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

Suspension complaints

108 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2021

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

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Frame started excessive rusting before 2011 when the vehicle had very low miles on it. I reported it to Toyota National headquarters in 2016. They knew about it but since they didn't have to replace the frames they didn't care. They offered me $1000 towards a new car. I could not afford a new car. I have been battling the rust ever since. I spent $4000 in the past 2 years. I was driving with a broken front axle!! Recently the rust corroded my brake fluid lines causing the lines to fail all at once. Luckily I was leaving my driveway. I had no brakes and was headed for the road. I hit the emergency brake and stopped at the road. Brake fluid fell out all over my driveway. I had to spend $400 getting my driveway resealed and $300 for the new brake lines which was really cheap. I took the truck to Toyota to trade it in and they would only give me $1500 for the beautifully, well cared for truck with only 135000 miles on it because the frame was rusted. They replaced the frames on the Tundra and Tacoma, which were the same frames. They need to replace the frames on the 4Runners or compensate the owners like me. I am the original owner. I bought the dealers demo in 2005. I want the $10,000 they owe me. I am moving and I have to sell this truck, instead of waiting for Toyota to replace the frame, because it is unsafe to drive from NY to NC. I am very sad. Other than the rust this truck is fantastic. I feel like a good friend died! It hurts to let it go. I will have to sell it privately. I think $1500 from the dealer is criminal.

NHTSA ODI #11431113

143,000 miles · May 4, 2021

Service BrakesStructureSuspension

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OUR 2004 TOYOTA FORERUNNER WITH V6 ENGINE WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN 2019 WITH 106,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN, IT HAS DEVELOPED MORE AND MORE AREAS OF RUST ON THE FRAME DESPITE OUR EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE FRAME, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. WE CONTINUOUSLY INSPECT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND CONTINUE TO DISCOVER MORE AND MORE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT RUST/DETERIORATION DESPITE EFFORTS TO CLEAN, TREAT (WITH PAINT, RUST INHIBITORS, WELDING REPAIRS). WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS DETERIORATION WILL SOON RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11415201

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2021

StructureSuspension

MANY SIGNS OF PREMATURE RUST ON THE FRAME WITH SEVERAL HOLES. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 124K MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS STATE. TOYOTA HAS TO RECALL THESE FRAMES JUST LIKE THEY DO FROM OTHER TRUCKS MANUFACTURED DURING THE VERY SAME YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11391090

150,000 miles · Jan 19, 2021

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE FRAME HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN CERTAIN AREAS - STRUCTURE AND SAFETY IS COMPROMISED .... NORMAL DRIVING & CARE ENVIRONMENT BUT APPEARS FRAME HAS ACCELERATED DETERIORATION, WHILE ALL OTHER AREAS (BODY PANELS, ALL OTHER COMPONENTS) ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - SEEING THIS IS A KNOWN TOYOTA ISSUE ON SAME MODELS AND S…

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NHTSA ODI #11388771

138,000 miles · Dec 21, 2020

StructureSuspension

PREMATURE AND EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. SIMILAR MODELS WERE COVERED BY EARLIER FRAME RECALL, WHY NOT THE 4RUNNER?

NHTSA ODI #11384476

200,100 miles · Dec 14, 2020

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. OUR 4RUNNER HAS JUST PASSED THE 200K MILE MARK, BUT THE FRAME HAS BEEN RUSTING AT AN ALARMING RATE FOR YEARS NOW. LIVING IN AN AREA WITH SALTED WINTER ROADS, I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT MINDFUL OF THIS (NOT PERFECT), BUT THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION SEEMS EXCESSIVE, EVEN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. THERE HAS BEEN NO MOVING…

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NHTSA ODI #11383308

175,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020

Suspension

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TODAY I FAILED VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF RUST AND DETERIORATION OF MY CHASSIS FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW, SELDOM DRIVEN IN ANY AREAS OF SALTED OR SANDED ROADS. IT WAS ALSO MOSTLY GARAGED EITHER AT WORK AND/OR AT HOME. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 175000 WHICH IS LOW CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THAT MANY TOYOTAS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SOME MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS. IN SPITE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT FORERUNNERS HAVE HAD, IT IS YET TO BE RECALLED....AND ALL RECALLS START AT 2005. MINE IS A 2004 AND THE FRAME IS FALLING APART. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND WISH VEHICLES IN MY DEMOGRAPHICS WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN A NEW RECAL......

NHTSA ODI #11377913

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2020

StructureSuspension

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I WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED THIS MORNING THAT I HAD MAJOR RUSH ON MY FRAME IT WAS CRACKED AND HAD BIG HOLES IN IT AND THEY WERE AFRAID TO PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT. ADVISED ME TO CHECK WITH MY DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. ACCORDING TO KBB THERE IS NOT WITH MY CORRESPONDING VIN NUMBER WHICH IS A DANG SHAME BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD T BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY GRAND CHILDREN AROUND IN FEAR THAT MY FRAME WON'T SUPPORT US. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE TOYOTA IS KNOWN FOR THEIR SAFETY, RELIABILITY.INTEGRITY AND LONGEVITY. SO BECAUSE OF THE EXCELLENT FEEDBACK I HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT TOYOTA'S ' LASTING FOREVER' I MADE MY FIRST TOYOTA PURCHASE. THE BODY DECEIVED ME . OTHER THAN A LITTLE GOLF BALL DENT ON THE FRONT FENDER. THE BODY IS VERY GOOD CONDITION NOT A SPECK OF VISIBLE RUST.

NHTSA ODI #11375638

104,000 miles · Oct 30, 2020

Suspension

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TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 15 MPH, HIS SON HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AS THE REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON A HOIST, AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #11372451

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2020

Suspension

THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED

NHTSA ODI #11365994

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