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

Suspension complaints

109 reports

Clear category filter

102,375 miles · Nov 16, 2018

Suspension

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE 4 RUNNER RAISED UP IN THE REAR LIKE A CAT AND THERE WAS ANOTHER LOUD BANG AND I WAS STOPPED DEAD IN MY TRACKS ALMOST GETTING THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH. THE 4 RUNNER WOULD NOT MOVE, AND THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE AGAINST THE FLOORBOARD AND ALSO ON THE GROUND. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE REAR AND SAW ALL THE DAMAGE AND WHAT CAUSED IT. THE CAUSE WAS COMPLETE RUST, I HAVE NEVER SAW A VEHICLE RUST THAT FAST THAT BADLY. IT WAS FINE IN THE SPRING WHEN I WASHED IT AND UNDERNEATH IT AS I ALWAYS DO AFTER WINTER. THE REAR END WAS RUSTED SO BAD IT WOULD CRUMBLE IN YOUR HANDS THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE WAS IN THE SAME SHAPE. THE GAS TANK GUARD WAS HALF RUSTED AWAY THE FRAME WAS COVERED IN RUST, EVERY PIECE OF METAL UNDER THE 4 RUNNER WAS BADLY RUSTED. NOW BACK TO THE DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED, THE BIG BAR THAT CONNECTED THE REAR END TO THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE REAR END SHIFTED BACK AND DOWN PULLING OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND IT STUCK INTO THE PAVEMENT MAKING THE 4 RUNNER SUDDENLY STOP. THE BIG BAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BENT DOWN FROM THE FORCE BENDING IT AND THE SHOCKS PULLING THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES LOOSE AND BENDING THE METAL BRAKE LINES. THE FRONT OF THE REAR END WAS CRACKED IN A LONG LINE ON THE FRONT. THIS IS A LOT OF DAMAGE DUE TO RUST FROM INFERIOR METAL WHICH TOYOTA FIXED ON THEIR TRUCKS WHICH THE FRAME IS THE SAME. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT. THIS 4 RUNNER ONLY HAS 102375 MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS SHAPE. I HAVE 84, 91, AND 94 FORDS THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS RUST. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN DOING 55 OR MORE ON A FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN THIS BROKE OFF. MY GRAND SONS OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SOMEONE ELSE. RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11152112

140,000 miles · Nov 16, 2018

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

EVERYTHING ABOUT MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS IN GREAT CONDITION EXCEPT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN INSPECTION I WAS DEVASTATED TO FIND OUT THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RUST CORROSION ON THE FRAME. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP IN 2003, I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER SERVICES FOR ALL MAINTENANCES AND YET THEY HAVE FAILED TO TELL ME ABOUT THIS RUST CORROSION PROBLEM UNTIL NOW THAT DUE TO THE RUST IS EATING THROUGH THE MAIN FRAME AND WILL NOT EVEN PASS THE INSPECTION. FOR THE SAFETY PLEASE HAVE IT RECALL AND GET IT DONE THE RIGHT WAY AS FOR TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11151954

180,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018

Suspension

FRAME RUSTING OUT. WAS TOLD COULD NOT DRIVE OF DEALERS LOT AFTER BEING BROUGHT IN FOR BREAK JOB.

NHTSA ODI #11151179

68,000 miles · Nov 3, 2018

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST, ESPECIALLY AT REAR AREA OF VEHICLE. BODY MOUNTS DISINTEGRATING AT REAR. OTHER ATTACHMENT MOUNTS (FOR EXAMPLE REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR) ARE RUSTING SEVERELY. RUST NOTED 11/2/2018 WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN THE AIR FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #11145132

133,000 miles · Nov 2, 2018

SteeringSuspensionWheels

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. STEEL IS LITERALLY FALLING OFF FROM THE RUST AND MY SUSPENSIONS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT AND EXPOSED DUE TO RUST.

NHTSA ODI #11145027

189,156 miles · Oct 30, 2018

StructureSuspension

FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST. REMAINDER OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. ENGINE RUNS GREAT, BUT THE FRAME IS NOW IN A DANGEROUS STATE. GAS TANK SUPPORT IS COMPLETELY GONE.

NHTSA ODI #11144067

133,000 miles · Oct 16, 2018

StructureSuspensionWheels

MY ENTIRE VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND IS NOT IN DRIVEABLE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11140747

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2018

StructureSuspension

MY 4RUNNER FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND I AM DILIGENT IN KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION. PLEASE CONSIDER MY 4RUNNER AS A FRAME REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE.

NHTSA ODI #11133562

166,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018

SteeringSuspension

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS ALMOST RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME. WHILE DRIVING ON I40 GOING AROUND A DEEP CURVE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RAN OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY OR COLLISION. IT WAS INSPECTED AND DEEMED NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS NOW IMMOBILE UNTIL THE FRAME IS …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11132155

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2018

Suspension

MY 2003 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AT THE REAR TRAILING ARM SUPPORT AND HALF WAY DOWN THE RAIL. THIS 4RUNNER IS IN PERFECT SHAPE AND ONLY HAS 200K. TOYOTAS WERE SUPPOSED TO LASS FOR A LOT LONGER THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT IT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE AND CORRECTED JUST LIKE THE OTHER FRAME PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS DEALT WITH IN THE PAST…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11129257

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