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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,197 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.
Toyota dealer failed safety inspection due to rear suspension arm rusted off and a hole rusted through frame. Only has 124,000 miles. Toyota said that vehicle is unsafe to drive and rear end may lift during a hard stop. Rear brake lines are also rusted out.
My 2005 4runner has considerable amount of rust on the frame that has been noticed both by myself and my mechanic my car sits on the same frame as a Tacoma which has been recalled for defective frames however the 4runner has not been recalled and has numerous frame problems and complaints on file
Brought the car in for service and was informed that there is a large hole in the frame and that it's prematurely rusting from the inside out and it's a safety issue now I'm scared to have my family in the vehicle
Excessive frame rust. Rust perforation on frame adjacent to front suspension attachments. Air conditioner condensation dripping onto frame, as well as poor coating quality have led to premature rusting and rust through.
- Scottdale, PA, USA
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Please add the below to: Frame corrosion NHTSA action number: DP18002 components structure tonight I was surprised to have my Toyota dealer tell me that my 2005 4runner frame was rusted out. He recommended that I not have them do the routine maintenance I had scheduled and he zeroed out the invoice. He questioned whether it was safe to drive, and said it would no longer pass the next inspection. The rest of the vehicle is in great shape. Despite doing oil undercoating ever since Toyota warranty expired, the frame was no match to the salty winter roads of nh.
Undercarriage (body) rust is continuing to worsen. This has been ongoing for several years. In fact when our 2003 Toyota Tacoma was recalled for this very same issue, I questioned why the 4runners were not part of the recall to my local Toyota dealer and also headquarters. I did not receive favorable answers.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The contact called the ira Toyota of manchester dealer (603-624-1800, 33 auto center rd, manchester, nh 03103) and was told that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Frame rust, drivers side to the front by the exhaust as the frame starts to turn up. Will need to be repaired before next vehicle inspection... just passed this years inspection. This is not covered under the Toyota recall for other truck frame vehicles.
The rear axle rusted so badly that it started flaking apart. The frame is rusted severely in the areas where the rear suspension components attach. The gas tank skid plate rusted until it began to fall off while driving down the road and all of the areas where it was bolted to the frame completely rusted out. The exhaust also rusted through behind the muffler causing it to fall off while driving down the road. There are holes in multiple areas of the frame. I had to grind, chip, and wire brush the frame with the vehicle on jack stands in order to repaint everything and keep my vehicle going. This took over 100 hours of labor just to compete. I also had to replace the exhaust and the gas tank skid plate. All of the bolts for the skid plates on the bottom of the vehicle were completely rusted through and could not be removed without falling apart and leaving half the bolt in the frame. The xreas suspension system which runs hydraulic lines around the frame also rusted apart and leaked fluid all over everything. The bolts were all heavily rusted and could not be removed to get the lines off the frame. The frame on this vehicle was not adequately coated to prevent it from rusting. This needed to be done with approximately 100,000 miles on the vehicle.
Driving in upstate New York for my honeymoon, the belt broke and cut into a hose. I had to have the vehicle towed to a Toyota dealership where they explained to me that my frame was deteriorating with lots of rust. This 2005 Toyota 4runner only had approximately 85,000 miles on it. The technician also told me, although there is not a recall on this model, in his opinion, there should be. Not only is this a serious safety hazard, Toyota is not rectifying the problem. Also, it is not just one area on the frame, but a significant amount of the frame. I can also provide photos if needed.
I have noticed a lot of rust underneath my vehicle. The frame is showing signs of rust. I have had bolts rust into causing heatshields to come loose for example. Recently had new struts and shocks installed. My mechanic pointed out the rust to me.
Frame rust. The frame has significant amount rust in specific areas of the frame. -the radiator support needs to be completely repaired. As this is part of the frame, I am considered about future failure while driving. At the rear end of the vehicle there is also a large amount of rust, causing holes.
This vehicle has a very rusty frame. It does not pass state of Maine inspection. Like many other 4runners it suffers from Toyota's faulty frames. This truck has not fallen apart and crashed like many similar units. This one has a perforated frame, and doesn't pass inspection. With 80,000 miles the truck is like new except for the faulty frame. The rust multiplies sitting still or traveling. The frame is so thin in so many places, there isn't place to make satisfactory repairs.
I bought the truck a little less than a year ago, in November of 2017, from a friend. I am the third owner of the truck and know that the vehicle has always been well maintained and serviced. Weeks after purchasing the truck, exiting the highway, the brake system failed. Pedal to the floor, no pressure. I was able to coast the car to a nearby parking lot and had it towed to my mechanic. Upon inspection, my mechanic noted that the frame was severely rusted. The brake lines had failed as a result of the corrosion and rust on the undercarriage. I replaced the entire brake system at a cost of $3500. A month later, the truck failed inspection due to a hole in the subframe caused by the rust. It was then that I began research and learned of the Toyota recall for every other truck except the 4runner in similar years/generation. I took the truck to burdick Toyota in cicero, New York this September to have the frame inspected. The tech report (which I can furnish on request) stated that the frame was extremely rusted, scaled and deteriorated for the age of the vehicle, but that it posed no imminent threat. I disagree with this assessment, as it has already caused one catastrophic failure. I've learned of a potential investigation and must say, I believe it to be the responsibility of the NHTSA to recall the affected 4runners of the same generation. Had the scenario been different, I or my family could have been injured or killed. I'm a teacher, and haven't the means to simply replace a vehicle I've already had to put thousands of dollars into. I bought it for the safety of my brand new baby girl. I feel it morally imperative that the NHTSA do the right thing and recall the 4runners as they have the other vehicles. Human life should always be more important than a companies bottom line. Toyota is responsible and should be held accountable. Lives are at stake.
My Toyota 2005 4runner undercarriage and frame is really badly rusted.the brake lines have rusted out and failed on 2 separate occasions in heavy traffic once (8/2017) on a 4 lane I had to cross to safety, and last on a steep hill with heavy traffic at the bottom of hill, thank god I didn't hit anyone. Now I find out that the frame has a crack in it and rusted out on the passenger side and is split/rusted up front, it is very dangerous. I can not afford to pay out of pocket for repairs..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stewartstown, PA, USA