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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
144,314 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.

2001 Toyota 4Runner body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2001 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #53

Aug 022021

4Runner

  • 119,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #52

Sep 012019

4Runner

  • 200,000 miles
First there were 3 recalls 1. 135468 2. 135469 and 3. 135469 dating back to 2005 that I was never notified of and I have a very bad corrugated metal bumpers and when I drive my vehicle and I hit a bump or something in the road it feels like my car is going to turn over. I had the shocks replaced and it hasn't helped

- White Plains, MD, USA

problem #51

Dec 082020

4Runner

  • 280,001 miles
The vehicle frame has rusted through. My mechanic says this is unable to be inspected and should not be driven.

- Morrisville, PA, USA

problem #50

May 062020

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 205,000 miles

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

The frame of my 2001 Toyota 4runner is rusted to the point that you can break some of it off in our hand. Recently took my vehicle in for an oil change and was told that it would not pass inspection in its current condition. This required welding to some sections in order to keep driving. The welding will only keep me on the road for now but the overall condition of the frame is very deteriorated. The vehicle has over 205,000 miles on it but has been garage kept and maintained to all other standards. The auto shop said that the vehicle should not rust this much. I called Toyota national headquarters and they said that the year and model was not included in any recalls. I need this car so I had the garage repair the immediate safety concern. This was discovered by the technician conducting the oil change. The images attached were after the work as they had to grind out the rusted sections and replace with welded steel.

- Shrewsbury, PA, USA

problem #49

Jan 132020

4Runner

  • 145,000 miles
Purchased vehicle took for mass inspection and failed due to rotted frame was told not road worthy and unsafe to drive called Toyota they would not assist on repair vehicle has 145K miles on now vehicle dots on my driveway older gentleman I purchased from will not assist either spent $4K need assistance if possible please and thanks

- Clinton, MA, USA

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problem #48

Dec 312019

4Runner

  • 103,321 miles
I just purchased a 2001 Toyota 4runner. All seemed fine.but when I went to get it inspected they would not pass starting it had frame rust through. I called Toyota customer service who said and I also read online that thousands of Toyota trucks have a frame recall but mine does not. And they are not willing to do anything. Others had the frame replaced, repaired or bought back. Hopefully you can help me.

- Kunkletown, PA, USA

problem #47

Jul 292019

4Runner

  • 156,535 miles

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

Dealer decline to do a transfer case repair because the vehicle frame is severely rusted to the point that the trailing arm mount is almost gone. Dealer advised me that the vehicle is unsafe and the frame will break through. I will need to buy a new vehicle

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #46

Jan 012016

4Runner

  • 169,000 miles
Vehicle frame corrosion/rot.. bad frame (just like the Tacoma I had recalled due to bad frame)

- Charlestown, RI, USA

problem #45

May 232019

4Runner

  • 190,000 miles
I noticed a pretty distinct wobble when driving my 2001 $runner on the highway recently. I took it to a mechanic who informaed my the frame has a 1 inch wide 18 inch long hole from rust. The mechanic says they can weld it to possibly give it some more time to live but that it is a ticking time bomb. There very well could be rust on the frame hidden behind the gas tank, but I am unable to look behind it. Toyota needs to take responsibility for their mistake when not properly coating these frames. They recalled other models for this same issue but failed to address the issue with the 4runner.

- Malta, NY, USA

problem #44

Feb 202019

4Runner

  • 248,500 miles
Frame rust on multiple locations. Suspension shot right through rotted frame. Frame has structural damage as a result of rust. Car is not safe to drive! I almost killed myself driving the car when the suspension penetrated right through the rotted rusted frame.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #43

Jan 102019

4Runner

  • miles

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

Extreme frame rust. Husband says vehicle is unsafe to drive. Even though the body looks great, the frame, where we can see it, is in terrible condition, with holes rusted through the metal. No accidents yet, but it's ominous to know in a collision this vehicle would crumple like paper. There are many other complaints of serious frame rust for other years of Toyota 4runners. Please add my vehicle and safety concern to the growing list of other Toyota owners facing the same frame disintegration.

- Luck, WI, USA

problem #42

Mar 132018

4Runner

  • 147,000 miles
"takata recall" my 2001 Toyota 4runner frame is rusted out and won't pass state inspection.

- Landenburg, PA, USA

problem #41

Sep 212018

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the entire frame of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was taken to northway Toyota (727 new loudon rd, latham, NY 12110, (888) 885-1583) and the contact was informed that there was no recall to cover the repair. The manufacturer echoed the dealer's statement and issued case number: 1809211044. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Wynantskill, NY, USA

problem #40

Jul 152018

4Runner

  • 192,000 miles
The frame on my 2001 rotted very quickly from the inside out. It is the same exact frame used on the Tacoma (which was recalled) and on the 2002 4runner, which is currently under investigation. If I didn't get the necessary frame repairs it easily could have cracked in half when on the road. The main areas of rot are located at the rear control arm (which I had professionally repaired), and up front near the suspension and axle. My brothers 1997 4runner axle and suspension completely fell apart when he was driving on the road. He was lucky to not be on the highway. Someone definitely needs to look into this issue. I purchased the vehicle from the South four years ago (2014) with a spotless rock hard frame. Four years later the rear control arm areas mentioned above completely rotted through. This should not happen! I love my 4runner, but I can't believe how these truck frames weren't recalled along with the Tacoma frames. It is the same exact frame...

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #39

Aug 012018

4Runner

  • miles
Went for inspection for 2001 Toyota 4 runner. Frame is rusted and too bad. Mechanic said unsafe to be on the road. What a shame everything runs good. Now I am without a vehicle. The Toyota 4 runners should have been recalled just like the Tacoma's and sequoias.

- Shenandoah, PA, USA

problem #38

May 212018

4Runner

  • 300,000 miles
Frame of vehicle has severe rust damage throughout, told by state safety inspector that it is beyond repair. Appears to have occurred slowly over the course of many years.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #37

Jan 072018

4Runner

  • 112,000 miles
I was driving my truck on a city street in brooklyn, New York ( flatbush ave) when I suddenly smelled smoke followed by fire coming from the hood. I did not hit any bump and was not involved in any accident. By the time the fire department came, the entire front compartment of the truck was on fire.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #36

Aug 082017

4Runner

  • 231,220 miles
I was at the Toyota dealership having my brakeline on the front leftside repaired, after hitting a pothole; and I was told by phone, my frame is badly rusted through in multiple spots.

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #35

Jul 032017

4Runner 4WD 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. While driving 40 mph, the frame failed without warning and caused the vehicle to wobble. The vehicle was driven home where it was pieced back together. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. Updated 11/13/17 the consumer stated the frame rusted. Updated 11/16/2017

- Sardinia, OH, USA

problem #34

Jun 202017

4Runner

  • 144,522 miles
Frame rusted through in several places. Unsafe to drive.

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

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