Owners have filed 520 complaints
about the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER with NHTSA between 2006 and 2023.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 34 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Toyota 4RUNNER. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 3
2% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Body
17766.0%
Underbody Shields
4115.3%
Frame AND Members
3111.6%
Driveline
83.0%
Differential Unit
41.5%
Rear
31.1%
Cooling System
20.7%
Automatic Transmission
20.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
51.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
10.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
41.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
122.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
276.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
16338.7%
150,000+ miles
20949.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2006peak 14Oct 2023
Recalls on the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Covington, KYCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DUE TO THE DREADED ' TOYOTA ROT ' FRAME FAILURE THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM HAD RUSTED OFF GOING DOWN US HIGHWAY 25 IN KENTUCKY AND PUT A POOR MAN AND HIS CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY. TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY !!! I FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THE FRAME ISSUES HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE MID 90S!!!! WHEN I LOOK UP MY VEHICLE IT HAS ZERO RECALLS SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA THERE SHOULD BE A REMEDY EVEN IF IT'S SPLITTING THE COST WITH YOUR CUSTOMER. VERY UNSATISFIED
NHTSA complaint #11316194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, KYCrash
SUSPENSION
DUE TO THE DREADED ' TOYOTA ROT ' FRAME FAILURE THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM HAD RUSTED OFF GOING DOWN US HIGHWAY 25 IN KENTUCKY AND PUT A POOR MAN AND HIS CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY. TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY !!! I FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THE FRAME ISSUES HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE MID 90S!!!! WHEN I LOOK UP MY VEHICLE IT HAS ZERO RECALLS SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA THERE SHOULD BE A REMEDY EVEN IF IT'S SPLITTING THE COST WITH YOUR CUSTOMER. VERY UNSATISFIED
NHTSA complaint #11316194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesWashington Crossing, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO SLIPPED DISCS IN THE LOWER BACK, A BRUISED LIVER, A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, AND THREE MISSING TEETH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11183172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesWashington Crossing, PACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO SLIPPED DISCS IN THE LOWER BACK, A BRUISED LIVER, A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, AND THREE MISSING TEETH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11183172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesNorthfield, MNCrash1 injured
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HEARD A CLANKING SOUND FROM THE REAR, THE CAR STARTED TO SWAY TERRIBLY AND SHAKE AND I LOST CONTROL. I CROSSED OVER THE HIGHWAY LANES, ROLLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH WITH THE CAR UPSIDE DOWN. A WITNESS DRIVING BEHIND ME SAID THE WHEEL OF THE CAR FELL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR, WE SAW THE TIRE'S TREAD HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, THERE WERE GASHES IN THE TIRE, AND THE REAR LEFT CONTROL ARM HAD FALLEN OFF. THE CAR HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, AND THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES ON THEM. THE CAR HAD 118,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM TOYOTA HAS BEEN HAVING WITH OTHER 4RUNNERS OF THIS MILEAGE AND OF OTHER TOYOTA MODELS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE SUSPENSION.THE IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR AT THAT MILEAGE AND I'M LUCKY I SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT FAILS WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #11166571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesTijeras, NMCrash
POWER TRAIN
DRIVING IN MILD WINTER CONDITION (LIGHT WET SLUSH) ON A MAINTAINED HIGHWAY MY 4RUNNER BEGAN TO FISH TALE. WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CORRECT THE FISH TALE NO CONTROL INPUT FROM THE DRIVE WOULD CORRECT THE SLIDING MOTION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE TOWARD THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW TO ALMOST A STOP, HOWEVER, THE REAR END WAS FAR ENOUGH OFF THE SHOULDER THAT IT BEGAN TO BE PULLED BY GRAVITY DOWN HILL. WHILE IT SLID DOWN HILL THE REAR WHEEL HIT A ROCK CAUSING THE AXLE TO SNAP NEAR THE CONTACT POINT OF THE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ONE AND A HALF TIMES ENDANGERING FOUR LIVES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY HOWEVER NONE WERE INJURED. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED AND NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #11062119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Cottondale, AL
POWER TRAIN
The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road
NHTSA complaint #11549388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottondale, AL
STEERING
The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road
NHTSA complaint #11549388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottondale, AL
SUSPENSION
The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road
NHTSA complaint #11549388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottondale, AL
STEERING
The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it
NHTSA complaint #11549059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottondale, AL
SUSPENSION
The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it
NHTSA complaint #11549059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottondale, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it
NHTSA complaint #11549059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
STEERING
We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.
NHTSA complaint #11515011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.
NHTSA complaint #11515011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
SUSPENSION
We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.
NHTSA complaint #11515011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMurfreesboro, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, it was later discovered that the both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors and the hatch door could not be opened manually or remotely. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11514242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMurfreesboro, TN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, it was later discovered that the both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors and the hatch door could not be opened manually or remotely. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11514242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, WV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Section of frame broke and fell to the pavement. Vehicle bouncing and went off road causing damage to front driver side bumper, turn signal light housing, headlight. Extensive Back frame rusting has made vehicle dangerous. Frame has many soft spots. Both back shocks rusted and broken. Replace shocks but frame will eventually brake. This is my only vehicle. So, I will continue to drive and pray that this vehicle stays together and doesn't result in death. Front frame and suspension are also rusted and rusting. Please help !
NHTSA complaint #11476396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, WV
SUSPENSION
Section of frame broke and fell to the pavement. Vehicle bouncing and went off road causing damage to front driver side bumper, turn signal light housing, headlight. Extensive Back frame rusting has made vehicle dangerous. Frame has many soft spots. Both back shocks rusted and broken. Replace shocks but frame will eventually brake. This is my only vehicle. So, I will continue to drive and pray that this vehicle stays together and doesn't result in death. Front frame and suspension are also rusted and rusting. Please help !
NHTSA complaint #11476396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln University, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame rusted and is available for inspection. My daughter was driving our 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 which I purchased new in 2000 when she noticed the truck started to wobble when she hit small bumps. I drove it to the garage the next day which is 2 miles from my house. It was doing the same for me. My mechanic went to put it up on the lift, he noticed that the frame rusted out. There was nothing he can do at this point. There are many complaints of the same issues with the 2000 Toyota 4Runners with the frames rusting out. If she was driving on the highway, this could have been a lot worse and possibly someone seriously injured or death. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the frame rusting out. The only one to inspect it was my mechanic.
NHTSA complaint #11475964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Addison Twp, MI
SUSPENSION
Frame is rotted out. Mechanic lifted it on hoist and frame is rusted terribly and said not drivable.
NHTSA complaint #11462846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
POWER TRAIN
The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.
NHTSA complaint #11457414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.
NHTSA complaint #11457414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, VA
SUSPENSION
The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.
NHTSA complaint #11457414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesBayonne, NJ
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while at a local mechanic he was informed that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tewksbury, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame on passenger side (front,left) is rotted. While I was driving on the highway I almost got in an accident because the frame gave out. Now I’m out of car and I don’t want to pay but I’m going to have to thousands of dollars to get the frame fixed. That’s money I don’t have as I am a recent college student trying to pay of his loans.
NHTSA complaint #11426516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raceland, LA
AIR BAGS
About 1 month ago the air bag light started flashing. It is available for inspection. It had not been in an accident. We took it to a local Toyota dealer. There are some middle of the story details, but bottom line is eventually they told me it could not be fixed secondary to inability to obtain a control module. This has been verified by Toyota Customer Service.
NHTSA complaint #11419525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesWappingers Falls, NY
SUSPENSION
I REPORTED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH A DEFECTIVE FRAME WELD ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WHICH CAUSED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL SUPPORT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH. THIS CAUSED A SEVERE, UNEXPECTED SWAYING OF THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL
NHTSA complaint #11402715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesWappingers Falls, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
I REPORTED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH A DEFECTIVE FRAME WELD ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WHICH CAUSED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL SUPPORT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH. THIS CAUSED A SEVERE, UNEXPECTED SWAYING OF THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL
NHTSA complaint #11402715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY AND UNSAFE WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM PLEASE HELP WAS DRIVING HOME CITY STREET
NHTSA complaint #11390918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesBloomington, IN
SUSPENSION
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND HEARD A "POP." VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING BADLY -- TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. REAR END WAGGING HORRIFICALLY NEARLY HITTING CARS IN OTHER LANES. MANAGED TO GET TO SHOULDER BUT COULDNT SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT VEHICLE OFF AT EXIT AND TO GARAGE. WAS TOLD FRAME SNAPPED AND REAR END CONTROL ARM NO LONGER ATTACHED REAR END TO FRAME. FRAME ROT EXTENSIVE. SCARY AS HELL. NO OTHER RUST ON VEHICLE. THOUGHT VEHICLE WOULD FLIP!
NHTSA complaint #11377765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.