10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
118,663 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Toyota 4Runner:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #97

Sep 162016

4Runner

  • 199,000 miles
Vehicle frame is rusted so bad that my rear sway arm broke away from the frame on the passenger rear side. Car is unsafe to drive due to the car bouncing all over the road due to the rusted frame.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #96

Aug 312016

4Runner

  • miles
I am the original owner... normal driving. Regular maintenance. Last few times I had a truck in the shop (different ones) they recommend I contact somebody, about the frame... it is basically rusted all the way thru. It is rusting from the inside out, seems like... had many Toyota's in the past (and present)... had never seen anything like it.

- Edgemere, MD, USA

problem #95

Aug 272016

4Runner

  • 84,000 miles
I took my vehicle in for an oil change and tire rotation. The mechanic called and said that the frame is broken and that you have a recall on it. He said to contact you for what to do next. Since we have owned the car it has had a clunking sound on the front drivers side.

- Waynesville, NC, USA

problem #94

Jun 102011

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 143,464 miles
I am the owner of a 2000 Toyota 4runner with a dangerous condition due to rust perforation on the rear passenger side frame rail. The rust extends 4-5 ft and has caused the right rear control arm mount to rip away from the frame. On 6/10/2011, smart motors - madison, wi informed me that there was rust perforation on the right rear frame that was found during a separate repair. They informed me that they were documenting it and forwarding pictures to Toyota motor sales. [xxx], a senior service advisor, said he would speak with the district service parts manager and follow up. He was concerned for the safety of the vehicle. After no action from smart motors and waiting for Toyota to contact me, I then contacted the Toyota customer experience center stating the concern and was given a file #1308200825. To this date, no action has been taken by Toyota motor sales for a campaign or safety recall. This same condition has been recorded numerous times. There appears to be a design defect that causes this frame area to hold water. Toyota has recalled/bought back Toyota Tacoma with similar issues. I am urging NHTSA to aggressively pursue the safety defect in this vehicle so that no one is injured or killed. I have made the personal decision to take this vehicle off the road, and it is undriveable. I contend that an eleven year old vehicle at the time of first recorded observed defect is an issue that NHTSA should investigate. I appreciate your time and diligence in this matter and I am willing to answer any questions an investigator may have, and to make the vehicle available for inspection. I have attached the following documents to verify correspondence with Toyota: - service order from 6/10/11 - internal history report recommending frame estimate at $14,500 - correspondence with Toyota customer experience center respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #93

Aug 082016

4Runner

  • 273,454 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was curroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect and determined that the vehicle had too many miles and age; therefore, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 273,454.

- Warsaw, KY, USA

problem #92

Aug 172016

4Runner

  • miles
Frame on passenger side has rusted away, large pieces gone. I no longer feel safe when driving it. My complaint number with Toyota 1608181265. It appears that the ac drip hose empties on to the frame in the same spots as the rust. There are 159,289 miles on the 4runner.

- Morton Grove, IL, USA

problem #91

Jul 272016

4Runner

  • 130,000 miles
Extensive frame rust at rear control arm mounting location and forward of it.

- Ferndale, MI, USA

problem #90

Jun 102016

4Runner

  • miles
I have owned this vehicle since 2005. I have taken it to a certified Toyota dealership for every major checkup or repair. Not one service tech or mechanic has mentioned or noted anything about frame rust on this vehicle until a state inspection in June 2016. The mechanic tells me that my vehicle has a huge hole in the frame and is rusting out and is unsafe to drive. His fix for this problem was to direct me to his sale manager to purchase a new vehicle ( haley Toyota midlothian, va). Not one word about this prior to this event. My vehicle has only 140,000 miles. This is unsatisfactory.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #89

Mar 192016

4Runner

  • 130,000 miles
Like so many others I've heard of, the frame has rusted through. The back left wheel assembly is now wedged up onto the floorboards. The exhaust system has broken apart before the muffler. I just bought this car two years ago and loved it, but now am horribly disappointed in the frame and Toyota's lack of desire to do a recall.

- Nantucket, MA, USA

problem #88

Jul 182016

4Runner

  • 127,000 miles
Frame has holes in it, truck is perfect in every other way, frame holes same as recalled on Tacoma and Tundra, same safety issue, could break during operation.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #87

Mar 172016

4Runner

  • 175,000 miles
Frame rusted through and snapped apart while making a left turn into traffic.. rear passenger side.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #86

Jul 132013

4Runner

  • 211,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear of the frame was fractured and rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.

- New Britain, CT, USA

problem #85

Apr 272016

4Runner

  • 119,000 miles
My mechanic was repairing the rear shocks and noticed frame rust. He said frame rust has been a problem with some Toyota trucks and 4runners. He knows this because he worked for Toyota at one time. He suggested calling Toyota and filing a compliant and request for repair with them which I did. The case number is 1605101239. In the course of my conversation the Toyota agent advised me that Toyota tucomas and Tundra were having similar issues and that Toyota was offering "customer support" on those vehicles but even though the frame rusting issue was the same on 4runners Toyota was not offering any " customer support " or recalls for 4runner frames even though they are aware of the issue. Further internet research indicated that rusting frames on 4runners is a common problem but Toyota refuses to do anything about a potential safety issue for it's customers. Please help. Appreciate anything you can do.

- Nottingham, MD, USA

problem #84

Jun 032016

4Runner

  • 144,000 miles
I have a 2000 4runner with 144000 miles and the underside is rusting away. I now have holes in the frame. Toyota has advised me try to repair or purchase something else because this vehicle is no longer safe to drive and will not pass Virginia state inspection. I have 1994 Toyota dlx pickup that has 372000 miles and the underside of it is in good shape.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #83

May 152016

4Runner

  • miles
The passenger side frame rail on my 2000 4-runner is completely rusted thru on the section next to the muffler. Looks like its going to break in half.

- North Caldwell, NJ, USA

problem #82

Apr 242016

4Runner

  • 105,015 miles
Purchased the vehicle on 4/15/16. Extremely clean both inside and exterior of vehicle. Had around 104K miles. I was under the vehicle changing the oil and noticed extensive frame rust including one area where the frame had been repaired from a hole right where the lower control arm attaches for the rear axle. There is another hole starting in the same location and since it is a box frame and seems to be rusting from the inside out, it's almost impossible to stop. I was really excited about getting this vehicle and paid cash for it with money we had saved. Now I cannot let my family drive the car since I think it is unsafe.

- Greenfield, IN, USA

problem #81

Nov 022015

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
Frame rotted out on passenger side of car, track bar for rear mount rusted off frame.

- Barnegat, NJ, USA

problem #80

Feb 222016

4Runner

  • miles
The frame is rusted to the point that it may break apart while driving. Tacoma of similar years with the same frame have a similar problem and a recall for this problem.

- Miller Place, NY, USA

problem #79

Mar 012016

4Runner 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
Took my 2000 Toyota 4runner to a mechanic after noticing the frame looked like it was rusted through in one area. Mechanic said the frame was seriously rotted through in many areas and could not be fixed. He said it was unsafe to drive and told me I'd be crazy to drive it down the highway. I had just bought this vehicle 1 month ago with 146,000 miles on it and it is considered unsafe to drive. Unbelievable that there is not a recall on the 4runner for this problem yet Toyota trucks with the same frame problem have had recalls and buy back offers. Is Toyota waiting for deaths to occur? I have purchased 2 Toyota vehicles prior to this 4runner. I trusted the name to be one of the safest & most reliable. I am mortified to know there are so many of these vehicles on the road with rotted frames, quite possibly with young children in them, that could result in a death if the frame gives out while driving. Please take this seriously NHTSA and help to get the Toyota 4runner recalled for this rotted frame problem. It is truly a matter of life or death!! shame on Toyota for making light of the problem. My trust in the Toyota name is forever tarnished. I, like other people that have posted on here, will be waiting for a class action lawsuit to occur. I certainly would never sell this to someone else knowing they could be seriously injured or die due to the frame failing while driving.

- Tripoli, WI, USA

problem #78

Feb 262016

4Runner

  • 200,000 miles
While driving 2000 Toyota 4runner I noticed it was not handling normal. The vehicle would wander and would not go in the direction I was turning. After getting back home, I inspected underneath the vehicle checking the front end suspension. While under the vehicle I noticed the right rear stabilizer mount had rusted off the frame. The vehicle is now undrivable due to this hazardous condition.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »