Structure. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

67 reports

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150,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018

Unknown Or Other

I AM HAVING DEEP RUST ISSUES ON MY 4RUNNER V8 LIMITED FRAME MOSTLY NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE RUST IS SO BAD THERE IS A BIG HOLE ON BOTH SIZE OF THE FRAME 3INCH TALL 7 INCH WIDE. I HAVE FOUND SOME LOOSE NUTS INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS, NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE FROM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF BROKEN FRAME PARTS ON THE FRAME RA…

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NHTSA ODI #11154752

219,000 miles · Oct 23, 2018

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT THE CONNECTING POINT OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM. MUCH OF THE FRAME IN THIS AREA IS SEVERELY ROTTED BY RUST. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TRACKING DOWN THE ROAD VERY WELL, WHICH WAS ABNORMAL. UPON RETURNING HOME I FOUND THE PROBLEM OF THE RUSTED FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11142299

127,000 miles · Sep 22, 2018

StructureUnknown Or Other

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I BOUGHT THE TRUCK A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, IN NOVEMBER OF 2017, FROM A FRIEND. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THE TRUCK AND KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, NO PRESSURE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION AND RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM AT A COST OF $3500.00. A MONTH LATER, THE TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME CAUSED BY THE RUST. IT WAS THEN THAT I BEGAN RESEARCH AND LEARNED OF THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR EVERY OTHER TRUCK EXCEPT THE 4RUNNER IN SIMILAR YEARS/GENERATION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO BURDICK TOYOTA IN CICERO, NEW YORK THIS SEPTEMBER TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED. THE TECH REPORT (WHICH I CAN FURNISH ON REQUEST) STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED, SCALED AND DETERIORATED FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT IT POSED NO IMMINENT THREAT. I DISAGREE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT, AS IT HAS ALREADY CAUSED ONE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I'VE LEARNED OF A POTENTIAL INVESTIGATION AND MUST SAY, I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NHTSA TO RECALL THE AFFECTED 4RUNNERS OF THE SAME GENERATION. HAD THE SCENARIO BEEN DIFFERENT, I OR MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I'M A TEACHER, AND HAVEN'T THE MEANS TO SIMPLY REPLACE A VEHICLE I'VE ALREADY HAD TO PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO. I BOUGHT IT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY BRAND NEW BABY GIRL. I FEEL IT MORALLY IMPERATIVE THAT THE NHTSA DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THE 4RUNNERS AS THEY HAVE THE OTHER VEHICLES. HUMAN LIFE SHOULD ALWAYS BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN A COMPANIES BOTTOM LINE. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11130753

142,000 miles · Aug 21, 2018

Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED VEHICLE USED. FOUND HOLES ROTTED THROUGH THE FRAME OF VEHICLE NEAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AND WHERE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. HEAVY RUST ON ENTIRE FRAME OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11121305

58,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN 2012 WITH 58K MILES. ALWAYS WASHED UNDERCARRIAGE. MECHANIC BEGAN PATCHING RUST ON FRAME 2011. ITS BEYOND REPAIR NOW WITH 128K MILES. FRAME IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI #11118868

142,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018

SteeringUnknown Or Other

FRAME RUSTED LEADING TO FAILURE OF SWAY BAR BRACKETS CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A HIGHWAY. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS TOTAL FRAME REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11110858

162,624 miles · Jul 8, 2018

SteeringUnknown Or Other

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE INSPECTION. REPAIR SHOP FOUND FRAME CRACKED AND RUSTED ALONG WITH STEERING SHAFT BROKEN. REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON 4RUNNERS YET THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 4RUNNER. REPAIR SHOP STATED IT WOULD COST $6000.00 FOR NEW FRAME FROM TOYOTA DEALER…

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NHTSA ODI #11110093

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2018

Air BagsUnknown Or Other

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS ON, IN MOTION, PARK. IT WON'T GO OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11101787

159,000 miles · May 19, 2018

Unknown Or Other

I LOVE MY 2005 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SR5, IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE AND I WOULD PLAN TO KEEP IT FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS OR SO. THE BODY, PAINT AND DRIVE TRAIN ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA,…

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NHTSA ODI #11096848

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2018

Unknown Or Other

MY PROBLEMS IS THE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY BODY STILL IN GOOD CONDITION I SAY 90 % BUT THE FRAME IS MORE AT 60 % RUSTY WHAT I CAN DO , I CARE FOR SAFETY TOYOTA COMPANY , THEY CAN TAKE CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ARE NOT COST ME ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11080070

Official recalls

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

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