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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:
86,627 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.

2005 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems

suspension problem

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2005 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #49

Apr 122020

4Runner

  • 130,000 miles

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

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?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #48

Jan 302020

4Runner

  • 154,000 miles
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.

- Elkins Park, PA, USA

problem #47

Jan 012020

4Runner

  • 173,000 miles
The frame is very rusty and looks like it's going to break soon. This is the same frame as a Tacoma pickup

- Epping, NH, USA

problem #46

Jan 012014

4Runner

  • 65,000 miles

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

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

problem #45

Dec 162019

4Runner

  • 125,000 miles
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.

- Mcconnelsville, OH, USA

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problem #44

Nov 082019

4Runner

  • 132,000 miles
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.

- Royersford, PA, USA

problem #43

Sep 082019

4Runner

  • 183,000 miles

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

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.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #42

Jul 252019

4Runner

  • 130,000 miles
Frame broke lower control arm cross member left side no steering half pulled out of transmission.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #41

Apr 162019

4Runner

  • miles
The fram is rusted and no time known will it give out N cause serious accident.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #40

Jan 012016

4Runner

  • 175,000 miles
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.

- Canal Fulton, OH, USA

problem #39

Mar 222017

4Runner

  • 106,000 miles

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

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.

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

problem #38

Apr 052019

4Runner

  • 195,000 miles
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.

- Clendenin, WV, USA

problem #37

Apr 042019

4Runner

  • 158,000 miles
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.

- Fombell, PA, USA

problem #36

Sep 032018

4Runner 8-cyl

  • miles
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.

- Independence, NJ, USA

problem #35

Feb 132019

4Runner

  • 228,000 miles
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.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #34

Dec 012005

4Runner

  • miles
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.

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #33

Jan 202019

4Runner

  • 198,000 miles
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

- Hazard, KY, USA

problem #32

Aug 012018

4Runner

  • 143,000 miles
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.

- Middletown, RI, USA

problem #31

Aug 152018

4Runner

  • 156,000 miles
2005 Toyota 4runner 156K miles with substantial rust and corrosion to frame to the point where mechanic can no longer service the vehicle.

- Washington, CT, USA

problem #30

Jan 012019

4Runner

  • miles
Severe frame and front end rust, vehicle well taken care of> should have been part of Tacoma recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Princeton, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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