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2000 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 4RUNNER years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER are substantially higher than the model-year median of 58.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

308 reports with mileage · 71 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

379 reports
143,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Structure

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET A REAR SEAL LEAK FIXED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF RUST AND EROSION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A PAPER WHEN I PICK THE VEHICLE THAT I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712512

118,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Structure

AFTER DROPPING MY KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL AND EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO FISH TAIL UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED WITHOUT WRECKING OR ENDING UP IN THE DITCH. AFTER SPEAKING TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 4RUNNERS AND TO CONTACT TOYOTA. …

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AFTER DROPPING MY KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL AND EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO FISH TAIL UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED WITHOUT WRECKING OR ENDING UP IN THE DITCH. AFTER SPEAKING TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 4RUNNERS AND TO CONTACT TOYOTA. THE BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU LEAVING THE REAR AXEL WITH NO SUPPORT. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, AT THE SAME EXACT LOCATION, MEANS THAT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A TOYOTA DEFECT. I BOUGHT MY 4RUNNER UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD GET ME AT LEAST 200,000 MILES. I'M CURRENTLY AT 118,000 AND IT ALREADY NEEDS TO GO TO THE JUNK YARD. I'M SHOCKED AND APPALLED THAT TOYOTA WOULD ALLOW THESE VEHICLES TO BE OUT ON THE STREETS KNOWING THAT THEY ARE ENDANGERING HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF LIVES EVERYDAY. THIS CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBJECT OF RECALL AND NO DOUBT LIVES WILL BE LOST BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE ASAP. AS IT STANDS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AND WILL GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO TELL MY STORY AND HOW TOYOTA TURNS THEIR BACK ON CUSTOMERS AND THE SAFETY OF THOSE YOU DRIVE THIS 2000 4RUNNER. WITH THE WEB AND ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA FORUMS AT MY FINGER TIPS, I WILL MAKE IT MY MISSION IN LIFE TO SEE THAT TOYOTA IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY AND LACK OF LOYALTY TO TOYOTA BUYERS. DO THE RIGHT TOYOTA AND RECALL THE 2000 4RUNNER FOR THE PIECE OF JUNK THAT IT IS BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST! THE FRAME ON THE BACK AXEL COMPLETELY RUSTS THRU LEAVES NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR BUT TO SIMPLY SCRAP YOUR VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. SUCH A DISHONEST COMPANY WITH NO REMORSE AND NO RESPECT FOR LIVES ON THE ROAD DRIVING EVERYDAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706726

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2015
Structure

SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE 2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CONCERNS [TOYOTA MOTOR SALES]. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME ON HIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME RAIL IS EXHIBITING CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE SECTIONS OF THE FRAME HAVE COMPLETELY DISIN…

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SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE 2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CONCERNS [TOYOTA MOTOR SALES]. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME ON HIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME RAIL IS EXHIBITING CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE SECTIONS OF THE FRAME HAVE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED LEAVING HIM WITH MAJOR HOLES AND WELDED SUSPENSION MOUNTING COMPONENTS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE ACTUAL FRAME RAIL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10705725

156,000 miles · Apr 11, 2015
StructureSuspensionCrashInjury

TRAVELING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. I HEAR A LOUD POP AND MY SUV VEERS HARD TO THE RIGHT CROSSING THE LOW SPEED LANE AND BREAKDOWN LANE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEXT TO ME. SUV MISSED THE GUARD RAIL, BUT CLIMBED AN EMBANKMENT AND CAME TO REST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. RESULTING IN ME FORCEF…

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TRAVELING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. I HEAR A LOUD POP AND MY SUV VEERS HARD TO THE RIGHT CROSSING THE LOW SPEED LANE AND BREAKDOWN LANE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEXT TO ME. SUV MISSED THE GUARD RAIL, BUT CLIMBED AN EMBANKMENT AND CAME TO REST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. RESULTING IN ME FORCEFULLY TWISTING THE STEERING WHEEL, HITTING MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD AND BRAKING THE SIDE GLASS WITH MY HEAD. AFTERWARDS, LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE, IT WAS APPARENT WHAT HAD CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME, CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT, AND REAR CONTROL ARM TO TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705099

156,000 miles · Mar 27, 2015
SteeringStructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN EXCESS IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN EXCESS IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM HAD CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10702201

130,000 miles · Mar 22, 2015
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME ON OUT 2000 TOYOTA COLLAPSED BECAUSE OF RUST. THE COLLAPSE WAS ON THE SIDE FRAME RAIL, JUST BEFORE THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700968

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2015
Tires

I PURCHASED 4 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER H/T-S ON A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON 02/2013. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR MY ANNUAL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION THIS YEAR ON 02/2015 I WAS TOLD AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MY TIRE ARE CRACKING BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE TREADS. THIS TREAD SEPARATION CRACKING IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THE S…

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I PURCHASED 4 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER H/T-S ON A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON 02/2013. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR MY ANNUAL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION THIS YEAR ON 02/2015 I WAS TOLD AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MY TIRE ARE CRACKING BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE TREADS. THIS TREAD SEPARATION CRACKING IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THE SHOP CONTACTED TIRE COMPANY THAT SUPPLIED THEM THE TIRE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY CREDIT ME 35% OF THE ORIGINAL TIRE PRICE THEY WOULD BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER YOKOHAMA TIRE. THESE TIRES ARE 2 YEARS OLD AND HAVE 30,000 MILES ON THEM. IT SEEMS I AM BEING PUT IN DANGER IF I DON'T HAVE THEM REPLACED AND SEEMS I AM GETTING RIPPED OFF IF I DO HAVE THEM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694331

163,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Power TrainStructureSuspension

SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. RUST HAS COMPLETELY PERFORATED AND SEPARATED STRUCTURAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS (REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM MOUNT). VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL MAJOR REPAIRS OR COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT IS PERFORMED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693880

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2015
Structure

IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA WISHES TO NOT ADDRESS THAT THE FRAMES ARE NOT PROPERLY TREATED FOR RUST PREVENTION AND ARE PRONE TO RUSTING OUT AND FALLING APART AT A RATE THAT IS BEYOND REASONABLE. PICTURES FROM HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE ALL OVER THE WEB AND TOYOTA FORUMS SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MOST…

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IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA WISHES TO NOT ADDRESS THAT THE FRAMES ARE NOT PROPERLY TREATED FOR RUST PREVENTION AND ARE PRONE TO RUSTING OUT AND FALLING APART AT A RATE THAT IS BEYOND REASONABLE. PICTURES FROM HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE ALL OVER THE WEB AND TOYOTA FORUMS SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MOST PROBLEM SPOT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME ON THE INSIDE NEAR THE MUFFLER, NEAR THE REAR AXLE. I CAN PHYSICALLY PUSH MY HAND RIGHT THROUGH THE RUSTED OUT FRAME. THE SIMILARLY DESIGNED TACOMA WAS RECALLED DUE TO THE FRAME RUSTING THROUGH SO BAD IT WOULD BREAK APART. UNFORTUNATELY TOYOTA DOES NOT WISH TO COVER ALL THE BASES AND HAVE LEFT THE 4RUNNERS OUT TO RUST (PUN INTENDED)

NHTSA ODI #10690495

171,542 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Structure

UPON INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE WHILE ON LIFT, I FOUND AN AREA OF RUST PERFORATION ABOVE THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET ON THE FRAME. THE AREA IS APPROX .5"X 3" IN LENGTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680936

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.