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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,916 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.
I was driving my 2006 Toyota 4 runner on highway when frame broke by rear tire causing me to crash into the median. I had towed too repair shop and was notified that the whole frame was rotted from rust and the vehicle is no longer drive able. What? it ran like a champ and and I never had any problems with it. Did normal maintenance life was good. The engine out lasted the frame. That is just crazy apparently the 2006 Tacoma, highlander, and Tundra that used same frame were covered but Toyota skipped the 4 runner. The frame completely split and was close in other area. There must be some recourse.
While driving my 2006 4 runner on the hwy. The frame collapsed by the rear wheel and I lost control as the rear end was "wagging". took to dealership they were not open or up front that this is a common problematic defect that Toyota has turned its back on. The Tacoma, highlander, and Tundra models of same year were notified and recalled. The 4 runner owners not even notified, very lucky there were no injuries. Toyota needs to step up and take ownership.
Corrosion and rotting of the frame. Significant areas rotting in right front frame towards front bumper mounting areas and right rear frame on front side of right rear tire. Right front considered a safety issue in a front end collision. Front end vibrations
I bought my 4runner new and have taken meticulous care of it via the dealership I bought it from, doing an oil change every 5000 miles. Now they tell me the truck should not be driven since the frame has rusted through in the rear. The trucks maintenance was done at prestige Toyota mahesh NJ 201-669-4525 service manager is robert J teunisen
- Warwick, NY, USA
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The frame is so rusted everywhere that it is unsafe to drive. One huge hole is completely broken through both sides of the frame and the bottom plate has cracked through. I have a highly reputable welding shop set to repair and patch this but I feel Toyota needs to take care of this before it costs me everything.
Hi, I am writing this letter in regards to the potential recall of the Toyota 4runner rotting frames. I purchased a beautiful 2006 Toyota 4runner sport in Oct of 2018 this SUV had less than 130,000 miles, the body and interior are in immaculate condition' I loved it. Then a few weeks later I take it to a shop to have the sway bar bushings done and find out from that shop that the frame is overly rusted they stated Toyota has a recall on rusted frames and tells me to go to a Toyota service center and look into it, so I did the following day and they told me they recalled the Tundra, sequoia and the Tacoma but haven't recalled the 4runner the Toyota service advisor told me that he had a flood of 4runner owners bringing their SUVS to be inspected and some were so severe and the 4runners should have been included' he recommended that we undercoat it until a recall happens, so my husband takes it and spends about $250 and undercoats the whole underneath. Now it has been a year of ownership and we brought our 4runner to a shop to have some shock and strut work done and they informed me that the frame is overly rusted again and the undercoat has worn off and now there are severe cracks in the front and the rear of our frame, I am totally sickened and afraid to drive this now. Before buying this 4runner I did research and was looking for a top rated SUV that was reliable and safe in an accident and the 4runner was there' now look what I have a very unsafe car not only for me but also my family and to other families that are out on the road. I purchased this SUV for $8,700 using up years of money saved and now im finding out that I will need to bring it into a frame shop for either welding and or possible frame replacement.
Did an oil change yesterday, and as usual I do an inspection on my undercarriage to make sure everything is fine, (I.e. leaks, making sure the suspension is tight, etc) and I am noticing excessive frame corrosion, which is worrisome as I know there have been recalls on the Tacoma, Tundra, and sequoias, but nothing for the 4runners. Its starting to get pretty bad and I really wouldnt want my frame to fail as the rest of the truck is in excellent condition. I just want Toyota to make it right like they did for the others. I love this truck and would not want something catastrophic to happen
My vehicle has extensive frame rust on the right rear lower trailing arm mount and the frame above the the mount is completely rusted away. The only thing holding the frame together in this area is the lower trailing arm mount weldment. The frame behind and above the lower trailing arm mount weldment, on the inside of the frame, is rusted out leaving only about half of the frame in that area intact. The frame also has rusted out areas in the front at the body mounts and forward of the front suspension. Also, the rear fuel tank strap is completely rusted apart and the front fuel tank strap is rusted. Frame/suspension failure and fuel tank movement are very serious safety issues that shouldn't exist on this vehicle.
Frame rust recall- the vehicles frame has major rust and cracks. Vehicle will not pass state inspection due to the the amount of rust that has accumulated.
06 4runner same frame as recalled Tacoma. Safety issue heavy rust on frame. Mechanic said to get rid of it, rotting where it connects to control arms. May not pass next inspection
I purchased this vehicle used from a dealer in 2014 with low miles on it and it appeared to be in great shape. The undercarriage was sprayed with what I thought was a coating to protect against rust. I realize now the dealer was probably trying to hide the rust problems. The coating flaked off a short time later and ever since, I too have been plagued by the frame and other component rust problems. Had to replace the exhaust, running boards, sway bar and several other things that all rusted off on the undercarriage. My skid plates are about to fall off next. Just had my brakes replaced and the shop noticed a couple areas where frame now has holes through it and says it likely won't pass state inspection which will be coming due soon. The rust problems with these 4runners seems like a big problem that Toyota should address. I'm going to have to put a bunch more money into fixing this vehicle or be left with a worthless piece of junk I can't drive and will be taking a big loss on.
Toyota 4runner frame rust. I just got back from the state inspection and they said the 4runner would not pass state inspection in one year. The frame is rusted through in some areas. The frame needs to be fixed or replaced. I am having Toyota inspect the frame on 5/15/2019 at autonation Toyota in leesburg va under the vehicles VIN of [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I was driving home on a Suburban road going about 25 mph and took a corner which felt like I had hit snow or ice, however conditions were optimal. The fishtailing continued and I parked my car as it did not feel safe to drive. When the mechanic looked at it he said I could have been in a serious accident and possibly a roll had I taken it on the highway. The frame was cracked. We also had already replaced the suspension on this vehicle, and the exhaust fell off on the highway the year prior due to rust. The underbody of the car is excessively rusted.
Despite having previously treated my undercarriage with rust-proof sprays numerous times, my mechanic has told me that my Toyota is not safe to drive and it did not receive an inspection sticker due to excessive rust. In addition to the complete rusting the my xreas shock/suspension system (a $3,000 fix), rust damage has spread throughout the undercarriage, rendering many thin spots beneath crumbling flakes. While driving I have noticed a rumbling feeling beneath the front end and the driving wheel shakes furiously at times. My mechanic has said the suspension system has been compromised and will need to be replaced, and rust is compromising other structural components.
Severe frame rust where the suspension and body connect to the frame. Very similar to the Toyota Tacoma frames I see at the dealership that have been replaced and are being sent to scrap. Very scary!
I purchased my 2006 Toyota 4runner 4X4 sport on 10-4-2018 for $9,000 with 130,000 miles on it a few days later I took it in for an oil change and a look over at my favorite shop at that time I was told that my frame was rusting through from the inside out and there were a few holes rusted through they recommended that I go to a Toyota dealer because they heard of the frame recalls so I went to a nearby Toyota repair facility and told them what I just found out they told me that my frame on my 4runner is the identical frame that they use on the Tacoma and they have had at least 100 people bringing their 4runnners in because they were told the same thing by other shops... I was told that at this time that there is no frame replacement for the 4runner but they feel that the 4runner will soon be recalled and that I should undercoat my frame asap to try and save what is left pending on a recall. Please help us and get Toyota to do what is right
Vehicle body is completely rusted out. Would not pass pa inspection without frame welding. Other suspension bars and frame issues also as a result of rust. Over $4000 to fix the issue.
My 2006 Toyota 4runner limited has excessive rust corrosion throughout the undercarriage of the vehicle including but not limited to the frame, suspension, brakes, wheels, exhaust system and bolts/bracing. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had to replace both front axles due to excessive rust at the recommendation of both the dealership and a third party mechanic. While driving, the skid plate detached from underneath the vehicle and was dragging beneath the car after the metal on the plate rusted out around the bolts. Similarly, the heat shield detached while driving on the highway after the bolts rusted out. When I replaced the front brakes (pads & discs), I was forced to purchase brand new calipers because the current calipers were so rusted and seized and the mechanic could not reattach them. I have continued to use Toyota dealerships for scheduled maintenance and the consensus has been as follows: Sell the 4runner because it is excessively rusted would be a money pit to repair. Currently, the dealership has recommended I replace the steering rack and pinion due to leaks caused by rust. Moreover, the vehicle has duel exhaust leaks in both exhaust manifolds due to excessive rust. On multiple occasions the dealership told me they could not perform the work because of excessive rust. It has cost me thousands to repair and maintain, all of which is a result of extensive rust. The suspension and frame, including the shocks, struts, and bolts are excessively rusted and I have been urged to repair or sell the vehicle by multiple mechanics and dealerships, though the cost to do so would far exceed the cost of the vehicle. All of the aforementioned is detailed in paperwork from the dealership and supplemented by paperwork from third party mechanics here in san diego. The vehicle has 90K miles on it and has followed scheduled maintenance meticulously.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA