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:
85,390 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.
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.
Vehicle has very excessive frame rust. Holes throughout entire frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Rusting from the inside out due to negligence on Toyota part. This vehicle has the same exact frame that was recalled on the Tacoma, Tundra and sequoias. Please tell me why the 4runner was left out?
Excess frame rust. Mechanic states frame has severe rust all over the entire frame and is in eminent danger of completely rusting through. Major frame repair or replacement is needed.
My 4 runner has extreme frame corrosion due to poor quality. The vehicle is now suffering numerous safety issues as a result. The frame is not repairable and the vehicle is unsafe to drive. It has less than 100,000 miles. The vehicle will not pass state inspection.
- Richford, VT, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving 45 mph, the rear of the vehicle was moving. The contact stated that the sway bar fractured and detached from the frame. In addition, the traction control and TPMS warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.
My vehicle failed inspection due to a hole in the frame. My vehicle has the same frame as the Tacoma trucks that have frame rot and have already been recalled.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a grinding metal noise. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the entire frame was corroded. The contact stated that the front bumper frame rusted out and the rear passenger side frame suspension mount was corroded through and detached. The contact stated that the rear driver's side frame suspension mount was heavily corroded, but was ok for the time being. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.
The frame on my 2005 Toyota 4runner is severely rusted. I have had multiple pieces fall off my SUV, some while driving. This includes the front skid plate, transmission lines, and other small components. The frame on my SUV is coming apart. Rather large pieces are 'flaking' off. It is plain to see where the metal is separating. I recently discovered that the front impact sensors have rusted loose of the frame and are now dangling free. This leaves my SUV susceptible to the airbags not inflating during a front-end crash. The above has been occurring over the last few years. I have opened case #1707170870 with Toyota, but they have told me that there is no remedy for my vehicle.
Exhaust smell entering cabin, gets worse when accelerating on ramp. Even with recirculation of airflow heat and or air conditioner still smells bad. I have to drive with windows open even in winter. Also rust all over suspension, undercarriage. Please tell if this is a common problem and safety recall. This started shortly after purchasing the truck in 2017 and has gotten worse since. The muffler was replaced already.
Takata recall, I took my 2005 Toyota 4runner SR5 to a Toyota dealership today to get a tire rotation. They told me my frame was too rusted out to lift up for fear of harming my car. I had new tires put on at the same dealership in October and then new trd wheels installed at another dealership where not a single mechanic mentioned rust on my frame. Apparently it's my rear passenger side that has it the worst.
I took my 4-runner to my mechanic on April 1, 2019 to have the brakes checked and a cv boot repaired. My mechanic called me the next day and informed me that the main support beam of the frame on the passenger side was rusted out and virtually missing on 3 of the 4 sides of the beam. He told me the vehicle could break in half if I hit a bump on the road.
Inferior, steel, rusted frame and suspension, too dangerous to drive. Consumer stated my truck is back on shop with stetler Dodge they are ripping it apart.
2005 Toyota 4runner SR5 was taken into a certified Toyota mechanic for inspection and the mechanic showed me the undercarriage of the vehicle, namely the frame and other associated parts. He warned that it would be difficult to perform maintenance on the vehicle if the frame is rotted through. The vehicle was put on a lift for inspection.
There's excessive rusting of the chassis, axle, differential and other components under the vehicle. I'm the original owner and observed rust formation within the first year of ownership. The SUV has only 84K miles and is garaged most of the time. I have been using rust inhibitors to slow the process.
The frame is rusted out at the rear and at the radiator support and at the rear stabilizer on both sides and the rear bumper is rusted into on both sides of the frame in my opinion it is unsafe to use. My wife had a close call when the rear stabilizer broke the from the frame on both sides
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the front and rear suspension as well as the frame of the vehicle. Langway Toyota of newport (285 E main rd, middletown, ri 02842, (401) 619-5400) diagnosed that the frame and rear axle mount were faulty, and further extensive servicing was required. The dealer was not authorized to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: DP18002 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lincoln, NE, USA