NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
43 reportsClear category filter298,000 miles · Jul 13, 2014
Suspension
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HIT A BUMP DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR END STARTED JUMPING AS THE CAR INCREASED SPEED. I STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL SO I SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY PULLED OVER. I EXITED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT THE CAR'S UNDER BODY, I DIDM;T SEE ANYTHING SO I PROCEEDED T…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HIT A BUMP DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR END STARTED JUMPING AS THE CAR INCREASED SPEED. I STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL SO I SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY PULLED OVER. I EXITED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT THE CAR'S UNDER BODY, I DIDM;T SEE ANYTHING SO I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME DOING UNDER 20MILES PER HOUR AS TO NOT MAKE THE REAR END JUMP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME I LIFTED THE CAR UP AND FURTHER INSPECTED THE UNDER SIDE,I THEN NOTICE THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY DISLOCATED FROM THE FRAME UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE FACTORY WIELD DISENGAGED FROM THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610187
111,998 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Suspension
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET RUSTED AND BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AT FULL FREEWAY SPEED DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT RAMP APROX. 1/4 MILE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FRAME REPAIR SHOP.…
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THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET RUSTED AND BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AT FULL FREEWAY SPEED DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT RAMP APROX. 1/4 MILE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FRAME REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THEY COULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME A ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALLS AND REGISTER A COMPLAINT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN MY GARAGE SOON TO BE JUNKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574080
234,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
StructureSuspension
FRAME HAS RUST PERFORATION WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET MOUNTS TO FRAME.....APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1996-2002 4 RUNNERS AND TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573362
193,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
StructureSuspension
VEHICLE STARTED A CLUNKING SOUND AND BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND FRAME HAD RUSTED ON DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR SWAY BAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557913
333,849 miles · Jul 31, 2013
StructureSuspension
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRAME MOUNT BROKE DUE TO FRAME ROT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND I WAS ABLE LIMP IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME AND MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM ARE ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THIS IS MY MAIN DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE. THERE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRAME MOUNT BROKE DUE TO FRAME ROT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND I WAS ABLE LIMP IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME AND MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM ARE ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THIS IS MY MAIN DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS BESIDES REPLACING THE FRAME. I KNOW THERE IS ALOT OF MILES ON THIS TRUCK BUT MECHANICALLY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT RUNS GREAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532892
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2013
EquipmentSteeringSuspensionCrash
TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FLAT PAVED ROAD AND MY LOWER BALL JOINT (ATM 1012460) CAME OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING ME TO SKID TO A HALT. MY TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS AND PUSHED INTO MY FENDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND OTHER PARTS. THIS PART (LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REPLACED 8 MONTHS PRIOR ALONG WITH TIE RODS, AXLE, CONTROL…
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TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FLAT PAVED ROAD AND MY LOWER BALL JOINT (ATM 1012460) CAME OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING ME TO SKID TO A HALT. MY TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS AND PUSHED INTO MY FENDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND OTHER PARTS. THIS PART (LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REPLACED 8 MONTHS PRIOR ALONG WITH TIE RODS, AXLE, CONTROL ARM, UPPER BALL JOINT AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ITEMS IN THAT AREA. RIEBES AUTO PARTS REPLACED THE FAULTY BALL JOINT, TIRE, FENDER, AND OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED. I JUST GOT IT BACK LAST NIGHT AND MY WIFE STATED IT FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND ON THE WAY THE OTHER SIDE POPPED OF GOING 15 MPH ON A FLAT ROAD. SO ALL THE SAME DAMAGE AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE Y WIFE AND KIDS WERE JUST IN THE CAR A FEW HOURS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IF IT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN ROLLING. ALTROM LOWER BALL JOINT FOR A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS THE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519646
240,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
StructureSuspension
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY IT FELT LIKE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS ROTTED OUT OF THE FRAME. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE MY TRUCK ANYMORE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE FRAME AND WAS TOLD ITS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO NOT…
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I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY IT FELT LIKE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS ROTTED OUT OF THE FRAME. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE MY TRUCK ANYMORE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE FRAME AND WAS TOLD ITS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 4RUNNERS WHEN THE FRAME IS SIMILAR TO THE TACOMAS. THE TACOMAS DID HAVE A RECALL FOR ROTTING OF THE FRAME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE FRAME ON THE 4RUNNERS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE AXLE OF THE 4RUNNER COULD FALL OUT AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519408
183,861 miles · Jun 2, 2013
StructureSuspension
I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM RIPPED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. FOUND OUT FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. I HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAD GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTION TWO MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. ITS A SHAME, THE REST OF…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM RIPPED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. FOUND OUT FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. I HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAD GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTION TWO MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. ITS A SHAME, THE REST OF THE TRUCK, MOTOR, INTERIOR, BODY PANELS, WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514736
83,680 miles · Nov 19, 2012
SteeringStructureSuspension
VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CLUNKING. I WAS NEAR HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING TO THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. FRAME ROT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE SIDE RAILS. CAR IS CONSIDERED UNDRIVEABLE AND SHOULD BE TOTALED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485150
170,000 miles · Oct 9, 2012
StructureSuspensionWheels
FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AROUND REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. NUMEROUS RUST HOLES IN FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA FRAMES. VEHICLE IS IN …
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FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AROUND REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. NUMEROUS RUST HOLES IN FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA FRAMES. VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS A SHAME THIS 4RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, UNSAFE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479319