10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,197 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

Jul 112019

4Runner

  • 192,000 miles
Severe corrosion of frame at the rear body mount location. The body of the vehicle is no longer secured to the frame at this location due to the severe rust. Significant rust also on the front cross frame member which has the tow mounts rendering them useless and unsafe. Cracked exhaust manifold causing excessive engine noise and exhaust fumes. This is a time consuming and costly repair.

- Marietta, OH, USA

problem #97

Jun 262019

4Runner

  • 156,000 miles
Extensive body frame rust.large rusted out holes in frame. Unable to get MA. Vehicle yearly inspection sticker. Emissions test failed (MA. Inspection station #PB004755). Vehicle bought new 6/2005 recommended not to drive vehicle due to extensive holes in frame.

- Gardner, MA, USA

problem #96

Jan 012013

4Runner

  • 84,000 miles
Excessive rust and corrosion on frame. Frame has sever rust and holes. Front lower frame support have rusted out and no longer structurally stable. Excessive corrosion alone entire frame rail front to back. Gas tank retaining belts/straps rusted out complacently, no longer securing gas tank to vehicle.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #95

May 152019

4Runner

  • 97,000 miles
Rusted frame of vehicle including cross bar under radiator and on struts attached to wheels. Found during routine maintenance by auto mechanic.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #94

Jan 012017

4Runner

  • miles
There is significant frame rust and I am concerned it will result in frame failure and a serious accident. The rest of the vehicle is in great shape as it has been well maintained and garage kept. It only has 135,000 miles on it. I have viewed the significant concerns about this issue on the web along with the NHTSA investigation into this issue. Unfortunately at this time Toyota is still refusing to fix the issue. What liability does Toyota have if the frame fails and it results in a serious injury? I first noticed the issue in 2017 but do not know how long it has been a problem since you have to be under the car or see it on a lift to understand the significance of the issue.

- Liberty Township, OH, USA

problem #93

Mar 152019

4Runner

  • 181,000 miles
Excessive frame rust. Has had excessive decomposition and rotting in the very front for several years. Now noticing rot with large holes near critical structural support near rear axle, spring and shock attachment points. Took to local welding shop to see about patching the area near the rear axle and was advised to stop driving the vehicle soon as the frame's integrity is at risk. I am the original owner. Well taken care of vehicle, always garaged and routinely washed.

- Maineville, OH, USA

problem #92

Apr 152019

4Runner

  • 125,000 miles
Hi, I own a 2005 4runner and I am concerned about the heavy amount of rusting on the frame. The frame is rusty which is causing heavy flaking of the affected material. The body of the vehicle is pristine but I fear that the premature rusting of the frame will affect the ability to safely drive my 4runner in the future. I am a special education teacher with two young daughters and don't have the income to go out and replace the frame or buy a new vehicle. This 4runner is the only vehicle I own and is my daily driver. My students and their guardians depend on me to arrive safely to school everyday so there is consistency in my students' lives. I have seen many 4runners in this age range suffer from this same corrosion. I am concerned that my family will be injured in a minor accident or the vehicle's safety mechanisms failing because of frame damage. I am also concerned that I will lose my only means of transporting myself to work. I am a huge fan of Toyota, especially 4runners, and want to keep mine around for a long time. Keeping Toyota vehicles around for a long time is what the company was built upon.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #91

Apr 162019

4Runner

  • miles
The fram is rusted and no time known will it give out N cause serious accident.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #90

Apr 042019

4Runner

  • 158,000 miles
I took my 4-runner to my mechanic on April 1, 2019 to have the brakes checked and a cv boot repaired. My mechanic called me the next day and informed me that the main support beam of the frame on the passenger side was rusted out and virtually missing on 3 of the 4 sides of the beam. He told me the vehicle could break in half if I hit a bump on the road.

- Fombell, PA, USA

problem #89

Mar 012018

4Runner

  • 125,000 miles
Frame rust

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #88

Mar 272019

4Runner

  • miles
Frame rust: The amount of rust is substantial. I have older Toyota vehicles with the frames is much better condition. I am meticulous when it comes to maintaining and detailing my vehicles. I thoroughly hose down the underside of my 4runner after long drives to drive to preserve the frame, though I feel as if it is too late. I also have a 2010 Tacoma that the frame was serviced at no cost to me. I am a loyal Toyota customer and would love to maintain my 4runner and keep it on road for many more years.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

problem #87

Jun 112012

4Runner

  • 90,000 miles
The frame on my 4runner is severely rusted and pieces of it is falling off. The frame right behind the front wheels has several holes which are about 3" by 5" on the bottom and smaller on the sides. There are tow hooks on the front part of the frame and one has rusted off and the other one is about ready to fall off. Nothing was ever hooked to them. The radiator core support is rusting away and will not last much longer. I feel that the frame is dangerously close to collapsing and putting my family at risk of severe injury or death.

- Derry, PA, USA

problem #86

Dec 012005

4Runner

  • miles
There's excessive rusting of the chassis, axle, differential and other components under the vehicle. I'm the original owner and observed rust formation within the first year of ownership. The SUV has only 84K miles and is garaged most of the time. I have been using rust inhibitors to slow the process.

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #85

Nov 022017

4Runner

  • miles
Take to shop for leak tramission line the shop owner said my 4runner has cancer and it growing excessive rotting please help I can't stop the cancer

- Dc, DC, USA

problem #84

Jan 232019

4Runner

  • 246,000 miles
While the truck was in for inspection and maintenance. Upon removing the front skid plate to access the oil filter, we found major frame rust / rot / holes in frame on passenger side under front skid plate. The cross memeber which holds the front axel and suspension is completely rusted out. The vehicle is undrivable at the moment and will need costly repairs to even come off the lift.

- Red Lion, PA, USA

problem #83

Jul 302018

4Runner

  • 200,000 miles
2005 Toyota 4runner limited, excessive frame corrosion/rotting

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #82

Oct 012018

4Runner

  • 99,500 miles
Lost end of muffler ("exhaust tip") while driving due to under body rust. The inspector also noted to me the high level of rust building up on the under body at the last safety inspection. You can see the muffler breakage on img_1722. There also appears to be rust on all welding joints and frame surfaces.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #81

Dec 132018

4Runner

  • 204,400 miles
Extensive rust has destroyed both the front and rear suspension crossmembers. Mechanic shop has advised that it will no longer pass Virginia state safety inspection and must be condemned. After researching this condition further, I am finding this to be a common failure found in 3rd generation 4runners utilized in climates where road salt/chemicals are used.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

problem #80

Nov 212018

4Runner

  • 175,000 miles
Looked under truck to check for rust, found multiple spots with under-body frame rot (rust, could potentially rust through). The rust could potentially cause a major accident. Unsure if previous owner used "fluid film" or similar product to protect the under-body - I recently found out about pervasive rust rot in the under-body of the 4th gen 4runners. This is most likely caused by the salt solution placed on roads to help prevent ice and snow formation. It seems that Toyota used a less-than-up-to-the-task frame for these vehicles - frames that allow rust to form rather easily and rot it from the inside out. As far as I am aware, there are recalls for similar Toyota vehicles such as the Tacoma and sequoia with respect to frame rot. The frame seems to be solid, but since heavy rusting has already occurred, it is not economical or worthwhile to replace the frame. Eventually the frame will rust through and cause a major issue.

- South Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #79

Nov 112017

4Runner

  • miles
My rear frame rotted out causing my control arm to break off. The vehicle was extremely hard to control causing a rollover accident.

- Hartville, OH, USA

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