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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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
211,445 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.

2006 Toyota 4Runner miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #69

Feb 242023

4Runner

  • miles

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

The frame is corroded and rusted to the point that it-€™s not safe to drive. This was discovered by our service technician when we had the vehicle inspected for a rattling noise in the rear. I reached out to Toyota and was told that no problems are available regarding this issue. I have maintained my 4Runner meticulously and timely since I purchased brand new. There is no rust on the body, just the frame.

- Batesville , IN, USA

problem #68

Jan 052023

4Runner

  • miles
My 2006 4Runner Toyota frame is rusted and falling into pieces. From the rear especially and underneath. I-€™m scared if someone rear ends me that the impact could be life threatening due to the frame falling to pieces as I drive and the vehicle sits.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #67

Nov 262022

4Runner 6-cyl

  • miles
My 17 year old son was parked and when he turned off the defrost the rear hatchback glass shattered. This scared him a lot as we do not know what happened and thankfully he was parked not driving. This is a safety and potentially dangerous issue. We purchased this used vehicle and had Toyota thoroughly inspect and update and upgrade anything he needed and they never told us this was an issue. We researched it online and it has been an issue. This should have been addressed and recalled. I brought in vehicle so that they can fix it and they are saying they won-€™t even though it-€™s their equipment defect.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #66

Nov 012022

4Runner

  • miles

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

The frame of the vehicle was corroding as if it was not sealed effectively. The frame rotted to point where vehicle began swaying on road and during mechanic check the frame bent when vehicle placed on a lift. I am original owner of vehicle and took the vehicle to local Toyota dealership for ALL scheduled maintenance. The Toyota dealer mechanics NEVER reported signs of corroding frame damage in the vehicle bumper to bumper checks during my scheduled maintenance appointments. I was never informed of any signs of rotting or corroding on the frame.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #65

Sep 192022

4Runner

  • miles
Under carriage and frame rust due to bad frames that caused a recall on other Toyota models that were settled, but not the 4 Runner.

- Wilmette , IL, USA

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problem #64

Sep 032022

4Runner

  • miles
I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. I also have a 2005 GMC Sierra, but this 4Runner's frame is absolutely toast, while the GMC is completely fine. Toyota issued recalls on the tacoma, tundra, and the sequoia, so why not the 4Runner? My car started swaying and violently shaking on the highway. I pulled over and looked underneath, only to see the rear section of the frame had completely disconnected. This could have caused a major accident or even death if I did not catch it soon enough. This is a MASSIVE safety issue, and if people do not know what to look for with these, Toyota will be seeing a lot of wrongful death lawsuits.

- Warren, RI, USA

problem #63

Feb 232022

4Runner

  • miles

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

It-€™s the frame! It-€™s completely rotting away the corrosion is unreal it has just over 75000 miles very clean no rust any wear else but underneath is completely gone makes it so unsafe that if not fixed the vehicle will split in half and kill somebody!!!!!!!

- Custer, MI, USA

problem #62

Feb 202022

4Runner

  • miles
The frame is only the bottom 1/2 is Swiss cheese as they say from rust, the top 1/2 is sold. As the steel used was defective to rot out on 1/2 all the way around but not the other 1/2. Only the bottom 1/2 is rotten off

- Custer, MI, USA

problem #61

Dec 202021

4Runner

  • miles
I have frame rust issues on my 2006 Toyota 4Runner. I first heard about the rust issue in 2018, I contacted Toyota and they send me to Huntington Toyota in New York to get it check. They said it's fine. A couple of weeks ago the frame cracked from rust. I've contact Toyota again and they denied the repair. It is vary obvious the frame issue was a flaw from the beginning. I like to see them replace the frame.

- Northport, NY, USA

problem #60

Dec 282021

4Runner

  • miles
This morning my 4Runner rear window exploded inward all over my car while I was idling in a parking lot just after having driven on the highway. I had the defrost on. I lept out of car terrified covering my head thinking I was under attack. Nobody was near me and no projectile was found inside car. I was confused all morning Until I googled exploding forerunner window and saw that they had an extended warranty that has expired in 2018. Should absolutely be a safety recall, I can only imagine what would-€™ve happened if that had exploded while I was driving on the highway, or with my 2 yr old son who-€™s car seat is now covered in broken glass. A quick search online revealed several testimonies of it exploding while driving 2006 4runner. I contacted Toyota and have a case number with them it is case number 211228002935. They said that because the warranty was expired they can-€™t do anything, I don-€™t even care about getting reimbursement for window as much as I care about them addressing this as a real safety issue and recalling it. Although I-€™m am shell shocked and have anxiety condition and heart Condition already, I am more worried about this happening to somebody while driving or if somebody has a more dire heart condition or severe PTSD.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #59

Dec 162021

4Runner

  • miles

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

The component that failed is the frame of the car. The frame is disintegrated in some places, rusted through in others, and in general rusted all over. I went for an oil change and discovered that the pan holding the gas tank had rusted through and the gas tank was about to fall out of the car. I was told that had this occurred while I was driving the car could have started on fire. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by a Toyota dealer and an independent service center on several occasions. No warning lamps or messages.

- Highland Park, IL, USA

problem #58

Dec 032021

4Runner

  • miles
FRAME HAS HOLES AT 150000 MILES. My car has 150,000 miles on it. We are the second owner, although we've had it for over 10 years. The frame has holes in it. It is dangerous to drive in its current condition. There's no way I could sell it and feel good consciously to give this car to someone else. My son has older cars with more miles whose frame does not look anything like this. This is an issue that has been recalled for all other cars in the Toyota lineup except for the 4Runners.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #57

Sep 202009

4Runner

  • miles
My 2006 4 Runner frame is rusting from the inside out. I first noticed this in 2009. I saw many rust spots in my driveway coming from the frame on a fairly new truck. At my next service I brought it up to the dealer Boch Toyota in Ma. They brushed it off as just normal rust from water dripping through frame. A few months lata in 2010 I looked deeper into the frame holes and could see a good amount of rust inside the frame rails. It was excessive rust for a fairly new truck. I brought it to the dealer ( Boch Toyota) few more times complaining of the issues I saw but Toyota didn-€™t want to hear it. It has been 11 years since then. The rust has made its way to the outside of the frame and had compromised the Integrity of the frame for some time now.

- Providence , RI, USA

problem #56

Aug 102021

4Runner

  • miles
Got my 2006 4 Runner inspected and it failed due to the frame being rusted with holes in it. The gas tank skid plate is also completely rotted. The vehicle is unsafe to drive. If you were to hit a bad pot hole the frame could collapse and cause an accident.

- Cranberry Twp., PA, USA

problem #55

Apr 112021

4Runner

  • miles
The plastic slider for the sunroof malfunctioned releasing the sunroof so when I went to open the sunroof while driving the airflow caught underneath the sunroof lifting it up and shooting it off and hurtling into traffic behind me and innocent highway drivers, and I completely shocked did not know where it landed or who it landed on. Now I don-€™t have any protection from the weather and my headliner is coming off due to the wind. Now I have to save money or go to a pick and pull and figure out how to get this fixed before it causes more damage to my vehicle. I do not know if it caused any injuries or crashes or if anyone got hurt Being that I was going down the highway at the time of the incident.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #54

Jun 022021

4Runner

  • miles
When I went to have a tail pipe replaced, it was discovered that the frame of my car was badly rusted. Upon bringing to a mechanic, an auto body shop and a Toyota dealer, they all said the car is not safe to drive. The rest of the body is in mint condition as is the interior and mechanics. I called Toyota Corporation asking for assistance, provided them with the vin and was told they would do nothing and suggested I "junk' the car. Toyota replaced the same frames on their Tacoma models under a recall and it turns out there is no recall for this model. The same frames are used on the 4Runner as well as the Tacoma. Saftcap.com in Cranston RI holds a United States patent for replacing parts of these frames and the owner feels there should have been a recall on the 4Runners just like the Tacomas.

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #53

Feb 012021

4Runner

  • miles
Bought this 4Runner back in January of 2021 and when I took it to a mechanic I saw rust all over the frame and the spots of the frame where the welds are. The frame has no rotten out spots but it-€™s way too much rust for a car from 2006. The frames on these 4runners are notoriously known for huge amount of rust

- Evergreen Park , IL, USA

problem #52

Jan 112021

4Runner

  • 160,000 miles
I have a 2006 4runner with no rust on the body but the frame is full of rust. All body mounts have rusted away from the frame causing a wable when hitting bumps. I am so worried that the car is going to break in half at any time. It causes unusual sounds, creaking, squeaking, unusual noises, bad alignment, uneven wear in the tires, suspension, and shocks.... frame is visibly bent and severely damaged... the worst thing is that I called Toyota for service and they won't fix my frame... my mechanic said that is too far gone to fix.. I'm not able to drive it because it broke off on me..

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #51

Sep 252020

4Runner

  • 193,000 miles
Frame issue. Crack measuring approximately 8 inches long was discovered when a brake service was being performed. Crack location was located on passenger side frame rail rearward of the curved section of frame where it meets the straight frame section. Toyota motor sales was notified as per owner's manual. No service advisory has been found on this issue. Owned this 2006 4runner for less than 1 year, paid $8000 for vehicle it now is junk. Please notify other owners of this issue. Vehicle cannot be driven, citing possible frame breakage and subsequent loss of control as the result. Thank you for this reportng system. Potential buyers should thouroughly have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic and/or certied welder before purchase. Hopefully my loss of a substantial amout of money for purchase, remaining loan amount and repairs during the time of ownership will be enough tuition for others to learn from this poorly designed and questionable steel quality used in this vehicle. Look for something else. My Chevy Suburban of the same vintage has not had this kind of issue.

- New Hartford, NY, USA

problem #50

Dec 102015

4Runner

  • miles
Brake calipers seize often. I have been through 12 different calipers in 160K miles. The frame has an alarming amount of rust for a vehicle which I have taken very good care of.

- Montague, MA, USA

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