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

What owners actually said

381 reports

126,000 miles · Apr 8, 2017

Structure

THE FRAME, HEAT SHIELDS, SKID PLATE AND REAR AXEL ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2008 AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED AND KEPT CLEAN. THE RUST IS REACHING A POINT WHERE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. WE'VE NOTICED IT COMING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR - NOW IT'S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY. APPARENTLY THE TOYOTA …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10971429

179,000 miles · Apr 7, 2017

StructureUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE CONTROL JOINT TO COME LOOSE, AND GIVING ME VERY LITTLE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE RUST IS AN ISSUES...AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESS WAY I CANNOT IMAGINE THE END RESULT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE RUST ISSUES. THEY HAVE GREAT VEHICLES THAT WILL RUN FOREVER IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM, BUT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A CARE ISSUE - IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10971169

62,000 miles · Mar 26, 2017

Structure

Read full complaint

I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY DREAM CAR A 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN COLORADO BUT IT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM NEW YORK. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILES AND RUST DAMAGE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP AT NO SURPRISE WAS NOT LOOKING OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST AND DID NOT INFORM ME HOW BAD THE RUST DAMAGE IS AND IT MAY COST MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT AT ALL. CURRENTLY I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I DON'T KNOW HOW SEVERE THE RUST DAMAGE IS. PUEBLO COLORADO REPAIR SHOPS ARE NOT EXPERTS IN THIS AREA BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SEE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE VERY OFTEN.,I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HELP PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I DO BUT IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY SINCE YOU ARE ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR DREAM CARS I THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT HURT TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY TO FIX OR ADVISE ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO. A RESPONSE EITHER WAY WOULD BE APPRECIATED

NHTSA ODI #10968542

44,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017

Structure

REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST. SEVERE FRAME RUST - DEALER DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10966115

190,000 miles · Mar 13, 2017

Service BrakesStructure

4RUNNER HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND THE EXTERIOR LOOKS PERFECT, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID, MECHANIC PUT ON LIFT AND FOUND LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND THEN POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME IS SEVERLY RUSTED AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. TRAILER HITCH, WILL FALL OFF IF I TRY AND USE IT. BOX FRAME IS RUSTED OUT ON THE BOTTOM FROM F…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10960352

135,880 miles · Mar 11, 2017

Unknown Or Other

Read full complaint

DRIVING TO WORK ON 3-6-17. IT WAS 34 F AT 8:15 AM. TURNED ON THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ABOUT ONE MILE FROM HOME. DROVE ANOTHER 0.5 MILES AND STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. ABOUT 15 SECONDS INTO THE RED LIGHT MY REAR WINDOW IMPLODED AND FELL INTO THE REAR CARGO AREA. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NO OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK ME. DROVE BACK HOME AND CLEANED UP THE GLASS AND SAW NO EVIDENCE OF A ROCK OR PELLET OR BULLET WITH THE GLASS OR IN THE VEHICLE. ONLINE DISCUSSIONS INDICATE THE REAR DEFROSTER MAY HAVE OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED GLASS. I HAVE 3 PHOTOS ON FILE IN COMPUTER, BUT NOT IN CORRECT FORMAT. TRIED TO UPLOAD, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO.

NHTSA ODI #10960127

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2017

Engine

TIMING BELT COVER IS LEAKING OIL WITH 36000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT NOW. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF 1900.00 TO REPLACE GASKET AN WATER PUMP. LEAKS OIL WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10959636

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2017

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10959030

120,000 miles · Jan 25, 2017

Electrical SystemFire

Read full complaint

1/21/17 APPROX NOON I WAS DRIVING WHEN I BEGAN SMELLING BURNING WIRES. I LOOKED AROUND, THE BACK-HATCH AND CARGO AREA WAS FILLING WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE BACK-HATCH DOOR AND THE TWO RIGHT PASSENGER DOORS. I BEGAN OPENING THE HOOD WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE IMPACT OF A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. I RAN TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE BACK-HATCH WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. BROKEN GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE STREET AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR STANDING BEHIND IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. 1/23/17 I WAS CONTACTED BY SOUTH COAST TOYOTA. TOYOTA'S TECHNICIAN OBSERVED BURNED WIRING AND ELECTRICAL MOTOR IN THE REAR HATCH DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. APPROXIMATELY 1900 FOR REPAIRS TO REPLACE ECO, MOTOR AND GLASS. I ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED THE CONTACT INFO FOR TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947633

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2017

Air Bags

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL ..... AFTER RECEIVING TOYOTA'S OFFICIAL U.S. POSTAL NOTICE, I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (AUTONATION ON W SAHARA, LAS VEGAS, NV) TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. AFTER NOT HEARING BACK FROM THE PERSON WHO PROMISED TO RETURN MY CALL, I CALLED AGAIN SIX HOURS LATER AND WAS GIVEN SOME B.S. STORY, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS BEING ORDERED AND WOULD BE AT THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM MY DEALER, AUTONATION, THAT I NEED TO CALL THEM TO MAKE AN APPT. TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUE. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO (NOT THE SAME ONE AS EARLIER IN THE DAY) SEEMED TO NOT UNDERSTAND. I REPEATED THE ISSUE (SCENARIO AS WRITTEN ABOVE) TO WHICH THIS WOMAN, AGAIN, DIDN'T COMPREHEND. I TOLD HER I WOULD READ WHAT WAS SENT TO ME ABOUT MAKING AN APPT. AS I WAS READING TO HER WHAT WAS SENT TO ME, SHE HUNG UP ON ME. I THEN CALLED AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP. I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HIM TO CALL ME BACK. NO SUCH CALL-BACK HAS HAPPENED. IS THIS A TACTIC THAT'S EMPLOYED ON A REGULAR BASIS? I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE REP AND GAVE THAT PERSON THE ACTIONS I WENT THROUGH. SHE SAID SHE'D FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP. I, AGAIN, DOUBT I WILL BE CONTACTED. IF I DO, I'M SURE I'LL GET SOME B.S. TO PROTECT THAT EMPLOYEE, AS IS DONE BY POLICE TO PROTECT THEIR OWN. I WANT SOME ACTION AND I'M HOPING THIS MESSAGE WILL FIND ITS WAY TO A SOURCE WHICH WILL LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947326

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