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

What owners actually said

612 reports

50,720 miles · Oct 28, 2019

Structure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERA TOYOTA OF MT. KISCO (LOCATED AT 325 N BEDFORD RD, MT KISCO, NY 10549, (914) 666-5181), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR VARIOUS PARTS OVER THE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,720.

NHTSA ODI #11271698

115,800 miles · Oct 28, 2019

Structure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO THE REAR SUBFRAME SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR MUCH LONGER. BROWN'S TOYOTA OF GLEN BURNIE (7167 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 761-9000) WAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,800. *LN

NHTSA ODI #11271465

137,000 miles · Oct 22, 2019

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE ALIGNMENT BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FRAME FAILURE BECAME WORSE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER REGARDING THE ST…

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NHTSA ODI #11270152

34,000 miles · Oct 17, 2019

Service BrakesStructure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE SUBFRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. ALSO, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE LINE WERE RUSTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND ATLANTIC TOYOTA (193 SUNRISE HWY, WEST ISLIP, NY) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #11269222

132,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019

Structure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER (STEPHEN WADE TOYOTA, 150 HILTON DR, ST. GEORGE, UT 84770, (435) 634-6500) NOTICED CORROSION AROUND THE FRAME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME HAD TOO MUCH CORROSION TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP18002 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #11267927

198,000 miles · Oct 10, 2019

Structure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRES, ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE BALANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE AND WHEEL COMPANY WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED, ROTATED, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

NHTSA ODI #11267732

188,711 miles · Sep 27, 2019

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING STATE INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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NHTSA ODI #11258526

142,814 miles · Sep 26, 2019

Structure

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP MAY 2018, FRAME COMPONENTS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH I WILL INCLUDE PHOTOS VECHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED WHEN I LOOKED CLOSELY I SAW FRAME ROTTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11258334

180,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019

Service BrakesStructure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE BRAKE LINES STARTED TO RUST AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD ACCUMULATED RUST, WHICH LED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH KOONS WESTMINSTER TOYOTA (375 BALTIMORE BLVD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, 410-876-6400), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE RUST STILL REMAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256118

95,000 miles · Sep 6, 2019

Unknown Or Other

FRAME RUST. THE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA 4R 4D 4X4 SR5/SPT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED UNDER THE RADIATOR CROSS MEMBER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE OUTSIDE IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THIS WILL QUICKLY BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE EVERYTHING IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 10…

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NHTSA ODI #11253740

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