Structure. Review the 309 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports3 fire reports14 injury reports

Power Train complaints

27 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2025

Power TrainStructure

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2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Frame rust: currently not drivable due to complete breakage from the rust. Driving 2 hours home on the highway I almost lost control, pressing/releasing the brake and/or gas pulls the steering side to side and sways the truck (fish tail) due to damage from the frame rust/breaking. There is no control of the rear end. Truck was in great condition prior to the frame snapping. Vehicle has been inspected by multiple mechanics (including Firestone, Welding/fabricating Auto Repair shops and small owned mechanic shops), possibly won’t be able to weld due to the amount of rust. Firestone won’t perform any service if the vehicle needs to go in the air (tires, oil..etc) due to frame rust. This has been a huge problem with Toyota, they addressed other models around the same year but excluded the 4Runner for unknown reasons. The dealership will not address the issue unless instructed by corporate. This problem jeopardized my safety and the safety of others around while I was driving at highway speeds, there was no warning when it occurred. Vehicle is available for inspection any time, as it currently is not going anywhere without a tow.

NHTSA ODI #11679499

190,000 miles · Apr 24, 2020

Power TrainService BrakesStructure

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN MOTION LEAVING FROM A STOP SIGN. I LATER FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION LINES HAD CORRODED AWAY LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ADDING BRAKE FLUID I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM BOTTOM. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #11322167

150,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019

Power TrainSuspension

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EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. REPLACED COMPLETE REAR END IN 2013. TOLD BY HYANNIS TOYOTA THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RUST. THE REAR END IS NOW RUSTED OUT AGAIN IN 2019 AND NEEDS REPLACING. IN APRIL 2019 COULD NOT HAVE SUSPENSION REPLACED UNTIL FRAME WELDING WAS COMPLETED. ADDITIONAL WORK OF CUTTING OUT REAR UPPER TRAILING ARM BRACKETS AND WELD IN PLACE AND FABRICATE FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNT AND WELD IN PLACE. COMPLETE FRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE HAD THIS WORK DOWN BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS FALLING OUT AND WE COULD NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11203339

94,500 miles · Apr 8, 2019

Power TrainService Brakes

RUMBLE WHEN OVER 20 MPH AND TURNING SLIGHTLY RIGHT ON ANY SURFACE.

NHTSA ODI #11194792

116,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019

Power TrainStructureSuspension

TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. CAUSING ALL THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND MAKE THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. EVEN THE BODY IS STARTING TO RUST AWAY. ONLY HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT WHICH IS CRAZY.

NHTSA ODI #11184991

120,000 miles · Jan 14, 2019

Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RUSTED TRANSMISSION LINES. LEADS UP TO FINDING OUT THAT FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. UNABLE TO FIX IT DUE TO FRAME RUST. SUSPENSION ARE OF FRAME RUSTED AS WELL...BARELY HOLDING ON. TRAVELING FROM TN TO PA WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11169986

120,000 miles · Nov 18, 2018

Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

PARTS OF THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR AND INCLUDING FRAME AND SUBFRAME COMPONENTS ARE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. PARTS ARE OF THE SUSPENSION AND OTHER HARD PARTS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #11152351

170,450 miles · Oct 3, 2016

Power Train

OIL LEAKING FROM TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR ASSEMBLY POWERTRAIN TRANSFER CASE. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #10911381

220,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016

Power TrainStructureSuspension

RUST EAT MY FRAME INTO

NHTSA ODI #10861247

79,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

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I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH OUR 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. IT STARTED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WHEN THE MARYLAND STATE EMMISSION TEST FACILITY PLUGGED INTO MY ODBI2 PORT. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AND I WENT IN TO THE OFFICE AND COMPLAINED. I FILED A FORM WITH EMISSIONS. I WORK OUT OF TOWN, MY WIFE IS A TEACHER AND WE HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS. GOING TO THE DEALER WAS NOT AN OPTION UNTIL SCHOOL WAS OUR. IN THE MEAN TIME THE TRUCK DROVE FINE OTHER THAN NO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND THE TIRES SPINNING IF YOU HIT THE PEDDLE TO HARD (NO TRACTION CONTROL OR STABILITY CONTROL. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER OVER THE SUMMER AND THEY HAD TO RESET THE VALUES FOR $110.00 THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE. TOYOTA DEALER SAID ALL THE VALUES BEING ERASED WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR AND MVA CHEEP SCANNERS. MARYLAND SAID THEY CALLED TOYOTA AND NO ONE HAD EVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN LAST EMISSION TEST. BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE ACTUATOR DOESN'T ENGAGE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THIS WAS APPARENT WHEN MY WIFE LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY FLIPPED THE TRICK OVER AFTER PICKING UP THE KIDS IN A SNOW STORM. I CLIMBED UNDER THE TRUCK IN THE SNOW AND PULLED THE COVER OFF THE ACTUATOR, PULLED OUT THE PLASTIC GEARS AND MANUALLY SHIFTED IT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET IT HOME. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WAS ALWAYS USED AT LEAST EVERY MONTH UNTIL THE EMISSION TEST PROBLEMS JUST TO KEEP IT LUBERICATED. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR LACK THERE OF, COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO MY WIFE AND KIDS. THIS ACTUATOR IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, IF THEY CAN'T DESIGN A ACTUATOR THAT OPERATES WHEN YOU NEED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY THAN GO BACK TO THE OLD STICK AND LINKAGE. 55 PEOPLE DIED IN THE BLIZZARD OF 2016 AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN 3 MORE JUST BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW! P.S. MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT IT NEW, NEVER OFF ROAD!

NHTSA ODI #10837656

Official recalls

16V065000 · Air Bags:side/window

Feb 5, 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

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.

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