Toyota 4Runner Complaints (1997)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10824081February 3, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10818847January 8, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS CONCERN. I JUST PURCHASED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 173,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS MADE AWARE BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE THAT THERE IS SOME RUST UNDERNEATH AND SO I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT MAJOR AND IS REPAIRABLE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE LARGER THAN I INITIALLY ASSESSED. I REALIZE THAT THIS MAKES ME RESPONSIBLE FOR A BAD DECISION BUT I ALSO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BRING THESE RUST ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NHTSA WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL AFFECT A RESPONSE THAT WILL HOLD THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE. I REALIZE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 15 YEARS OLD AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ROTTING FRAME IS AN ACCEPTABLE DEFECT IN AN 18 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT WAS CLEARLY VERY WELL MAINTAINED BY IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER, AND BY THE NUMBER OF SUBMITTED AND UNSUBMITTED COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WHICH POINTS TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IN ADDITION, THIS ROTTING FRAME PROBLEM MUST HAVE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH YOUNGER BECAUSE THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH IN TWO PLACES AND IT DOESN'T TAKE A SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE TAKES TIME. THE MAIN FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT I JUST BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE LESS MECHANICALLY INCLINED PERSONS OUT THERE WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND UNKNOWINGLY PUTTING THEMSELVES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HOLD THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788273November 4, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
PURCHASED WITH 165,000 MILES. ALMOST NEW FOR A MODERN VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT, THE REAR END WAS READY TO COLLAPSE, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND NOTIFIED THE SAME THING. TOYOTA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. RUSTING OUT AT 165K IS UNHEARD OF FOR A MODERN VEHICLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO SELL IT TO THE JUNKYARD. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY I DON'T HAVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786630October 28, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,909. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779182October 2, 2015
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND MY 4RUNNER STARTED TO SWAY AND ROCK VIOLENTLY. I FELT IT VEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE WAY I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKED FEARING THAT I WAS GOING TO FLIP MY VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH STRAIGHT ROAD IN GREAT WEATHER. I BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN TAPPING THEM ABOUT FIVE TIMES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. IT HAPPENED ONE TIME A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE I PARKED THE CAR THINKING THAT THE TIRE WAS FALLING OFF AND CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO HAPPILY FIXED A FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END AND BALL JOINT. THEY STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTING OUT... THAT IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEN THIS. I WAS TERRIFIED. IT IS NOT SAFE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND HANGING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING AND BEGINNING TO FALL. I AM AT A LOSS I LOVE THIS VEHICLE HATE THE REPAIRS THAT I HAVE HAD TO DO IN THE SIX MONTHS I HAVE HAD IT AND NOW I OWE FOR REPAIRS AND A SMALL LOAN. I CANT DRIVE IT OR SELL IT AND SENDING IT BACK WILL RUIN MY ALREADY FAILED CREDIT. IT IS INCREDIBLY A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AND RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE HAS SHOWED THAT THIS YEAR AND MAKE IS KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS FRUSTRATING AND SAD THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT LET IT SIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10743571July 27, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10724919June 12, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PART FROM REAR END THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRED AND FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. FRAME LOOKS GOOD EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SIDE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10723341June 4, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY FRAME SUDDENLY BROKE. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A DITCH LINE. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILING TO HELP ME WITH A REPLACMENT FRAME. THIS FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717596May 21, 2015
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING IN SCHOOL ZONE POSTED 20 MPH SCHOOL ZONE ROAD A LITTLE ROUGH UNEVEN SURFACE WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH WHEN I FELT THE VEHICLE STRAYED TO THE RIGHT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES TO TAKE OFF AGAIN HEARING THUMP AND VEHICLE STRAYED TO RIGHT KEEPING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT WHICH FELT LIKE REAR END OF VEHICLE GONG TO RIGHT AND FRONT END STEERING TO LEFT A LOT OF SWAYING AND THUMPING UPON APPLYING AND RELEASING MY FEET ON AND OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP AND A THUMP SOUND, I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE WHEELS SEEM OK BUT UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL FRAME ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER BAR ROTTED AND DROPPED DOWN EXPOSING MY GAS TANK HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE PLATES WELDED TO FRAME TO USE VEHICLE AGAIN WELDER SAID FRAME ALL ROTTED OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714741May 5, 2015
POWER TRAIN
MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE 1997 4RUNNER AND HIS FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST. HE SAID HE COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BUT MANAGED TO SLOWLY CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THIS STORY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR, SO I GO TO CHECK MY FRAME AND SURE ENOUGH, IT IS ALSO QUITE RUSTED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING ON IT THAT IT WILL SNAP AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713292April 28, 2015
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V021000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO A RUSTED CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10702731March 30, 2015
SUSPENSION
MY SON JARRED WAS DRIVING OUR 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, HE WAS ALSO LOSING CONTROL OF HIS STEERING, HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. WHEN I DID AN ACTUAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE FRAME I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OFF THE FRAME BODY, THUS THE REASON THAT MY SON ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA AND FRAME ROTTING OUT. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS NOT THE 4-RUNNERS. I'M HOPING THAT TOYOTA DOES THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLS THE 4-RUNNERS. I HAVE PIC'S IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694661March 16, 2015
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THREW IN MULTIPLE PARTS OF THE FRAME. SOMEONE HAS ALREADY TRIED WELDING SOME PLATING TO KEEP REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF THE LOWER FOUR LINK ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10693156March 9, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
CARS REAL END STARTED TO SWAY WHEN DRIVING, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH, THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL ISSUED,NOTHING THEY COULD DO!!!!. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 121,000 MILES ON IT!! IT SHOULD BE GOING FOR ANOTHER 100,000, THAT'S WHY PEOPLE BUY TOYOTAS!! MY SON BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO, TOOK ALL HIS MONEY NOW HE HAS NO CAR TO DRIVE OR MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE. TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. SINCE THIS HAPPENED I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THEY RECALLED THE TACOMA FOR THE SAME REASON.. SAME YEARS. NEED A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692108March 4, 2015
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10678924January 26, 2015
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION. TRAILING ARM MOUNT FROM AXLE TO FRAME IS SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671914January 12, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER TOOK OFF. HAVING INSURANCE COVERAGE ON MY 1997, I TOOK IT TO 2 GARAGES FOR REPAIR. THE FRAME WAS BENT AT THE BACK WHEEL, BOTH GARAGES SAID THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RUSTED AND ALMOST NON EXISTENT FRAME. IF THE BODY SHOP WERE TO CUT OFF THE BENT PART OF THE FRAME, THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD, THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE NEW PART TO. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MINE SINCE 1998, GARAGE KEPT, NO BODY RUST, EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT I CAN NO LONGER GET IT INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE TOTALLY RUSTED OUT FRAME. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE FRAME PATCHED AND WELDED JUST TO PASS INSPECTION, I LOST MY GAS TANK ONE DAY, RUSTED BRACKET BROKE, NOW DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION OF THE FRAME, WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND, IT JUST CRUMBLED. INSPECTION IS DUE IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND NO ONE WILL INSPECT IT AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO FRAME LEFT. HOW CAN THIS BE UNLESS THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671210January 9, 2015
SUSPENSION
LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED/SEPARATED FROM FRAME. CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS WELDED TO FRAME FROM FACTORY. MOUNT IS SERVICED WITH FRAME. VEHICLE FRAME HAS OTHER ROTTED AREAS. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FRAME RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659923November 21, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM. MY SHOP TELLS ME THE FRAME IS TOO RUSTED TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10640920October 2, 2014
SUSPENSION
THE BODY ON THE 4RUNNER IS CLEAN WITH VERY LITTLE RUST. THE FRAME HOWEVER IS RUSTING BADLY AND THE MOUNTS FOR THE REAR CONTROL ARMS ARE ALMOST RUSTED OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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