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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
129,578 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.

2002 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Mar 182022

4Runner

  • 115,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a slight right curve, the vehicle independently shifted from side to side without warning nearly causing the vehicle to flip. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and the mechanic discovered severe corrosion throughout the entire subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the entire subframe needed to be replaced to ensure safe driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Madisonville, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 172021

4Runner

  • miles
Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out.only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner

- Marshfield , MA, USA

problem #33

Oct 142021

4Runner

  • miles
Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two other shops (names withheld) assess the state of the frame and suspension + and was told that the vehicle has maybe 1 year or so until the frame falls apart. Given I am the original owner, have gargage-kept my vehicle, have very low-mileage - 74,000 miles, and have maintained the vehicle immaculately and am aware of rusting problems with other Toyota [truck] frames, etc. this seems to be a defect in the manufacturing process. I know there have been recalls on Toyota's other trucks due to Toyota's failure to add [enough?] rust inhibitor/preventative to the molten steel when forming the frame for many models of their trucks.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #32

Jun 162021

4Runner

  • miles

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

After having my 4 runner in for routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that my frame was in bad condition and rusting through. Doubtful it has a year left and he advised me to junk it as fast as I can. 180;000 miles - so much for Toyota-€™s lasting a long time.

- Cedar Falls , IA, USA

problem #31

Oct 052020

4Runner

  • 66,000 miles
Frame is rusted. Deemed unsafe to drive

- Winnabow, NC, USA

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problem #30

Sep 142020

4Runner

  • 295,000 miles
The vehicle is in impeccable condition. The frame is rusted through in the area of the passenger side above the trailing arms and the middle section of the rail. I bought the vehicle in 2006 and have babied the vehicle.

- Willow Grove, PA, USA

problem #29

Sep 012020

4Runner

  • 166,000 miles

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

I found frame rust with perforation on my 02 Toyota 4runner

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #28

Mar 032020

4Runner

  • 146,000 miles
When I had my state inspection in January of 2020, the machanic told me the frame of the vehicle will not pass inspection again. It is severely rusted through and in his opinion is unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, I was travelling to my father's residence and the brakes gave out. The technician that repaired my brake line also told me and documented on the bill that the truck is really not safe to drive. I have owned this vehicle for 18 years, and only driven it five winters. I wash the truck numerous times during the winter to remove salt. It is my only vehicle, and I cannot afford a new one. Why wasn't this included in the frame recall from Toyota"!" now I'm nervous about my safety and those on the roadways.

- Burlington, VT, USA

problem #27

May 132019

4Runner

  • miles
I have a 2002 Toyota 4runner with a severely rusted frame. My vehicle has less than 70K original miles on it, no body rust, but an extremely rusted undercarriage and frame. I feel it is unsafe to continually drive with this problem, as it will only get worse and could affect other components such as steering, suspension, brakes, etc. Seeing as how Toyota has already had a class action lawsuit against their trucks of the same year for unsafe rusted frames, I feel my 4runner should be included in the frame replacement recall.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #26

May 132019

4Runner

  • miles
Right frame rail is very rusted to the point of non repair. Unable to repair suspension due to unable to remove bolts that hold suspension to frame.

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

problem #25

Mar 112019

4Runner

  • 199,432 miles

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

I was doing an oil change and noticed that the frame was rusted very badly. I think that there should be a recall on this model 3rd gen 4runner (1999-2002)this is the same frame as the truck that was recalled, so this should be included.if this frame breaks it will hurt or kill some one.

- Natrona Heights, PA, USA

problem #24

Jan 022019

4Runner

  • 291,000 miles
On my 2002 Toyota 4 runner the bracket welded to the frame for rear trailing arm on drivers side rusted off causing the vehicle to sway and act very strange. Lots of other places rusted bad on frame also!

- Floyd, VA, USA

problem #23

Oct 122018

4Runner

  • 208,000 miles
Rear swaybar rusted from frame causing 4runner to wobble excessivly almost causing me to wreck. That side of frame is completely rusted away.

- Sabina, OH, USA

problem #22

Apr 152018

4Runner

  • miles
This is yet another costumer of the 4runner 3rd generation complaining about the frame rusting out. There needs to be responsability for the bad frames on this year 4runner. My frame has holes in the rear control arm attachment area and more rust all throughout entire frame. I'm doing all I can to keep my frame from getting any more rust on it and keeping it safe to be on the road. I strongly believe Toyota should also have a frame recall for the 4runner like it did for the Tundra Tacoma and sequoia frames.

- Melvindale, MI, USA

problem #21

Sep 172018

4Runner

  • miles
Rear axel is rusted off the frame, and rotting, mechanic says it's unsafe to drive

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #20

Aug 022018

4Runner

  • 165,000 miles
The rear body mount bushings are completely rusted away and do not hold the frame to the body due to excessive frame body rust thru out the vehicle's frame. Makes noise when turning or going over bumps

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 202018

4Runner

  • 216,878 miles
Frame rust on the inside portion for the frame. 33" hole rusted through completely on passenger side. Rust continues about 80% of the way through the rear lower control arm mount. Driver's side has a similar amount of severe rust that has weakened the structural integrity of the frame to the point where it is no longer safe to drive. Should the co troll arm mount finish rusting through, the axle will no longer be attached to the frame on that side. There is noticble flex and sound associated with the frame rot. It is only a matter of time before the control arm mount disconnects completely, or the frame buckles.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #18

Feb 222014

4Runner

  • 124,530 miles
Frame rusted out, similar to Tacoma pick up trucks recall. Additionally climate control heating, cooling, fan defective, power antenna in-operable.

- Edgewater, MD, USA

problem #17

Apr 152018

4Runner

  • 354,000 miles
Takata recall: I was driving on. Freeeway (5) freeway and ball joints busted off and lost wheel and slid about 60 feet before stoping. Busted break line and bent control joint.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 102012

4Runner

  • 120,000 miles
Takata recall. I have a rusty frame that needs to be addressed for safety reasons I was driving on the highway at 55 mph frame cracked and I almost died because of it Toyota have poor frame that should be recalled

- Reads Landing, MN, USA

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