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1999 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 4RUNNER years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER are substantially higher than the model-year median of 58.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

180 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Structure complaints

111 reports
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347,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
StructureSuspension

REAR SUSPENSION MOUNT SEPARATED FROM FRAME AT WELD, VEHICLE WAS RUSTPROOFED WHEN NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11231978

190,000 miles · May 12, 2019
StructureSuspension

THE MOUNT FOR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS RUSTED OFF. THIS IS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIOLENTLY ROCK BACK AND FOURTH AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE AND CONTINUE FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER. IT IS VERY UNNERVING AND OBVIOUSLY A MATER SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES SUCH AS T4R.ORG. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL [XXX]. …

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THE MOUNT FOR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS RUSTED OFF. THIS IS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIOLENTLY ROCK BACK AND FOURTH AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE AND CONTINUE FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER. IT IS VERY UNNERVING AND OBVIOUSLY A MATER SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES SUCH AS T4R.ORG. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11207111

281,000 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTED. THE STABILITY OF THE FRAME WAS TARNISHING AND WEAKENED THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A WELDING SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTED. THE STABILITY OF THE FRAME WAS TARNISHING AND WEAKENED THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A WELDING SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 281,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11173585

215,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE FRAME ON DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE AREA HAS COMPLETED ROTTED FROM RUST, THE REAR SUSPENSION AND SWAY BAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ALMOST IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE REAR END AND WE ENDED UP IN A DITCH WITH LOSS OF CONTROL.WE WERE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT THE TIME. WE COULD HAVE…

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THE FRAME ON DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE AREA HAS COMPLETED ROTTED FROM RUST, THE REAR SUSPENSION AND SWAY BAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ALMOST IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE REAR END AND WE ENDED UP IN A DITCH WITH LOSS OF CONTROL.WE WERE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT THE TIME. WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ROLL OVER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. VERY SCARY INCIDENT. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND PHOTOS OF THIS ISSUE IF YOU WANT TO CALL E-MAIL ME AT (XXXXXX). THE EXTERIOR BODY ENGINE AND INTERIOR OF THIS VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND IT SEEMS THE FRAME SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING MY COMPLAINT. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11152477

236,000 miles · Sep 27, 2018
Structure

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THERE ARE OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. MINE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME SHOULD RUST. I WOULD EXPECT OVER TIME TO SOME SMALL PATCHES OF RUST BUT NOT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THERE IS…

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MY COMPLAINT IS WITH SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THERE ARE OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. MINE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME SHOULD RUST. I WOULD EXPECT OVER TIME TO SOME SMALL PATCHES OF RUST BUT NOT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THERE IS SO MUCH RUST THAT I COULD NEVER FIX IT COMPLETELY MYSELF. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR POOR PLATING PROCESS IN THE LATE 90'S TO EARLY 00'S.

NHTSA ODI #11131961

195,000 miles · Sep 15, 2018
Structure

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOST CONTROL TEMPORARILY BECAUSE A REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM FRAME AND BROKE BOTH SHOCKS. UPON INSPECTION REAR SECTION OF FRAME SEVERELY RUSTED CAUSING MOUNT TO DETACH. FRONT SECTION OF FRAME DOES NOT HAVE SAME LEVEL OF RUST. A MANUFACTURES DEFECT ALMOST COST ME AND MY…

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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOST CONTROL TEMPORARILY BECAUSE A REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM FRAME AND BROKE BOTH SHOCKS. UPON INSPECTION REAR SECTION OF FRAME SEVERELY RUSTED CAUSING MOUNT TO DETACH. FRONT SECTION OF FRAME DOES NOT HAVE SAME LEVEL OF RUST. A MANUFACTURES DEFECT ALMOST COST ME AND MY CHILDREN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS. I'VE BEEN IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. IF THEY RECALLED THE FRAMES FOR THE TACOMA AND TUNDRAS, WHY WEREN'T 4RUNNERS INCLUDED?

NHTSA ODI #11129709

80,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

BAD FRAME ROT. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #11129247

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL FRAME WAS INFERIOR AND CONTAINED PREMATURE RUST, HOLES, AND CORROSION. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FRAME COULD FRACTURE AT ANY POINT IN TIME. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK FRACTURED INTO THE FRAME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL FRAME WAS INFERIOR AND CONTAINED PREMATURE RUST, HOLES, AND CORROSION. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FRAME COULD FRACTURE AT ANY POINT IN TIME. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK FRACTURED INTO THE FRAME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXTENSIVE PREMATURE RUST, COULD FRACTURE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11079562

152,095 miles · Mar 3, 2018
Structure

RUSTY FRAME MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI #11076085

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, OPENED A CASE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11072518

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.