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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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,000
Average Mileage:
140,400 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. replace frame (11 reports)
  3. welding repair (2 reports)
  4. whole new chassis (2 reports)
2005 Toyota 4Runner body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Aug 012018

4Runner Limited 4.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

I am the first owner of this SUV and I took care of all maintenance and its always in garage no beach or ocean but it's all rusting out under the frame.

Update from Oct 31, 2018: Rust on the frame Toyota claims soft spot

- mirzabaig, Centerville, ma, US

problem #5

Jul 122016

4Runner V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

I bought it used unaware of rust until I took to Toyota dealer. They refused to pass inspection. Took it back to Ciocca Ford where I purchased it. They gave me free inspection but I had to pay $500.00 for undercoating. I like to keep my vehicles dealer maintained. Thompson Toyota still will not inspect it and pass it due to rust. I will never deal with Ciocca Ford again. I believe it is a good vehicle besides rust problem. If Toyota would replace frame ,that would go a long way with me. I already had dash-pad replaced by Toyota.

- Joseph D., Hatfield, PA, US

problem #4

Mar 162018

4Runner Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

First, I want to say that God saved me. I drove over 80 miles with nothing holding the rear driver wheel onto the frame. I knew something was wrong but I thought my tires were low on air. I checked them when I got to work. They were fine. So when I got back on the highway after work, I definitely knew that something was wrong when my back-end was whipping back and forth. There were no sounds so I just thought maybe my lug nuts were loose. I prayed to get 25 miles to my mechanic who finally confirmed that my underneath carriage or frame was rusted through and that the rod that extends from the front to the back is no longer being held on to anything which means the tire is not being held on to the bar. He suggested that I instantly take it to a body shop to see if there was a quick fix because of where I needed to be. Yamnitz Auto Body in Jackson MO looked at it and then looked underneath and told me that 3/4 of my frame was gone and that it would take a whole new frame to replace what was lost. They would have to lift the body up to replace the damage. I called the people who sold me the car and they denied that it was as bad as it was. I will take pictures as soon as I get back into town.

- donnaseefee, Jackson, US

problem #3

Jun 152016

4Runner V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

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

My buddy's dad bought an 05 Toyota 4runner because he did a lot of research on the vehicle and it has great ratings. Very good reliable car. He went to berlin city Toyota in the state of Maine. He paid in full $35,000 that day for it. My dads friend is disabled and very rarely drives the car. However, my friend is a mechanic and I dabble with car stuff so we were just checking out the oil and stuff one day and we noticed this HORRIBLE ROT in the front of the car. My friend literally went under the car and snapped one of the front tow hitches off the front of the car. This weakened the frame and left a very large gap of unstable metal from the cars frame and radiator support. This piece was so rusted it took very little pressure to break it. Upon further inspection I look in the back of this piece of sh*t, and one of the gas tank straps was so rusted it just snapped. It was already snapped when I looked at it. Even more bad news, the factory running boards are rotting now and will fall off in the future. This thing is a RUST BUCKET. This thing only leaves the driveway for doctors visits and the grocery store. I mean Christ, the owner is 55 and very disabled. I call Toyota and complain about the frame. They say "we have no problems with Toyota 4runner and frame issues but we do with the Tacoma, tundra, and sequoia." I say well its funny because the Tacoma frame is the same as the 4 runner just different body style. So a case was opened. The dealer says we live in Maine so its common for rust. NEWSFLASH, not chunks of frame coming off like nothing! So after weeks of going back and forth with Toyota, the finally took the pile of rust and replaced that entire frame mount as well as put a thick rust prevention coat on the entire frame free of charge. This job would have cost thousands. Oh and the rust prevention coat got all over the side of the silver car, and the coating was black. Well guess what, Toyota was just sued in a lawsuit for frame rot on Toyota Tacoma, tundra and sequoia......No 4runner.......yet. $3.4 billion dollar settlement to be exact for victims of the frame rot. My buddy's dad also had to pay for the rotted gas tank strap. This thing is A PILE OF SH*T. Want some good advice, get a Subaru! Make sure the timing and heads are done and that thing won't give you any trouble. I suggest looking at Subaru best vehicles on this site. Easily can get over 300,000+ miles on these snow tanks. My friend's dad's Toyota will fall apart before it even hits 150,000 miles. Toyota is a horrible brand and the dealership was ass!

- Derek A., Limington, ME, US

problem #2

Jun 132016

4Runner Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

Took the car in for routine service left with the knowledge that the front passenger side frame had rust holes in it and a crack starting to extend out the the wheel. None of this would have been visible accept the skid plate had been removed recently for transmission work. We were informed that they would not weld it for liability purposes the only fix was a new frame which would be about $13,000. The mechanic suggested we research recalls as this has been an ongoing problem for Toyota. The recalled Tacoma frames. Why not the 4 Runner. Same problems!!!

- Karen R., Rutland, VT, US

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problem #1

Aug 192013

4Runner LTD V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,005 miles

The undercarriage is badly rested. I had no knowledge that the situation was occuring, even though the car was kept in perfect condition to the best of my knowledge . The problem was identified to me with 75000 miles service ( on August 19, 2013). Car is 8 years old. At this point it has 83000 miles.

- Harvey F., Lafayette Hill, PA, US

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