Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
425–50K
650–75K
1975–100K
127100–150K
147150K+
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
75,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Power Train
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH SUCH THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID IS LEACHING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE METAL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEIZING UP AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, OR OTHER VEHICLES TO LOSE TRACTION ON ROAD DUE TO GEAR OIL LEAKING ONTO ROADWAY. TOY…
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REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH SUCH THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID IS LEACHING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE METAL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEIZING UP AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, OR OTHER VEHICLES TO LOSE TRACTION ON ROAD DUE TO GEAR OIL LEAKING ONTO ROADWAY. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND INSISTS ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS. RUST PROBLEM FIRST OBSERVED IN 2005 AND STEADILY BECOMING WORSE EACH MONTH. NO REPAIRS YET MADE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE COST. OWNER IS EXPECTING AND WAITING FOR A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406201
180,571 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Structure
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FAILED NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT/RUST, MOST EVIDENT AT RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FRAME R…
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2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FAILED NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT/RUST, MOST EVIDENT AT RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FRAME ROT IS THE SAME ISSUE TOYOTA FACED WITH THE TACOMA MODEL THAT UTILIZES THE SAME FRAME AS THE 4RUNNER. PER THE TOYOTA NEWS RELEASE OF 3/7/08 TOYOTA PROVIDED TACOMA OWNERS AN " EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"UP TO 15 YEARS TO PROVIDE "GOODWILL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED, OR MAY ENCOUNTER, FRAME PROBLEMS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF RUST PERFORATION". I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE 4RUNNER FRAME IS ONLY COVERED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY OF 3YEARS/36,000 MILES. TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING TO 4RUNNER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE FRAMES, ESTABLISHED A PRECIDENT REGARDING REPLACEMENT, YET WILL NOT INCLUDE THE 4RUNNER IN THEIR OFFER OF AN "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY". THE BODY OF MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION WITH NO RUST, INCLUDING THE UNDERBODY, BUT THE FRAME HAS FAILED UNDER IT! TOYOTA MUST INCLUDE 4RUNNERS IN THEIR "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393991
289,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Unknown Or Other
REMOVED MUFFLER TO REPLACE, FOUND HOLES IN FRAME ON THE INBOARD SIDE AND BRACKET SECURING REAREND IN PLACE ROTTED 1/2 WAY AROUND WHERE IT SECURES TO THE FRAME AT THE WELD CONNECTION , SO THE BRACKET IS 1/2 DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME NO OUTWARD SIGNS SHOWING ON THE TRUCK .....THERE ARE NO RUST SPOTS OR ROT SHOWING …
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REMOVED MUFFLER TO REPLACE, FOUND HOLES IN FRAME ON THE INBOARD SIDE AND BRACKET SECURING REAREND IN PLACE ROTTED 1/2 WAY AROUND WHERE IT SECURES TO THE FRAME AT THE WELD CONNECTION , SO THE BRACKET IS 1/2 DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME NO OUTWARD SIGNS SHOWING ON THE TRUCK .....THERE ARE NO RUST SPOTS OR ROT SHOWING ON THE BODY AT ALL .... SMALL RUST STAINS SHOWING ON THE REAR BUMPER ONLY .... I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF PROBLEM AND HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THEIR RESPONSE WAS "IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY"
NHTSA ODI #10383542
113,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT; THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #10382602
140,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Structure
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH THE FRAME ROTTED BY THE MUFFLER . THE ROT GOES ABOUT 3 FEET IN LENGTH BY 1 1/2 INCH. RIGHT WHERE THE LOWER REAR AXLE HOOKS UP TO THE FRAME. THE REAR AXLE HAS ROTTED OUT AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE GEARS TO GET CHEWED UP. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65 MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. DISAS…
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2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH THE FRAME ROTTED BY THE MUFFLER . THE ROT GOES ABOUT 3 FEET IN LENGTH BY 1 1/2 INCH. RIGHT WHERE THE LOWER REAR AXLE HOOKS UP TO THE FRAME. THE REAR AXLE HAS ROTTED OUT AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE GEARS TO GET CHEWED UP. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65 MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. DISASTER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE PICTURES ON HOW BAD IT LOOKS I HAVE THEM. THIS IS A CLEAN TRUCK WITH NO DENTS ANYWHERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378866
140,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
Structure
I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER; THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME AREA APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF THE FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER AREA IS RUSTED OUT. I UNDERSTAND THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A FRAME RECALL UP TO YEAR 2000. ISN'T THE TACOMA FRAME AND THE 4RUNNER FRAME THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUT RUSTED…
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I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER; THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME AREA APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF THE FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER AREA IS RUSTED OUT. I UNDERSTAND THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A FRAME RECALL UP TO YEAR 2000. ISN'T THE TACOMA FRAME AND THE 4RUNNER FRAME THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUT RUSTED FRAME ON THE 2000 4RUNNER RUSTED FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378033
74,000 miles · Jan 9, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN AND BASICALLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS FOR A FAULTY SYSTEM AND EXPECTS THE CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE CONSUMERS PAY 800 TO 900 DOLLARS AS QUOTED FROM MY DEALER FOR A DESIGN FLAW FOR TOYOTA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10375304
140,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER WAS CORRODED MORE THAN THREE FEET LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER WAS CORRODED MORE THAN THREE FEET LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10372260
130,000 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10372072
116,000 miles · Dec 9, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ADVISED HER THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPRO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ADVISED HER THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.
NHTSA ODI #10369782
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.
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year