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

100,000 miles · Mar 7, 2012

Steering

Read full complaint

THE DRIVER SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT THE ADJUSTMENT THREADS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, RESULTING IN THE OUTER TIE ROD DECOUPLING AND THE DRIVER WHEEL ASSY SWINGING OUT OF PHASE WITH THE PASSENGER TIRE, THUS IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANK GOD, AS A FREEWAY SPEED FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE. I SCANNED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR FAILURES AND GOT MULTIPLE HITS. THE DEALER DOES NOT SHOW THIS FAILURE IN ANY SAFETY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS THE LIMITED EDITION WITH A V8. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THE GOV.'T SHOULD LOOK AT IF MY CASE TURNS OUT NOT TO BE ISOLATED. CAR WAS ALIGNED BY A TOYOTA DEALER APPROX 1 YR AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450617

59,000 miles · Feb 25, 2012

Power TrainSuspension

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW, AND ONLY TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK APPROX 30 MILES A DAY..(NOW HAS 59,000 MILES).VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER...VEHICLE NEVER USED FOR TOWING OR NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD, AND MAINTAINED LIKE A BABY...ALL OF A SUDDEN DEALER TOLD ME MY FRONT AXLE CV JOINTS ARE LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACING INCLUDING THE REAR SHOCKS? THIS IS FULLY LOADED 2003 TOYOTA LIMITED EDITION V8...SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL AT 59K MILES? WILL CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP OUT IN ANY WAY... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449346

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2012

Air Bags

Read full complaint

HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT & IS MINT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR ONE MAJOR PROBLEM, THE DASH. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE IN THE SUN, ONLY IN MY GARAGE, THERE ARE CRACKS ALL ALONG THE DASH. MOST PREDOMINANTLY THERE A DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, AS WELL AS ALONG ALL THE EDGES OF WHERE THE DASH MEETS A CURVE' (I.E. RIGHT ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER) IT IS EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS THE DASHBOARD WITH OTHER 4RUNNER'S AND SIENNA'S, AND IT IS ALSO VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT DUE TO AIRBAG RESTRICTIONS, I CAN'T EVEN PAY SOMEONE TO FIX IT. MY CONCERN IS THE DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446724

48,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012

Seats

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED AND MADE A TURN UP A HILL. SUDDENLY, I FELT THE SEAT JERK BACKWARDS AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT OFF ITS TRACK. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I CHECKED THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESECURE IT TO THE TRACK, BUT I COULD NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT IS NOT LOCKED ANYMORE. WHENEVER I ACCELERATE OR COME TO A STOP, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE DRIVER SEAT COULD COME LOOSE AS IT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK ANYMORE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE NUMBER IS NVO11-06. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX, WITH A TOTAL COST EXCEEDING $1500 FOR CARS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE A 2003 MODEL VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED ON 6/2003, AND THIS TSB WAS ISSUED ON 10/2006 FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, WHICH MEANS THIS TSB WAS INVALID FOR ME AT THE TSB RELEASE. I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM AROUND 9/2011 BECAUSE I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. MANY OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR SEATBELT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT SECURE AND SHIFTS DURING NORMAL STOP OF ACCELERATION AND CAN CAUSE WHIPLASH. ALSO, I HAVE FELT DIZZINESS DURING HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE ROCKING MOTION BECAUSE THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE SEAT CAN BECOME DISLODGED, THUS RENDERING THE SEAT BELT USELESS DURING A CRASH. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE. I HAVE SURFED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTED THIS ISSUE HAVE RESORTED TO JERRY RIGGING A FIX TO THE SEAT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444605

115,000 miles · Jan 18, 2012

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREAS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,364. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10444327

70,000 miles · Dec 12, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT P…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10439442

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Read full complaint

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT AT 121,679 MILES. FIRST SET OF FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 70,452 MILES. TECH CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT FRONT CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR HIGH MILEAGE 4 RUNNERS. SAME TIME HAD RIGHT AXLE BOOT REPLACED AS WELL. $1,118.00 FOR THE WHOLE JOB! OF COURSE I ALMOST KEELED OVER BUT HAD TO HAVE THE WORK DONE, AND WANTED DEALER TO PERFORM THE WORK SO I WOULDN'T HAVE ISSUES LATER IF ANYTHING WENT WRONG. HAVE HAD ALL WORK DONE AT THIS DEALER AND THEY'VE STOOD BEHIND ALL THEIR WORK, BUT WAS STILL A BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE SHOT. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND KEPT CLEAN, INSIDE AND OUT. IN FACT, STILL LOOKS LIKE A NEW CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436417

17,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKING DISTANCES BECAME A LOT LONGER. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK MY FRONT BRAKES, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE CALIPER ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $750. I DID IT MYSELF. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430913

91,454 miles · Oct 20, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING FRONT ABS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ACTIVATING. BRAKING DISTANCES WORSENED AS MY 03 4RUNNER WAS DRIVEN. IT TURNS OUT A PISTON IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FROZEN COSTING OVER $650 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430903

135,160 miles · Oct 6, 2011

Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD ALMOST REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. REPAIR SHOP SAID BRAKES ARE FINE AND THAT IS A COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429016

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