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2000 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 4RUNNER years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER are substantially higher than the model-year median of 58.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

308 reports with mileage · 71 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 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

379 reports
101,482 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT A LOW SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT A LOW SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,482.

NHTSA ODI #10302995

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2010
Structure

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS FROM THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND WAS ABLE TO HELP CONSUMERS. BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON THE 4RUNNER, THEY HAVE NEGLECTED MY CONCERNS. THE FRAME I…

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MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS FROM THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND WAS ABLE TO HELP CONSUMERS. BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON THE 4RUNNER, THEY HAVE NEGLECTED MY CONCERNS. THE FRAME IS NOT SAFE AND FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE FRAME COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY TO MY FAMILY OR OTHERS. I ASK THAT TOYOTA BE FORCED TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO OTHER VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE FRAMES ALL CAME FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THE METALS USED TO MAKE THE FRAMES WERE NOT OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, WHICH IS RESULTING IN THIS DETERIORATION OF THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299889

200,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Power Train

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DIED AND BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY ON US 68, A VERY BUSY SIX LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SERVICE IN MORGANTOWN WV. DIFFERENTIAL WAS FIXED ON 18 NOV. BY AFTERNOON A PINHOLE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. MOST OIL HAD LEAKED OUT IN APPROXIMATELY 2 HRS. MECHANIC SAYS PINION…

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2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DIED AND BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY ON US 68, A VERY BUSY SIX LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SERVICE IN MORGANTOWN WV. DIFFERENTIAL WAS FIXED ON 18 NOV. BY AFTERNOON A PINHOLE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL COVER. MOST OIL HAD LEAKED OUT IN APPROXIMATELY 2 HRS. MECHANIC SAYS PINION WAS CRACKED IN HALF - NEW PARTS WERE OEM FROM TOYOTA,. BUT A NEW DIFFERENTIAL COVER IS NOT AVAILABLE. APPARENTLY ONLY AS A NEW AXLE. MECHANIC WILL MIG WELD THE COVER. APPROXIMATE COST FOR EVERYTHING $2000. SEEMS WEIRD THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT SUPPORT ITS CUSTOMERS BY MAKING NEW COVERS AVAILABLE. ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY CUSTOMERS IN CANADA AND UPPER US HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292720

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2009
Structure

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SUV WHICH IS THE NON-TRUCK VERSION OF THE TACOMA WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA FOR RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEMS. SINCE THE 4 RUNNER AND TACOMA ARE BUILT THE SAME, EXCEPT ONE IS A TRUCK AND THE OTHER A SUV, ISN'T THERE THE SAME PROBLEM OF RUST AND CORROSION? ONE E…

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I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SUV WHICH IS THE NON-TRUCK VERSION OF THE TACOMA WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA FOR RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEMS. SINCE THE 4 RUNNER AND TACOMA ARE BUILT THE SAME, EXCEPT ONE IS A TRUCK AND THE OTHER A SUV, ISN'T THERE THE SAME PROBLEM OF RUST AND CORROSION? ONE EXAMPLE IS THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS LOCATED IN THE SAME PLACE ON BOTH TYPES OF VEHICLES! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289334

80,000 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER HAD CORROSION, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE DIFFERENTIAL COULD FREEZE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SELL A COVER FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL, BUT THE WHOLE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER HAD CORROSION, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE DIFFERENTIAL COULD FREEZE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SELL A COVER FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL, BUT THE WHOLE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10288997

120,912 miles · Sep 8, 2009
Power Train

MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUST THROUGH ISSUE RELEASING GEAR OIL ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING MY REAR END TO SEIZE POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283158

120,912 miles · Aug 28, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120912. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD RUSTED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120912. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD RUSTED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, WHICH ALLOWED GEAR OIL TO BE RELEASED ONTO THE ROAD. UPDATED 05/17/10

NHTSA ODI #10282063

139,000 miles · Jul 11, 2009
Power Train

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER - SR5 4WD - MANUAL TRANSMISSION: REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUST-OUT WITH PINHOLE LEAKS CAUSING GEAR OIL TO LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276408

88,624 miles · Jan 3, 2009
Structure

WE HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM A MAINE DEALER. THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE MILEAGE READ 88,600 AND IT WAS DECLARED UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD BY OUR LOCAL GARAGE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SHEPARD TOYOTA, ROCKLAND, MAINE. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND INQU…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM A MAINE DEALER. THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE MILEAGE READ 88,600 AND IT WAS DECLARED UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD BY OUR LOCAL GARAGE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SHEPARD TOYOTA, ROCKLAND, MAINE. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND INQUIRED ABOUT A BUY BACK PROGRAM FOR 4RUNNERS, AS IT HAS THE SAME FRAME AS A TACOMA. TACOMAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR FRAME RUST. TOYOTA INFORMED US THAT THE 4 RUNNER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL PROGRAM,AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP US RESOLVE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. WE SCHEDULED IT FOR REPAIR AT SHEPARD TOYOTA. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF A TACK WELDING OF A STEEL PLATE OVER THE RUST HOLES TO CONCEAL THEM, AND THEN SOMETHING BLACK WAS SPRAYED OVER IT. THE STEEL REPAIR PLATE DOES NOT HAVE A CONTINUOUS WELD COMPLETELY AROUND IT. THIS OVERSIGHT MIGHT ALLOW ACCELERATED CORROSION BY TRAPPING MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT BEHIND IT. SHEPARD TOYOTA DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE AND IT PASSED THE MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION. WE CHARGED $166.50 FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT REPAIR. WE CHOSE THE 4 RUNNER WAS FOR ITS ABILITY TO TOW. WE HAVE EXPLAINED TO TOYOTA THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND THAT WE TOW HEAVY TRAILERS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE TRIGGER TO ALLOW A TACOMA OWNER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUY BACK PROGRAM IS WHEN RUST HOLES APPEAR IN THE FRAME. EVEN THOUGH OUR 4 RUNNER HAS 2 (NOW HIDDEN) RUST HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME, AND POSSIBLE HOLES CONCEALED BEHIND OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE FUEL TANK, TOYOTA IS NOT CONCERNED WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE. WE ARE ALSO WONDERING IF TOYOTA USES LESS CORROSION PROTECTION ON VEHICLES WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS. OUR 4RUNNER WAS RETRIEVED FROM ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER IN ANOTHER STATE AS OUR ORIGINAL DEALER DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK. IS IT LEGAL FOR A MAINE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS? WE WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE OUR ISSUES AND HAVE TOYOTA TAKE OUR SAFETY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY AND TAKE ACTION. *TR UPDAED 04/01/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10253685

138,335 miles · Jun 28, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS READING FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 00 MILES, MY CAR STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I WAS OUT OF GASOLINE. I WAS LUCKY, I DID NOT GET HIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232577

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.