Structure. Review the 278 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Structure complaints

278 reports

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129,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011

Power TrainSteeringStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO HANG VERY LOW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-ATTACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES W…

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NHTSA ODI #10412344

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2010

Structure

THIS VEHICLE HAS A ROTTED FRAME WHICH IS PERFORATED IN AT LEAST 3 PLACES

NHTSA ODI #10372766

90,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010

Structure

DASH CRACKING IN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CRACKS MATERIALIZED FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. NUMEROUS. EXACT DEALER RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DAMP CLOTH TO CLEAN THE DASH BOARD. THIS SUV IS GARAGED AND NORMALLY NOT OUT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I HAVEN'T SEEN A DASH CRACK LIKE THIS SINCE THE OLD ONES BAC…

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NHTSA ODI #10365921

68,500 miles · Sep 5, 2010

Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10353944

15,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010

Air BagsStructure

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I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASH 1 FOOT LONG ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ONLY 15000 MILES ON TRUCK. ALOT OF OTHER POST ARE ON THE INTERNET WITH SAME CRACK OR MORE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. I AM WORRIED THAT SOMETHING WILL SPILL AND SHORT THE AIRBAG. FOR A TRUCK DROVE SO LITTLE AND ALWAYS IN THE DARK THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOYOTA PLACE 9670 TRASK AV GARDEN GROVE CA ASKED TOYOTA TO REPLACE IT THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. ANIKA FROM TOYOTA CAME TO LOOK AT A SHOWROOM CONDITION TRUCK AND SAID NO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT IF I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT. IT WOULD BE $1000.00. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AT THIS TIME. THEY DO NOT CARE. CALLED TOYOTA ON SAME DAY THEY SAID ANIKA SAID NO SO THAT IS AS GOOD AS IN STONE NOTHING MORE TO TALK ABOUT. THIS IS THE NEW TOYOTA MONEY OVER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348376

60,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WAS EXHIBITING CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BEGAN YEARS PRIOR BUT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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NHTSA ODI #10347541

53,000 miles · Apr 18, 2010

Structure

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IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 THE OPEN ENGINE HOOD FALLS WITHOUT WARNING. A SMALL HYDRAULIC PISTON AUTOMATICALLY HOLDS THE HOOD OPEN WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED. THERE IS NO ROD OR OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN, JUST THE PISTON. THE HOOD STAYS OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN QUIETLY FALLS, AT FIRST VERY SLOWLY FOR A FEW INCHES, THEN RAPIDLY ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO A PERSON LEANING OVER THE OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD IS FAIRLY HEAVY PROBABLY DUE TO THE THICK AND HEAVY FIBERGLASS INSULATION. THE PISTON WORKED PROPERLY UNTIL ABOUT EARLY 2009 WHEN IT STARTED OCCASIONALLY FALLING, NOW (APRIL 2010) THE HOOD FALLS AFTER A FEW MINUTES EVERY TIME THE HOOD IS OPENED. SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I'VE BEEN USING A WOOD STICK I CUT TO SIZE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN WHEN I NEED ACCESS. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE THE PISTON REPLACED BUT I'LL ASK FOR THE REMOVED PARTS BACK IN CASE THEY NEED TO BE EXAMINED. EVEN WITH THE NEW PISTON, THOUGH, I INTEND TO USE THE WOOD STICK AS A SAFETY MEASURE. I JUST DON'T TRUST THE PISTON DESIGN SINCE IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES PERFECT SEALING TO MAINTAIN THE LIFTING FORCE. ALSO, ACCORDING TO MY INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES MAINLY TOYOTA'S, THIS IS A FREQUENT ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT THEIR REPAIRMEN ALWAYS BRACE THE HOODS OPEN WHEN WORKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTS. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326207

67,000 miles · Aug 6, 2008

Structure

THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HOLDS UP THE HOOD EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. ONCE THE HOOD IS OPENED, THE HOOD WOULD BEGIN SLOWING COMING DOWN AND THE PACE PICKS UP. THE HOOD WOULD SLAM SHUT VIOLENTLY AND CAN POTENTIAL CAUSE INJURY TO SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING ON THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237198

Official recalls

11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

03V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Apr 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

02V339000 · Wheels

Dec 17, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

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

DP18002 · Frame Corrosion

Opened Aug 17, 2018 · Closed Mar 18, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by NHTSA regarding underbody corrosion in third and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles.The undercarriage of the petitioner?s vehicle exhibited severe corrosion damage indicative of seawater immersion. The vehicle?s service history shows that concerns with underbody corrosion were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ?severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.? Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ?rust on shocks/struts and other components,? ?rust on exhaust system,? ?both splash shields severely rusted,? and ?undercarriage very rusty.? On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the Petitioner of a concern with ?excessive frame corrosion? on his vehicle. The service history, severe general corrosion damage, failure age, and environment do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure.ODI?s analysis of NHTSA complaint data identified fifteen incidents of front lower control arm failure in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicles. Two of the failures, including the petitioner?s vehicle, involve vehicles operated in ocean front communities with continuous exposure to aerosolized marine salts and potential exposure to seawater immersion. The remaining thirteen failures all involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (?Salt states?). On average, the front lower control arm failures occurred after 13.1 years in service in highly corrosive environments. The failure ages and environments do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the p

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal