Toyota 4Runner Complaints (1997)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10509760April 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HAVE HAD MY 4RUNNER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY TRUCK AND AS OF LAST YEAR THE FRAME HAS BEEN SO RUSTED THEY WON'T PUT IT ON A LIFT NEVER MIND INSPECT IT..I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE TACOMA TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOT MY RUNNER ..I'VE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498196February 14, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SWAYING AND THEN RECENTLY THE STEERING GOT BAD SO I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495207January 30, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, STOPPING POWER DECREASED AND THE ABS ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR UNDER BODY FRAME HAD FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 159,000..... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY BRAKES WOULDN'T PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS RANDOM, BECAUSE OF THE REAR -END SWAYING FROM BEING DETACHED. UPDATED 03/11/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490606December 31, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH) AND IT STARTED GETTING HARD TO HANDLE. IF YOU ACCELERATED IT WOULD TURN HARD TO THE RIGHT, IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT WOULD VEER BACK HARD TO THE LEFT. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED IT OUT AND THE FRAME MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487677December 7, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I OWN A 1997 4RUNNER. DURING MY DRIVING THE VEHICLE FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CHASSIS LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT APART AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS PURELY AN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FAILURES.HENCE, THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERSHIPS, THEY SAID TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL COST ME $8,100.00. HENCE, I FEEL THAT, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT BRAND OF CARS COMPANIES, THEREWITH, WHEREBY, THEY ARE STILL ON SOME PART OF THE WORLD, ARE STILL DRIVABLE AND USEFUL. HOWEVER, FOR THE KIND OF MONEY SPENT ON THE PURCHASE, THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE IS THAT OLD THEY ARE LIABLE FOR A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485097November 19, 2012
SUSPENSION
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE CAUSING NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO BOUNCE/SWAY OF REAR END. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485039November 18, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY CRACKED. THERE IS NUMEROUS HOLES AND RUST PERFORATION ON THE FRAME. LOCAL DEALER DEEMED VEHICLE UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER FRAMES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF 4RUNNER OWNERS LIKE THEY DID WITH TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER EVERY DAY THAT I DROVE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS TOTALLY USELESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473844September 4, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
I TOOK MY 1997 4RUNNER IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT MY FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THAT MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I GOT THE OPINION OF TWO OTHER AUTO BODY SHOPS AND THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND IS BEYOND BEING REPAIRED. TOYOTA OFFERED A BUY BACK PROGRAM FOR THEIR TACOMA'S FOR THE SAME REASON HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT BUY BACK THE 4 RUNNERS. I'VE FOUND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME RUST ISSUE WITH THE FRAMES ON THEIR 4RUNNERS. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464785July 9, 2012
SUSPENSION
WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON STATE ROUTE, HEARD LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED SHIMMYING SIDE TO SIDE. SHE SLOWED DOWN AND LIMPED VEHICLE HOME. TODAY RAISED VEHICLE ON MY LIFT AT WORK AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH WHERE REAR SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO FRAME. GLAD NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED, AS MY WIFE, CHILDREN AND NEW SISTER-IN-LAW WERE ALL PASSENGERS! OTHERWISE LOVE THE VEHICLE, WAS INTENDING ON REPLACEMENT WITH A SEQUOIA, BUT NOW I AM UNSURE IF THAT IS A GOOD MOVE. I HAVE SEEN MANY TACOMAS COME IN THAT HAD FRAME RUST IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. WISH TOYOTA WOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM IN THE 4RUNNERS, AS WE ARE JUST AS LOYAL AS THE TACOMA OWNERS. SEEMS LIKE A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT FRAME RUST ON THE INTERNET FORUMS ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS TOO. I SURE HOPE TOYOTA CAN KEEP ME AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THEM TO MY CUSTOMERS AS I VERY OFTEN DO. I WAS REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SPENDING THE $3900+ TAX + MY INSTALLATION TIME, BUT IT SEEMS TOYOTA HAS DISCONTINUED MY FRAME. I EVEN DOUBLE-CHECKED WITH CORPORATE TOYOTA. WHAT TO DO NOW?.......NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO THIS...JUST SOME HELP EVEN... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456391April 24, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
THIS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS PREMATURE STRUCTURAL FRAME FAILURE. THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC AMONG OLDER TOYOTA TRUCKS AND SUV'S. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE TACOMA'S OF THIS MODEL YEAR DUE TO THE FRAMES ROTTING. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS. IT IS TIME TO PUSH TOYOTA TO HELP ALL OF THE OWNERS OF THESE TOYOTA'S OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450390March 5, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PART OF THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444975January 23, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 258,625.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443366January 10, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION
RUSTED FRAME..... UNSAFE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441395December 27, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH ON SEVERAL PLACES, BUT ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION IS THE WORST. THIS LOCATION IS THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN A SOLID STEEL BRACKET OF THE SAME SIZE, THICKNESS AND MATERIAL AS THE MAIN FRAME. THIS BRACKET HOLDS THE SWAY-TYPE BAR, WHICH ATTACHES BACK TO THE REAR AXLE. THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE MAIN FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME. THE JOINT IS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG. OVER ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE WELD JOINT, THE AREA IS RUSTED AWAY AND THERE IS A 3/8-INCH GAP BETWEEN PARTS. THE REMAINING 2 INCHES ARE HOLDING TEMPORARILY, BUT IT IS UNSAFE. THIS RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED FRAME HAS CAUSED THE 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER TO BE UNSAFE, UNDRIVEABLE AND UN-FIXABLE. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF THE FRAME JOINT RUSTS MORE AND COMPLETELY BREAKS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435256November 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425426September 14, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423985September 6, 2011
SUSPENSION
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE HEARD A SOUND AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED, AND THEN CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE REMAINDER OF THE RIDE HOME. WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE HER DESCRIPTION AND BEGIN TROUBLESHOOTING WHAT COULD BE WRONG, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WAS TRYING TO COME AROUND, A VERY WEIRD FEELING IN THE SUMMER. TRYING TO FIGURE WHY, AND SEVERAL MINUTES OF LAYING UNDER THIS VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHING POINT IS ROTTED AND BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I HAVE OWNED ONE OF THE RECALLED TOYOTA TACOMAS, IT WAS BOUGHT BACK FROM ME BY TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND IT IS BEING RECALLED FOR ROTTING FRAMES, AND ROTTING SPARE TIRE BRACKETS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4-RUNNERS. THIS 4 RUNNER IS THE SAME YEAR AS THE TOYOTA TACOMA, AND TWO YEARS OLDER THAT MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE ON THE ROAD, AND THANK GOD THIS DID NOT HAVE A DISASTROUS OUTCOME. AND BY THE WAY, BOTH OF MY SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SERIOUS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I CANT SELL THIS AS A USED VEHICLE AND I CAN'T TRADE IT IN TO A DEALER. HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423108September 2, 2011
SUSPENSION
AT 317,800 MILES THE FRONT END WAS REBUILT. WITHIN A WEEK THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I SUSPECT COUNTERFEIT BOLTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY SAVED NO PARTS. THIS WAS A FALCON K90262 RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT. AT 322,055 MILES A SECOND LOW SPEED ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE FALCON K90263 LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY PULLING THE BALL FROM THE SOCKET. UPON INSPECTION THE SEALED JOINT APPEARS NOT TO HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED AT THE FACTORY AND SHOWS VERY VISIBLE SIGNS OF WEAR. REPAIRS WERE MADE USING ANOTHER BRAND OF PARTS. I HAVE THE PART IN A BAG, WHERE IT WAS PLACED UNCLEANED, AFTER REPAIRS, SHOULD YOU WISH TO INSPECT IT. HAD EITHER OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423371August 29, 2011
SUSPENSION
DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED, AXLE DISLODGED AND WHEEL PUSHED INTO WHEEL WELL. A SEPARATE, BUT EXACT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SAME VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS PRIOR AT 131,000 MILES (HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1997/TOYOTA/4RUNNER/10173792.ASPX). WE WERE ASSURED BY TOYOTA DEALER REPAIR FACILITY AT THAT TIME THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE INCIDENT AND UPON INSPECT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHECKED IN THE INTERIM AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF FUTURE FAILURE. AGAIN, BOTH SIDES HAVE NOW FAILED ON THE SAME VEHICLE UNDER LIGHT DUTY CONDITIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422503August 29, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ROTTING OUT. VEHICLE NO LONGER ROAD WORTHY AND WILL NOT TAKE A STICKER. HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA MAN MY WHOLE LIFE BUT THIS MAKES ME THINK TWICE ABOUT EVER PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE. IS TOYOTA GOING TO GO GOOD ON THIS? FUNNY HOW THE TACOMA WAS RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER! SAME FRAME? I WOULD HAVE TO GUESS YES... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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