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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,440 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.
Many signs of premature rust on the frame with several holes. The truck only has 124K miles and should not be in this state. Toyota has to recall these frames just like they do from other trucks manufactured during the very same years.
Vehicle frame has rusted completely through in certain areas - structure and safety is compromised.... normal driving & care environment but appears frame has accelerated deterioration, while all other areas (body panels, all other components) are in excellent condition - seeing this is a known Toyota issue on same models and similar models of same production years
My 2004 4runner limited V6 has significant rust build up on the frame, control arms, driveshaft, etc. I am the second owner with just over 21K miles driven in the past three year and right at 160K total. I've made sure to get regular washes to protect the undercarriage after inclement weather since I've owned the vehicle. After returning from a 10-month deployment, two shops have told me the condition is dangerous and requires significant replacement parts and anti-corrosion treatment to remedy the problem. I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a truck that should last me at 250K miles. I will not let my wife and girls ride in this vehicle, but we need two cars. Imagine my shock to find out many other Toyota owners have dealt with the same thing. This is clearly not a coincidence. Hoping for Toyota to rectify this serious safety/quality issue.
I was informed that when I went to get my oil changed this morning that I had major rush on my frame it was cracked and had big holes in it and they were afraid to put it up on the lift. Advised me to check with my dealer to see if there was a recall. According to kbb there is not with my corresponding VIN number which is a dang shame because this is a safety issue and I should T be afraid to drive my grand children around in fear that my frame won't support us. We purchased this vehicle because Toyota is known for their safety, reliability.integrity and longevity. So because of the excellent feedback I have received about Toyota's ' lasting forever' I made my first Toyota purchase. The body deceived me. Other than a little golf ball dent on the front fender. The body is very good condition not a speck of visible rust.
The frame has rust and has a hole. It is unsafe to drive and will need to be addressed very soon. There was no specific incident. I recently bought this car. I don't know when it happened.
While driving the vehicle and after turning onto a state highway it suddenly swerved badly and the rear end began swaying back and forth making it uncontrollable. I stopped the car immediately. It was discovered that the frame had rusted so badly it became separated from the rear axle. I had to tow it home on a flatbed trailer.
The structural frame of the vehicle is rusted out. Holes, large areas of the frame has rusted out. The frame is structurally compromised. Just noted on 10/19/20. Vehicle was in less than a year earlier with no sign of the damage.
I recently bought a used 2004 4runner and when I inspected the frame there was rust everywhere. Not only surface rust but actual holes in the frame from it. Also the steering assembly is completely rusted out. I'm not the only 4runner owner who has experienced these issues. If you do a quick online search for '4runner frame' there are many results detailing this issue. As I use this vehicle for commuting to and from work I am concerned about its structural integrity. It only has 70000 miles on it and it's completely unacceptable that Toyota has not issued a recall for this problem as they did with other models (Tacoma, Tundra, sequoia).
Frame has sever rust-through and corrosion on the passenger side in front of the rear trailing link mount and behind the front control arm mount. Vehicle is driven in an environment where road salt is used in the winter, but this is excessive compared to other older vehicles. Vehicle is washed regularly in the winter.
Severe frame rust on 2004 4runner SR5 sport. Suspension rust, steering components rust. Holes in vehicle frame due to rust. I went to two mechanics that told me that this rust was beyond reasonable for normal rust on frame, they both stated it may become dangerous and to contact Toyota directly. The vehicle is becoming dangerous to drive due to possibly of failing components and or frame.
Corrosion was found on passenger side of frame during 2020 state safety inspection causing failure of said state inspection. Corrosion was previously found on driver side frame during 2018 state safety inspection and was rectified by body shop welder. Vehicle is garaged when not in use.
Toyota 4 runner has developed severe corrosion of the frame and has been deemed unsafe to operate. Vehicle has been regularly washed and maintained by single owner. Vehicle has not been used for off-road driving. Vehicle has not been in a collision. State safety inspector advised owner that there have been a large number of complaints about frame corrosion of 2004 Toyota and that this vehicle may be subject to a recall notice. Safety inspector stated that frame corrosion of this nature is highly unusual and should be reported to the NHTSA. Vehicle is not used along coast nor been subjected to immersion in salt water.
Our 2004 4runner was inspected yesterday (Virginia requires annual inspections), and failed due to rust holes in the frame. We have a photo of the holes. This seems odd to us, because the body is rust free and we live in a southern state where there is not a lot of road salt. Virginia does not allow any modifications to frames. I'm not sure whether this can be repaired. We've maintained the car in tip top shape and are very disappointed in Toyota. The car is registered in my wife's name, [xxx]. redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Rust. I was told I may not pass inspection next time because of the badly rusted frame. Along with that issue, the rear hatch is rusting off the vehicle. It can no longer open and close because the latching mechanism has rusted off. The rest of the vehicle is pretty much rust free. Why has it rusted away so badly?
My 4runner's frame broke while driving due to rust. There's a recall for Tacoma's but not 4 runners. I thankfully was not injured but now I'm without a vehicle. When I bought my 4 runner I was under the impression Toyota was #1 when it came to safety for their customers. Please help
This well maintained vehicle had been functioning flawlessly up to this point. Our son was on his way home and vehicle felt unstable and started to veer in both directions. He maintained control of the vehicle and was able to get home. I personally drove the vehicle upon his description and sure enough it seemed very unstable. After close examination, it was determined that the frame had separated at a location which left a drivers side rear stabilizer bar detached from the frame. The frame of the vehicle is completely deteriorating and flaking apart. The vehicle is unsafe to drive. We purchased this one owner vehicle for our son. We owned a Toyota sequoia that gave us safe reliable transportation for our family for many years and thought this 4runner would be a safe and reliable vehicle for our son to go off to college. The body and mechanics of the vehicle were very sound. Now, to find out, because of the inferior frame, the vehicle is worthless. We are out the money we paid for the vehicle and disheartened by Toyota's response that our vehicle was not part of the frame recall that was a known problem and safety issue for so many owners. This could have turned out to be a life threatening situation if he had not been able to bring the vehicle under control. We understand rust & corrosion, but this is extreme. I have owned many different brands of vehicles and have never seen anything like this. This frame is literally crumbling away leaving a beautiful vehicle to waste.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brooklyn, NY, USA