Structure. Review the 309 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports3 fire reports14 injury reports

Structure complaints

309 reports

Clear category filter

75,000 miles · May 17, 2016

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10865415

140,000 miles · May 12, 2016

Structure

HAVE SEEN EXTREME RUST ON MY FRAME, SO BAD I CAN PICK OFF CHUNKS WITH MY HAND. I KNOW TOYOTA IS IN DENIAL BUT WHAT IS REALLY BEING DONE OVER THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10864691

125,000 miles · May 6, 2016

Structure

THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI #10863634

220,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016

Power TrainStructureSuspension

RUST EAT MY FRAME INTO

NHTSA ODI #10861247

152,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016

Service BrakesSteeringStructure

Read full complaint

BOUGHT 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER IN 1-15 FROM DEALER AFTER OWNING 4 PRIOR 3RD GENERATION ONES AND THIS ONE IS PLAGUED WITH EXCESSIVE RUST BEYOND NORMAL WEAR IN FRAME (SOME HOLES), SUSPENSION, STEERING RACK AND SHAFT, BRAKE COMPONENTS, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING STEEL UNDER THE BODY HAS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY WHILE BODY REMAINS RUST FREE. I KNOW 95-03 TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS WERE UNDER FRAME AND BRAKE LINE RECALL DUE TO SAME ISSUE BUT FROM THE HUGE NUMBER OF POSTINGS ON INTERNET OF PROBLEM BEING JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE IN 3RD AND 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER. YES THE FRAMES WERE A DIFFERENT STYLE BUT THE FRAMES IN THESE 4RUNNERS ARE EVEN WORSE AS PROBLEMS WITH RUST DUE TO DESIGN ARE EATING THEIR WAY FROM INSIDE OUT MAKING IT MORE OF A SILENT KILLER AS IT GOES UNNOTICED UNTIL RUST BREACHES ALL THE WAY THRU FRAME AND BY THAT POINT IT IS NOT ONLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE GETTING TO THAT POINT. THIS IS MAJOR PROBLEM AS NOTED IN 1000'S IF NOT MORE NOTED CASES ON INTERNET FORUMS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY LEAVING ALL THESE PEOPLE STUCK WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND KIDS THAT THEY PUT IN THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS AT RISK OF FRAME, BRAKE, STEERING, SUSPENSION FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, AND DEATHS. I'VE CLEANED, SPRAYED RUST PREVENTATIVE OILS AND PAINTS ON AREAS OF CONCERN AND RUST MAKES ITS WAY BACK THRU IN WEEKS TIME. THE MANY OF OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE ARE STUCK WITHOUT RESOURCES TO BUY ANOTHER DAILY DRIVER AND HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE CHANCE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF POTENTIAL FAILURE AT ANYTIME. TOYOTA IS AWARE AND OBVIOUSLY KNEW THEY HAD RUST ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL YEARS BUT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE SAME ISSUES WITH NEWER MODELS NOT INCLUDED ON ORIGINAL FRAME RUST RECALL AND ITS TIME THEY ARE FORCED TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY FRAMES AND UNDERBODY STEEL COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10836938

173,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016

StructureUnknown Or Other

THESE VEHICLES ARE PLAGUED BY RUST ON THE FRAME AND COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAMES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A HAZARD DUE TO FAILURE OF CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE EFFECTS MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. FRAMES DEGRADE JUST LIKE THE ONES ON THE TACOMA YET NO ACTION IS BE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10824445

70,000 miles · Jan 16, 2016

Power TrainStructureSuspension

Read full complaint

THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST/CORROSION ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE SKID PLATES COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF THE TRUCK IN 2010. THE TRANSMISSION LINES HAVE CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND RADIATOR SUPPORTS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THE EXHAUST RUSTED OFF THE TRUCK IN 2010 AS WELL. CURRENTLY THERE IS EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK AND THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THESE ISSUES APPEARED IN 2010 AND I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THEM EVER SINCE. MECHANICALLY THE TRUCK RUNS GREAT, NEVER A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #10820610

197,000 miles · Nov 1, 2015

Structure

Read full complaint

FRAME HAS RUST HOLES IN FRONT CROSS MEMBER THAT RUNS UNDER RADIATOR. TOW HOOK IS UNUSABLE. PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION OF ENTIRE FRAME INDICATED THAT FRAME HAS NUMEROUS RUST SPOTS THAT ARE UNSAFE. ALL FRAME ATTACHED UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS ARE SO RUSTED THAT REMOVAL OF PARTS IS IS IMPOSSIBLE. CANNOT FIND ANY WELDING SHOPS THAT ARE WILLING TO WELD THE FRAME TO KEEP IT FROM TOTAL FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. THE BODY PANELS ARE RUST FREE. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE'S FRAME SHOULD HAVE LASTED A LOT LONGER THAN 11 YEARS . DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE OR WARRANTY THE EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA.

NHTSA ODI #10787501

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2015

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE MY SKID PLATE CAME OFF AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES BROKE APART, LEADING TO MAJOR LEAK AND FIX - LUCKILY IT CAME OFF IN DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON HIGHWAY WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED. SHOCKS HAVE HOLES IN THEM FROM RUST AND CORROSION, AS DO SUPPORT BARS AND FRAME. CAN BREAK OFF PIECES OF THE FRAME IN MY HAND WITHOUT EFFORT. CONCERNED THAT FRAME COULD CRACK, SUPPORT COMPONENTS COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF CORROSION. OTHER TOYOTA MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR RUST, USING THE SAME COMPONENTS BUT ASSEMBLED IN DIFFERENT FACTORIES THAN THE 4RUNNER AND LAND CRUISER MODELS, TO MY UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA MUST ADDRESS BEFORE ANYONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10773968

98,007 miles · Sep 16, 2015

SteeringStructureUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

SUV IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME AND ALL OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE METAL PARTS. FRAME INTEGRITY IS SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED. RUST IS EXPONENTIATING OVER TIME. RUST LEACHING TO OTHER MAJORS PARTS LIKE THE EXHAUST. TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AC, WHEELS, BRAKES, EXHAUST, STEERING, ETC ALL ARE COMPROMISED AND FAILING DUE TO RUST. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. RADIATOR REPLACED. AC LEAKING. OCT 2011 HEAT SHIELD RUST NOTED BY TOYOTA. FEB. 2014 HEAT SHIELDS WERE REMOVED BY TOYOTA. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE TRUCK DOESN'T NEED THE HEAT SHIELDS. THEY DID NOT MENTION THE FRAME RUSTING OR THE LIFETIME EXHAUST RUSTING. THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 4RUNNERS. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THAT SERVICE DEPT. BUT THE ONLY OTHER TOYOTA IS WORSE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS SERIOUS RECALL ASAP. I THINK THESE TRUCKS WILL START FAILING AND CAUSING DEATHS SOON. NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS TRUCK OVER THE YEARS ALL MAY BE DUE TO RUST. BRAKES DON'T SEEM TO LAST AND THE TRUCK IS HARDLY USED. I BELIEVE RUST IS INTERFERING WITH THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #10764189

Official recalls

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.

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