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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
172,407 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.

1996 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems

suspension problem

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1996 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Sep 012021

4Runner

  • miles

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

I have noticed that my vehicle doesn-€™t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #20

May 222019

4Runner

  • 171,253 miles
My vehicle has been slipping a lot causing me to lose control of the vehicle it's not the first time it has happened just recently it happened again and I was told to check if there was a recall on the vehicle but there wasn't but after researching my 4runner I've read there was some recalls on the car about the rear suspension.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 092019

4Runner

  • miles
The rear axle/suspension is completely rusted out. Just took it to my auto shop for an oil change and they will not put it up for an oil change because they are afraid it will collapse.

- Middlesex, NJ, USA

problem #18

Dec 222018

4Runner

  • 192,000 miles

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

The axel support rusted off causing it to separate from the frame. This results in a dangerous condition

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Oct 102006

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
Takata recall. Antilock brakes slipped and didnt stop. The air bags open until after the truck was towed and parked back at my house when no one was in it.

- Mission Hills, CA, USA

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problem #16

Apr 022018

4Runner

  • 302,182 miles
Frame rust, a fair amount of rust is causing concern and makes me question how trustworthy vehicle is. The date listed isnt the date of the incident its roughly around the time the extent of the rust had been noticed.

- Pillager, MN, USA

problem #15

Jan 032018

4Runner

  • 175,000 miles

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

Frame is rusting from inside out. Holes in frame big enough to push your whole arm through. Areas of frame connected to suspension prematurely rusting out. This rest of this vehicle is in excellent condition, body panels included. Welder told me entire frame is rusting away and repair to the frame is very difficult anf expensive even if possible. Vehicle has under 185,000 miles and runs great. I hear creaking developing and am afraid car may split in half. Why is Toyota not stepping up after admitting to badly manufactured frames.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #14

May 162017

4Runner

  • 205,000 miles
Shock absorber completely went threw the frame causing the 4 runner to go size to size while driving. Frame is rusting from inside out. Very very dangerous. The same exact frames on the tacomatacoma got a recall, they replaced them. Why wasnt this recalled on the 4runner? and the seatbelts just pop out of the buckle while your just driving. Something has to happen soon or somebody is gonna get very hurt, or killed. 1 more thing. I had a wheel pop off also from the ball joint breaking luckily that was in my driveway, luckily I wasn't on the main road I could've killed somebody.

- Rutledge, TN, USA

problem #13

Aug 252017

4Runner

  • 138,000 miles
I was getting on the hiway ramp and was traveling 60pmh when my vehicle felt like it wanted to move over to the next lane while the steering wheel was held steady. I took the vehicle to northpark Toyota in san antonio Texas on August 29,2017. Iwas told the parts were ordered and would take 2weeks to come in. I called 2weeks later and could not get any info on the parts ordered. Today is 10/16/2016 and still no info. I have been driving the vehicle little because it has wanted to move over to the next lane several times even though I hold the steering wheel straight.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #12

Apr 072017

4Runner

  • miles
Frame badly rotted crossmember for transmission and left rear are worst.

- Mashpee, MA, USA

problem #11

Feb 092016

4Runner

  • 129,034 miles

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

Known documented issues with Toyota 4runner frame rot. This particular vehicle the control arm support brackets are showing signs of rust through with holes appearing in the brackets. This is documented with photos! the vehicle was purchased new by my father in 96, always garage kept, in 2006 I bought the vehicle from him and also is kept in a dry garage not sitting out over moist soil. The 4runner has never been in a accident. I am a certified mechanic who performs safety inspections as I work for engineering university. It came to my attention when I was hearing and reading stories of these 3rd generation 4runners have stability problems directly related to the rusted out frame support brackets that hold the control arms in place for the rear axle. This is a main frame component, if the support bracket break free it allows the axle to wander around as it's not being held in place, causing loss of steering stability, it is a road hazard that is eventually going to kill people. I have a 95 Blazer that was purchased six months before the 4runner and I still have it! the body on the Blazer is literally rusted everywhere however, the integrity of the frame is still solid but the frame is rusted badly ! conversely, the body on the 4runner is excellent especially for the year, having a rusted out body is a appearance issue not a safety related issue as in the 3rd generation Toyota 4runner that reside in the upper midwest. Toyota has a a buy back program with Tundra pickups that have frames that are safety hazards. I feel these 4runners are no different than the Tundra, Toyota should have the frames either replaced or buy the vehicle back! I took great care of this 4runner it looks great, however I can not sell it due to the possibility of the control arm breaking free from the frame caused by inside frame rot.

- Calumet, MI, USA

problem #10

Dec 312014

4Runner

  • 214,362 miles
On December 31, 2014 we were driving in hillsboro, oh and noticed a popping and cracking noise upon stopping and accelerating. On the way home, we noticed that the noise subsided. On January 1, 2015, went to drive the vehicle just outside our corporation limit and noticed that the vehicle was swaying back and forth like a boat out on the water, and thought it was just caused by excessive wind. On January 2, 2015 we were travelling on us 35 towards chillicothe, oh and hit a ripple in the road and the front end of the vehicle started swaying violently at about 45 mph. We pulled the vehicle off the road and thought it was in the front end and couldn't see anything. We took off again and it did the same thing at about the same speed and pulled off the road and decided to take it to gusweiler Toyota in Washington C.H. oh approximately 3 miles away. A technician informed us that the frame was broken where the left rear tortion bar hooks to the frame. Had the vehicle towed home and upon further inspection we found that the frame has cracks all through it. We purchased the vehicle in September 2013 from a used car dealer who bought it from joseph airport Toyota in dayton oh. To date we only put 5,169 miles on it and it has been just sitting ever since.

- Sabina, OH, USA

problem #9

Apr 162015

4Runner 4WD 6-cyl

  • 314,200 miles
As I was making a right hand turn from a stop, the vehicle became severely poor handling. Upon inspection, it was realized that the mounting flange for the right rear control arm and frame had rusted through and the control arm was no longer connected to the frame.

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #8

Mar 102015

4Runner 4WD 6-cyl

  • 246,000 miles
My son was driving vehicle and hit a pothole causing damage to the vehicle. After further inspection the frame had broke into because it was rusting from the inside out.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #7

Dec 242013

4Runner

  • 245,000 miles
I was pulling a U haul trailer as I have done many times, but this time I noticed the trailer wanted to sway at 40-55 mph. When I returned the trailer I then notices the truck handling badly, at 65mph it was almost impossible to keep it in my lane as it was rocking similar to having a broken strut. I got the truck home and called under it and that's when I saw the mount for the lower right rear control had broken completely away from the frame. Unless this can be repaired, which is highly unlikely the truck will have to be scrapped. All other features on this truck are in great working order. Toyota need to do something. I have a friend who had a 95 Tacoma who received a letter from Toyota that instructed him to come in once a year for a free inspection for this type of failure, if it didn't pass Toyota would by the truck back. I'm trying to contact the zone office now to see what action I need to take. I have a 1957 Chevy 3/4 ton truck and has no rust issues, what's your deal Toyota!!

- Batavia , OH, USA

problem #6

Oct 022014

4Runner 4WD 6-cyl

  • 179,300 miles
The frame on my 1996 4runner is rusted beyond repair. A place with significant rust had bend and would break off at any moment. The vehicle is unsafe to drive and completely useless at this point.

- East Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #5

Jul 012014

4Runner

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise. The contact discovered that the main frame in front of the left rear wheel fractured. The contact also stated that the rear suspension had corrosion build up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the frame was destroyed beyond repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure was 195,000.

- Galax, VA, USA

problem #4

Jun 122014

4Runner

  • 144,000 miles
I see that you guys have ordered a recall on 2001-2002 Toyota 4runner for the lower ball joint failing. The part number for the lower ball joint is the same for years 1996-2002 and there are numerous posts of people having their ball joint fail on years prior to 2001. Can you please explain why only years 2001-2002 are covered? this is a liability and Toyota should know that the same part number is covered for all 3rd generation Toyota 4runners and it is failing on all 3rd generation 4runners. Please do a quick google search and you will see numerous people getting into accidents, flips, etc. On 4runners that are pre 2001 (1996-2000) because of lower ball joint failure. This has the potential of people bringing suit against Toyota as well as the safety commission for their negligence in fixing this matter.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #3

Feb 172014

4Runner

  • 186,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, an abnormal noise was present from the driver side rear wheel area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the metal bar that held the rear axle was rusted and became detached from the frame. The contact was informed that the defect was not repairable. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 186,000.

- Wisconsin Rapids , WI, USA

problem #2

Dec 032012

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 250,225 miles
The rear end of the frame broke on the drivers side back by the rear wheel going at a speed of 60 mph. Upon applying the brakes the rear end of the vehicle started to sway out of control. To make matters worse there was an on coming semi & another one following behind me, way too close of course. This scared the hell out of me for I thought for sure that there was going to be a serious accident. I have taken excellent care of my 4runner from the day I bought it new in 1996 & prided myself for it looking like new. All the scheduled maintenance had been performed over the years. It does not leak any fluid or burn any oil with 250,230 miles on it. In fact I receive compliments regularly on it's excellent condition. No door dings, keep it polished & in the winter rinse the under body at least once a week to keep the salt off. I had planned on driving this vehicle for at least another 100,000 miles. After escaping a near death accident I nursed it over to the Toyota dealership for I could not see anything wrong by simply looking under the vehicle. Once I arrived at the dealership they put it up on the lift & asked me to come look at it. I was in disbelief at what I had saw. A portion of the frame that kept the drivers side rear wheel in place was completely separated. When I asked them what could be done they suggested a new frame. I said can you tell me how much that would cost he said he would check & come & get me. He came back several minutes later to tell me it would be a minimum of $10,000. Even in excellent condition the vehicle might be worth $3,000. Not only do I not have $10,000 to fix & if I did, would I" I don't know a lot about replacing frames, but I know it's no small job. Would it be worth it? I bought a Toyota because they're supposed to last forever. Now I'm left with no vehicle & I have nothing to trade in! will Toyota stand behind it's product"

- Walworth, WI, USA

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