FaultScore

2001 Toyota 4RUNNER body problems

81 of the 206 complaints about the 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER are about the body and structure — 39% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 132,500 miles.

F

81

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 53 65.4%
Underbody Shields 17 21.0%
Frame AND Members 7 8.6%
Structure 4 4.9%

Body & Structure across every Toyota 4RUNNER year

1996 38 2.2%
1997 70 4.1%
1998 72 4.2%
1999 113 6.6%
2000 263 15.3%
2001 81 4.7%
2002 90 5.2%
2003 278 16.2%
2004 309 18.0%
2005 189 11.0%
2006 144 8.4%
2007 40 2.3%
2008 16 0.9%
2010 12 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Marshfield, MA

STRUCTURE

Frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems

NHTSA complaint #11443914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marshfield, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems

NHTSA complaint #11443914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Huntley, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA complaint #11429329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles White Plains, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY

FIRST THERE WERE 3 RECALLS 1. 135468 2. 135469 AND 3. 135469 DATING BACK TO 2005 THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF AND I HAVE A VERY BAD CORRUGATED METAL BUMPERS AND WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I HIT A BUMP OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED AND IT HASN'T HELPED

NHTSA complaint #11405640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 280,001 miles Morrisville, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS UNABLE TO BE INSPECTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #11383249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 205,000 miles Shrewsbury, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN BREAK SOME OF IT OFF IN OUR HAND. RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THIS REQUIRED WELDING TO SOME SECTIONS IN ORDER TO KEEP DRIVING. THE WELDING WILL ONLY KEEP ME ON THE ROAD FOR NOW BUT THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME IS VERY DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 205,000 MILES ON IT BUT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND MAINTAINED TO ALL OTHER STANDARDS. THE AUTO SHOP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST THIS MUCH. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THE YEAR AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. I NEED THIS CAR SO I HAD THE GARAGE REPAIR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTING THE OIL CHANGE. THE IMAGES ATTACHED WERE AFTER THE WORK AS THEY HAD TO GRIND OUT THE RUSTED SECTIONS AND REPLACE WITH WELDED STEEL.

NHTSA complaint #11323539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Clinton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

PURCHASED VEHICLE TOOK FOR MASS INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO ROTTED FRAME WAS TOLD NOT ROAD WORTHY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE CALLED TOYOTA THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ON REPAIR VEHICLE HAS 145K MILES ON NOW VEHICLE DOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY OLDER GENTLEMAN I PURCHASED FROM WILL NOT ASSIST EITHER SPENT $4K NEED ASSISTANCE IF POSSIBLE PLEASE AND THANKS

NHTSA complaint #11316298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,321 miles Kunkletown, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

I JUST PURCHASED A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ALL SEEMED FINE .BUT WHEN I WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS STARTING IT HAD FRAME RUST THROUGH. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO SAID AND I ALSO READ ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA TRUCKS HAVE A FRAME RECALL BUT MINE DOES NOT. AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. OTHERS HAD THE FRAME REPLACED, REPAIRED OR BOUGHT BACK. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11292332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,535 miles Kansas City, KS

STRUCTURE:BODY

DEALER DECLINE TO DO A TRANSFER CASE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE TRAILING ARM MOUNT IS ALMOST GONE. DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE FRAME WILL BREAK THROUGH. I WILL NEED TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11253813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Charlestown, RI

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE FRAME CORROSION/ROT.. BAD FRAME (JUST LIKE THE TACOMA I HAD RECALLED DUE TO BAD FRAME)

NHTSA complaint #11217256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Malta, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

I NOTICED A PRETTY DISTINCT WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 $RUNNER ON THE HIGHWAY RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMAED MY THE FRAME HAS A 1 INCH WIDE 18 INCH LONG HOLE FROM RUST. THE MECHANIC SAYS THEY CAN WELD IT TO POSSIBLY GIVE IT SOME MORE TIME TO LIVE BUT THAT IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB. THERE VERY WELL COULD BE RUST ON THE FRAME HIDDEN BEHIND THE GAS TANK, BUT I AM UNABLE TO LOOK BEHIND IT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKE WHEN NOT PROPERLY COATING THESE FRAMES. THEY RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE 4RUNNER.

NHTSA complaint #11217061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 248,500 miles Jackson, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUST ON MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. SUSPENSION SHOT RIGHT THROUGH ROTTED FRAME. FRAME HAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF RUST. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE SUSPENSION PENETRATED RIGHT THROUGH THE ROTTED RUSTED FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11181293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 194,500 miles Elgin, IL

STRUCTURE

TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED AND SHOULD TAKE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR MODEL VEHICLE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SO I HAVE A MECHANICALLY GOOD VEHICLE THAT I CAN NOT USE DUE TO RUSTED FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11170591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Luck, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTREME FRAME RUST. HUSBAND SAYS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE BODY LOOKS GREAT, THE FRAME, WHERE WE CAN SEE IT, IS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION, WITH HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE METAL. NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT IT'S OMINOUS TO KNOW IN A COLLISION THIS VEHICLE WOULD CRUMPLE LIKE PAPER. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SERIOUS FRAME RUST FOR OTHER YEARS OF TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE AND SAFETY CONCERN TO THE GROWING LIST OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS FACING THE SAME FRAME DISINTEGRATION.

NHTSA complaint #11166521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Springfield, OR

STRUCTURE

FRAME RUST ISSUES. MY FRAME HAS BEEN RUSTING AWAY FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED IT, AND IT ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER. THE PASSENGER INSIDE FRAME RAIL IS RUSTED FROM THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO THE CROSS MEMBER MOUNT MIDWAY DOWN THE FRAME. THE DRIVER INSIDE FRAME RAIL IS RUSTED AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT AS WELL, AND SLIGHTLY IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A SLIGHT PIT, AND DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR THAT PIT GOT BIGGER UNTIL THERE WAS A LARGE OPENING THAT YOU COULD FIT TWO HANDS INSIDE OF.

NHTSA complaint #11163727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Landenburg, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11141704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Wynantskill, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHWAY TOYOTA (727 NEW LOUDON RD, LATHAM, NY 12110, (888) 885-1583) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO COVER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ECHOED THE DEALER'S STATEMENT AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: 1809211044. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11130606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 192,000 miles Rochester, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME ON MY 2001 ROTTED VERY QUICKLY FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT IS THE SAME EXACT FRAME USED ON THE TACOMA (WHICH WAS RECALLED) AND ON THE 2002 4RUNNER, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. IF I DIDN'T GET THE NECESSARY FRAME REPAIRS IT EASILY COULD HAVE CRACKED IN HALF WHEN ON THE ROAD. THE MAIN AREAS OF ROT ARE LOCATED AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM (WHICH I HAD PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED), AND UP FRONT NEAR THE SUSPENSION AND AXLE. MY BROTHERS 1997 4RUNNER AXLE AND SUSPENSION COMPLETELY FELL APART WHEN HE WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HE WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMEONE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SOUTH FOUR YEARS AGO (2014) WITH A SPOTLESS ROCK HARD FRAME. FOUR YEARS LATER THE REAR CONTROL ARM AREAS MENTIONED ABOVE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! I LOVE MY 4RUNNER, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW THESE TRUCK FRAMES WEREN'T RECALLED ALONG WITH THE TACOMA FRAMES. IT IS THE SAME EXACT FRAME...

NHTSA complaint #11121576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shenandoah, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

WENT FOR INSPECTION FOR 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. FRAME IS RUSTED AND TOO BAD. MECHANIC SAID UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. WHAT A SHAME EVERYTHING RUNS GOOD. NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED JUST LIKE THE TACOMA'S AND SEQUOIAS.

NHTSA complaint #11115647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Scituate, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A MUFFLER REPLACEMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MUFFLER COULD NOT BE REPLACED AND A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER (MCGEE TOYOTA OF HANOVER, 860 WASHINGTON ST, HANOVER, MA 02339, (866) 942-1756) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FRAME WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11112217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 256,518 miles Woolwich, NJ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,518.

NHTSA complaint #11098010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300,000 miles Fairfax, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME OF VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE THROUGHOUT, TOLD BY STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR THAT IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED SLOWLY OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #11097628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Brooklyn, NY Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A CITY STREET IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ( FLATBUSH AVE) WHEN I SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE FOLLOWED BY FIRE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I DID NOT HIT ANY BUMP AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE ENTIRE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11066126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 231,220 miles Matteson, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAVING MY BRAKELINE ON THE FRONT LEFTSIDE REPAIRED, AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE; AND I WAS TOLD BY PHONE, MY FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS.

NHTSA complaint #11020669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Sardinia, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRAME FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE IT WAS PIECED BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. UPDATED 11/13/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME RUSTED. UPDATED 11/16/2017

NHTSA complaint #11011779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,522 miles Elizabeth, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11000295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mechanic Falls, ME

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE KEPT IT VERY CLEAN AND PROTECTED BUT STILL IS RUSTING.

NHTSA complaint #10967783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles Brokfield, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED SEVERE RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PIECES OF METAL FALLING OUT BY CHUNKS, INCLUDING THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA complaint #10966336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,063 miles Wauwatosa, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,063.

NHTSA complaint #10927638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Queens Village, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CHASIS RUSTS AND IS DAMAGED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT 18 INCHES.

NHTSA complaint #10925753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER problems

← Full 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER report