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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:
93,791 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.

2005 Toyota 4Runner body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #157

Nov 032023

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4Runners weren-??t. Noticed a lot of other 4th generation 4Runners are having the same issues.

- Occoquan, VA, USA

problem #156

Sep 192022

4Runner

  • miles
Frame on 2005 Toyota 4Runner has excessive rust due to Toyota-??s negligence on frame production. I can make it available if needed. My safety is 100% compromised, had my mechanic not have told me of the issue, I would have kept driving the vehicle and the suspension could have detached from the frame at any point. The problem has been confirmed by my independent service center South Lake Automotive. It has not been inspected by police, manufacturer or other. There was no warning prior to the failure. Had I not had it pointed out as an issue, I would never have known it was an issue.

- Excelsior, MN, USA

problem #155

Sep 012022

4Runner

  • miles
My frame has rotted through, causing the rear bump stops to fall off, putting excessive wear on both frame and suspension components. In parts of the frame, it has rotted all the way around and caused a loss in structural integrity. Worst of all, there is a hole near the rear most strap holding the gas tank to the chassis, which is a risk to not only me and my pregnant wife but others driving on the road around me if it where to fall off. Looking at the body, there is no rust or corrosion. The same goes for the engine bay, the rust is entirely located on the frame. Mechanically, the vehicle is in excellent shape. It has now got to the point it will no longer pass a NYS inspection.

- Oneida, NY, USA

problem #154

Jul 032022

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame of the vehicle is rusting from the inside out. Upon inspection, holes in the frame are found, with many more hidden from sight. This is a disaster waiting to happen. This puts the driver and anyone else on the road at extreme risk if the frame breaks while driving. This problem is well documented with Toyota, and they have previously replaced Tacoma, Sequoia, and Tundra frames, but not 4runners. Everyone is at risk with these frames, even if it does not appear so. My frame looked solid until I began hitting it with a hammer and screwdriver and breaking away very weak spots of metal.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #153

May 252022

4Runner 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
I took my vehicle into the Toyota Dealer after mechanic told my frame was rusting. The dealership confirm the frame is rusted. The frame of the vehicle should not be rusting out.

- Nottingham, MD, USA

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problem #152

Apr 042022

4Runner 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2005 Toyota four runner. The frame under the truck is completely rusted out everywhere. The car started swaying and I felt as though my vehicle was going to go out from under me. It felt like it was collapsing or melting underneath. This is my family vehicle. It was a dangerous situation and my entire family was in the vehicle. My spouse a children. I took it to a independent shop. The mechanic said that the frame had rusted out under the Toyota. He told me to park it and not drive it because it was about to split apart. He said that we were very lucky and just moments from a catastrophe. He also told me that their had already been a recall and replacement of the malfunctioning frames on Toyota Sequoia, Tacoma and tundra. In his professional option he thought Toyota should do the same type recall for the rusted out frame problem on the four runner. You are the first and only person I have reported this to. I will wait for your response and next steps: [XXX] Cell number [XXX] Home number [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #151

Aug 122021

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear control arm broke while I was driving causing me to swerve uncontrollably and almost causing a collision

- Gallipolis Ferry, WV, USA

problem #150

Feb 072022

4Runner

  • miles
I have a 2005 4Runner with significantly rusted out frame that makes me worried about safety of driving it. I feel the amount of corrosion present is way beyond what I would expect for that year of vehicle

- Goddard, KS, USA

problem #149

Nov 302021

4Runner

  • miles
The frame broke loose from the rear sway bar due to excessive rust while I was driving it. My 4Runner is an 05 and has the same frame as the Tacomas of the same year, except with no recall. I believe it is wrong to recall the Tacoma frame and not the same 4Runner frame. It is available for inspection. The car wanted to loose control anytime the accelerator was pressed or released. The problem has been an issue for many 4Runner owners of similar years. There was no warning to this occurrence.

- Highlands, NC, USA

problem #148

Nov 222021

4Runner

  • miles
My 2005 4Runner frame is completed covered in rust and is corroding. Several places on the frame is rotting away.

- Hawthorne , CA, USA

problem #147

Nov 202021

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Extreme rusting on frame and all parts under the carriage. Vehicle suspension and all moving parts underneath could fail or fall apart causing major accident or death to me or other vehicle.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #146

Sep 222021

4Runner

  • miles
Brought the car in for an alignment and I was told they couldn-??t do it because of all the damage to the frame from rust, parts of the frame are not even there anymore, the front row hooks are gone, they said that all this damage ca impact the handle of the car and that it can-??t be properly aligned and possibly won-??t pass inspection.

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #145

Aug 012021

4Runner

  • miles
Upon recent inspection of my vehicle, it was noted that the frame is severely corroded and rusted to the point where collapse or breaking of the frame is possible while driving. Apprently the frame was not properly treated for rust protection and can now be unsafe for driving. Enclosed are pictures of the rusted frame.

- Suffern, NY, USA

problem #144

Aug 152021

4Runner

  • miles
Extreme frame rusting completely thru at the point of being unsafe and unable to put the truck on a lift for any repairs. A number of SAE mechanics warned me about driving this truck due to the extreme frame rusting. Sections almost completely separating apart. I have rust proofed and undercoated the under carriage at least three times. Toyota should make good on their negligence to properly rust coat their frames at times of manufacturing.

- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA

problem #143

Nov 092018

4Runner

  • miles
Frame and rear differential rust- extreme

- Warwick, NY, USA

problem #142

Aug 142021

4Runner

  • miles
Really bad rame rust with holes through frame and frame components. I have pictures showing it-??s the entire frame, not just the few spots. I had a shop replace the gas tank straps and when I picked it up they told me/warned me the frame had really bad rust. Have read about others having same or worse problems with chassis rust with this generation of 4Runners.

- Carbon Hill, IL, USA

problem #141

Jul 222021

4Runner

  • miles
I would like to complain regarding my 2005 4Runner. Went to have the fluid changed at a dealership in the early part of July 2021 and they could not perform the service due to excessive underbody rust and corrosion. Therefore the I will have to find a service that can remove the corrosion to be able to have the shocks change, differential fluid change and to check and perform service on the brakes. The corrosion is starting to eat at the key components of the vehicle to the point where I may not be able to drive. Steering will be restricted and brakes will malfunction if they cannot get to the remove the areas to service the vehicle.

- Nogales, AZ, USA

problem #140

Jul 152021

4Runner

  • miles
My frame is starting to rust very terribly no matter what i do to maintain it. The radiator support is completely rotted out and the rear part of the frame is getting worse by the month. This will cause a major injury in the case of an accident or the frame will break off while driving

- Ballston Lake , NY, USA

problem #139

Jul 102021

4Runner

  • miles
Excessive frame corrosion. Mounting bracket that connects the lateral arm to the frame failed due to the deterioration of the frame. The rear axle is no longer perpendicular to the length of the car. I am experiencing a symmetric acceleration and braking performance and unpredictable steering.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #138

Jun 232021

4Runner

  • miles
I had my 2005 Toyota 4runner Limited serviced today. The mechanic will not work on the vehicle due to excessive rust and holes in the frame. The vehicle looks immaculate on the inside and out, but due to the corrosion underneath I am being advised to junk the vehicle as it is unsafe to drive.

- Brookfield, WI, USA

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