband checked under the car. He found out the chassis was broken.
The frame on my 4runner is rotting. It has a few holes in it and the rust is everywhere. I do not understand how it could be so rotten so quickly, especially where I live. There are a lot of other 4runners close in age that are experiencing the same issue. Toyota needs to replace the frames on the 4runners like they did on the Tacoma's, Tundra's and sequoia's. I drive my 4runner everyday on the highway and am starting to feel unsafe using it anymore.
Excessive rust has appeared in a number of structural areas in the frame of my 4runner. Complete rust through has occurred in many areas of the frame and in key stress points. The rust appears to be coming from the inside out so it is tough to identify additional areas that rust is affecting and further degrading the safety and strength of the frame. The rust was identified during a normal visual inspection of the underside of my vehicle based on recommendations from other owners with similar issues.
- West Grove, PA, USA
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Upon bringing my car to Toyota for service, they have been noticing more and more rust perforation on my chassis, last year trying to fix a flat the jack went right thru the chassie rail due to being all rusted out and flaky. Today I went for an oil change and multi point inspection found rear shock broken on pass side and more rust at all seams of welding as well as holes and weak thin spots of metal. Mechanics advised me of numerous other models from Toyota with same issue, upon calling their headquarters they deny any issue with 4 runners when I told them the are all same period and obviously same manufacturer making your chassie parts which are defective.
The tailgate of the SUV opens it while driving. The tailgate clothing latch sounds as if it has closed, but has not. This results in the tail gate opening up while driving. This began after having a repair on the back window system, that was a recall from Toyota. Also, there's no protection from the edge of the tailgate rusting. I've been told this is in every Toyota 4runner from 2004. This has been a problem for many years for me, but I did not know that there was a way to report it.
I started hearing a noise like friction coming from under the car and feeling it through the steering while driving. It would come and go and within a week the car was undrivable. Just after exiting the interstate and on a side road, my brakes went out and there was an incredibly loud metal on metal grinding noise. I pulled over immediately and had the car taken on a rollback to my mechanic. When he put it on the lift he said that the frame was so rusted that it was undriveable. Most everything that was atteched to the frame was coming loose, like the brake calipers, cover over the gas tank, axles, etc. The frame is so rusted that he could literally put his hand through it. This could have been a very bad outcome if I had still been on the highway when it all broke loose.
Frame and underneath of vehicle excessively rusting with holes completely through entire frame like swiss cheese. Will not pass inspection because of this problem. Deemed unsafe to use vehicle any more.
Toyota frame rusting. The frame on my 4runner is rusted to the point where I feel it is unsafe. The welds that hold the rear control arms are rusted completely through. When looking at the frame rail you can see daylight through the welds. There are other spots on the frame rails that are rusted just as badly I'm not able to get pictures off
I have a 2004 4runner which is meticulously kept. The entire front frame which supports the radiator had to be cut out and replaced. There where also multiple spots on the frame rail where steel plates had to be welded on for it to pass inspection. I've been told that there are not enough complaints for anything to be done about the frame. However, anyone I talk to, personal or at shops, is aware of the issue. Something has to be done about this before someone gets seriously hurt or worse!
I brought my 4runner in to have the brakes looked at and the mechanic was not able to put it up on a lift because of the extensive amount of rust on my vehicle, they were concerned that it wouldn't hold. I need this vehicle to get around for work and my company, and I am now terrified it is not safe for me to be driving.
Frame left side - drivers front close to wheel well area is rusted through approx size of 8" X 5" during inspection notified this will be a hazard to driving if not addressed since this is part of the frame and can cause serious damage if not addressed. Vehicle is inspected yearly and this is the first time we saw the rust of this magnitude. According to the public database there is an ongoing investigation on this type of complaint and safety claim - I want to be added to this claim. Vehicle was in possession of dealer service dept when the issue was noted.
The frame is rotting..and I can not stop or prevent it..eventually the entire frame will fall apart..causing a safety concern for me and my family..I bought a Toyota for its dependability..not how fast it would kill
I have 2004 Toyota 4runner V6 4.0 SR5. Milage 130.000. The frame has a lot of rust. Especially the passenger side thru whole that side. The front radiator mounts are also corroded. Back side of the vehicle frame is also corroded. Basically whole frame is very rusty. If I touch the frame the pieces start to fall down. Everything is ok with vehicle only the frame is very rusty. I do not know how long I can drive like this. Hopefully more people will get involved and Toyota will solve that issue. 4runner is a great vehicle. I would like to drive it at least 5 more years. Unfortunately I think I will not be able to drive it because of rusty frame. Driving will no longer be safe. I hope more 4runners 4th generation owners will complain and Toyota will replace the frames.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fairfax, VA, USA