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:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,085 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.
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.
Frame has rusted through and the boot of the frame that holds the front driver side suspension is 3/4 of the way cracked. Independent Body shop rendered car unsafe to drive.
I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.
The entire frame is rusted to the point the vehicle is unsafe to operate on the road. Parts of the vehicle could potentially break off because they have rusted through causing the vehicle to be involved in an accident. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and a authorized dealer who confirmed the vehicle is unsafe to drive on the road because of the rust on the frame, differential, and crossmember. There was not any warning lights a mechanic mentioned it to me a in February/March when they were changing the oil that the frame would not last much longer.
- Raymore, MO, USA
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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.
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.
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.
Frame is suffering From excessive rust inside of frame. The body and other components of vehicle have minimal/average surface rust. Interior of frame near front control arms, rear bumper crossmember, and rear-mid crossmember are rusting from the inside out.
Excessive rust/corrosion on frame. Have seen stories where frame separates from the truck body. Upon getting my oil change at my reputable ase shop, owner pointed out to me that vehicle is rusting quickly, hole in frame, and will need to be replaced sooner than later... when I had it undercoated, washed it following every snowstorm and roads salted, and had planned since point of sale to have it go over 300,000 miles as sales person stated was possible.
My 2005 4 runner chassis is rusting away and multiple dealerships and mechanics told me the car is not safe to drive. I went to get new tires and no locations will even raise the car in the air. I called Toyota corporate and even though the same chassis on the same vehicles of Tacoma, Tundra, and sequoia are recalled, they said nothing is covered under the 4 runner. I cannot even drive my car anymore.
I just bought this 4 runner used and I've all of a sudden had super bad rusting around the frame and also around the radiator and where the skid plate is attached where my mechanic says he's worried about my safety and other drivers on the road, I personally feel like the integrity of the framing system and suspension is being flawed and I believe that I and the millions more that are being effected by this should be taken care of.
Nothing happened yet but found upon checking that the rear differential upper control arm that is attached to the frame is rusted through. I am afraid it will detach while driving and can cause an accident. I have removed the flaky metal myself in the summer of 2020 and painted it to avoid further rusting. The crossbar in the front that is supporting the radiator is rusted through as well. The metal that is holding the tank is gone too.
When I took my vehicle in for its 103,000 mile maintenance I was told that the frame was so rusted that if I should have an accident it could break into. Was told I should just get rid of it and not say anything. I have taken this vehicle in every six thousand miles to the dealership where I bought it for service and was not happy to think that they informed me about this problem now and not sooner.
The frame is rotted out and is very dangerous to drive. There has been pieces of it falling off. The whole frame is rusty and cannot be repaired. I sent Toyota a message and never received a reply. Any help would ? these vehicles should be repaired as they are very dangerous. Any help would be appreciated.
2005 Toyota 4runner been plagued with frame rust issues and recently a stabilizer bracket broke when going over a small bump. Upon investigation, the frame is rusted completely through in that area and numerous other areas. Thankfully my son was not traveling at a high rate of speed because it was uncontrollable. Very dangerous situation, my son could have been killed! why is Toyota handling frame rust issues with other models like Tacoma but not the 4runner?
Hi, I own a 2005 4runner and I am concerned about the heavy amount of rusting on the frame. The frame is rusty which is causing heavy flaking of the affected material. The body of the vehicle is pristine but I fear that the premature rusting of the frame will affect the ability to safely drive my 4runner in the future. I am a special education teacher with two young daughters and don't have the income to go out and replace the frame or buy a new vehicle. This 4runner is the only vehicle I own and is my daily driver. My students and their guardians depend on me to arrive safely to school everyday so there is consistency in my students' lives. I have seen many 4runners in this age range suffer from this same corrosion. I am concerned that my family will be injured in a minor accident or the vehicle's safety mechanisms failing because of frame damage. I am also concerned that I will lose my only means of transporting myself to work. I am a huge fan of Toyota, especially 4runners, and want to keep mine around for a long time. Keeping Toyota vehicles around for a long time is what the company was built upon.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Occoquan, VA, USA