2002 Toyota 4RUNNER

192 complaints on file, page 1 of 10.

1. Filed Jun 17, 2024Failure Jun 16, 2024Miami, FLTires

   THIS IS FOR TIRE SIZE P265 75 16. To start, I've seen multiple other complaints describing the same scenario and type of incident. Driving along the highway at appropriate speeds, I hear a whoosh/deep pitch rumble, then my vehicle began to vibrate violently. I was luckily able to pull over but had to swerve to regain control of my vehicle once the rumbling and vibration got too severe since it happened so quickly. Witnessed my driver side rear tire completely shredded, no damage along tread material, only on sidewall with multiple tears/punctures. This was a center lane on the highway with no debris. I'm now noticing other similar "tear/wear" signs on my other 3 tires on the vehicle. All specifically on the sidewall along the aggressive tread that the AT3W tires were known to have for extra grip. It just seems to be separating over time.

   NHTSA complaint 11594739
2. Filed Jul 13, 2023Failure Jul 13, 2023Marion, OHBody, Unknown or other

   Frame rot

   NHTSA complaint 11531971
3. Filed May 19, 2023Failure May 18, 2023160,000 milesColchester, CTFrame and members, Underbody shields

   The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the subframe and that the subframe and sway bar were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11522804
4. Filed Mar 9, 2023Failure Mar 9, 2004150,000 milesWashington, DCLatch

   The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling the door handle to unlock the doors, the auto unlock function failed to unlock the doors. The contact had to press the unlock button to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that a failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11511032
5. Filed Sep 1, 2022Failure Aug 23, 2021Mount Holly, NJBody

   Frame is excessively rusted. The recall that already exists for this issue only covers certain frames from Japan made with this steel. However, the same frames were imported to America and a large percentage of 4Runners were made with the same steel and didn’t receive a recall. Mine is one of them.

   NHTSA complaint 11482461
6. Filed May 28, 2022Failure Mar 1, 2022Garfield, NJUnknown or other

   frame rust saftey hazardous? midas mechanic pointed out to me while work being done on exhaust march 2022

   NHTSA complaint 11466536
7. Filed Apr 18, 2022Failure Mar 18, 2022115,000 milesMadisonville, TXUnderbody shields, Suspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a slight right curve, the vehicle independently shifted from side to side without warning nearly causing the vehicle to flip. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and the mechanic discovered severe corrosion throughout the entire subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the entire subframe needed to be replaced to ensure safe driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11461138
8. Filed Feb 22, 2022Failure Feb 21, 2022Leonardtown, MDUnknown or other

   Frame rusted through from the inside out. There isnt even any surface rust where the hole started. Its just a hole in the middle of clean metal. The rest of the frame rail is solid. Rear suspension arm mount is also rusted out and starting to come off. The entire structural integrity of the frame is in question, even though externally, theres only slight surface rust. The frame should not be rusting this way.

   NHTSA complaint 11453546
9. Filed Feb 9, 2022Failure Jan 1, 2019Simsbury, CTBody

   Premature rusted frame throughout, vehicle is garaged and well maintained 117,000 miles on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Auto body specialist estimates $3k-$4k to restore, at least.

   NHTSA complaint 11451258
10. Filed Dec 15, 2021Failure Apr 17, 2021Marshfield, MABody, Suspension

    Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out .only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner

    NHTSA complaint 11443916
11. Filed Oct 28, 2021Failure Oct 14, 2021Silver Spring, MDBody, Suspension, Unknown or other

    Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1 ,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two other shops (names withheld) assess the state of the frame and suspension + and was told that the vehicle has maybe 1 year or so until the frame falls apart. Given I am the original owner, have gargage-kept my vehicle, have very low-mileage - 74,000 miles, and have maintained the vehicle immaculately and am aware of rusting problems with other Toyota [truck] frames, etc. this seems to be a defect in the manufacturing process. I know there have been recalls on Toyota's other trucks due to Toyota's failure to add [enough?] rust inhibitor/preventative to the molten steel when forming the frame for many models of their trucks.

    NHTSA complaint 11438485
12. Filed Aug 30, 2021Failure Aug 26, 2021136,000 milesashland, MAStructure

    The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance repair on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11431008
13. Filed Jul 9, 2021Failure Jun 16, 2021Cedar Falls, IABody, Suspension, Unknown or other

    After having my 4 runner in for routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that my frame was in bad condition and rusting through. Doubtful it has a year left and he advised me to junk it as fast as I can. 180;000 miles - so much for Toyota’s lasting a long time.

    NHTSA complaint 11424088
14. Filed Apr 25, 2021Failure Apr 6, 2021100,000 milesLogan, OHBody

    FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST ALL OVER, A KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNERS AND TOYOTA TRUCKS. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS VEHICLE PROBABLY HAS ONLY 1 YEAR OF LIFE LEFT BEFORE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. CAR HAS ONLY 100000 MILES ON IT, 1998 4RUNNER WE HAD MADE IT TO 250000 MILES- UNACCEPTABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11413734
15. Filed Apr 1, 2021Failure Mar 30, 2021278,000 milesGreenville, OHBody

    I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND TO GET NEW TIRES. WHILE ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND AS I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE REPAIRS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

    NHTSA complaint 11405965
16. Filed Mar 31, 2021Failure Mar 31, 2021116,000 milesSchoharie, NYUnknown or other

    THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION.

    NHTSA complaint 11405818
17. Filed Mar 17, 2021Failure Oct 12, 2019202,000 milesNatrona Heights, PABody, Unknown or other

    THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS FRAME, IT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND IT'S THE SAME IDENTICAL FRAME. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. JUST MAKING A NORMAL TURN ON A BEND IN THE ROAD MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL.

    NHTSA complaint 11403610
18. Filed Mar 8, 2021Failure Mar 2, 2021149,000 milesWakefield, MABody, Unknown or other

    EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTAS FROM THE SAME TIME THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER EVEN THOUGH IT SUFFERS THE SAME ISSUES.

    NHTSA complaint 11399712
19. Filed Nov 13, 2020Failure Nov 13, 2020191,000 milesWilliamstown, WVUnknown or other

    HAD THE 4RUNNER WV STATE INSPECTED. NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER. NOTICED THE FRAME CRACKED ON FRAME RAIL NEAR MUFFLER LOCATION.

    NHTSA complaint 11374605
20. Filed Oct 22, 2020Failure Oct 5, 202066,000 milesWinnabow, NCSuspension

    FRAME IS RUSTED. DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

    NHTSA complaint 11365850