Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2000)

483 consumer complaints on file.

#10429299October 10, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2000 4RUNNER WENT IN FOR PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED OUT. AS THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE SPOT WHERE THE HOLE WAS TO BE CUT OUT AND WELDED WITH NEW METAL. THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTY AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT ARE TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF BEING IN A CRASH AND HAVING A BRITTLE FRAME THAT COULD BREAK IN HALF EASILY. I REALIZE THAT IN COLD WEATHER STATES THERE IS THE THREAT OF SALT AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE CAUSING OXIDATION BUT MY WIFE HAS A 2000 NISSAN THAT HAS SEEN THE SAME EXACT WINTERS AND ROADS AND IS IN 10 TIMES BETTER SHAPE UNDERNEATH THAN MY 4RUNNER. I HAVE TRIED CALLING TOYOTA CORPORATE TO NO AVAIL. I FEEL LIKE LOGGING A COMPLAINT IS ALL I CAN DO. TOYOTA SAYS THEY DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNER FRAMES BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE IN JAPAN BUT WHEN I SEE DOMESTIC VEHICLES AND OTHER IMPORT VEHICLES LIKE MY WIFE'S NOT LOOKING LIKE OR HAVING THE RUST ISSUES MINE DOES I'M INCLINED TO SAY THAT TOYOTA IS EITHER LYING OR DOESN'T KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION ON THEIR PART BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429181October 8, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I HAVE NOTICED MY FRAME NEAR THE REAR SUSPENSION IS SO SEVERELY ROTTED THAT THE FRAME WILL NEED TO BE CUT AND RE-WELDED OR REPLACED ALL TOGETHER.THERE ARE MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE BOX FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRAME. WATER SEEPS IN THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING IT TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE RECENTLY AND THEY INFORMED ME AS WELL OF THE EXTENSIVE RUSTING. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AND WILL BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO TWO REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF FRAME. THE REST OF THE 4RUNNER IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO SURFACE RUST, ROT OR OTHER BLEMISHES. HOWEVER, BELOW THE VEHICLE THE FRAME IS RUSTED EXTENSIVELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429076October 7, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN I FILL MY CAR UP IT ONLY TAKES 12 GALLONS OF GAS. TANK SIZE IS 18.5. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426598September 21, 2011
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE THEY BOTH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE REPAIR. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE FRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426359September 19, 2011
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION
THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAS RUSTED THROUGH, WHILE THE VEHICLES BODY HAS NO RUST. TOYOTA FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A DEFECT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLES YEAR AND MILEAGE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE NUMBER 1109161548. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SUPPORTS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WILL OCCUR ON THE 4 RUNNER WITH MUCH LESS MILEAGE. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ALL OF THE REAR AXLE FLUID COULD LEAK OUT, ALLOWING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO FREEZE, CREATING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS A RUST PROBLEM WITH THE TACOMA PICKUP, WHERE THEY REPURCHASED VEHICLES AS A RESULT OF FRAME RUST OUT. WE ARE OF THE OPINION TOYOTA HAS USED INFERIOR METALS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THEIR VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WHEN I CALLED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE IN TORRANCE CA. THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE IN MANAGEMENT SINCE I DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE DECISION OF THE PERSON I DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425784September 16, 2011
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER EQUIPPED WITH SPECTOR ADVANTA SUV LT265/70/R16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BLISTERS ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, EXPOSING THE WHITE MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE TREAD. IN ADDITION, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS RAISED AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED IT WAS DUE TO A BROKEN PIECE OF THE TREAD BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT 140,000 MILES AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425202September 13, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE RUST AND CORROSION THAT CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421094August 23, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (163K MILES) FAILED NH STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. I WAS SHOWN A RUST HOLE THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL FRAME. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE FIXED VIA WELDING, DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE RUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE BOXED FRAME. INSTEAD, THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED TO ADDRESS ISSUE PROPERLY, SAFELY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY. I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. ACKNOWLEDGES AND REMEDIATES SIMILAR RUST ISSUES WITH ITS TUNDRA AND TACOMA MODELS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, BUT DOES NOT SUPPORT RUST ISSUES WITH ITS 4RUNNER MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411652July 10, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED THROUGH, LEAKS FLUID, AND IS IRREPARABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408393June 21, 2011
SUSPENSION
TODAY, OBSERVED SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER. THE FRAME RAIL WAS PERFORATED FOR ~24 INCHES ON THE BOTTOM, INSIDE OF THE RAIL, NEXT TO THE MUFFLER AND UP TO AND INCLUDING THE MOUNTING POINT FOR THE REAR WHEEL LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE RAIL WAS PERFORATED TO A WIDTH OF UP TO ~1 INCH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AND AM REPORTING IT AS IT COULD BE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE REVIEWED DESCRIPTIONS AND PICTURES OF THIS ISSUE ON WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG FORUM AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF FRAME PERFORATION IN THIS EXACT LOCATION ON 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS (SEARCH "FRAME RUST" OR I CAN PROVIDE LINKS). I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE (CASE#110-621-0707) AND THEY INDICATED THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE AN ONGOING PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406201June 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH SUCH THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID IS LEACHING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE METAL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEIZING UP AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, OR OTHER VEHICLES TO LOSE TRACTION ON ROAD DUE TO GEAR OIL LEAKING ONTO ROADWAY. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND INSISTS ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS. RUST PROBLEM FIRST OBSERVED IN 2005 AND STEADILY BECOMING WORSE EACH MONTH. NO REPAIRS YET MADE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE COST. OWNER IS EXPECTING AND WAITING FOR A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393991April 1, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FAILED NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT/RUST, MOST EVIDENT AT RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FRAME ROT IS THE SAME ISSUE TOYOTA FACED WITH THE TACOMA MODEL THAT UTILIZES THE SAME FRAME AS THE 4RUNNER. PER THE TOYOTA NEWS RELEASE OF 3/7/08 TOYOTA PROVIDED TACOMA OWNERS AN " EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"UP TO 15 YEARS TO PROVIDE "GOODWILL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED, OR MAY ENCOUNTER, FRAME PROBLEMS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF RUST PERFORATION". I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE 4RUNNER FRAME IS ONLY COVERED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY OF 3YEARS/36,000 MILES. TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING TO 4RUNNER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE FRAMES, ESTABLISHED A PRECIDENT REGARDING REPLACEMENT, YET WILL NOT INCLUDE THE 4RUNNER IN THEIR OFFER OF AN "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY". THE BODY OF MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION WITH NO RUST, INCLUDING THE UNDERBODY, BUT THE FRAME HAS FAILED UNDER IT! TOYOTA MUST INCLUDE 4RUNNERS IN THEIR "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382602February 14, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT; THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383542February 14, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REMOVED MUFFLER TO REPLACE, FOUND HOLES IN FRAME ON THE INBOARD SIDE AND BRACKET SECURING REAREND IN PLACE ROTTED 1/2 WAY AROUND WHERE IT SECURES TO THE FRAME AT THE WELD CONNECTION , SO THE BRACKET IS 1/2 DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME NO OUTWARD SIGNS SHOWING ON THE TRUCK .....THERE ARE NO RUST SPOTS OR ROT SHOWING ON THE BODY AT ALL .... SMALL RUST STAINS SHOWING ON THE REAR BUMPER ONLY .... I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF PROBLEM AND HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THEIR RESPONSE WAS "IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378866January 26, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH THE FRAME ROTTED BY THE MUFFLER . THE ROT GOES ABOUT 3 FEET IN LENGTH BY 1 1/2 INCH. RIGHT WHERE THE LOWER REAR AXLE HOOKS UP TO THE FRAME. THE REAR AXLE HAS ROTTED OUT AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE GEARS TO GET CHEWED UP. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65 MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. DISASTER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE PICTURES ON HOW BAD IT LOOKS I HAVE THEM. THIS IS A CLEAN TRUCK WITH NO DENTS ANYWHERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378033January 20, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER; THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME AREA APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF THE FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER AREA IS RUSTED OUT. I UNDERSTAND THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A FRAME RECALL UP TO YEAR 2000. ISN'T THE TACOMA FRAME AND THE 4RUNNER FRAME THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUT RUSTED FRAME ON THE 2000 4RUNNER RUSTED FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375304January 9, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN AND BASICALLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS FOR A FAULTY SYSTEM AND EXPECTS THE CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE CONSUMERS PAY 800 TO 900 DOLLARS AS QUOTED FROM MY DEALER FOR A DESIGN FLAW FOR TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372260December 23, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER WAS CORRODED MORE THAN THREE FEET LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372072December 22, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369782December 9, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ADVISED HER THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota 4Runner