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 · Oct 12, 2020

SteeringStructureSuspension

SEVERE FRAME RUST ON 2004 4RUNNER SR5 SPORT. SUSPENSION RUST, STEERING COMPONENTS RUST. HOLES IN VEHICLE FRAME DUE TO RUST. I WENT TO TWO MECHANICS THAT TOLD ME THAT THIS RUST WAS BEYOND REASONABLE FOR NORMAL RUST ON FRAME, THEY BOTH STATED IT MAY BECOME DANGEROUS AND TO CONTACT TOYOTA DIRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS BECOMING DANGEROUS…

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NHTSA ODI #11363977

120,000 miles · Sep 18, 2020

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

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FRAME RUST TO AN UNSAFE LEVEL AT LOW MILES AND FAR BEFORE ANY OTHER OXIDATION FORMED. BY 120,000 MILES, FRAME HAD SEVERE RUST, CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH FRONT AND REAR TOW HOOK SECTIONS, LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT, AND LARGE SECTIONS OF MAIN FRAME RAILS (WORSE TOWARDS REAR NEAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING). BODY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE BEGINNING OF ANY RUST/OXIDATION ON UNDERSIDE OR EXTERIOR, BUT ALL FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE CORRODING SEVERELY AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. ATTACHED IMAGES ARE AFTER REMOVING LOOSE RUST WITH WIRE WHEEL TO SEE TRUE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11355712

2,020 miles · Sep 8, 2020

StructureSuspension

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TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS DEVELOPED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME AND HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE TO OPERATE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND MAINTAINED BY SINGLE OWNER. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR OFF-ROAD DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION. STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR ADVISED OWNER THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRAME CORROSION OF 2004 TOYOTAS AND THAT THIS VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL NOTICE. SAFETY INSPECTOR STATED THAT FRAME CORROSION OF THIS NATURE IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE NHTSA. VEHICLE IS NOT USED ALONG COAST NOR BEEN SUBJECTED TO IMMERSION IN SALT WATER.

NHTSA ODI #11353704

241,000 miles · Aug 15, 2020

Suspension

VEHICLE FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11349616

220,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020

StructureSuspension

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THIS WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE HAD BEEN FUNCTIONING FLAWLESSLY UP TO THIS POINT. OUR SON WAS ON HIS WAY HOME AND VEHICLE FELT UNSTABLE AND STARTED TO VEER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. HE MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I PERSONALLY DROVE THE VEHICLE UPON HIS DESCRIPTION AND SURE ENOUGH IT SEEMED VERY UNSTABLE. AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED AT A LOCATION WHICH LEFT A DRIVERS SIDE REAR STABILIZER BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATING AND FLAKING APART. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE PURCHASED THIS ONE OWNER VEHICLE FOR OUR SON. WE OWNED A TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT GAVE US SAFE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR FAMILY FOR MANY YEARS AND THOUGHT THIS 4RUNNER WOULD BE A SAFE AND RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR OUR SON TO GO OFF TO COLLEGE. THE BODY AND MECHANICS OF THE VEHICLE WERE VERY SOUND. NOW, TO FIND OUT, BECAUSE OF THE INFERIOR FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS. WE ARE OUT THE MONEY WE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE AND DISHEARTENED BY TOYOTA'S RESPONSE THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE FRAME RECALL THAT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR SO MANY OWNERS. THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF HE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. WE UNDERSTAND RUST & CORROSION, BUT THIS IS EXTREME. I HAVE OWNED MANY DIFFERENT BRANDS OF VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS FRAME IS LITERALLY CRUMBLING AWAY LEAVING A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE TO WASTE.

NHTSA ODI #11331522

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2020

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE TOW BAR TO FRACTURE AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THE REAR WHEELS TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO A-1 TOYOTA (50 AMITY RD, NEW HAVEN, CT 06515, (877) 734-6467) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11330772

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2020

Service BrakesSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND HAS 330K MILES ON IT. ALWAYS CLEAN AND MAINTAINED PROPERLY BY MYSELF AND PREVIOUS OWNERS. FRAME IS SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE FRONT BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND AT ALMOST ALL OF THE WELDED AREAS. SOME AREAS OF FRAME ARE COMING OFF IN CHUNKS AS IT APPEARS TO BE ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS ALSO AFFECTING FUEL/BRAKE LIKES AS WELL AS SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. PICTURES CAN BE SENT UPON REQUEST. FAMILY HAS THE CAR AT THE MOMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325189

105,000 miles · Mar 29, 2020

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

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MY FRAME IS ROTTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. FRONT RADIATOR SUPPORT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 105,000 MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE FRAME. ACCORDING TO THE PETITION TO INVESTIGATE, 4RUNNER OWNERS CLAIM THE FRAMES EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SAME TYPE OF FRAMES WERE CITED IN A PREVIOUS $3.4 BILLION CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. INCLUDED IN THE LAWSUIT WERE ABOUT 1.5 MILLION TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA TRUCKS, BUT THE PETITIONER SAYS THE 4RUNNER SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED BUT THE ATTORNEYS DIDN'T THINK THERE WERE ENOUGH CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. NHTSA SAYS IT COULDN'T IDENTIFY ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO RUSTED FRAMES OR SUSPENSIONS, BUT OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OF THE SUVS DUE TO RUSTED AXLES AND FRAMES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11319644

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2019

StructureSuspension

SEVERE RUST ON FRAME AND SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS. RUST IS NOT SUPERFICIAL BUT RUSTING FROM INSIDE OF FRAME TUBES.

NHTSA ODI #11291792

190,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)StructureSuspension

TAKATA RECALL, THE RADIATOR MOUNT AND FRAME SUPPORTS ARE RUSTED OUT, ALSO THE REAR SHOCK AND AIR SUSPENSION MOUNTS ARE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SHOCK MOUNT BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #11222590

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