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

50,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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I LEASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN 2004 FOR FIVE YEARS AND TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO TOYOTA IN 2009. DURING THE TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK ON THE FREEWAY WHICH RESULTED IN MY ENTIRE FAMILY ALMOST BEING KILLED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT HURT, BUT OUR BRAKES WERE RUINED DURING OUR EFFORTS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND OUR MECHANIC FELT THAT SOMEHOW, THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN SOME MECHANICAL ISSUE. EARLY IN 2011, I BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL OF 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS BECAUSE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BRAKE REPAIR, BUT TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME, AS "BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE". I FIND THIS EXTREMELY DISTURBING AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS AVOIDING TAKING RESPONSBILITY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNCOOPERATIVE. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN LOOK INTO OR HELP ME WITH. IT SEEMS SILLY THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT, FOR WHICH THEY ADMIT..

NHTSA ODI #10398170

67,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT …

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NHTSA ODI #10397525

29,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CALIPER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS LOCKED AND EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CALIPER AND BRAKE PAD ON THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10397359

105,000 miles · Apr 13, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER AT 55,000 MILES AFTER IT FROZE UP AFTER NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED--IT WAS DONE BY A LOCAL GARAGE BY A FORMER TOYOTA TECH.--HAD IT CHECKED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 57,000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD--STILL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT--HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 66,000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD AGAIN--AT 94,000 MILES STILL NOT WORKING VERY WELL AND HAD IT SERVICE BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH SAID IT WAS FINE--AT 105,0000 MILES BOTH FRONT CALIPERS ARE FROZEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395700

112,000 miles · Mar 7, 2011

Power TrainSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP AND SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AGAIN BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSFER HOSE WAS FRACTURED AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE LEAKING. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 1/5/12*CN

NHTSA ODI #10386703

75,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011

Air Bags

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACUTER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT AN INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRINK SPILLAGE IN THE CUP HOLDER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE CUP HOLDER. THE INSPECTOR COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10384310

85,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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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 REPLACE 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. HAD TO HAVE THE CALIPER REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $750. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383039

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2011

Steering

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2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT *TGW THE NOISE WAS A FAINT CLICKING, INCREASING ONLY SLIGHTLY IN VOLUME OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE INNER SHAFT SHOWED GROOVES WHERE THE BEARING RACE HAD CUT INTO THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE EXTENT WHERE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED COMPLETE STEERING LOCK-UP AT ANY TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10383528

72,564 miles · Feb 7, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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THIS MORNING I STOPPED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY TO WAIT FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO GO UP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED. AFTER I WAS STOPPED MY 4RUNNER ACCELERATED HARD AND I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD IT. I SHIFTED IN TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN TO THE GARAGE AND PARK. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE DUE TO SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROADS. AFTER I PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I SHIFTED BACK TO TWO WHEEL DRIVE. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10380991

71,800 miles · Dec 23, 2010

Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT 85% OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS TORN. HE ORDERED A SEAT BELT FROM A COMPANY OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND IT WAS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TOYOTA TECHNICIAN. FOUR DAYS LATER, 90% OF THAT SEAT BELT WAS TORN. ONLY A QUARTER OF AN INCH OF T…

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NHTSA ODI #10372290

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