I was proud of my 2001 4 runner until someone rear ended me. It was totaled so I brought another, a 2011 4 runner but not pleased with some issues, first one of the front struts was defective and sales staff said they did not have one in stock to replace, but never called to let me know when it was available so I had it repaired. Over a month ago the struts on the back cargo door failed and almost came down on me while unloading my groceries. It scared me and upset me. When I had my 2001 in for service, the tech did not tighten one of the lugs and luckily I noticed it as soon as I left the shop. I wish I had My 2001 back!. Looking to move in another direction with my next vehicle.

While driving the vehicle, I heard a loud "thud" that startled me. I thought I may have hit something in the road, so I pulled over and checked. There was nothing located, so I searched all around, under, and on top of the vehicle, trying to determine the source. I could not find out what happened. It was later in the day when my son asked me to hold up the rear liftgate that I wondered "Why do I have to hold this up?" I checked both struts that hold it up, and saw the driver's side gas strut had ruptured, spilling fluid down the inside of the jamb. I cleaned that up with a rag, and will be taking it in to the dealer. I anticipate this being covered under warranty.

Update from Mar 21, 2013: This strut was replaced under warranty, but it was late in coming, due to a "backorder" on this part. That leads me to believe there were others with the same problem. Must have been a bad run of these struts.