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

What owners actually said

527 reports

195,531 miles · May 5, 2015

Structure

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NO FAILURE. FLAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN PARTS AND VEHICLE DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. FAILURE IS IMMINENT AND COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. TOYOTA FACTORY PERSONNEL HANDLING COMPLAINTS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH A RUSTED FRAME, BUT INSISTED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING. FRAME IS SAME/SIMILAR TO THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA VEHICLES OF LIKE MODEL YEAR, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE HAD MANUFACTURER RECALLS. NO FACTORY SUPPORT EXISTS FOR THE 4RUNNER. I AM TO KEEP MY RECEIPT FOR ANY REPAIRS AND IF A RECALL HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE, TOYOTA WOULD "CONSIDER" REIMBURSING ME FOR COSTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714688

169,251 miles · Apr 28, 2015

Service Brakes

MY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS CONTINUE TO FREEZE OR SEIZE AND CAUSES THE BRAKE PADS TO STICK TO THE ROTORS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I OWNED THE TRUCK. RECENTLY, UPON REPLACING THE BOTH FRONT CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS, AFTER BLEEDING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE SYSTEM NOW ONLY WORKED IN THE FRONT BRAKES AND NOT T…

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NHTSA ODI #10713279

100,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015

Service Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ABS, PARKING BRAKE, VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING CONTROL IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT CONTROLS THE ABS AND BOOSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10712683

243,028 miles · Apr 22, 2015

Structure

2003 4RUNNER WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRONT FRAME CROSS MEMBER AND THERE IS A DANGER THAT THE RADIATOR, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY THE CROSS MEMBER, COULD SHIFT OR WORK LOOSE. THE RUST DAMAGE IS MOST EVIDENT NEAR THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) FRAME MEMBER WHERE…

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NHTSA ODI #10712166

145,659 miles · Apr 15, 2015

Suspension

MY PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS RUSTING AND WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. HE NOTIFIED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE WHO STATED THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE. TOYOTA HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PAST FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CASE # WITH TOYOTA IS [XXX]. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE. THANK…

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NHTSA ODI #10705876

68,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015

Visibility/wiper

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TOYOTA INSTALLED A SUNROOF THAT HAD KNOWN DESIGN DEFECTS IN THE 2003 4RUNNER, THE FIRST MODEL YEAR OF THE 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER. THE SUNROOF WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP WORKING, AND THE DRAINAGE TUBES IN THE SUNROOF WOULD CLOG AND BACK UP. THIS WOULD CAUSE WATER TO RAIN DOWN ON THE HEAD OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING ACCELERATION OR A SUDDEN STOP. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUNROOF ISSUE SINCE AT LEAST 2006, AND HAD ISSUED MULTIPLE TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT INITIATING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703900

182,700 miles · Mar 26, 2015

SteeringTiresWheels

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I PURCHASED THIS 4RUNNER IN MARCH, 2015. I BEGAN TO NOTICE A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT 63MPH. I THOUGHT IT WAS BRAKES, I HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS SURFACED ON 3/12/15. STILL VIBRATING! SO I FIGURED IT WAS A SIMPLE BALANCING ISSUE, I TOOK IT ON THE SAME DAY TO HAVE IT BALANCED. IT STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING WORSE! I HAD THE SAME MECHANIC RE-BALANCE AND ROTATE THE WHEELS/TIRES. IT ROAD THE SAME. THEY TURNED ME TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE ROAD ENFORCE BALANCER. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM TEST DRIVE FIRST, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS INDEED OUT OF BALANCE. TOYOTA BALANCED. I DROVE IT AND IT WAS SHAKING LIKE A LEAF AT 32-70MPH. I HAD TOYOTA RE-BALANCE AGAIN! I DROVE IT AGAIN AND IT REMAINED WORSE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I LEFT THINKING THAT IT WAS MY WHEELS AND OR MY TIRES BECAUSE IN MY MIND TOYOTA KNOWS BEST! I WENT TO WHERE THE TIRES WERE BOUGHT, TIRES ARE 3 MONTHS NEW. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME 4RUNNER HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THEY PULLED THE WHEELS OFF AND PULLED ME ASIDE TO SHOW ME HOW EXCESSIVE THE BALANCING WEIGHTS WERE ON EACH RIM AND SOME ALL THE WAY AROUND RIM (TOYOTA'S DOING). THEY BALANCED USING THE HAWEKA, IT DROVE BETTER BUT STILL VIBRATING AT 32-70MPH. THEY RE-BALANCED AGAIN, STILL SAME ISSUE. THEY USED A DIFFERENT SET OF WHEELS AND BALANCED AGAIN, SAME ISSUE. THEY INSTALLED MY ORIGINAL WHEELS BACK ON AND RE-BALANCED AGAIN, SAME ISSUE! THEY CHECKED HUBS, BEARINGS, ALIGNMENT, BRAKES, ROTORS, BOOTS, AXLE AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT. I HAVE INVESTED NEARLY 4 DAYS AND $300 IN LOCATING THE ISSUE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SO MANY TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I AM CLUELESS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I AM RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE AND MONEY! PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702057

165,588 miles · Mar 10, 2015

Service Brakes

EXACT SAME ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN: DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 01/07/2015 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES DATE OF INCIDENT: 01/05/2015 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10670783 DROVE CAR TO SHOP WITHOUT LOSING BRAKE POWER. QUOTED $3,000 AND TOLD THE ABS ACTUATOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. I'VE REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PARTS OVER CAR LIFETIMES…

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NHTSA ODI #10693410

134,000 miles · Feb 18, 2015

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I BOUGHT MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO FROM AN AUTO GROUP (TOYOTA, HONDA, ECT) AND HAD THEM PERFORM A SAFETY INSPECTION. SINCE IT WAS USED I KNEW THERE WOULD BE SOME ISSUES, THE ONLY PROBLEM IT HAD WAS THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE WASN'T COMPLETED AT 90K MILES (TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, ECT). I WORKED THAT INTO THE DEAL AN WAS ON MY WAY. AFTER DEPARTING THE U.S. AND SHIPPING MY CAR TO HAWAII, THE INSPECTORS HERE FOUND A LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND SAID IT COULD BE AN ISSUE GETTING AN APPROVED SAFETY INSPECTION (REQUIRED FOR REGISTERING THE CAR IN HAWAII). THEY SAID IT ISN'T SEVERE NOW, BUT CAN BE LIVING IN THIS STATE AS IT IS VERY RUSTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN SUCH A HUMID ENVIRONMENT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT TACOMAS FOR THAT YEAR HAD A RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST (SIMILAR IF NOT THE SAME FRAMES) BUT 4RUNNERS DO NOT, SO THEY RECOMMENDED I TALK TO TOYOTA ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER HERE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND IF I WANTED THE FRAME FIXED OR REPLACED, IT'D HAVE TO BE AT MY EXPENSE. TOYOTA'S ARE FANTASTIC VEHICLES, I JUST HOPE THIS COMMENT AIDS IN THEIR DECISION TO APPROVE A RECALL ON 4RUNNER'S FRAMES DUE TO RUST LIKE THE OTHER MAKES FOR THE SAME YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683968

161,000 miles · Feb 7, 2015

Suspension

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TOOK MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN FOR SERVICE AND TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE SERVICE GUYS SAY THEY CANNOT INSPECT MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT HAS A HOLE IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE FRONT OF MY FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AFTER ONLY 160K MILES AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD. THIS TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND KEPT CLEAN IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS IS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS ERA AND HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE DRIVING AROUND NOT KNOWING THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AWAY TO THE POINT THE FRAME THEY ARE RIDING ON IS FALLING APART UNDER THEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681951

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