Structure. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports15 injury reports

Suspension complaints

65 reports

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81,200 miles · May 29, 2018

Power TrainStructureSuspension

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AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS STARTED RUSTING PRETTY BADLY ON FRAME, CROSSMEMBERS AND FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIALS. ALSO STABILIZERS SKID PLATES AND BASICALLY ANYTHING UNDER THE TRUCK. THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY SURFACE RUST UNTIL PARTS WERE CRACKING AND STABILIZERS FELL OFF TRUCK. REAR END WAS READY TO DROP OFF TRUCK! TRUCK ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND LOOKS BRAND NEW. WANTED TO KEEP ANOTHER 10 YEARS! MY WIFE AND KID USED THIS AND COULD HAVE CRASHED THEM BOTH! FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT AND DEALER DEEMED UNDRIVEABLE THIS WEEK! TRUCK VALUED AT $13-15,000! DEALER WONT WARRANTY AND NOT UNDER TACOMA AND SEQUOIA RECALLS! SAME FRAME ISSUES TOYOTA! RECALL THE 4 RUNNER TOYOTA! MAJOR DANGER OF FRAME LOOKING OK FROM OUTSIDE BUT CRUMBLING AND FALLING APART WHILE DRIVING. HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC AND BODY PERSON ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER SEEN RUSTING AND CRUMBLING OF A FRAME IN CHUNKS FALLING OFF! WAKE UP TOYOTA, RECALL THE 4RUNNER OR FIX MY FRAME! CANNOT DRIVE TRUCK!

NHTSA ODI #11098509

65,200 miles · Apr 29, 2017

StructureSuspension

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?PURCHASED CAR IN BOULDER 3/22/2017 ?2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER VIN # [XXX] ?RUST DAMAGE / DEALER STATED RUST WAS BECAUSE CAR WAS FROM NY, BUT WOULD NOT GET WORSE AND WAS JUST SUPERFICIAL RUST. ?PURCHASED CAR AND SET AN APPT. WITH PUEBLO TOYOTA 3/24/2017 TO MOUNT SPARE TIRE AND DO AN INSPECTION ?TOYOTA COULD NOT MOUNT SPARE TIRE AND STATED VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR SEVERE RUST DAMAGE, COULD NOT INSTALL SPARE TIRE, AND INFORMED ME THAT IT MAY COST DOUBLE TO DO REPAIRS IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF RUST DAMAGE. ?TOOK CAR TO PRO-MASTERS AUTO BODY SHOP ON 3/24/2017 AND THEY INFORMED MY SON THAT THE RUST WAS SEVERE AND THEY WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR, BUT ESTIMATED COSTS TO REPAIR THE REAR END TO BE $6,000 TO $7,000 ?REVIEWED ON INTERNET AND THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST DAMAGE ON 2006 TOYOTA 4-RUNNERS, TUNDRA?S, AND TACOMA?S FROM N.E. STATES. COMMENTS WERE ALSO MADE THAT THE VEHICLE WITH SEVERE RUST DAMAGE COULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ?TOOK CAR TO INDIVIDUAL WHO RESTORES CARS AND HE SAID THE RUST WAS SO SEVERE AND CAR WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING AND UNSAFE AND HE WOULD NOT LET HIS WIFE OR FAMILY DRIVE IT. ?TOOK CAR TO CUSTOM CARE REPAIR SHOP TO REVIEW RUST AND INSTALL SPARE TIRE AND THEY CONCURRED THAT THE RUST WAS SEVERE AND UNSAFE AND COULD NOT INSTALL SPARE TIRE. ?I CALLED PRO-MASTERS AUTO BODY SHOP TO CONFIRM WHAT THEY HAD INSPECTED AND IF I COULD GIVE HIS NAME AND PHONE NUMBER IF ASKED. OHE INFORMED ME THAT RUST WAS SO SEVERE THAT IF HE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE SPARE TIRE, THAT THE FRAME HOLDING IT WAS SO THIN HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD NOT FALL OFF. OHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT AS THE VEHICLE GETS WET THE FRAME BECOMES WEAKER AND COULD START TO CRUMBLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10981421

129,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016

Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes

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TAKATA INFLATORS,ABS. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED 08/12/2016 THE FOLLOWING MIL CODES WERE CLEARED BY SELLING DEALERSHIP. C1223, P0456, B1150, CR123, C1241, B1152. NEEDED REPAIR IMMEDIATELY, PASSED STATE INSPECTION EVEN NEEDING THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS, BOTH FRONT AXLES, SERP BELT, SWAY BAR LINK AND REAR BRAKES.08/24/2016 VEHICLE REPAIRED BY SELLING DEALER AND RETURNED WITH FLAT TIRE, I HAD IT TOWED TO TIRE GARAGE BECAUSE SPARE WAS TOO OLD AND INCORRECT SIZE. AFTER I PICKED UP FROM TIRE REPAIR I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN UNREPAIRED SAFETY RECALL FROM 2012 ON THE ABS AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. PRIOR TO SERVICE APPOINTMENT I WAS DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER BUMP, ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. HAD TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER FOR SERVICE(I HAVE RECEIPT FOR TOW) A COUPLE DAYS LATER DEALER SAID RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION FOR REPAIRS. THAT DEALERSHIP BROKE A LUG STUD ON THE FRONT TIRE IN BUT DID NOT REPAIR IT. THEY SAID ITS OK TO DRIVE ON 5 LUGS ITS A 6 LUG RIM. I THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ON INCLINES AND NOT ACCELERATING. VERY SCARY BECAUSE I ALMOST ROLLED BACK INTO CARS, ALSO TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON BUT ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED. THEY HAD IT FROM 09/12/2016-09/26/2016. UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN BUT DID REPAIR THE LUG STUD, TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AND RECALIBRATED THE ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT(I WAS NOT INFORMED UNTIL PICKED UP ABOUT THE AIRBAG). I ALSO HAD AN OIL CHANGE. VEHICLE HAVING ISSUES AS OF TODAY RIGHT TURNS I HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND WOBBLE WHEN HITTING BUMPS ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS.. THE BALL JOINTS MIGHT BE BAD. I CAN SEE THEM COVERED IN GREASE AND HAVE PLAY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WAS IN AN UNDISCLOSED MAJOR ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASE. NEXT APP IS NOT UNTIL 10/24. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916385

100,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016

Power TrainService BrakesSuspension

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I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPING EXCESSIVE RUST FLAKING ON THE REAR AXLE HOUSING,BRAKE COMPONENTS, FRAME AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPONETS.WE HAVE HAD WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO AND THE MECHANICS AT TOYOTA STATED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR VARIOUS TRANSMISSION LINES BEFORE THEY WOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE TO MY WIFE. I ASKED THEM WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO ABOUT ALL THE RUST PROBLEMS AND THEY REALLY DIDNT HAVE A ANSWER AND SAID I NEED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WAS NOT THERE AT THE TIME. I HAVE MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO RADICATE THIS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND WAS PURCHASED NEW AS WE ARE THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. MYSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE KNOW TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY FEAR IS THAT WE ARE ON A TRIP AND HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE COMPONENTS AND GETTING IN A ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT YET.

NHTSA ODI #10904524

125,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016

Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

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1.) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE LASTEST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WAS CONSTANTLY SWAYING AND PULLING TO DIRECTION FORCING ME TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL ; PULLING IT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION SO TIGHTLY THAT MY WRIST WERE THROBBING. ONCE I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ALMOST 180 DEGREES BY ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO A SEARS SERVICE CENTER AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PRIOR TO MY ROAD TRIP, I HAD MY VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND OUT OF SORTS. THIS AS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. 2.) MY VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER IF THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING STARTED. IT WILL ALSO LOOSE POWER IF THE VEHICLE DOORS ARE OPEN, EVEN IF THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO GET A "JUMP START" OFTEN. I'VE HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AT THE MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO ASSIST ME AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I PULLED INTO THE SERVICE AREA, WAITING FOR THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. IT COULD'VE BEEN MORE THAN 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE THE REPRESENTATIVE GOT IN MY TRUCK AND TRIED TO START IT; BUT IT WAS DEAD. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED STARTED. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED , AS IT USUALLY IS WHEN THIS OCCURS; AND IT HAD FULL POWER.

NHTSA ODI #10898400

122,696 miles · Nov 7, 2015

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

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PURCHASED A TCUV IN 2012 AND LIVE IN EASTERN NC. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD THAT FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. WAS NOT MADE AWARE WHEN PURCHASED. CALLED TOYOTA AND AWAITING A CALL BUT REP SAYS THAT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NOT ASSIST. VEHICLE CAN'T GO FROM FINE TO SEVERE IN 3 YEARS AND WAS CERTIFIED BY TOYOTA TO BE FINE OR "LIKE NEW". SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE AND A RECALL HAS TO BE ISSUED. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUES THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCING AND A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD SOMETHING GO WRONG ON THE FREEWAY. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING GETS DONE AND IT WOULD BE IN POOR TASTE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS COMPLAINT MOVES FROM ITS CURRENT STATUS TO INVESTIGATION BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT US FROM COMPANIES LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10789040

109,000 miles · May 27, 2014

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE LEAK OF AN UNKNOWN FLUID UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594392

20,000 miles · Aug 22, 2012

SteeringSuspensionWheels

EXTREME WHEEL SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 3 DEALERSHIPS CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM THOUGHT THEY ALL FEEL THE VIBRATION AND SHAKE. TIRES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. FRONT END COMPONENTS ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471916

16,000 miles · Jan 12, 2012

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

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YES! I'VE BEEN HAVING A STEERING PROBLEM. "UNINTENDED VEERING" THAT I BEGAN TO NOTICE A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE (THEN AT 13,000 MILES). SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE CAR TO WANDER AT HIGH SPEEDS. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE (A LOT OF BRIDGES ON THE WAY TO WORK) THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH REALLY FAST, WHICH CAN BE FRIGHTENING. AT OTHER TIMES IT CAN SEEM TO PULSE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL THE VEHICLE WILL VEER TO THE LEFT TOWARDS ON-COMING TRAFFIC (HAD IT ALIGNED TWICE -- STILL HAPPENS!) THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT NOTICE IT WHEN THEY DRIVE IT! SO I EVENTUALLY BOUGHT 4 BRAND-NEW TIRES AND HAD IT ALIGNED AGAIN (ALL AT THE DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE) AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. ANYBODY ELSE THAT DRIVES THE VEHICLE NOTICES IT -- EXCEPT PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP! I WAS TOLD I WOULD LOSE $6,000 IF I RETURNED IT. I DID NOT, AS THAT WOULD SET ME BACK CONSIDERABLY. MY FATHER HAD JUST DIED AND I WAS PAYING OFF THE HOUSE TOO!

NHTSA ODI #10444188

23,700 miles · Jan 26, 2011

Suspension

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS BEGAN TO BOUNCE WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR BUSHINGS OR THE STOPPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND HEARD THE SUSPENSION MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CUSTOMER THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT THE MAINTENANCE SECTION OF THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS DO NOT NEED TO BE CHECKED UNTIL 100,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE HAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,700. UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10378723

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