1997 Toyota 4RUNNER

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH) AND IT STARTED GETTING HARD TO HANDLE. IF YOU ACCELERATED IT WOULD TURN HARD TO THE RIGHT, IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT WOULD VEER BACK HARD TO THE LEFT. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED IT OUT AND THE FRAME MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED OFF. *TR

• 12/30/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT

  FAIL STATE CAR INSPECTION DUE TO ILLEGAL INSTALLATION OF HEADLIGHTS BY A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE. PREMIER SOUND WHO INSTALLED A $400.00 PLUS HEADLIGHTS ON MY 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THIS HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ON THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WOULD COST ME $900.00 PLUS . IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE WOULD REGULATE AND SAY YOU MUST TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT WHAT I'M INSTALLING IN YOUR VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL? THIS KIND OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD ON THE MONEY TO RIP YOU OFF BY NOT TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT LEGAL. PREMIER SOUND IS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AIN'T THAT SOMETHING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW. THE LAW MUST BE CHANGE TO MAKE THEM HONEST TO THE COMMUNITY THEY DO BUSINESS WITH. PLEASE HELP CONGRESSMAN OUT THERE AND BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZEN LIKE ME WHO LIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. SINCERELY, F.I. CANTADA *TR

• 12/27/2011· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH ON SEVERAL PLACES, BUT ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION IS THE WORST. THIS LOCATION IS THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN A SOLID STEEL BRACKET OF THE SAME SIZE, THICKNESS AND MATERIAL AS THE MAIN FRAME. THIS BRACKET HOLDS THE SWAY-TYPE BAR, WHICH ATTACHES BACK TO THE REAR AXLE. THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE MAIN FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME. THE JOINT IS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG. OVER ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE WELD JOINT, THE AREA IS RUSTED AWAY AND THERE IS A 3/8-INCH GAP BETWEEN PARTS. THE REMAINING 2 INCHES ARE HOLDING TEMPORARILY, BUT IT IS UNSAFE. THIS RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED FRAME HAS CAUSED THE 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER TO BE UNSAFE, UNDRIVEABLE AND UN-FIXABLE. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF THE FRAME JOINT RUSTS MORE AND COMPLETELY BREAKS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

• 12/26/2013· STRUCTURE

  DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CLOSE TO HOME WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SWAYING. PULLED OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY ON SIDE OF ROAD, NO TRAFFIC, TIL I GOT HOME. SHOP OWNER SAID FRAME BROKE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE, NOBODY EVER GAVE ME AN INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CRASHED IF GOING FASTER AND MORE TRAFFIC, I WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR

• 12/26/2002· SUSPENSION

  REAR SUSPENSION WAS RETROFITTED PER RECALL NOTICE WITH A NEW REAR SUSPENSION PARTS, THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS AND BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS SWAYING AND BOTTOMS OUT WHEN IT HAD NOT DONE SO BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING TO HAVE THE PARTS REMOVED AND THE ORIGINAL PARTS RE-INSTALLED, DEALER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO UNDERINFLATED TIRES AND WORN SHOCK ABSORBERS. NLM

• 12/24/2016· STRUCTURE

  I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS 1997 TOYOTA WHICH I'VE PLANNED TO KEEP FOR EVER. HOWEVER, THIS WEEKEND WHILE REPLACING A SHOCK ABSORBER I FOUND THAT THE FRAME, BY THE MUFFLER HAS RUSTED THROUGH, THE GASH IS APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES LONG. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS FAR BEYOND WHAT CAN BE CONSIDERED NORMAL RUST DUE TO AGING. THE DAMAGE LOOKS UNSAFE. I FOUND THE DAMAGE ON THE BELOW STATED DATE BUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE MUST TO HAVE TAKEN YEARS.

• 12/22/2004· POWER TRAINCrash

  MY REAR AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE SHOES. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT TWICE. ONCE IN THE WINTER OF 2002 AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING OF 2003. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY BRAKES FAILED AND I REAR ENDED SOMEBODY. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE SATURATED WITH AXLE GREASE. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT A DEALER. THEY THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS REPLACING THE AXLE IN ORDER TO STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. *JB

• 12/21/2004· STRUCTURE

  WHEN THE CONSUMER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT, IT COLLAPSED FROM THE BOTTOM, AND THE MAIN BOLT SHEARED OFF. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK THE WELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE METAL WAS VERY THIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

• 12/17/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN RED LIGHT & WAS HIT BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. *AK *SLC

• 12/10/2018· SEATS

  THE BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT SEATS TO THE CAR RUST OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY BREAK

• 12/10/2017· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CONTROL ARMS FELL OFF THE CAR. FRAME BUSTED IN HALF.

• 12/10/2010· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CRUMBLE. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNREPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

• 12/10/1999· PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN

  THE SEALS ON THE REAR AXLE BLEW OUT, SATURATING THE REAR BRAKES WITH DIFFERENTIAL, RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD EITHER. *AK

• 12/09/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES ARE NOT EFFECTIVE, AND CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, REAR AXLE SEALS LEAK FLUID. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS MADE FOUR DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/07/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I OWN A 1997 4RUNNER. DURING MY DRIVING THE VEHICLE FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CHASSIS LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT APART AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS PURELY AN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FAILURES.HENCE, THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERSHIPS, THEY SAID TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL COST ME $8,100.00. HENCE, I FEEL THAT, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT BRAND OF CARS COMPANIES, THEREWITH, WHEREBY, THEY ARE STILL ON SOME PART OF THE WORLD, ARE STILL DRIVABLE AND USEFUL. HOWEVER, FOR THE KIND OF MONEY SPENT ON THE PURCHASE, THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE IS THAT OLD THEY ARE LIABLE FOR A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/06/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN THE VENT ON THE BACK OF THE HOOD AT WINDSHIELD KEEPS MY CARPET SOAKED HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED? ALSO MY HOOD LATCH IS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH MY HOOD GOES UP 2 INCHES WHEN IM AT TOP SPEEDS (55 OR 65). *JB

• 12/06/2002· SUSPENSION

  WE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR OUR 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT A WEEK BEFORE 11/25/02 AS THE NOTICE REQUESTED. WE WERE INFORMED THAT GIVING PROPER NOTICE WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PROPER PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF SERVICE. WE WORKED OUR WHOLE DAY AROUND THIS APPOINTMENT AND BROUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE SO THAT WE COULD DROP THE 4RUNNER OFF. WE LIVE 30 MINUTES FROM THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ESCONDIDO. WHEN WE ARRIVED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO RESCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER DAY. WE WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY UPSET AND LEFT WITHOUT GETTING THE SAFETY WORK DONE.THIS IS AN INEXCUSABLE SITUATION. WE SPECIFICALLY FOLLOWED ALL INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOTICE AND MADE THE APPOINTMENT A WEEK BEFORE ACTUALLY BRINGING IN THE 4RUNNER. THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE AVAILABLE, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR THAT DAY. AND, AT LEAST, SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE CALLED US BEFORE WE CAME IN TO TELL US THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.THIS WOULD BE INEXCUSABLE IF THIS WAS A ROUTINE TUNE-UP. WE WOULD SIMPLY GO ELSEWHERE. BUT, THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL, AND THIS IS CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. THE PERSON WE SPOKE TO AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS FRIENDLY, BUT HE TRIED TO JUSTIFY AND RATIONALIZE THE SITUATION, STATING THAT THEY CAN NEVER BE SURE OF EVERYTHING THEY NEED UNTIL WE ACTUALLY BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS MADE NO SENSE. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN ASKED OVER THE PHONE WHEN THE APPT. WAS MADE. THERE WAS AN IMPLICATION THAT OUR PARTS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO A WALK-IN CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME SAFETY RECALL NEEDS.WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR 4RUNNER FIXED, SINCE OUR SCHEDULES ARE VERY DIFFICULT, AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A DAY WHERE WE CAN MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.THE RECALL NUMBER IS SSC 20A - 1996-1998 REAR SUSPENSION SAFETY RECALL.MY WIFE HAS BEEN CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS 4RUNNER TO GET TO WORK, AND THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO.

• 12/05/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ANTI RATTLE SPRING BROKE, CAUSING NOISE.

• 12/02/1999· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  LOSS OF AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF CARE IN VERIFYING SUFFICIENT FLUID SUPPLIED AT POINT OF SALE. OWNER POINTS OUT THAT FILLER NECK VERY SMALL AND NEXT TO IMPOSIBLE TO RE-INSERT DIPSTICK, MAKING RE-FILLING A SEVERE CHORE AND ENCOURAGING WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID CHECKING THAT SUFFICIENT FLUID HAS NBEEN PROVIDED.

• 11/29/2017· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES FOR FRAME RUST, BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *TT *TR

• 11/27/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  VEHICLE DISPLAYS CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE DELIVERY DATE. TAKEN BACK TO SELLING DEALER IN MIAMI AND HENDRICKSON TOYOTA IN POMPANO, FLORIDA, NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO REPAIRS MADE. FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE HARD BRAKE PEDAL, THEN SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON SUBSE

• 11/23/1999· STRUCTURE

  AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS SHUT AND AFTER LOCKING THE POWER LOCKS, THEY WILL BECOME UNLOCKED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 11/22/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I ENTERED MY VIN AND THERE HAPPENED TO BE AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE

• 11/22/2016· STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT OF THE TRAILING ARM SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE DISINTEGRATED FRAME CAUSING THE AXLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND BECAME WILDLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

• 11/22/2005· STRUCTURE

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BUMPER RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE RUST WAS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/21/2014· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM. MY SHOP TELLS ME THE FRAME IS TOO RUSTED TO REPAIR IT. *TR

• 11/20/2017· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SWAY BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

• 11/19/2012· SUSPENSION

  REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE CAUSING NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO BOUNCE/SWAY OF REAR END. *TR

• 11/18/2012· STRUCTURE

  FRAME ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY CRACKED. THERE IS NUMEROUS HOLES AND RUST PERFORATION ON THE FRAME. LOCAL DEALER DEEMED VEHICLE UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER FRAMES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF 4RUNNER OWNERS LIKE THEY DID WITH TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER EVERY DAY THAT I DROVE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS TOTALLY USELESS. *TR

• 11/18/2006· SUSPENSION

  WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 97 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4WD THAT APPEARED TO HAVE A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND WAS ISSUED A CASE NUMBER- INCIDENT: 061011-000352. OUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 133,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY OFF ROAD CONDITIONS. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BACK STREETS AT LESS THAN 30 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED AND TUCKED UP UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. ONLY THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS ATTACHED. THESE JOINTS ARE A NON SERVICEABLE PART AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FAILURE OR PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. I CAN'T IMAGINE UNDER ANY NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THIS COULD BE OR SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS DESIGN IS EITHER FAULTY BY DESIGN OR AN IMPROPER INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY. AFTER EVENTUALLY RECEIVING THE DAMAGED PARTS, I EXAMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT CLOSELY AND IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THE LUBRICATION IN THE JOINT BECAME HARD AND CLUMPY. I COULD HARDLY MOVE THE JOINT IN ANY RANGE OF MOTION. I WOULD FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT, CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING UPPER JOINT SEPARATION. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATING I HAVE FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGNS ON LOWER BALL JOINTS ON CERTAIN YEARS AND MODELS. HOWEVER THIS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SPANS FROM 4RUNNERS, TUNDRAS, TACOMAS, AND SEQUOIAS, FROM '95 TO '04. AT CONCORD TOYOTA (WERE MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (CA)), I BECAME SUSPICIOUS WITH A FEW INCIDENCES I EXPERIENCED OF A COVERUP OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WHICH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DETAIL IF REQUESTED. I AM AWARE OF TOYOTA??S Q.C. PROBLEMS LIKELY BECAUSE OF THEIR QUEST TO TAKE THE TOP SPOT IN MANUFACTURING AND THEIR SHARED PARTS IN DIFFERENT MODELS. TOYOTAS RESPONSE TO OUR SPECIFIC PROBLEM WAS THAT OUR WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. MINE IS THAT THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND WARRANTY. IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND IS A POTENTIALLY HUGE LIABILITY FOR THEM. I SHARE AN OTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE OLD DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT NOW. *JB

• 11/18/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTS, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE . ALSO WHEN TRAVELING DOWN AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/15/2016· STRUCTURE

  GOING DOWN ROAD AT 50MPH CAR LET LOOSE VERY HARD TO HANDLE PULLED ME INTO BURM OF ROAD SWAYING BACK AND FOURTH. HAD CAR TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FRAME BROKE LOOSE TOTALLY ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT LOOKS LIKE COOKIE CRUMBLES. FRAME HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS IS 22ND 4RUNNER OWNED WITH SAME PROBLEM THIS TIME ALMOST SEVERE ACCIDENT. CONTACTING A LAWYER AS THIS ISSUE IS BEING NEGLECTED RESEARCH DONE AND THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 4RUNNERS AND A VERY GOOD CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.

• 11/15/1999· EQUIPMENT

  DRIVER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE WITH FACTORY JACK WHICH DID NOT GO HIGH ENOUGH. ALSO, IT BENT AND BROKE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ,LANDING AND DAMAGING ROTOR AND AXLE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

• 11/14/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH , WENT TO SLOW DOWN, APPLIED BRAKES ,VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING. HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FRONT END, PUSH PEDAL TO FLOOR. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/12/2018· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTING ALONG THE REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM MOUNT (THE PIECE WELDED TO THE FRAME THAT YOU CAN SEE WHEN CROUCHED DOWN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR DOORS). THIS SEPARATES AND CAUSES THE REAR AXLE TO FLOAT AROUND WHICH MAY CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SEPARATE COMPLETELY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY WERE BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

• 11/11/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

• 11/09/2003· INTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERIOR LIGHTING USED TO ILLUMINATE AIR CONTROL PANEL ONLY WORKS SOME OF THE TIME. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW OWNS A 1996 4-RUNNER AND HIS AIR CONTROL LIGHTING IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE.*AK

• 11/09/1998· SEAT BELTS

  THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE 1997 4RUNNER ARE TOO SHORT. THE ALR ENGAGES ONCE THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED. ONCE THE ALR IS ENGAGED THE SEAT BELT WILL ONLY RETRACT AND NO LONGER PERMIT FORWARD TRAVEL. THE BELT MUST BE REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED BEFORE THE ALR DISENGAGED. REAR OCCUPANTS MUST NOW BELT AND UNBELT SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP. I FEEL THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANAGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HE DISPLAYED THAT THE 1998 MODELS ALSO HAVE VERY SHORT REAR BELTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT ALSO HAS ALR, BUT IT HAS TWICE AS MUCH SEATBELT LENGTH BEFORE THE ALR ENGAGES.

• 11/07/2018· SUSPENSION

  THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME.

• 11/04/2015· STRUCTURE

  PURCHASED WITH 165,000 MILES. ALMOST NEW FOR A MODERN VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT, THE REAR END WAS READY TO COLLAPSE, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND NOTIFIED THE SAME THING. TOYOTA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. RUSTING OUT AT 165K IS UNHEARD OF FOR A MODERN VEHICLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO SELL IT TO THE JUNKYARD. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY I DON'T HAVE.

• 11/04/2013· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 11/03/1999· WHEELS

  MY TOYOTA VIBRATES AS THOUGH IT HAS A WHEEL BALANCE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S DRIVEN BETWEEN 58 AND 65 MPH. MULTIPLE "REBALANCES" AND 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES HAVE NOT FIXED IT. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS OF "DRIVELINE RUNOUT" CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND I'VE HAD TIRES BALANCED MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW.

• 10/30/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 60 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION DIRECTLY HITTING A TREE IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 10/29/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NO SUMMARY

• 10/28/2015· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,909. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/22/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT ENOUGH RUST PROTECTION WAS APPLIED BY TOYOTA. WE RARELY GET SNOW AND STILL THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA DID NOT MAKE A DRAIN HOLE SO THAT THE WATER IN THE FRAME WOULD EVAPORATE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH OTHERWISE LAST A LONG TIME. A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE 4RUNENRS WITH EXCELLENT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BUT WITH RUSTED FRAMES. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN ON UNSUSPECTING OWNERS.

• 10/22/2002· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPERATED (NOT ORIGINAL TIRES ON A 97 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 225/75R15 AWHHJH410600). TS *YH

• 10/21/2004· SUSPENSION

  THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 02V021000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB

• 10/20/2003· SUSPENSION,AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN UNDER RAINY ROAD CONDITIONS REAR END BEGAN TO SLIDE OUT OF CONTROL. AS A RESULT, DRIVER DID A 180 DEGREE SPIN, AND STOPPED HEAD ON IN A DITCH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

• 10/20/2000· TIRES

  FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P225 75 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC