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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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200,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Structure

I PURCHASED A 1999 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE BACK OF THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT NEAR DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHACKLE NONE OF THIS WAS VISIBLE WHEN I PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAR PRIOR TO BUYING AND DID NOT SEE THIS TILL I READ A FORUM DISCUSSING THE ISSUE AND WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO SEE IF MINE HAD IT TOO. THE F…

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I PURCHASED A 1999 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE BACK OF THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT NEAR DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHACKLE NONE OF THIS WAS VISIBLE WHEN I PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAR PRIOR TO BUYING AND DID NOT SEE THIS TILL I READ A FORUM DISCUSSING THE ISSUE AND WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO SEE IF MINE HAD IT TOO. THE FRAME IS ALSO COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE SIDE FACING GAS TANK. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH IT BEING MY MEANS TO GET TO WORK AND MONEY IS TIGHT WITH MY WIFE BEING PREGNANT. PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PLATE TOYOTA AND REPLACE THESE FRAMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662573

193,800 miles · Dec 1, 2014
Structure

I TOOK MY 4 RUNNER INTO GARAGE IN SEPTEMBER TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND IT FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED CHANGING. UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST TOOK IT TODAY INTO ANOTHER SHOP FOR BETTER LABOR RATES AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE RACK IS FINE BUT THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I KNOW THAT…

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I TOOK MY 4 RUNNER INTO GARAGE IN SEPTEMBER TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND IT FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED CHANGING. UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST TOOK IT TODAY INTO ANOTHER SHOP FOR BETTER LABOR RATES AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE RACK IS FINE BUT THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON TACOMAS AND THUNDRAS MADE BY TOYOTA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING ISSUES OF FRAMES RUSTING ON SEVERAL 4 RUNNERS. SEEMS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661427

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2014
Structure

PURCHASED MY 1999 4RUNNER WITH EXCELLENT BODY AND INTERIOR CONDITION, MECHANICALLY PERFECT. UNTIL I NOTICED THERE ARE SEVERE RUSTED FRAME! THERE MULTIPLE HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME! VERY BAD PREP AND COATING ON FRAME WORK. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES WITH RUSTED/CORRODE FRAME, CAME BACK WITH THE ANSWER AS THERE NO…

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PURCHASED MY 1999 4RUNNER WITH EXCELLENT BODY AND INTERIOR CONDITION, MECHANICALLY PERFECT. UNTIL I NOTICED THERE ARE SEVERE RUSTED FRAME! THERE MULTIPLE HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME! VERY BAD PREP AND COATING ON FRAME WORK. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES WITH RUSTED/CORRODE FRAME, CAME BACK WITH THE ANSWER AS THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. VERY DISAPPOINTED. BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I RAN CARFAX AS THEY STATED, ZERO ISSUES INCLUDING FRAME/RUST. THERE THE SAME ISSUES FOR TUNDRA AND TACOMA TOYOTA PLEASE BE HONEST, FIX IT ASAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641071

135,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK WAS RUSTED TO THE TOP OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED WITH NO SUPPORT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A MONTH AGO WHEN THE FRAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK WAS RUSTED TO THE TOP OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED WITH NO SUPPORT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A MONTH AGO WHEN THE FRAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637295

155,890 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,890.

NHTSA ODI #10637094

130,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. AN INDEPENDENT WELDER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. AN INDEPENDENT WELDER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10629097

130,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Power TrainStructure

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. PARTICULARLY WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS ARE WELDED TO THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS RESULTED IN GEAR OIL LEAKING THROUGH MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. THE ENTIRE REAR END WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY…

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THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. PARTICULARLY WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS ARE WELDED TO THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS RESULTED IN GEAR OIL LEAKING THROUGH MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. THE ENTIRE REAR END WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616993

128,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF UPDATED 08/19/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10605568

192,400 miles · Jun 12, 2014
Structure

MY TOYOTA DEALER DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS RUSTED/ROTTED THROUGH PREMATURELY AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT TOYOTA TO INQUIRE IF MY 4RUNNER WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY STATED, "...THERE ARE NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR THE 4RUNNER.". TOYOTA HAS EXISTING RECALLS COVERING OTHER MODELS (TACOMA, SEQUOIA, TUNDRA) OF T…

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MY TOYOTA DEALER DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS RUSTED/ROTTED THROUGH PREMATURELY AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT TOYOTA TO INQUIRE IF MY 4RUNNER WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY STATED, "...THERE ARE NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR THE 4RUNNER.". TOYOTA HAS EXISTING RECALLS COVERING OTHER MODELS (TACOMA, SEQUOIA, TUNDRA) OF THE SAME YEAR FOR THIS SAME ISSUE; I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE 4RUNNER. I HAVE LEARNED THAT OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597889

266,200 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Structure

UPON GETTING UNDER MY VEHICLE TO EXAMINE WHAT WAS MAKING A NOISE I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR INSIDE FRAME RAIL HAS A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES LONG. THE FRAME RAIL STILL HAS PAINT ON IT WHICH GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF BEING OK, HOWEVER IT LOOKS AS IF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT! I ALSO NOTICED THAT A BRACKET MOUNTED …

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UPON GETTING UNDER MY VEHICLE TO EXAMINE WHAT WAS MAKING A NOISE I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR INSIDE FRAME RAIL HAS A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES LONG. THE FRAME RAIL STILL HAS PAINT ON IT WHICH GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF BEING OK, HOWEVER IT LOOKS AS IF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT! I ALSO NOTICED THAT A BRACKET MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE REAR AXLE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND HAS NO BODY RUST ON IT EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596759

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.