2001 Toyota 4RUNNER

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

• 12/31/2019· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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.

• 12/31/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE ABOUT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO.

• 12/31/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I INITIALLY CONTACTED MAGIC AUTO CENTER AND WAS DEALING WITH [XXX] REGARDING A 2001 TOYOTA LAND ROVER THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN. [XXX] TOLD ME HE COULD GIVE ME $1000 FOR MY TRADE AND USE THAT FOR MY DOWN PAYMENT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY THE 29TH, I SPOKE WITH [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE I WAS INTERESTED IN HAD BEEN SOLD BUT THEY HAD A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER PRICED SIMILARLY. AT THAT POINT, I SUBMITTED ALL OF MY CREDIT INFORMATION BY E-MAIL TO [XXX] ADDRESS ABOVE. ANTHONY CONTACTED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THE OWNER WANTED $1000 CASH AND WOULD GIVE ME $500 FOR MY TRADE. I AGREED TO THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD CAUSE ME A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BECAUSE I NEEDED A MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE THAN WHAT I HAD. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP A BIT BEFORE 8PM ON THE 29TH AND ADVISED THEM THAT I WAS IN A HURRY AS I NEEDED TO PICK MY DAUGHTER UP BY 9PM. WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS THEN ASKED TO PROVIDE $750 CASH, $250 ON 11/2/2010 AND AN ADDITIONAL $500 ON 11/18/2010, PLUS MY TRADE. I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THAT EVERYTHING BE IN ORDER BEFORE MY ARRIVAL SINCE THEY ARE LOCATED FAR FROM MY RESIDENCE. I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND UNTIL ALMOST 8:30 PM. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR (MY FAULT) BECAUSE I WAS SO RUSHED, BUT WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION BY BOTH [XXX] AND[XXX]. I SIGNED THE PAPERWORK, PROVIDED THEM WITH A CHECK FOR $500 DATED 11/18/2010 AND AGREED THAT I WOULD BRING $250 ON 11/2/2010. I TRANSFERRED MY BELONGINGS FROM MY TRADE TO THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WITH MY SON\S HELP, TOOK THE 4RUNNER, MY SON, AND OUR DOGS AND HEADED FOR THE FREEWAY. WE GOT ON THE 170 SOUTH, TO THE 101 SOUTH, AND THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON...WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ALREADY AFTER 9 AT THIS POINT. WE GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND INADVERTENTLY GOT ON THE 10 FREEWAY WEST, AT THAT POINT A LOUD POP CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A HUGE PUFF OF STEAM, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/30/2004· POWER TRAIN

  1. NO GIVEN INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. . TRASNMITION FAILURE. REQUIREMENT OF A COMPLETE NEW TRANSMITION.. REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMITION.*AK

• 12/29/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  VERY STRONG VIBRATION/SHAKING FELT WHEN BRAKING HARD OR DOWNHILL. ROTORS AND BRAKES ARE GOOD. *NM

• 12/28/2012· STRUCTURE

  MY 2001 4RUNNER VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION, ACTUAL HOLES AND SOFT SPOT, ON THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME IN THE MUFFLER AREA. CONCERNED WITH FAILURE WHEN TOWING 300 LBS TRAILER. NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, 112K MILES AND BOUGHT NEW 11 YEARS OLD. ONLY DETECTING THE PROBLEM NOW. SHOULD NOT BE NEEDING TO REPLACE FRAME. COST ESTIMATE $10K, SHOPPING AROUND FOR BETTER PRICING. COST TO REPAIR 40% OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OR TWICE WHAT THE VEHICLE BOOKS TODAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN DISCLOSE # OF COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. THEIR ONLY COMMENTS IS THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. FINDING NUMEROUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

• 12/27/2018· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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.

• 12/22/2000· TIRES

  TIRE IS LOW-PROFILE DESIGN STANDARD ON PRIUS. EXPLOSIVE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON DRY ROADWAY WITHOUT DEBRIS. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78 DEGREES. THANK GOODNESS THAT THE TIRE WAS ON THE REAR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO INITIATE A CONTROLLED STOP FROM THE NUMBER ONE LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER-PANEL, THE ALLOY RIM AND OF COURSE THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AT 800-847-3272 AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A CLAIM PACKAGE WITHIN 5 DAYS. THERE IS NO REFERENCE NUMBER ASSIGNED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS. SERIAL NUMBER FOR ALL 4 TIRES IS: CHA3700. IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS LOT OF TIRES IS ON ALL OF THE PRIUS VEHICLES SITTING AT THE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA STORAGE FACILITY. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: EL9P TIRESIZE: P17565 R14)

• 12/21/2015· STRUCTURE

  MY 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WAS UP ON THE LIFT FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE. A SERVICE TECH BROUGHT ME TO THE SERVICE BAY AND INFORMED ME OF A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST FAILURE OF THE FRAME. NOT SURFACE RUST, BUT RUST THAT IS CAUSING THE FRAME TO SEPARATE CAUSING VISIBLE CRACKS TO APPEAR. HE ADVISED ME OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER. HE ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE ON TUNDRA'S, TACOMA'S AND SEQUOIA'S BUT OFFERS NO RELIEF FOR 4RUNNER OWNERS. THE VEHICLE HAS 137,000 MILES ON IT. MY GUESS WAS THAT I HAD ANOTHER 20-30,000 MORE TO GO AS IT DOESN'T TRAVEL MANY MILES ON A DAILY BASIS. SEEMS HARD TO REASON THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD REPLACEMENT PLANS IN PLACE FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER.

• 12/20/2014· POWER TRAIN

  ON THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, THE BACK COVER AREA (NON REPLACEABLE) HAS BECOME SO POROUS BECAUSE OF HEAVY RUST SCALING AND FLAKING THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID SEEPS FROM IT. THE REST OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS MADE OF THICKER, HEAVIER GAUGE METAL AND SEEMS OK. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE THE GEAR OIL TO DROP BELOW THE REQUIRED LEVEL CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE OR LOCK UP AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DISASTROUS. WHEN I REALIZED I HAD THIS PROBLEM, I SEARCHED THE TOYOTA FORUMS ONLINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND TOYOTA IS AWARE BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WILL REPLACE ENTIRE RUSTED OUT FRAMES ON TRUCKS UNDER RECALL, BUT REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THEY WANT $3000 TO REPLACE A KNOWN INFERIOR/DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO MAKESHIFT REPAIRS USING BRUSH ON BED LINER TO STEM THE LEAKING AND CHECK THE FLUID TO KEEP IT FULL. BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED OR WHO ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE?

• 12/19/2011· STRUCTURE

  THE 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT. MY SON AND I BOTH HAVE CUT OUR SELF ON THE REAR BUMPER. I NEEDED STITCHES FOR MY INJURY. I HAVE A SCAR TO REMIND ME NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. THE RUST GOT SO BAD, I LOST MY BUMPER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AT THE FRAME, THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IS RIDDLED W/RUST, INCLUDING THE FRAME. CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF I COULD AT LEAST GET A SAFETY INSPECTION OF MY FRAME, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 01 4RUNNER WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL AND ANY INSPECTION WOULD COST ME MONEY. *TR

• 12/18/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR WAS THE ROOT OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED A $5,000 REBUILT MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

• 12/16/2009· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED,WENT AIR BORN, AND LANDED DOWN A RAVINE. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS TRAPPED BY THE FLOOR MAT. SHE RECEIVED POLICE REPORT NUMBER 097267. SHE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

• 12/15/2021· STRUCTURE

  Frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems

• 12/15/2009· STRUCTURE

  HELLO, I OWN A 2001 4RUNNER AND THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE RUSTING HORRIBLY WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ACTUALLY HAVING AN HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE BEEN PATCHING WITH FIBERGLASS BUT THE RUST CONTINUES. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND EVERY 2001 4RUNNER THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE RUST AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE FUNCTION OF THE BUMPERS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. ALSO, I CANNOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER WITH HOLES IN THE BUMPERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THEM IS WELL OVER $1,300. FROM A VISUAL INSPECTION, LARGE CHUNKS WILL CONTINUE TO RUST OFF THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPERS DURING THE NEXT 6 MONTHS. *TR

• 12/13/2020· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

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

• 12/13/2011· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER RUSTED SO BADLY IN 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS (THE HOUSING) CRACKED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE ROAD. I DISCOVERED THE RUST DURING THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION AND CONSEQUENTLY HAD THE DIFFERENTIAL INSPECTED BY MY TOYOTA DEALER (BERLIN CITY PORTLAND, ME) A FEW MONTHS BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS STRUCTURALLY SOUND BUT RUSTY. I AM AN ENGINEER AND CLEARLY IT WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN SHORT ORDER AS IT DID.... THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THIS RUST PROBLEM IS COMMON ON MOST TOYOTA TRUCK FRAMES AND DRIVE TRAINS OWNED IN THE NORTH EAST. TOYOTA HAS ELECTED TO REPAIR THE TRUCKS AT NO COST BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME AND DIFFERENTIALS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS [XXX]... THEY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT GRAVE RISK.... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/29/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I DRIVE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THEN 10% ON CITY STREET. I WAS TOLD BY GREENVILLE TOYOTA THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED $1,070.00.00. I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2WD, SR5. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE DON'T DIE THIS SOON. IS THERE A RECALL? *JB

• 11/26/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NOT REALLY A COMPLAINT, BUT YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE 4RUNNER LISTED AS A MODEL FOR TOYOTA. JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW... *LA

• 11/25/2009· TIRES

  3 YEARS AGO I PURCHASED 225/75 R15 FROM LES SCHWAB TIRES . THE TIRES ARE ROTTING AND CRACKING IN THE SIDEWALL. HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. I DRIVE THE CAR EVERYDAY AND CANNOT SEE A REASON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. THEY ARE HANKOOK TIRES. *TR

• 11/23/2016· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 11/20/2014· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,507.

• 11/19/2019· STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  ENTERED HIGHWAY FROM ON RAMP AS PICKED UP SPEED STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND BEGAN TO LOOSE CONTROL OF SUV. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO SHOP TO FIND EXCESSIVE RUST ON BACK FRAME N SHOCK CAUSING WHEEL TO 'BASICALLY BE FREE FLOATING AND UNATTACHED' THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN SHOP AT MOMENT AND I CAN GET PICTURES AND A STATEMENT UPON REQUEST

• 11/17/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  AFTER I MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $1500.00, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK (JERK VIOLENTLY) AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO 30, 35 OR 40 MPH. THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3 OF 4K BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS ENGAGES FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NOW 3 MONTHS. *TR

• 11/14/2016· STRUCTURE

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

• 11/11/2016· SUSPENSION

  BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REAR END REPAIR AND HAD 2 REPUTABLE MECHANICS REFUSE TO REPAIR THE TRUCK BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT IT WOULD BE A HAZARD TO EVEN DRIVE THE TRUCK IRREGARDLESS OF ANY REPAIR THAT THEY COULD PERFORM

• 11/11/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  ON ROUTINE CHECK AND INSPECTION, TOYOTA ARLINGTON AND TOYOTA SCHAUMBURG CALLED MY ATTENTION REGARDING A PREMATURE RUSTING ON THE UNDERBODY FRAME AND RESULTED IN A LINEAR HOLE BY THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISORS OF BOTH TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS MAY MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND MAY RESULT TO UNCONTROLLED STABILITY DURING DRIVING. *TR

• 11/08/2005· STRUCTURE

  REAR BUMPER RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. DEALER SAYS THE RESULT OF POOR WELDS ON THE BUMPER BRACKETS. VEHICLE HAS 5 YEAR RUST THROUGH WARRANTY THAT DEALER AND COMPANY WILL NOT HONOR ON THE BUMPER, ONLY ON SHEET METAL. *NM

• 11/03/2014· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING CORRODED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 11/03/2005· POWER TRAIN

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE WITHIN THREE YEARS. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 11/02/2014· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

  ON OCTOBER 11TH 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 4RUNNER, ON MY WAY TO WORK. HAD JUST TURNED OFF A ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55. AS I HIT 35MPH, MY CAR COMES TO A JOLTING STOP WITH A LOUD BANG AND DRAG ON THE TIRES. THE CAR STILL RAN, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO FINISH WALKING TO MY JOB, AS I WAS CELLPHONE-LESS AT THE TIME. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME, MISSING AN ENTIRE DAY'S WORK, WHICH WAS A LOSS OF 120$. THE GUY WHO TOWED ME TOLD ME IT WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY REAR END. SO I HAD A FAMILY FRIEND WHO IS A RETIRED MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER TO SEE IF HE COULD SPOT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. FIRST THING NOTICED WAS MY EMERGENCY BREAK WAS ON AND FROZEN. THEY REMOVE IT, CLEAN IT, PUT IT BACK ON. I START THE CAR, GO TO MOVE IT AND THERES A CONTINUOUS LOUD BANG AND THE CAR AGAIN COMES TO THE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BREAK FROZE AGAIN. THEY ONCE AGAIN TAKE IT OFF, AND SO FAR IT HASN'T REFROZE. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS STILL MAKING THE LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END, WHICH THEY HAVE CONCLUDED IS COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. WHICH THEY FOUND A DECENT SIZED HOLE IN, WHICH IT APPEARS SOMEONE TRIED TO COVER WITH A YELLOW GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, AND AM NOW CARLESS. AS I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT CAN COST UP TO $3,000 TO FIX. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 35 MPH WHEN IT BROKE, AND THERE WAS NO ONE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME, OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN RE ENDED, AND HAD MORE TO FIX THAT I ALREADY DO. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL CAR, AND TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT!!! IT'S FAIRLY DANGEROUS. I LOVED THIS CAR BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. BUT NOW IT'S USELESS TIL I CAN AFFORD THIS FIX. *TR

• 10/27/2014· STRUCTURE

  THE BODY OF MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. RECENTLY, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH DRIVING THE 4RUNNER IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME. *TR

• 10/27/2013· STRUCTURE

  BROUGHT VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER FOR REMOVAL OF SEIZED HARDWARE. TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT RUST SPOT ON FRAME, ROT HAS SPREAD TO WHEEL WELL ON BOTH SIDES OF FRAME AND HAS CONTINUED DOWN TO TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER. TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT ROT HAS EATEN THROUGH FRAME ON BOTH SIDES AT REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET. SPOKE WITH OTHER EARLY 2000'S 4RUNNER OWNERS WHO ALL HAVE ROT IN SAME PLACES. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES HAVE BEEN USED ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. FRAME HAS NO DRAINAGE HOLES FORWARD OF RUST HOLES IN WHEEL WELLS. CONCERNED FOR OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS WHO ARE UNAWARE OF RUST SPOTS BY CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. FURTHER RUST ON FRAME IN SAME SPOT ON OTHER VEHICLES COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF BRACKET, CONTROL ARM AND REAR AXLE FROM FRAME. *TR

• 10/27/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4WD WHILE SPEED 30 TO 40 MPH DRIVING IN A SLOW RIGHT BANK ( NOT A CURVE) HEAR LOW BEEP NOISE SKID LITE ICON COMES ON AND AS IF TRUCK TOOK OVER I LOST STEERING , BRAKES AND POWER . BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON THEIR OWN AND THE TRUCK PROCEDED ACROSS YELLOW LINE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!! TOYOTA PULL CODES NOTHING SAID I MUST HAD PUT TRUCK IN A SKID . NO I DIDNOT PUT TRUCK INTO SKID. HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME WIFE FOLLOWING ME AND SHE WITNESS IT ALSO . SHE SAID IT WAS AS IF I WAS STEERING IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

• 10/24/2016· STRUCTURE

  FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME RAILS IN MULTIPLE AREAS. ISSUE WAS NOT DISCLOSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 01/13/2015, YET I FOUND A REPAIR ORDER FROM 09/24/2014 THAT STATED THERE WERE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. DEALER IS CURRENTLY INSPECTING THE EXTENT OF THE FRAME DAMAGE AND WILL RECOMMEND A RESOLUTION. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS, BUT CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE THEM HANDY.

• 10/22/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED, VEHICLE BEGINS MOVING, ALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS TURN ON, CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION (WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC). THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND MAY HAVE LEAD TO AT LEAST ONE FENDER BENDER WHERE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE FOLLOWING CAR THOUGHT THAT MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AFTER STALLING, ALL 3 CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT STAY ON. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING ENGINE, CAR ACCELERATES ON RUNS NORMALLY UNTIL NEXT STALLING EVENT. SINCE JANUARY 2010, I HAVE BEEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4 TIMES. I HAVE HAD 2 GAS CAPS REPLACED, OXYGEN METER REPLACE, BREAK/ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECKED, CHARCOAL CANISTER REPLACED, NEW BATTERY, AND SEVERAL OIL CHANGES. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND THEY SAID THEY WILL CHANGE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. *TR

• 10/21/2018· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

• 10/14/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BECAME DISABLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RECONFIGURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 10/09/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Rusted Frame Cracked by back driver side tire

• 10/07/2003· TIRES

  ALL FOUR VEHICLE TIRES ARE FEATHERING(IMPROPER WEAR). THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT/LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FEATHERING WAS UNDETERMINED. DUELER H/T689.*AK

• 10/05/2016· STRUCTURE

  FRAME RUSTING OUT. EXTERIOR OF TRUCK HAS NO RUST 170K MILES ON 4RUNNER

• 10/03/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TOYOTA 2001 4-RUNNER, THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF UNDERBODY,FRAME,DRIVE TRAIN RUST SPECIFICALLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE PROBLEM FIRST ENCOUNTERED WAS THE RR. DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH AND IS LEAKING OIL FROM IT.SO I CALLED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND SPOKE WITH AN EXECUTIVE ANALYST, I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS , SHE ARRANGED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND INSPECTED BY THEIR MECHANICS AND THE REPORT READS AS FOLLOWS. INSPECTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL , INSPECTED HOUSING -FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM HOUSING AT YOKE THROUGH REAR COVER ;METAL POROUS AND THIN. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE REPAIR ESTIMATE $1491.28 PLUS TAX. THEY ALSO NOTED SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES THAT I CANNOT BE SURE IF IT WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST OR NORMAL WEAR. THEN UNDER MISCELLANEOUS A GENERAL INSPECTION, BY TECHNICIAN READS AS FOLLOWS VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS HEAVY CORROSION - - FOUND PERFORATION AT FRONT SHACKLE ON RIGHT REAR OF FRAME. SECOND PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION REPORT UNDER THE COMMENTS SECTION THE TECHNICIAN, HAND WRITTEN SAID FRAME IS BAD,RUST PERFORATION (SLOPPY WRITING ) I BELIEVE IT SAID, RIGHT REAR RAIL . SO AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ANALYST READ THE REPORT SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING TOYOTA CAN DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I RESEARCHED ON LINE FOR EXCESSIVE RUST AND RR. DIFF. LEAKING, AND FOUND MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS DEVELOPING. THANK YOU *TR

• 10/01/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO FRAME AND RELATED CHASSIS COMPONENTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN 2001 AND SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE ALL THESE YEARS AND NEVER MENTIONED FRAME RUST,UNTIL WE HAD IT SERVICED AT A LOCAL MUFFLER REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE TRUCK IS OFF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR US, THIS IS WHY WE ARE CONTACTING NHTSA ,TO INFORM THE AGENCY OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE CASE CURRENTLY WITH THE TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND THE TUNDRA TUCKS MANUFACTURED BY TOYOTA

• 10/01/2012· STRUCTURE

  SEVERELY RUSTY FRAME. MY 4RUNNER ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 114K MILES ON IT. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME. IT'S EVERYWHERE AND FLAKES OFF TO THE TOUCH. *TR

• 09/29/2011· POWER TRAIN

  REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH. THE HOUSING COVER IS A THINNER METAL THAN THE DIFFERNTIAL AXLE AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. OIL LEAKS OUT THROUGH THE RUSTED COVER UNTIL OIL IS DEPLETED AND COULD CAUSE DRIVETRAIN FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL ON A VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BODY RUST, YET THIS PART FAILS DUE TO RUST! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND MANY MORE ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. TOYOTA LOSES MUCH RESPECT IF THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TT

• 09/28/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT OF PERFORATION. I DISCOVERED TODAY TWO HOLES, ONE ON EACH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, INNER FRAME RAILS JUST BEHIND THE REAR CROSSMEMBER. MY CONCERN IS IT MAY BE ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IS THE MANUFACTURER GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE FRAMES AS THEY HAVE DONE ON TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS? THIS CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE AND I HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT FOR MUCH LONGER DUE TO ITS HANDLING AND SAFETY. *TR

• 09/26/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER STATES ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. WHEN CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING A COLLISION. CONSUMER ADVISED ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT FUNCTION. *AK *YH

• 09/25/2013· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. UPDATED 12/20/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS ON THE SAME FRAME AS OTHER RECALLED TOYOTA VEHICLES. UPDATED 12/26/13

• 09/22/2009· POWER TRAIN

  MY 4RUNNER'S REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS PINHOLE LEAKS DUE TO RUST. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF INCLUDING CHASSIS WASHES AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK IN THE WINTER. *TR

• 09/21/2018· STRUCTURE

  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.