Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2000)

483 consumer complaints on file.

#10609426July 9, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I TOOK MY 4 RUNNER TO JOSEPH TOYOTA TO THE HAVE THE ROTORS CHECKED AND THE I WAS TOLD THEY FOUND RUST ON MY MAIN FRAME AND WOULD NOT SERVICE THE CAR. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO BUY A NEW CAR BECAUSE MINE WAS NOT SAFE. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. I WAS SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA WOULD TURN ME AWAY AFTER PURCHASING 4 CARS FROM THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 4 RUNNER WASN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL FOR MAIN FRAME RUSTING LIKE THE TACOMA. I THINK WHEN TOYOTA KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXIST THEY SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. NOT EVERYONE CAN JUST GO BUY ANOTHER CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10607360July 1, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME WOULD POSSIBLY FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 04/2/2015 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606353June 26, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE VEHICLE FRAME IS DETERIORATING FROM RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SEVERE RUST IS PREVALENT AT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS; SIGNIFICANTLY WHERE THE RIGHT-SIDE REAR "TRACK BAR" IS ATTACHED. IF THIS WERE TO FAIL, THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSING A CRASH. FOUND OUT TONIGHT THE FRAME RAIL FORWARD OF THE TRACK BAR HAS ALSO DETERIORATED ON THE BOTTOMSIDE AND IS EXHIBITING NUMEROUS HOLES. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSERVICABLE FROM A SAFETY ASPECT. IT CANNOT BE SAFETY INSPECTED IN NYS ANY LONGER. THIS VEHICLE WAS PUCHASED NEW IN ITHACA, N.Y. THE FRAMEWORK DETERIORATION IS INDICATIVE OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH FRAMES RUSTING AND CAUSING MAJOR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS DONE DUE DILIGENCE IN SUPPORTING THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THEIR TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES. THEY PERFORMED FRAME REPLACEMENTS AND A BUYBACK PROGRAM ON THESE. I BELIEVE THEY OUGHT TO DO THE SAME FOR THE 4RUNNERS SEEING THEY ARE A VIRTUAL DUPLICATE OF THE TACOMA TRUCKS' FRAME. THE FACT THAT THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA FRAMES WERE PRODUCED IN USA AND THE 4RUNNER'S FRAMES WERE PRODUCED IN JAPAN DOES NOT HAVE A BEARING ON THIS RUST PROBLEM..IT DOES SHOW AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY ON TUNDRA, TACOMA AND 4RUNNER'S FRAME DESIGN. THIS ISSUE IS CAUSING MY FAMILY AN UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN. I MOST EMPHATICALLY BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL !!. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10599203June 18, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT WAS 128,000. UPDATED 9/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO A SERVICE THAT BUYS JUNK CARS FOR A TOTAL OF $600.00. UPDATED 12/17/2014 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595363June 1, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT IN THE FRAME OF MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE FRAME EXHIBITS EXTENSIVE RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. IT HAS HOLES AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE BOTTOM WELD. THE MECHANIC WARNED THAT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592256May 18, 2014
SUSPENSION
SAFETY ISSUE DO TO FRAME ROT.. COMMON ISSUE WITH 3RD GEN TOYOTA RUNNERS. BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW, AND NOW MY INVESTMENT IS AT RISK BECAUSE TOYOTA MAKES VEHICLES WITH POOR STEAL AND THE US DOT WILL NOT STEP UP AND FORCE THEM TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588693May 15, 2014
ENGINE
MY 2000 4RUNNER ENGINE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WE PULLED OVER AND IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN , WE HAD TO GAVE IT TOWED HOME AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED US AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER , ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS SO THIS WAS A SHOOK TO US. WE WILL BE CONTACTING TOYOTA TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE 2000 4RUNNERS SINCE I HAVE READ THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586987May 7, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
UPON A RECENT MECHANICAL INSPECTION MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE FOR DRIVING DUE TO FRAME DEGRADATION DUE TO RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS SEVERAL LOCATIONS WITH HOLES AND DETERIORATION THAT SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE MECHANICAL RIGIDITY OF THE FRAME AND TRUCK. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS IN GREAT CONDITION WITH THE FRAME AS THE ONLY EXCEPTION. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND HAVE DRIVEN AND STORED THEM IN THE SAME LOCATION BUT HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. FRAME RUST AND DETERIORATION TO THE EXTENT THAT MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED IS NOT TOLERABLE FROM ANY MANUFACTURER AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED DURING THE DESIGN, TESTING, AND MANUFACTURING STAGES OF PRODUCTION. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS, ALONG WITH PREVIOUS YEARS WITH IDENTICAL FRAME BUILDS, SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO THE TOYOTA TACOMAS OF THE SAME GENERATION THAT WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS MARKETED AS A FAMILY VEHICLE WITH A HISTORY OF SAFE OPERATION AND SHOULD BE HELD TO THIS STANDARD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED DRIVING ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587094May 7, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
BROUGHT VEH IN FOR NHSI, WAS TOLD THAT VEH WOULD NOT PASS AGAIN DUE TO FRAME PERFORATION. THE RUST IS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE INNER FRAME RAIL ALONG WHERE THE MUFFLER IS LOCATED. SPOKE TO TOYOTA ON MANY LEVELS AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THERE ARE NO FRAMES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND THAT THE "CHUCKS" TO BUILD THE FRAMES WITH HAD BEEN LOST SO TOYOTA WILL NOT BE MAKING ANYMORE. SO I CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM PROPERLY IF I WAS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. PAID A BODY SHOP $650 TO WELD IN A PATCH TO GET ME BY AS I STILL OWE ON IT. TOO BAD TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE SAME ISSUE TACOMA, SEQUOIA, AND TUNDRA HAVE. IF THE FRAME WAS TO SEPARATE @ THE CORROSION SIGHT @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WOULD RESULT IN INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585560April 29, 2014
STRUCTURE
FRAME IS SHOWING SIGNS OF SERIOUS RUST. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585590April 29, 2014
SUSPENSION
WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE DONE MY MECHANIC NOTICED SEVER FRAM RUST, SOME SPOTS GO RIGHT THROUGH FRAM. I KNOW TOYOTA RECALLED MANY VECHILES FOR THIS SO I CALL TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING FOR ME, THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IF I WANTED IT LOOKED AT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY! SOUNDS LIKE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE MORE PROBLEMS BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585263April 28, 2014
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STARTED ROCKING VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH.I APPLIED ON THE BRAKES GENTLY AND THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP SHAKING, ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER ON ITS SIDE. AS THIS WAS HAPPENING MY HEAD WAS SMASHED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW MULTIPLE TIMES, CAUSING A CONCUSSION AND CUTS TO MY HEAD AND BODY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT BY ON COMING CARS I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WHILE HITTING THE GUARD RAIL AS I CAME TO A STOP. AFTER I GATHERED MY THOUGHTS AND WHEN IT WAS SAFE, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THE REAR CONTROL ARM BECAME COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND THAT THE TOYOTA TUNDRA, TOYOTA SEQUOIA, AND VARIOUS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME YEAR THAT SHARE THE SAME FRAME AS MY CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED BY TOYOTA DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I CALLED TOYOTA EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. SINCE MY CAR SHARES THE SAME FRAME AS THE OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED WIT THE SAME FRAME AS MINE AND IT'S FAILURE HAS CAUSED MYSELF PHYSICAL HARM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR OTHERS TO OCCUR. FURTHERMORE,SINCE THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AND UNSAFE WITHOUT THE FRAME REPLACEMENT THAT IT NEEDS FROM TOYOTA, I FEEL THAT THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL BECAUSE THE SAME THREATS HUMAN LIFE ARE CURRENTLY PRESENT TO OTHERS AND THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN IS KNOWN BY TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10584643April 24, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, IT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584522April 23, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING TODAY THE STEERING BECAME UNSTABLE, ERRATIC, AND THE CAR LURCHED OUT OF MY LANE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A NEW NOISE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM REAR LEFT TIRE. WHEN I SAFELY PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED VEHICLE I NOTED THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THAT THE FORWARD WELDED MOUNT FOR THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAD FRACTURED ALONG THE FACTORY WELD AND WAS DANGLING DOWN. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND PASSED PA STATE INSPECTIONS YEARLY SINCE 2002. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578660April 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON WORKING UNDER VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUCTURAL RAIL LEADING TO THE REAR OF VEHICLE WAS RUSTY SO I POKED IT AND MY SCREWDRIVER WENT RIGHT THROUGH, IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH, IT WILL NEED WELDING, AS I TOW A WORK TRAILER (AND FOR SAFETY REASONS OF COURSE). THEN THE THIN REAR WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH AND STARTED LEAKING OIL, THE PART IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY AND I WAS QUOTED 1500.- FOR THE PART AND AT LEAST 500 LABOR, BY FALMOUTH TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOYOTA WASN'T STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE. IF I HADN'T BEEN UNDER THE CAR FOR OTHER REASONS THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578651April 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SEVERE RUST ON PASSENGER SIDE OF FRAME UNSAFE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574496March 24, 2014
STRUCTURE
FRAME CRACKED AND BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564512February 15, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
RUSTED OUT FRAME. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SOME MINOR REPAIRS. THE SHOP CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE.. THE SUPPORT HOLDING UP THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO BREAK. THIS COULD'VE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.. NOT TO MENTION I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO JUST BUY A NEW CAR ON A WHIM.. UNFORTUNATELY I WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS DEATH TRAP UNTIL EITHER THE FRAME BREAKS OR I HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW CAR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE.. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL THE 4RUNNERS LIKE THEY DID THE TACOMAS.. RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563594February 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
UPON TRYING TO SELL MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER WHO WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF GREENTREE TOYOTA, IN CT, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FORWARD OF THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE INSIDE FOR ABOUT 18 INCHES. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I HAD IT SERVICED AT TOYOTA IN SEPTEMBER 2013, NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN AT RISK SINCE THEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON TACOMA FRAMES WHICH USES THE SAME FRAME AS THE 4RUNNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559173January 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
RIGHT HAND REAR OF FRAME WHERE LOWER TRAILING ARM BRACKET IS WELDED WAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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