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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,222 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.
My 4runner was purchased from a dealership and serviced there for rust related problems several times but was never told I had a serious rust problem. The problem is the frame has prematurely rusted and now the car is unsafe to drive due to the control arm rusting off the frame
The Frame and Suspension Components of the vehicle have corroded or rusted badly and prematurely even though the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition. This is a known and common occurrence with the 4th Generation Toyota 4Runner Vehicles such as this 2006 model. - Currently the upper Rear Differential Stabilizer Arm has completely rusted off causing handling problems with the vehicle. Many areas of the frame are rusted through making it difficult to jack up or raise the vehicle on a hoist. - Problem has been observed and reported by Dealer(s) and Independent Shops I have visited. - This has NOT as yet been inspected by manufacturer representatives other than dealers. - This first appeared in late 2012 when I purchased the vehicle used with approx. 75,000 miles. - In May 2015 I struck a deer with the vehicle travelling on a US Trunk Hwy and the rust problem was reported as being severe by the body shop who repaired the front end damage. Note: The corrosion, in my opinion, did NOT cause the accident with the deer.
My 2006 Toyota 4 runner, I've found a large amount of rust through out the frame of the vehicle. I feel the vehicle is not safe to drive. Toyota has frame replacement recalls to the Tundra, and sequias but not the 4runner. I feel this is an issue that Toyota is aware of. I also feel that something should be done for manufacturing a vehicle with defective chassis.
My Toyota 4 runner entire frame and connecting components is completely rusted out and crumbling. The car isn't safe to drive at all. Toyota is aware of this as its common and no recall is in place. When driving, one tire is completely barely hanging on as the frame is failing all over. The car wobbles and swerves and feels as if it will come apart at any time. This frame was never treated properly when installed. If you went over 50 the car could fall apart and would be extremely dangerous.
The frame is completely rusted with rusted out holes. Caused the driver side lower control arm to break off, almost causing my teenage son to crash fortunately he was on a side street and driving slow
- Bartlett, TN, USA
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06 4runner same frame as recalled Tacoma. Safety issue heavy rust on frame. Mechanic said to get rid of it, rotting where it connects to control arms. May not pass next inspection
Toyota 4runner frame rust. I just got back from the state inspection and they said the 4runner would not pass state inspection in one year. The frame is rusted through in some areas. The frame needs to be fixed or replaced. I am having Toyota inspect the frame on 5/15/2019 at autonation Toyota in leesburg va under the vehicles VIN of [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I bought my vehicle used with 86,000 miles on it. Not even a year later my power steering return line rusted through and would not hold any power steering fluid at all. I replaced the power steering return lines with after market rubber line. I figured this out while I was driving and my power steering gave out. Luckily it happened in a situation where it wasn't an immediate danger. Next on the list was the muffler from the catalytic converter back. I noticed that it was excessively loud while driving. I went under the vehicle only to realize the the part of the muffler that connects to the catalytic converter was completely rusted through just hanging there! I just brought my vehicle in to get the underside completely coated with fluid film and my mechanic kept making reference to the 'rusty Toyota 4runner ', didn't give me a warm feeling about the rest of the lifespan of the frame. It has 100,000 or so miles on it and I'd lime to have it for many more!
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. While driving 35 mph over a bump in the road, the steering failed and turned in the opposite direction without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (classic Toyota located at 8510 tyler blvd mentor, oh, 44060) where it was diagnosed that the frame failed due to corrosion and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the frame be repaired. Case number: 1706140790 was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
1.) while driving the vehicle is very difficult to steer. The lastest incident occurred while traveling on the highway. The was constantly swaying and pulling to direction forcing me to grip the steering wheel ; pulling it in opposite direction so tightly that my wrist were throbbing. Once I exited the highway and came to a stop, the steering wheel turned almost 180 degrees by itself. I took it to a sears service center and the mechanic could not find anything wrong. Prior to my road trip, I had my vehicle checked out and nothing was found out of sorts. This as occurred on several other occasions. 2.) my vehicle will lose power if the key is left in the ignition for a brief period of time without the vehicle being started. It will also loose power if the vehicle doors are open, even if the keys are not in the ignition. I have to get a "jump start" often. I've had my battery replaced and the problem checked out at the my local Toyota dealer but the cause of the problem could not be detected. The latest incident occurred while I was waiting for a service representative to assist me at the Toyota dealership. I pulled into the service area, waiting for the service representative with the key in the ignition, but the car was not running. It could've been more than 5 minutes before the the representative got in my truck and tried to start it; but it was dead. It had to be jumped started. The battery was checked, as it usually is when this occurs; and it had full power.
Extreme wheel shimmy at highway speeds. 3 dealerships can't find a problem thought they all feel the vibration and shake. Tires are wearing prematurely. Front end components are wearing prematurely.
Yes! I've been having a steering problem. "unintended veering" that I began to notice a month after I bought the vehicle (then at 13,000 miles). Something is causing the car to wander at high speeds. I also began to notice that after crossing a bridge (a lot of bridges on the way to work) the steering wheel will jerk back and forth really fast, which can be frightening. At other times it can seem to pulse. If you let go of the wheel the vehicle will veer to the left towards on-coming traffic (had it aligned twice -- still happens!) the dealership does not notice it when they drive it! so I eventually bought 4 brand-new tires and had it aligned again (all at the dealership at my expense) and I still have the problem. Anybody else that drives the vehicle notices it -- except people at the dealership! I was told I would lose $6,000 if I returned it. I did not, as that would set me back considerably. My father had just died and I was paying off the house too!
Steering has knocking sound while turning left or right, it started at about 62000 miles. Also replaced coil pack #2 and # 4 at 49000 miles had another go out a year later, dealership told me to replace the remaining 4 coil packs, by only replacing the corruped one will cause the ohers to fail.
2006 Toyota 4runner sport, 4.0L 4WD. Vibration felt via steering wheel, which occurs during acceleration/deceleration and across wide speed range. Higher frequency, low amplitude quality. Felt when vehicle is traveling in straight line, but has changed speed and is felt when steering wheel is turned slightly off center as in small course corrections. When accelerating or decelerating, there seems to be resonant feedback felt through the steering wheel as if there is directing contacting the steering rod. Dealer attempted to correct with an alignment of the frontend and rotation and balance of the tires/wheels. The result is that the original sensation is still present and the corrective attempt was not effective.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. While driving at approximate speeds of 25 mph, the steering was abnormally veering to the right instead of being centered. When attempting a turn, the contact would have to over steer to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle had been to the dealer 4 times in an attempt to correct the failure and an alignment was performed each time. After repairs, the vehicle steering was still off but was not causing the vehicle to lean to the left. The vehicle has not been further repaired. The failure mileage was 6,998 and the current mileage was 18,105.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. While test driving the vehicle the steering wheel felt very loose and the vehicle drove at low speeds ranging from 20-30 mph. The contact test drove another Toyota 4runner and did not have the same experience. The service department at the dealership stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The contact has had nearly two collisions because of the lack of steering. The contact was currently in arbitration to have Toyota buy back the vehicle. The failure mileage was 140. The current mileage was 3,000.
2006 4 runner sport edition, V8 with 30,000 miles has clunking sound when stopping or accelerating from stop. Also, wanders from side to side at normal highway speeds.
Road contained a turn at which time the vehicle skidded "fishtailed" and upon correction skidded the other direction. Vehicle went into small culvert ditch and rolled over. Vehicle was traveling at 35 mph.
: the contact stated the vehicle had a vibration in the steering column. The service dealer expressed this was a normal characteristic vibration. The vehicle was new and was never in an accident. The contact test drove another vehicle which had the same issue. The vibration was noticeable from 5 mph to any higher speed.
I have a steering problem on my 2006 Toyota 4runner V8 sport model, 9191 miles. While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle wants to veer from side to side and is difficult to keep in the proper lane. The dealership and Toyota district rep have inspected the vehicle and suggest that this is "normal" behavior for the vehicle and no repair is necessary. I feel that this is a dangerous problem and should be corrected.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Leeds, MA, USA