34 of the
312 complaints about the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER are about the
other systems — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
181,255 miles.
C
34
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Unknown OR Other
34100.0%
Other & Unspecified across every Toyota 4RUNNER year
The component that is failing is the frame. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others is at risk due to the frame falling apart due to the lack of integrity. The lack of integrity and strength is from oxidation or major rust. The vehicle has not been inspection by a 3rd party. The rust is a common issue in this year/model from other owners and has appeared to be a manufacturing error.
NHTSA complaint #11437192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Bend, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
NHTSA complaint #11396718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesStaten Island, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED
NHTSA complaint #11362637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesFayetteville, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME ROTTED OUT PREMATURELY
NHTSA complaint #11321579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesPortsmouth, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME RUSTED FALLING APART. SO SOFT I CAN STICK MY FINGERS THROUGH IT.
NHTSA complaint #11299174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesBowie, MDCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I DO NOT KNOW IF THE STOPPING PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES, TIRES, BOTH, OR SOMETHING ELSE. AT ONE POINT I GOT NEW TIRES AND THE STOPPING PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS AND MANY MORE INCIDENTS BY THE CAR ITSELF. WHEN BRAKING IN RAIN/SNOW/ICE AND EVEN SLIGHT DAMP ROADS THE CAR SKIDS FORWARD. WE HAVE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE IN FRONT OF NOW COMPARED TO OTHER CARS WE DRIVE. ALSO DURING ACCELERATION ON RWD FROM A STOPLIGHT EVEN DURING DRY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES THE REAR TIRES SPIN OUT/BURN OUT/ HAVE NO TRACTION.
NHTSA complaint #11196179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Strum, WIFire1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER A LESS THAN 10 MILE DRIVE THE TOYOTA WAS PARKED. AFTER A HOUR OR SO IT BURST INTO FLAMES. PRIOR TO THIS THE DOOR LOCKS WERE LOCKING THEMSELVES. TWO FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED. THE 4RUNNER WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. ALSO BURNED PART OF THE ROADSIDE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS AND PHOTOS OF OTHERS BURSTING INTO FLAMES, BUT HAVE FOUND NO RECALLS. TOYOTA WAS ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. HORRIBLE ORDEAL AND THANKFUL NO ONE WAS KILLED. SHAME ON TOYOTA.
NHTSA complaint #11191761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bauxite, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD 4X4 FRAME IS ROTTED /RUSTED OUT WILL NEED MAJOR REPAIRS OR NEW FRAME APPARENTLY THIS IS ALL 4RUNNERS AND TACOMAS BUILT FROM THE MID 90S TO MID 2000S BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ROT ON THE INSIDE AND BOTTOM OF THE FRAME SO MUCH SO THEY STARTED SELLING KITS TO FIX THIS ON EBAY WHAT A SHAME I NEVER THOUGH TOYOTA WOULD BE SUCH JUNK SAD THEY WONT FIX / RECALL THE 3RD GEN 4 RUNNER IN THERE CURRENT FRAME RECALL EVEN THO THEY HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE .SAFETY ISSUES ....
NHTSA complaint #11185102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesCrestview, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME ON DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE AREA HAS COMPLETED ROTTED FROM RUST, THE REAR SUSPENSION AND SWAY BAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ALMOST IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE REAR END AND WE ENDED UP IN A DITCH WITH LOSS OF CONTROL.WE WERE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT THE TIME. WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ROLL OVER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. VERY SCARY INCIDENT. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND PHOTOS OF THIS ISSUE IF YOU WANT TO CALL E-MAIL ME AT (XXXXXX). THE EXTERIOR BODY ENGINE AND INTERIOR OF THIS VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND IT SEEMS THE FRAME SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING MY COMPLAINT. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11152477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 254,000 milesIvydale, WV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WENT TO FIX THE EXHAUST ON MY VEHICLE AND SAW MULTIPLE SPOTS WITH EXCESSIVE RUST,ESPECIALLY AROUND THE REAR SHOCK TOWERS.
NHTSA complaint #11139469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 548,000 milesNEW Market, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS NO LONGER STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THE FRAME SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11103064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesJackson, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST INSIDE AND OUT . SUSPENSION AND ROCKER PANELS ARE AFFECTED ALSO. I WAS WONDERING ABOUT A FRAME RECALL SINCE THEY HAVE DONE SO WITH OTHER TOYOTA FRAMES
NHTSA complaint #11056377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE MOUNTING POINT FOR THE REAR-AXEL STABILIZER BAR RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. ON MY DRIVE TO WORK (ON THE HIGHWAY) NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN DOWN-SHIFTING, AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BADLY WHENEVER I WOULD BRAKE OR HIT A BUMP. WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE THE REAR BRACKET HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE HAS 155,000 MILES AND HAS VERY LITTLE INDICATIONS OF RUST, BUT UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE INSIDE OF THE BOX FRAME ALONG THE GAS TANK IS RUSTED VERY BADLY. THE VEHICLE IS SINGLE OWNER AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH GREAT CARE, SO I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. NOT TO MENTION THE WAY IN WHICH THIS FAILED AT THE ATTACH POINT FOR THE REAR AXEL IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR WITH MY KIDS IN IT! FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, AND PICTURES ONLINE, TOYOTA SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING TO INFORM 4RUNNER OWNERS OF THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. WHEN I VISITED THE TOYOTA DEALER THERE WERE RACKS AND RACKS OF TUNDRA FRAMES THAT WERE BEING REPLACED (SEE PICTURES). WHAT IS TOYOTA DOING FOR 4RUNNER OWNERS?
NHTSA complaint #11042812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesGranite Falls, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAD JUST BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA 4RUNNNER FROM A DEALERSHIP AS MY FIRST VEHICLE FOR COLLEGE. BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE I HAD TO GET IT INSPECTED AND CAME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME OF THE SUV WAS RUSTING AWAY. NOW I AM $7000 DOLLARS IN THE HOLE AND NO VEHICLE TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH AND NOW FORCED TO STAY HOME. I DID MY RESEARCH AND CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THAT ALL OF THE 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS HAD RECALLS FOR THEIR FRAME BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE THAT JUST ISNT RIGHT...
NHTSA complaint #11015691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesKaneohe, HI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BALL JOINT ON MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I STOPPED AT MCDONALD'S BEFORE MY LONG JOURNEY ONTO THE FREEWAY, WITH MY 9 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE CAR, AND THAT SAVED US FROM A VERY BAD CRASH THAT MAY HAVE TAKEN OUR LIVES HAD WE BEEN GOING 60-70 MPH. HOW DOES A BALL JOINT BREAK IN HALF???
NHTSA complaint #11013604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Lexington, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL FRAME RIOT AND BUSY RUST
NHTSA complaint #10949517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PURCHASED A 1999 USED TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. MY STATE DOES NOT HAVE A LEMON LAW SO I AM STUCK WOTH THIS TRUCK THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE. IT IS ROTTED AROUND THE REAR AXLE AND DOWN THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN SUED BY TOCOMA OWNERS AND THEY ARE BEING COMPENSATED HOWEVER CANT NOT GET ANY INFO ON 4RUNNER OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US. THERE ARE ALOT OF US OUT HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10925731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beavercreek, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME CRACKED ON REAR PASSAGER SIDE NEED HELP!MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN HAPPEND GOD WAS LOOKING OUT FOR THEM!
NHTSA complaint #10924490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS RUSTED EXTREMELY BAD ALMOST IN SAFE TO DRIVE REAR STABILIZER BAR THAT GOES TO FRAME RUSTED OFF REALLY BAD PLAN ON CONTACTING TOYOTA TOMORROW TO SEE IF QUALIFIES FOR RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10887893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easthampton, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER REAR FRAME RUSTED DRIVER SIDE
NHTSA complaint #10863807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesGlasgow, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON WITH AROUND 5-6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING AND GAS HAND GOES FROM FULL TO HALF AFTER ONLY 70 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10851627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME RUST, REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF INSIDE FRAME IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL HAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME, SIGNS OF RUST OVER ENTIRE FRAME. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD AND COULD BE LIFE THREATENING.
NHTSA complaint #10790383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesWindsor, CT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME JUST LIKE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA TACOMAS THAT WERE RECALLED WITH FRAME RUST ISSUES. THE AREAS OF RUST ARE SIMILAR TO THE TACOMAS AS WELL. SOME PLACES THERE ARE HOLES WHERE YOU CAN FIT YOUR HAND THROUGH. I HAVE HAD OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAD MORE MILEAGE THAT DOES NOT HAVE FRAME RUST THIS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10767554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,675 milesPlainfield, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNER FRAME IS FALLING APART DUE TO RUST ISSUES AND IS MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DRIVERS SIDE TRAILING ARM MOUNT RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRAME PATCH WELDED AT GREAT EXPENSE TO MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10765185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 199,900 milesSparks Glencoe, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT MY 1999 4RUNNER LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AT 150,000 MILES ON IT. MY SISTER WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60-70 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED SWERVING LEFT SO SHE IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF AND WENT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO THEN TOLD US THAT MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY CRACKED, HE SAID THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE MY CAR HOME AND THAT THE FRAME WAS TOO RUSTED SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO SO ITS TOTALED. I BARELY GOT TO 200,000 MILES AND HAD IT FOR SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED AT ANY SECOND MY MECHANIC SAID "ONE MORE BUMP AND IT WOULD HAVE FLIPPED". I AM 19 YEARS OLD AND A NANNY SO I CONSTANTLY HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR, WE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HURT OR DIED!! I CALLED TOYOTA BUT THEY HAVE NO RECALL AND CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SO NOW I HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. DISAPPOINTING TO SAY AT THE LEAST, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT TOYOTA'S LASTED FOR AN EXTREMELY LONG AMOUNT OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10760890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesDublin, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME ON THESE VEHICLES RUST EXCESSIVELY, EVEN WITH CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING AND RUST PROOFING. OTHER TOYOTA TRUCKS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SUCH ISSUE (RUSTING OUT QUICKLY) BUT THESE HAVE NOT TO DATE. I MAINTAIN VEHICLE CAREFULLY SO IT RUNS AND OPERATES WELL INTO HIGH MILEAGE; HOWEVER, THE FRAME RUSTING CREATES AN UNKNOWN SAFETY CONCERN. TOYOTA BUILT A VEHICLE THAT IS DESIRED BY ITS CLIENTS, OPERATES FOR A LONG LIFE, BUT APPARENTLY PROVIDED A FRAME COMPONENT THAT FAILS OR PREMATURELY FAILS. TOYOTA SHOULD PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE TO PURCHASERS (I'M ORIGINAL OWNER) TO ADDRESS IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TO ADDRESS IT. OPTIONS INCLUDE FRAME AMENDEMENT, DISPOSING OF VEHICLE, ASSISTING IN HOW TO RESOLVE FRAME RUST, FRAME/SAFETY DIAGNOSIS, ETC.. OTHERWISE, IT IS AN UNKNOWN. A MOTOR FAILING IS ONE THING A FRAME OR STRUCTURE COMPONENT FAILING IS SOMETHING ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #10744834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,100 milesWest Harrison, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INTERIOR OF THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT, JUST A VERY BAD CONDITION EXISTS THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPAIR BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. IT IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. WHY DID THIS PART OF THE FRAME ROT THROUGH BUT NOT THE REST OF IT, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE AMOUNT THAT THIS PART OF THE FRAME IS ROTTED, SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLOW TO ME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE ON THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10733801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesEast Sandwich, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. HE ALSO SUGGESTED NOT DRIVING IT BECAUSE IT IS SO UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10730941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 218,756 milesCynthiana, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME IS RUSTING INTO ON MY 4RUNNER. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10725149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesSugar Grove, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PER MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH
NHTSA complaint #10722694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.