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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,320 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 contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely corroded which caused the tow bar to fracture and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the severity of the corrosion. The contact was informed of the potential for the rear wheels to detach from the vehicle due to the corrosion. The contact reached out to A-1 Toyota (50 amity rd, new haven, ct 06515, (877) 734-6467) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Truck has been well cared for and has 330K miles on it. Always clean and maintained properly by myself and previous owners. Frame is showing signs of excessive rust in the front between the wheels and at almost all of the welded areas. Some areas of frame are coming off in chunks as it appears to be rotting from the inside out. This is also affecting fuel/brake likes as well as suspension components. Pictures can be sent upon request. Family has the car at the moment.
My frame is rotted out from the inside out. Front radiator support is completely rusted out. Vehicle only has 105,000 miles. Toyota should be responsible for replacing the frame. According to the petition to investigate, 4runner owners claim the frames experience excessive corrosion and the same type of frames were cited in a previous $3.4 billion class-action lawsuit. Included in the lawsuit were about 1.5 million Tacoma, Tundra and sequoia trucks, but the petitioner says the 4runner should have been included but the attorneys didn't think there were enough customer complaints. NHTSA says it couldn't identify any crashes or injuries related to rusted frames or suspensions, but owners have complained about almost losing control of the SUVS due to rusted axles and frames. Please do something about this as this is my only vehicle.
Takata recall, the radiator mount and frame supports are rusted out, also the rear shock and air suspension mounts are rusted out. Vehicle was in motion when shock mount broke.
- Boonville, IN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I own a 2004 Toyota 4runner with significant rust on the frame that has nearly rusted through in some areas. Through my research I determined that this has been an ongoing issue for many Toyota vehicles close to the 2004 model year. Apparently the frame was not properly coated and rust has grown on my vehicle as well as many others at a much faster rate than is typically expected. I am worried about the safety of my vehicle as a result.
The frame on my 2004 Toyota is very rusty. It is completely cracked through near the front passenger suspension. My mechanic has warned me not to drive the vehicle anymore. See pics
Excessive frame rust. Replaced complete rear end in 2013. Told by hyannis Toyota that it was unsafe to drive because of excessive rust. The rear end is now rusted out again in 2019 and needs replacing. In April 2019 could not have suspension replaced until frame welding was completed. Additional work of cutting out rear upper trailing arm brackets and weld in place and fabricate fuel tank strap mount and weld in place. Complete frame and underside of this vehicle is completely rusted out. We had this work down because the gas tank was falling out and we could not drive this vehicle.
Frame and suspension rust has weakened the parts to the point of failure. Rear upper control arm mounting bracket on rear axle broke while driving on highway while going around a turn. Vehicle's rear wobbled back and forth violently. I almost lost control of the vehicle. There are other pieces that look close to failure.
The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4runner as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know I'm driving home & I loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! everything rotten! why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?
Was driving to work going 50 mph braked to come to a stop and the back end started to turn almost had an accident. Frame is completely rusted out. Too dangerous to drive.
Takata recall frame is completely rusted. Causing all the undercarriage to rust out and make the vehicle very dangerous to drive. Even the body is starting to rust away. Only has 116,000 miles on it which is crazy.
Since buying my forerunner used in 2015 I have only brought it to the dealership for maintenance bed inspections with Toyota professional mechanics. Upon bringing my vehicle in for a routine oil change and inspection I was told that the frame is rusted out and unsafe to drive. I was shocked and upset as I've only used a trusted Toyota professional mechanics and somehow they seem to have overlooked a frame that was completely rusting out and therefore putting my life and my children's lives in harms way. I contacted Toyota headquarters to no avail, they claimed there's nothing they can do as there are no recalls. However I feel they are responsible for their professional mechanics overlooking such a serious issue but yet having no problem with me continuing to put money into this vehicle as I planned on owning it for quite some time. After the frame rust was pointed out my steering then separated from the suspension while driving home being a single mother and having only one vehicle I had no choice but to try to drive it I am extremely upset and this is completely unacceptable
Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Prospect, CT, USA