1997 Toyota 4RUNNER

139 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed May 25, 2023Failure Apr 7, 2023Lake Tomahawk, WISuspension

   I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

   NHTSA complaint 11523903
2. Filed Sep 20, 2020Failure Jul 20, 2020260,000 milesWayne, NJPower train, Suspension

   PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!

   NHTSA complaint 11360061
3. Filed Mar 7, 2020Failure Feb 4, 2014Shafter, CAInflator module, Tires, Unknown or otherCrash1 injured1 killed

   MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT *AS

   NHTSA complaint 11316783
4. Filed Mar 6, 2020Failure Feb 4, 2014Shafter, CAVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured1 killed

   TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE NOSE, SPINE, LEFT WRIST, RIGHT LUNG WAS PUNCTURED, AND 3 FRACTURED RIBS ON HER LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN A COMA AND HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *LN

   NHTSA complaint 11316570
5. Filed Jan 20, 2020Failure Dec 20, 2019198,000 milesLothian, MDSuspension

   REAR FRAM STABILIZER BRACE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME, SO AXLE TO FRAME STALIZER DOES NOT STABILIZE REAR AXLE

   NHTSA complaint 11300559
6. Filed Jul 26, 2019Failure Jul 26, 2019350,000 milesGeorgetown, ILBody, Suspension, Unknown or other

   VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTED MY BROKEN, RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE, BAD SHOCK AND THE CONDITION OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN GENERAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THIS RUST.

   NHTSA complaint 11235080
7. Filed May 20, 2019Failure May 1, 2019350,000 milesMerriam, KSBody, Suspension

   FRAME RUST MAKES VEHICLE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

   NHTSA complaint 11208714
8. Filed Mar 4, 2019Failure Mar 4, 2019285,200 milesGaffney, SCBody, Unknown or other

   HEY I HAVE A 1997 4 RUNNER I HAVE A PROBLEM OF THE FRAME GETTING RUSTED OUT. IT IS ON THE 4 LINK WHERE IT HOOKS TO THE AXLE IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME MY REAR AXLE ABOUT CAME OFF AND IT ALMOST GOT ME INTO A RECK. ALL I DONE IS HIT THE BRAKES THEN HURT POP AND REAR END WENT CRAZY. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STEET WHEN IT HAPPENED

   NHTSA complaint 11184202
9. Filed Feb 1, 2019Failure Jan 30, 2019271,000 milesPowell, TNFrame and members, Suspension

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THERE WAS NOTHING SUPPORTING THE STABILIZER ARM. FOX TOYOTA (228 FOX FAMILY LN, CLINTON, TN 37716, (865)-494-0228) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 271,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11173583
10. Filed Jan 4, 2019Failure Dec 26, 2018150,000 milesYorkville, ILBody

    THE FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST AS I WAS DRIVING

    NHTSA complaint 11165289
11. Filed Dec 10, 2018Failure Dec 7, 2018210,000 milesBloomington, ILSeats

    THE BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT SEATS TO THE CAR RUST OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY BREAK

    NHTSA complaint 11160517
12. Filed Nov 12, 2018Failure Nov 11, 2018337,000 milesSaint Joseph, MOBody

    THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTING ALONG THE REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM MOUNT (THE PIECE WELDED TO THE FRAME THAT YOU CAN SEE WHEN CROUCHED DOWN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR DOORS). THIS SEPARATES AND CAUSES THE REAR AXLE TO FLOAT AROUND WHICH MAY CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SEPARATE COMPLETELY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY WERE BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11150888
13. Filed Nov 7, 2018Failure Nov 4, 2018Toronto, CASuspension

    THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME.

    NHTSA complaint 11149943
14. Filed Oct 22, 2018Failure Oct 22, 2018201,021 milesRichmodn, VABody, Suspension

    THE FRAME WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT ENOUGH RUST PROTECTION WAS APPLIED BY TOYOTA. WE RARELY GET SNOW AND STILL THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA DID NOT MAKE A DRAIN HOLE SO THAT THE WATER IN THE FRAME WOULD EVAPORATE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH OTHERWISE LAST A LONG TIME. A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE 4RUNENRS WITH EXCELLENT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BUT WITH RUSTED FRAMES. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN ON UNSUSPECTING OWNERS.

    NHTSA complaint 11141787
15. Filed Oct 16, 2018Failure Oct 12, 2018232,000 milesWixom, MISuspension

    THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE REAR TRAILING ARM TO THE FRAME BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO SWERVE AND LOOSE STABILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

    NHTSA complaint 11140613
16. Filed Oct 9, 2018Failure Aug 1, 2018Louisville, KYFuel/propulsion system, Body, Suspension

    MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I'VE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT REAR SHOCKMOUNT AND BAR REPLACED, AND THE LEFT IS ON ITS WAY TO RUSTING COMPLETELY THROUGH. ON THE LEFT SIDE, HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED UP, AND WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS THROUGH AND BREAKS, IT WILL VERY LIKELY CAUSE SOMETHING TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. THAT COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE, SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SO, IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WILL BE ON THE ROAD WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED WHEN YOU RECALLED THE TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF RUSTY FRAMES? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MANY PEOPLE IF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE STREETS!

    NHTSA complaint 11139192
17. Filed Sep 23, 2018Failure Sep 21, 2018Interlochen, MISuspension, Unknown or other

    WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD BANG AND VEHICLE GOT SQUIRMY AND OUT OF CONTROL WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOUSE LUCKILY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS COMPONENTS TO KEEP AXLE IN PLACE ARE ROTTED OUT. ISSUE WILL GET SOMEONE KILLED ONE DAY.

    NHTSA complaint 11130835
18. Filed Apr 1, 2018Failure Oct 12, 2017153,000 milesHillsboro, OHSuspension

    RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK BROKE THROUGH FRAME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (BRACKET SUB ASSEMBLY REAR - RIGHT REAR). HAD TO REMOVE SHOCK SO IT WOULD NOT BUST THROUGH CAUSING RIDE INSTABILITY.

    NHTSA complaint 11082367
19. Filed Mar 26, 2018Failure Mar 26, 2018Kenner, LASuspension, Unknown or other

    MY 1997 4RUNNER HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE CHASSIS FRAME. THE REAR SHOCKS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS EATEN BY THE RUST.

    NHTSA complaint 11081348
20. Filed Mar 1, 2018Failure Feb 25, 2018190,000 milesWashington, PABody

    FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED VEHICLE WELL KEPT AND IT JUST KEEPS ROTTING SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY TRAILER ARM BROKE OFF THE TRUCK ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK.

    NHTSA complaint 11075568