2000 Toyota 4RUNNER

379 complaints on file, page 1 of 19.

1. Filed Oct 11, 2023Failure Sep 20, 2023Cottondale, ALPower train, Steering, Suspension

   The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road

   NHTSA complaint 11549388
2. Filed Oct 9, 2023Failure Oct 1, 2023Cottondale, ALSteering, Body, Suspension

   The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it

   NHTSA complaint 11549059
3. Filed Apr 2, 2023Failure Mar 28, 2023Ann Arbor, MISteering, Suspension, Unknown or other

   We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.

   NHTSA complaint 11515011
4. Filed Mar 28, 2023Failure Mar 27, 2023200,000 milesMurfreesboro, TNElectrical system, Latches/locks/linkages

   The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, it was later discovered that the both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors and the hatch door could not be opened manually or remotely. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11514242
5. Filed Jul 28, 2022Failure May 23, 2021Huntington, WVSuspension, Unknown or other

   Section of frame broke and fell to the pavement. Vehicle bouncing and went off road causing damage to front driver side bumper, turn signal light housing, headlight. Extensive Back frame rusting has made vehicle dangerous. Frame has many soft spots. Both back shocks rusted and broken. Replace shocks but frame will eventually brake. This is my only vehicle. So, I will continue to drive and pray that this vehicle stays together and doesn't result in death. Front frame and suspension are also rusted and rusting. Please help !

   NHTSA complaint 11476396
6. Filed Jul 26, 2022Failure Jul 14, 2022Lincoln University, PABody

   The frame rusted and is available for inspection. My daughter was driving our 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 which I purchased new in 2000 when she noticed the truck started to wobble when she hit small bumps. I drove it to the garage the next day which is 2 miles from my house. It was doing the same for me. My mechanic went to put it up on the lift, he noticed that the frame rusted out. There was nothing he can do at this point. There are many complaints of the same issues with the 2000 Toyota 4Runners with the frames rusting out. If she was driving on the highway, this could have been a lot worse and possibly someone seriously injured or death. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the frame rusting out. The only one to inspect it was my mechanic.

   NHTSA complaint 11475964
7. Filed Apr 30, 2022Failure Apr 29, 2022Addison Twp, MISuspension

   Frame is rotted out. Mechanic lifted it on hoist and frame is rusted terribly and said not drivable.

   NHTSA complaint 11462846
8. Filed Mar 19, 2022Failure Mar 2, 2022Chesterfield, VAPower train, Suspension, Unknown or other

   The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.

   NHTSA complaint 11457414
9. Filed Aug 10, 2021Failure Aug 10, 2021140,000 milesbayonne, NJUnderbody shields

   The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while at a local mechanic he was informed that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11428584
10. Filed Jul 26, 2021Failure Jun 25, 2021Tewksbury, MABody

    Frame on passenger side (front,left) is rotted. While I was driving on the highway I almost got in an accident because the frame gave out. Now I’m out of car and I don’t want to pay but I’m going to have to thousands of dollars to get the frame fixed. That’s money I don’t have as I am a recent college student trying to pay of his loans.

    NHTSA complaint 11426516
11. Filed Jun 3, 2021Failure May 3, 2021Raceland, LAAir bags

    About 1 month ago the air bag light started flashing. It is available for inspection. It had not been in an accident. We took it to a local Toyota dealer. There are some middle of the story details, but bottom line is eventually they told me it could not be fixed secondary to inability to obtain a control module. This has been verified by Toyota Customer Service.

    NHTSA complaint 11419525
12. Filed Mar 13, 2021Failure Feb 2, 2017100,000 milesWappingers Falls, NYBody, Suspension

    I REPORTED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH A DEFECTIVE FRAME WELD ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WHICH CAUSED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL SUPPORT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH. THIS CAUSED A SEVERE, UNEXPECTED SWAYING OF THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL

    NHTSA complaint 11402715
13. Filed Jan 31, 2021Failure Jan 12, 2021Greenville, MIBody

    FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY AND UNSAFE WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM PLEASE HELP WAS DRIVING HOME CITY STREET

    NHTSA complaint 11390918
14. Filed Dec 3, 2020Failure Oct 7, 2020185,000 milesBloomington, INBody, Suspension

    TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND HEARD A "POP." VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING BADLY -- TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. REAR END WAGGING HORRIFICALLY NEARLY HITTING CARS IN OTHER LANES. MANAGED TO GET TO SHOULDER BUT COULDNT SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT VEHICLE OFF AT EXIT AND TO GARAGE. WAS TOLD FRAME SNAPPED AND REAR END CONTROL ARM NO LONGER ATTACHED REAR END TO FRAME. FRAME ROT EXTENSIVE. SCARY AS HELL. NO OTHER RUST ON VEHICLE. THOUGHT VEHICLE WOULD FLIP!

    NHTSA complaint 11377765
15. Filed Aug 13, 2020Failure Aug 12, 2020200,000 milesGrand Prairie, TXBody, Suspension

    VEHICLE STARTED HANDLING POORLY. I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS AND THOUGHT I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT DONE. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO POINTED OUT THAT MY REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRAKCET ON THE PASSENGER HAD ROTTED AND BROKEN, CAUSING THE SQUIRRELY HANDLING. SHORTLY AFTER, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~70MPH, I HEARD A CLUNK AND THE TAIL END OF THE TRUCK STARTED JUMPING/SWERVING. TOOK BACK ROADS HOME AND ASSESSED THE PROBLEM. LO AND BEHOLD MY DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKET ENCOUNTERED THE SAME FATE. ROTTED AND BROKEN. MY VEHICLE'S FIRST OWNER WAS IN MINNESOTA BUT SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN TEXAS WHERE THERE IS NO SALT ON THE ROADS. I'VE DONE WHAT I CAN TO SEAL AND PREVENT FURTHER RUST ON THE FRAME AFTER PURCHASE AND YET THIS STILL HAPPENS? MY TRUCK IS NO LONGER DRIVE-ABLE AS IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO HAVE MY REAR AXLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. SO UNTIL I CAN MANAGE TO 1) FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO WELD MY FRAME 2) PAY FOR SUCH A SERVICE I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE... I PAID $2000 FOR THIS CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH ONLY 170K MILES ON IT.

    NHTSA complaint 11349063
16. Filed Jun 19, 2020Failure Jun 1, 2020170,000 milesBurbank, ILStructure, Suspension

    RUST AND HOLES IN THE FRAME. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11329714
17. Filed Mar 9, 2020Failure Feb 29, 2020East Hanover, NJBody

    AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, MY 4RUNNER STARTED TO JOLT AND ONCE IT BEGAN MOVING IT STARTED A SWERVE MOTION. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP AS WELL. NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TO WARN ME OF ANY PROBLEM WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. SO I TURNED OFF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FRAME HAD BROKEN LOOSE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THIS WAS NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, BUT IT WAS IN HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION A MANUFACTURING RUST DEFECT. HE SAID THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. I DON'T HAVE IMAGES AT THE TIME I'M WRITING THIS REPORT BECAUSE MY 4RUNNER IS AT THE SERVICE GARAGE, HOWEVER I CAN FURNISH IMAGES UPON REQUEST.

    NHTSA complaint 11317137
18. Filed Mar 5, 2020Failure Mar 4, 2020Covington, KYSuspension, Unknown or otherCrash

    DUE TO THE DREADED ' TOYOTA ROT ' FRAME FAILURE THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM HAD RUSTED OFF GOING DOWN US HIGHWAY 25 IN KENTUCKY AND PUT A POOR MAN AND HIS CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY. TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY !!! I FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THE FRAME ISSUES HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE MID 90S!!!! WHEN I LOOK UP MY VEHICLE IT HAS ZERO RECALLS SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA THERE SHOULD BE A REMEDY EVEN IF IT'S SPLITTING THE COST WITH YOUR CUSTOMER. VERY UNSATISFIED

    NHTSA complaint 11316194
19. Filed Feb 5, 2020Failure Feb 5, 202099,200 milesBozrah, CTBody

    FRAME IS REALLY RUSTING BAD AS IS THE CASE WITH 100S OF OTHER 4RUNNERS. T4R.ORG WILL SHOW HUNDRED UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 99K MILES AND THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY WRECKED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON THESE TRUCKS FOR YEARS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!

    NHTSA complaint 11307381
20. Filed Jan 30, 2020Failure Jan 28, 2020168,000 milesRochester, MNSuspension

    THE UNDER FRAME ROTTED OUT AND BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED WEAVING BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE BEFORE SLOWING DOWN.PULLED OVER BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE HAD A FLAT. WAS NOT THE CASE. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND ANY TIME WE WENT OVER 45MPH IT STARTED TO VIOLENTLY WEAVE BACK AND FORTH. LUCKILY WE DID NOT ROLL OVER OR CRASH WITH AN AUTISTIC CHILD IN THE BACK OF THE 4RUNNER OR MY VERY ILL HUSBAND ON OXYGEN. IF NOT ADDRESSED OR RECALLED SOON, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY 4RUNNER ONLY HAS 168,000 MILES ON IT. *BF CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 11302962