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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
159,494 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.

1997 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems

suspension problem

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1997 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #57

Apr 072023

4Runner

  • miles

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

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

- Lake Tomahawk, WI, USA

problem #56

Jul 202020

4Runner

  • 260,000 miles
Purchased a used 1997 4-runner with ca. 258000 miles early in 2020. Engine and whole body was good. However, 6 month later the car started to shake violently in the rear at highway speeds swinging like a boat, which I though was due to a broken shock, springs were newly installed in 2020. I noticed that rear stabilizer arm on passenger side had broken off due to rust. When driving to repair shop the car rear axle broke loose, shifted, and the rear drive shaft fell out - I could pull over in 4 wheel drive mode. Please know that the rust an extensive frame rot on the the rear frame on both sides was not very visible from outside. Repairs for frame weld were 2500 -3000 usd. The 1997 4-runner, V6 is a very unsafe vehicle to drive!

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #55

Dec 202019

4Runner

  • 198,000 miles
Rear fram stabilizer brace rusted out and broke away from frame, so axle to frame stalizer does not stabilize rear axle

- Lothian, MD, USA

problem #54

Jul 262019

4Runner

  • 350,000 miles

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

Very rusted out undercarriage. My other is only 3 years newer and has nothing like this on it. I was advised to sell it by a suspension shop that noted my broken, rusted out undercarriage, bad shock and the condition of the rear of the truck's frame in general. There is nothing wrong with the truck other than this rust.

- Georgetown, IL, USA

problem #53

May 012019

4Runner

  • 350,000 miles
Frame rust makes vehicle dangerous while driving.

- Merriam, KS, USA

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problem #52

Jan 302019

4Runner

  • 271,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted and there was nothing supporting the stabilizer arm. Fox Toyota (228 fox family ln, clinton, tn 37716, (865)-494-0228) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 271,000.

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #51

Nov 042018

4Runner

  • miles

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

The frame is rotting from the inside out. The frame rot is located in the rear on the drivers side where the rear suspension bracket is welded to the frame.

- Toronto, CA, USA

problem #50

Oct 222018

4Runner

  • 201,021 miles
The frame was poorly designed and not enough rust protection was applied by Toyota. We rarely get snow and still the vehicle has rusted through. Toyota did not make a drain hole so that the water in the frame would evaporate. There are a lot of these vehicles which otherwise last a long time. A lot of owners have 4runenrs with excellent engine/transmission but with rusted frames. This is a disaster waiting to happen on unsuspecting owners.

- Richmodn, VA, USA

problem #49

Oct 122018

4Runner

  • 232,000 miles
The bracket that attaches the rear trailing arm to the frame broke off from the frame causing it to swerve and loose stability while driving. The vehicle was in motion

- Wixom, MI, USA

problem #48

Aug 012018

4Runner

  • miles
My Toyota 4runner frame is rusting to the point that it's a huge safety issue! I've already had the right rear shockmount and bar replaced, and the left is on its way to rusting completely through. On the left side, however, the fuel tank is mounted up, and when the shock mount rusts through and breaks, it will very likely cause something to puncture the fuel tank. That could be extremely hazardous because, since I have no other means of transportation, I must continue to drive the vehicle. So, it is likely that it will be on the road when that happens. Why in the world has this vehicle not been recalled when you recalled the Toyota Tacoma for the same issue of rusty frames? this is a very serious matter because it could cause a huge accident involving many people if these vehicles are not recalled and taken off the streets!

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #47

Sep 212018

4Runner

  • miles

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

While driving heard a loud bang and vehicle got squirmy and out of control was about a mile from my house luckily. Got home and looked under vehicle and realized the frame has completely rusted out it is unsafe to drive as components to keep axle in place are rotted out. Issue will get someone killed one day.

- Interlochen, MI, USA

problem #46

Oct 122017

4Runner

  • 153,000 miles
Right rear upper shock mount rusted out and shock broke through frame while driving on a city street (bracket sub assembly rear - right rear). Had to remove shock so it would not bust through causing ride instability.

- Hillsboro, OH, USA

problem #45

Mar 262018

4Runner

  • miles
My 1997 4runner has a lot of rust on the chassis frame. The rear shocks cannot be installed because the metal was eaten by the rust.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #44

Sep 222017

4Runner

  • 155,000 miles
When braking on a curve on a county highway {55 mph} the vehicle jumped and hopped uncontrollably and almost left the road. After slowly getting it home, I inspected the suspension and found the mount for the rear trailing arm broke off the frame from rust. The vehicle only has 155,000 miles and the rest of the vehicle is in vary good condition. I bought the Toyota for its known longevity and did not expect this from Toyota. If this had been a state hwy {70 mph} I'm sure there would have been a crash, injury and posable fatality.

- Cecil, WI, USA

problem #43

Jan 122018

4Runner

  • 230,000 miles
My 4runner frame is rotted out. Cracked frame unsafe to drive.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #42

Nov 092017

4Runner

  • 229,365 miles
Frame is rusting from the inside out control arms fell off the car. Frame busted in half.

- Hopewell, PA, USA

problem #41

Nov 192017

4Runner

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise from the rear and front of the vehicle. Afterwards, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. An inspector was contacted and informed the contact that the sway bar detached from the frame. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Oxford, WI, USA

problem #40

Jun 182017

4Runner

  • 225,000 miles
Frame rusted out where the rear axle arm attaches. Arm mount broken loose from frame. Vehichle is undriveable and virtually not repairable. (frame replacement) ridiculous Toyota!!! you know about this problem, make it right to your customers!. myself and fmaily own 7 Toyota. Might reconsider ever buying another!

- Shelbt, AL, USA

problem #39

Jul 152015

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
The frame is so rusty that three suspension attachments have rusted (broken) off. The car is unsafe to drive.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #38

Oct 252014

4Runner

  • 195,000 miles
The frame on the passenger side of the vehicle rusted through just in front of the rear axle. The bracket that holds the front of the trailing arm suddenly separated from the disintegrated frame causing the axle to move forward and backward. The vehicle was on the interstate at speed and became wildly difficult to control.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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