2006 Toyota 4RUNNER

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

• 12/28/2023· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after a State Inspection, the vehicle was declared unsafe to drive on the State roadways due to severe corrosion. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe needed to be replaced due to extensive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

• 12/28/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  This morning my 4Runner rear window exploded inward all over my car while I was idling in a parking lot just after having driven on the highway. I had the defrost on. I lept out of car terrified covering my head thinking I was under attack. Nobody was near me and no projectile was found inside car. I was confused all morning Until I googled exploding forerunner window and saw that they had an extended warranty that has expired in 2018. Should absolutely be a safety recall, I can only imagine what would’ve happened if that had exploded while I was driving on the highway, or with my 2 yr old son who’s car seat is now covered in broken glass. A quick search online revealed several testimonies of it exploding while driving 2006 4runner. I contacted Toyota and have a case number with them it is case number 211228002935. They said that because the warranty was expired they can’t do anything, I don’t even care about getting reimbursement for window as much as I care about them addressing this as a real safety issue and recalling it. Although I’m am shell shocked and have anxiety condition and heart Condition already, I am more worried about this happening to somebody while driving or if somebody has a more dire heart condition or severe PTSD.

• 12/28/2018· STRUCTURE

  STRUCTURAL - FRAME RUST. TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE 4RUNNER DUE TO FRAME RUST EXPERIENCED ON THE TACOMA. ATTACHED ARE PICTURES OF UNDERBODY. THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND I AM LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA WHERE LAWS ARE STRICT.

• 12/28/2018· STRUCTURE

  ST LAST YEAR, TOYOTA SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA TRUCKS ALSO BUILT ON A FRAME1 ' TOYOTA AGREED TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRAMES AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3.4 BILLION. THIS CONFIRMS FRAME CORROSION IS A PROBLEM WELL-KNOWN TO TOYOTA AND THE PUBLIC.

• 12/22/2010· TIRES

  2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING, HE HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND COME FROM THE VEHICLE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. LATER, A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD ALERTING THE CONSUMER OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE. SOON AFTER, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER BRIDGESTONE'S WARRANTY. *JB

• 12/20/2017· STRUCTURE

  DURING RECENT MAINTENANCE OF MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 115K MILES, A MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER IN FRONT WHICH ATTACHES TO THE CONTROL ARMS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO ASSESS CONDITION OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THE FRAME WAS IRREPARABLE AND WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECENT TOYOTA FRAME RECALL FOR TACOMAS, TUNDRAS, AND SEQUOIAS. THE PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE FRAME POSES SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO DRIVERS AND COULD RESULT IN DANGEROUS FAILURES.

• 12/17/2019· STRUCTURE

  THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 01/26/2017 AND WAS DRIVEN IN UPSTATE NEW YORK UNTIL 1/1/2018 WHEN I RELOCATED TO MY CURRENT ADDRESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR MY NEW CAREER. THE FRAME OF MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS SEVERELY RUSTING CAUSING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE TO BE COMPROMISED AND CAUSING DANGEROUS DAMAGE TO STEERING, BRAKE, SUSPENSION, FUEL COMPONENTS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE ON THEIR MOUNTING POINTS AND THROUGHOUT THEIR SYSTEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN START AND STOP TRAFFIC RETURNING TO HOME WHEN LEAVING A STOP LIGHT A LOUD THUD SOUND CAME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER CORNER OF THE VEHICLE, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOBILE UNDER SPEEDS OF 30 MPH THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE "FISHTAILING" HOWEVER SPEEDS OVER 30MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOWLY "FISHTAIL" AND WOULD AGGRESSIVELY GET WORSE UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS HOME AND PARKED I DISCOVERED THE MOUNTING PORTION OF THE VEHICLE REAR TRAILING ARM HAD RUSTED AND BECAME UNATTACHED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF THE RUST DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TRAILING ARM AND FRAME.

• 12/16/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The component that failed is the frame of the car. The frame is disintegrated in some places, rusted through in others, and in general rusted all over. I went for an oil change and discovered that the pan holding the gas tank had rusted through and the gas tank was about to fall out of the car. I was told that had this occurred while I was driving the car could have started on fire. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by a Toyota dealer and an independent service center on several occasions. No warning lamps or messages.

• 12/15/2021· STRUCTURE

  I own a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport and have major rust issue with the frame of vehicle. Toyota is aware of this issue and I believe it is a safety hazard. No way should it rust like it has.

• 12/13/2018· STRUCTURE

  2006 4RUNNER WITH 165K MILES WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. I PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY. THE RUST IS EXCESSIVE FOR OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FROM OTHER MANUFACTURES. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED SIMILAR FRAMES ON THEIR TACOMA MODELS BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR 2006 4RUNNER OWNERS.

• 12/12/2024· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  My 4runner have major frame rust issues and is a major safety hazard. This a known issue to Toyota and a recall needs to be made.

• 12/10/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  WHEN USING THE REAR DEFROSTER IN THE COLD, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED. COMMON ISSUE AND TOYOTA DOES KNOW ABOUT IT BUT ONLY OFFERED 1 YEAR ENHANCED WARRANTY. WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED AND TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THIS SAFETY HAZARD AS MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH 3RD ROW SEATING.

• 12/10/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE I WAS I DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE I WAS USING THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL JUST PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING GLASS ALL OVER THE BACK CARGO AREA

• 12/10/2018· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  REAR WINDOW EXPLODES AND SHATTERS SENDING GLASS PIECES AND RAZOR SHARP TINY GLASS SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE BACK COMPARTMENT WITH SOME PIECES MAKING IT TO THE BACK SEAT. SUSPECTED CAUSE IS RELATED TO USE OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN RAINY WEATHER. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 40F INSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 70F. LETTER TO TOYOTA ALONG WITH REPAIR INVOICES ARE ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT.

• 12/09/2025· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  MYself and my fiancee were driving to our family's home, the rear defrost was on due to foggy windows as we were driving down the road there was a loud noise from the back half of the 4 runner. I had turned and looked back behind me and the rear hatch window was completely shattered. Its still intact in the window frame but about to fall out. This happened out of nowhere no warnings or anything.

• 12/09/2019· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE WAS FLAKING AND METAL HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHO DETERMINED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

• 12/08/2021· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  The Frame and Suspension Components of the vehicle have corroded or rusted badly and prematurely even though the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition. This is a known and common occurrence with the 4th Generation Toyota 4Runner Vehicles such as this 2006 model. - Currently the upper Rear Differential Stabilizer Arm has completely rusted off causing handling problems with the vehicle. Many areas of the frame are rusted through making it difficult to jack up or raise the vehicle on a hoist. - Problem has been observed and reported by Dealer(s) and Independent Shops I have visited. - This has NOT as yet been inspected by manufacturer representatives other than dealers. - This first appeared in late 2012 when I purchased the vehicle used with approx. 75,000 miles. - In May 2015 I struck a deer with the vehicle travelling on a US Trunk Hwy and the rust problem was reported as being severe by the body shop who repaired the front end damage. Note: The corrosion, in my opinion, did NOT cause the accident with the deer.

• 12/08/2016· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,762.

• 12/06/2020· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION TWICE. ONCE WAS A MONTH AGO AFTER STARTING THE 4 RUNNER IN THE GARAGE. THE RPMS INCREASED AND AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE THE CAR ACCELERATED STOPPING ONLY AS A PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKES. TODAY, 12-6-20, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATED STOPPING ONLY WHEN I FORCEFULLY APPLIED THE BRAKES.

• 12/06/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME IS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY. GARAGE KEPT EVERY WINTER. MY REAR DRIVER SIDE SWAY BAR HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF THE FRAME.

• 12/06/2018· STRUCTURE

  OUR FRAME IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT WOULD HAVE FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION IF WE DID NOT FIX THE HUGE HOLES IN IT AT THE REAR BUMPER. WE ARE WERE TOLD BY OUR SAFETY INSPECTOR THAT OUR ENTIRE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY AND WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO FIX IT RIGHT NOW. IT WILL NOT PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR NEXT YEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AS PART OF THEIR FRAME RECALL!

• 12/06/2016· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER VEHICLE ID # MILEAGE IS 150.000.THE TOYOTA WAS PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM ROYAL PALM TOYOTA OF FLORIDA ADDRESS: 9205 SOUTHERN BLVD, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL 33411. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ON 11/23/2016 THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN ARE DRIVE WITH THE ENGINE WAS JUST TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINS AT THAT TIME MY DAUGHTER WAS STILL IN THE IN THE SUV WHEN THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED COMPLETELY.FOR NO APPARENT REASON.WE REPORTED TO ARE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ADVISE OF A REPAIR COMPANY PLEASE SEE FILE.AND I HAVE REPORTED TO TOYOTA OFFICE IN TEXAS REPORT NUMBER# THANK YOU PRODUCT_OR_SERVICE: 08/01/2016 ORDER_NUMBER: [XXX] ACCOUNT_NUMBER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/06/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED CAUSING AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE CHILD SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE HEAD AND LACERATIONS INSIDE THE MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY HAD A TECHNICIAN RUN TESTS ON THE VEHICLE BUT WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

• 12/05/2017· STRUCTURE

  FRAME RUST- STRUCTURAL ISSUE

• 12/03/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME HAS HOLES AT 150000 MILES. My car has 150,000 miles on it. We are the second owner, although we've had it for over 10 years. The frame has holes in it. It is dangerous to drive in its current condition. There's no way I could sell it and feel good consciously to give this car to someone else. My son has older cars with more miles whose frame does not look anything like this. This is an issue that has been recalled for all other cars in the Toyota lineup except for the 4Runners.

• 12/03/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED DUE TO OVERHEATING OF DEFROSTER. OVERHEATED WHILE IN MOTION. SHATTERED AFTER PARKED.

• 12/03/2019· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED EVERYWHERE THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ONE HUGE HOLE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME AND THE BOTTOM PLATE HAS CRACKED THROUGH. I HAVE A HIGHLY REPUTABLE WELDING SHOP SET TO REPAIR AND PATCH THIS BUT I FEEL TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE IT COSTS ME EVERYTHING.

• 12/03/2019· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  HI, I AM WRITING THIS LETTER IN REGARDS TO THE POTENTIAL RECALL OF THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER ROTTING FRAMES. I PURCHASED A BEAUTIFUL 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT IN OCT OF 2018 THIS SUV HAD LESS THAN 130,000 MILES, THE BODY AND INTERIOR ARE IN IMMACULATE CONDITION' I LOVED IT. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER I TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS DONE AND FIND OUT FROM THAT SHOP THAT THE FRAME IS OVERLY RUSTED THEY STATED TOYOTA HAS A RECALL ON RUSTED FRAMES AND TELLS ME TO GO TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND LOOK INTO IT, SO I DID THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY RECALLED THE TUNDRA, SEQUOIA AND THE TACOMA BUT HAVEN'T RECALLED THE 4RUNNER THE TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A FLOOD OF 4RUNNER OWNERS BRINGING THEIR SUVS TO BE INSPECTED AND SOME WERE SO SEVERE AND THE 4RUNNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED' HE RECOMMENDED THAT WE UNDERCOAT IT UNTIL A RECALL HAPPENS, SO MY HUSBAND TAKES IT AND SPENDS ABOUT 250.00 AND UNDERCOATS THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH. NOW IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND WE BROUGHT OUR 4RUNNER TO A SHOP TO HAVE SOME SHOCK AND STRUT WORK DONE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME IS OVERLY RUSTED AGAIN AND THE UNDERCOAT HAS WORN OFF AND NOW THERE ARE SEVERE CRACKS IN THE FRONT AND THE REAR OF OUR FRAME, I AM TOTALLY SICKENED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS NOW. BEFORE BUYING THIS 4RUNNER I DID RESEARCH AND WAS LOOKING FOR A TOP RATED SUV THAT WAS RELIABLE AND SAFE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE 4RUNNER WAS THERE' NOW LOOK WHAT I HAVE A VERY UNSAFE CAR NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT ALSO MY FAMILY AND TO OTHER FAMILIES THAT ARE OUT ON THE ROAD. I PURCHASED THIS SUV FOR 8,700.00 USING UP YEARS OF MONEY SAVED AND NOW IM FINDING OUT THAT I WILL NEED TO BRING IT INTO A FRAME SHOP FOR EITHER WELDING AND OR POSSIBLE FRAME REPLACEMENT.

• 12/03/2019· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DID AN OIL CHANGE YESTERDAY, AND AS USUAL I DO AN INSPECTION ON MY UNDERCARRIAGE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS FINE, (I.E. LEAKS, MAKING SURE THE SUSPENSION IS TIGHT, ETC) AND I AM NOTICING EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION, WHICH IS WORRISOME AS I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TACOMAS, TUNDRAS, AND SEQUOIAS, BUT NOTHING FOR THE 4RUNNERS. ITS STARTING TO GET PRETTY BAD AND I REALLY WOULDNT WANT MY FRAME TO FAIL AS THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I JUST WANT TOYOTA TO MAKE IT RIGHT LIKE THEY DID FOR THE OTHERS. I LOVE THIS TRUCK AND WOULD NOT WANT SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC TO HAPPEN

• 12/03/2018· STRUCTURE

  CAR HAS 99,400 MILES, WOULD NOT PASS PA STATE INSP DUE TO RUST HOLES ON FRAME

• 12/03/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SITTING STOPPED TO PULL ONTO A VERY BUSY ROAD. CAR ENGINE WENT CRAZY, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE ALREADY. CAR ENGINE RPM OFF THE CHART. OUR CAR WAS SHAKING AND BOUNCING. NO THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT STUCK NO FOOT ON GAS. IT WAS SCARY! MY HUSBAND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL KEEPING HIS FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE. NO CHANGE, HE SHIFTED TO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. IN A FEW MINUTES WE STARTED THE CAR SEEMED FINE DROVE STRAIGHT TO TOYOTA RENTED A CAR AND SAID FIX IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I THANK GOD WE WERE PARKED. JUST FYI OUR AUTO HAS ABOUT 67000 MILES AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. WE HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT DEALER AND LAST YEAR DID EXTRA REPAIRS COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS OF RECOMMENDED WORK, STRUTS ANYTHING THEY SAID NEEDED. THEN WE THOUGHT THE LEATHER LOOKED A LITTLE WORN SO WE HAD IT REPLACED. CONSUME R REPORTS SAYS 4RUNNER IS ONE THAT YOU COULD GET 200,000 MILLES. WE WERE HOPING FOR MAYBE ONE HUNDRED. DON'T CARE HOW OLD OUR WELL MAINTAINED AUTO IS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!

• 12/03/2012· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  DRIVING IN RAIN ON FREEWAY CONNECTOR ROAD , 25 MPH, REQUIRED TO USE BRAKES DUE TO ANOTHER DRIVER ILLEGALLY SWERVING FROM SLOW LANE OF FREEWAY ADJACENT TO CONNECTOR ROAD, ACROSS TWO SOLID LINES, IN FRONT OF A CAR THAT HIT THEIR BRAKES, AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A SECOND CAR, WHICH WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP, BUT WHEN I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES, THEY INSTANTLY LOCKED UP AND MY 4RUNNER IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SLIDE...NO CONTROL AT ALL TO SLOW DOWN, AND IT FELT LIKE I ACTUALLY INCREASED SPEED. I KNOW WHAT ABS FEELS LIKE, AND MY BRAKES ARE NEW, INSTALLED IN JULY 2012 AT A TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPT. THIS ABS SYSTEM FAILED! NO PULSATING FEELING, NOTHING BUT LOCKED UP BRAKES, WHICH RESULTED IN MY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUCK THAT MADE THE CHANGE, AND WAS ALMOST 90 DEGREES TO THE LANE WE WERE IN THEN TOOK OFF. HE WAS NOT HIT, BUT I CHASED AND CAUGHT HIM FOR CHP. MY 4RUNNER IS CRUSHED BECAUSE OF AN IDIOT, AND THE FAILURE OF MY ABS TO PROPERLY FUNCTION. I HAVE BEEN SAFELY DRIVING 44 YEARS. *TR

• 11/29/2022· SUSPENSION

  My car is a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. This past summer I had a tire leaking and took it to the garage for repair. The mechanic stated that the frame is rusting out in the front right, tire rod area, and saw a pinhole. Last week I took the vehicle to get a transmission oil change. That mechanic saw that there's more rust that is spreading throughout the entire frame, worse than the area found from just a few months ago. I learned online that Toyota had purposely used cheap steel for the frame and had replaced the same frame used on other trucks such as the Tacoma and Highlander but is refusing to replace the 4Runner. These rusted out frames are affecting many 4Runners. I have a 1964 Cadillac and that frame is in better condition than the 4Runner. I'm forced to pay $15,000 to replace the frame or salvage my car. It shouldn't have come to this, especially when the same frame that was replace on other trucks isn't being replaced for mine.

• 11/29/2018· STRUCTURE

  ABNORMAL RUSTING OF THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE.

• 11/28/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  My 17 year old son was parked and when he turned off the defrost the rear hatchback glass shattered. This scared him a lot as we do not know what happened and thankfully he was parked not driving. This is a safety and potentially dangerous issue. We purchased this used vehicle and had Toyota thoroughly inspect and update and upgrade anything he needed and they never told us this was an issue. We researched it online and it has been an issue. This should have been addressed and recalled. I brought in vehicle so that they can fix it and they are saying they won’t even though it’s their equipment defect.

• 11/27/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BREAKS PULSE WHEN YOUR STOPPING AND THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INSTANCES WHEN I EXPERIENCED THE BREAKS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT OR SLIPPED...IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN EXACT FEELING BUT IT WAS SCARY. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AT A SLIGHT HILL AND THE BREAKS MADE A STRANGE NOISE THIS HAPPENED TWICE HOWEVER THE LIGHT ONLY CAME ON THE ONE TIME. THEN WHILE DRIVING THE ABS, TRACTION, BREAK, AND ANOTHER LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE. THIS WAS JUST RANDOM WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. ABOUT 20MIN LATER THEY WENT OUT. ALSO WHILE SETTING AT THE LIGHT OR BEING STOPPED WHILE IN GREAT THE CAR PUSHES FORWARD WHILE THE BREAK IS DEPRESSED. THESE THINGS FAVE BEEN RANDOM WHEN THE BREAKS FELT AS IF I HAD LOST THEM I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND STEPPED ON THE BREAKS WHILE IN THE TURN THEY MADE A SLIGHT NOISE AND I LET UP WHEN I FELT AS IF I WAS LOSING THEM THEN DEPRESSED AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS IN A NORMAL STRAIGHT ROAD AND DEPRESSED THE BREAKS AND AGAIN IT FELT AS IF I HAD LOST THEM...I JERKED A LITTLE AS IT SCARED ME BEING IN TRAFFIC THEN I LET UP AND DEPRESS THEM AGAIN AND IF FELT NORMAL. AGAIN IT HAS BEEN TOTALLY RANDOM. ALSO MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON QUITE FREQUENTLY AND I KEEP LOSING A LITTLE PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES.

• 11/24/2021· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

  MY 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, I'VE FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST THROUGH OUT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS FRAME REPLACEMENT RECALLS TO THE TUNDRAS, AND SEQUIAS BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF. I ALSO FEEL THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE FOR MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE CHASSIS.

• 11/22/2016· STRUCTURE

  I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A TOYOTA RECALL FOR EXCESSIVE RUST. MY VEHICLE IS AT A TOYOTA DEALER, A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA HAS BEEN FILED, AND PICTURES OF DAMAGE ARE BEING TAKEN PER MY CLAIM. I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT TELLING ME THAT MY TOYOTA IS NOT UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE EXCESSIVE ROT (NOT RUST) THAT HAS EATEN THROUGH MY VEHICLES REAR CROSSMEMBER. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS UN DRIVABLE DUE TO THIS ISSUE, MY REAR AXLE IS ONLY HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE BY TWO OUT OF THE FOUR ANCHOR POINTS THIS POSING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF THE REAR AXLE BECOMES SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE FRAME. THE FRONT TWO MOUNTS (THAT ARE WELDED TO THE REAR CROSSMEMBER) ARE TORN COMPLETELY FROM THE REAR CROSSMEMBER, TOYOTA SAYS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CHASSIS IN ORDER TO SLIDE THE NEW CROSSMEMBER IN BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS REPAIR. AS I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE BUT THE 2004-2010 TOYOTA TACOMA ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AND THE FOUR RUNNER SHARES THIS TYPE OF FRAME, AND MANY OTHER PARTS BECAUSE IT IS ASSEMBLED ON A TACOMA FRAME, BUT BUILT IN JAPAN NOT IN THE US. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS US MADE VEHICLES AND JAPANESE BUILT UNITS LIKE THE FOUR RUNNER, ARE NOT COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE AS I CURRENTLY OWN A VERY EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT AT THIS TIME AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE UNITS INTEGRATED INTO THE TACOMA RECALL PROCESS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

• 11/22/2010· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER STOPPING THE REAR END WILL 'CLUNK' WHEN EITHER LETTING OFF THE BRAKES, OR UPON ACCELERATING. THIS WILL OCCUR ROUGHLY 1/10TH OF THE TIME REGARDLESS OR VARIATION IN BRAKING PRESSURE OR ACCELERATION. I'VE TRIED EVERY COMBINATION OF GENTLE TO HARD STOPS AND STOPS WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE. THIS ONLY STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER 53K MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE 4RUNNER NEEDED MORE LUBE, THEIR FIX HASN'T STOPPED THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THE DRIVE-SHAFT IS BINDING, AND AT SOME POINT COULD FAIL. *TR

• 11/21/2018· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE USED WITH 86,000 MILES ON IT. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER MY POWER STEERING RETURN LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND WOULD NOT HOLD ANY POWER STEERING FLUID AT ALL. I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINES WITH AFTER MARKET RUBBER LINE. I FIGURED THIS OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN A SITUATION WHERE IT WASN'T AN IMMEDIATE DANGER. NEXT ON THE LIST WAS THE MUFFLER FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BACK. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD WHILE DRIVING . I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE ONLY TO REALIZE THE THE PART OF THE MUFFLER THAT CONNECTS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH JUST HANGING THERE! I JUST BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE UNDERSIDE COMPLETELY COATED WITH FLUID FILM AND MY MECHANIC KEPT MAKING REFERENCE TO THE 'RUSTY TOYOTA 4RUNNER ', DIDN'T GIVE ME A WARM FEELING ABOUT THE REST OF THE LIFESPAN OF THE FRAME. IT HAS 100,000 OR SO MILES ON IT AND I'D LIME TO HAVE IT FOR MANY MORE!

• 11/21/2018· STRUCTURE

  WAS INFORMED YESTERDAY BY OUR MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN PICTURES BUT CAN IF NEEDED.

• 11/19/2018· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A CORRODED FRAME! ODOMETER READING IS 41,822MILES, THIS HAPPENED AFTER REPLACING 2 RUSTED BRAKE LINES. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE.

• 11/17/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The frame of the vehicle was corroding as if it was not sealed effectively. The frame rotted to point where vehicle began swaying on road and during mechanic check the frame bent when vehicle placed on a lift. I am original owner of vehicle and took the vehicle to local Toyota dealership for ALL scheduled maintenance. The Toyota dealer mechanics NEVER reported signs of corroding frame damage in the vehicle bumper to bumper checks during my scheduled maintenance appointments. I was never informed of any signs of rotting or corroding on the frame.

• 11/16/2016· AIR BAGS

  I TOOK MY TOYOTA TACOME 2006 TRUCK TO THE DEALER FROM SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME UP ON THE FRONT WHERE THE MILEAGE IS.

• 11/15/2016· STRUCTURE

  ON MY 2006 4RUNNER, I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST BUILD-UP ON THE FRAME AND MANY OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE PARTS. THIS 4RUNNER HAS SPENT IT'S WHOLE LIFE IN COLORADO, WE DON'T SEE RUST PROBLEMS HERE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE HAVE THIS KIND OF RUST. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF IT!

• 11/15/2010· POWER TRAIN

  OWN A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. NOTICED BELTS HANGING UNDER CAR ONE MORNING. OPENED HOOD AND THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHERE, THE BELTS WERE SOAKED AND HAD DETERIORATED. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT WAS A KNOWN OIL LEAK DEFECT NEAR CRANKSHAFT. HAD THE ENTIRE DRIVE TRAIN REBUILT AS OIL HAD DAMAGED EVERYTHING. COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T RE-CREATE SO NOT AN ISSUE FOR THEM. *TR

• 11/14/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TOYOTA CASE #[XXX] THIS IS PART OF A MESSAGE SENT TOYOTA. MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL INSIDE HER CAR ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK. WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF NOTING THE SMELL, HER REAR WINDOW EXPLODED FORCING HER TO PULL OVER AND CALL US FOR ASSISTANCE. WHEN WE ARRIVED WE STARTED THE CAR AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE BURNING SMELL SHE NOTED SO WE DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON BEACH FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE WRITER DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER WIRING HAD SHORTED OUT WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE OVERHEATED THE REAR WINDOW CAUSING THE EXPLOSION. WE AUTHORIZED REPAIRS ACCORDINGLY AND CONFIRMED WE WANTED TO BE CERTAIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS IN GOOD ORDER. WE SUBSEQUENTLY WERE INFORMED BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM AND WINDOW HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND CHECKED OUT TO BE FUNCTIONAL, WITH THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY TURNING OFF WITHIN 15 MINUTES; HOWEVER, IT WAS LEFT TO OUR OPTION TO LEAVE THE SYSTEM DISCONNECTED. ON QUESTIONING WHY, THE WRITER ADVISED THAT HE, NOR THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE HEAD MECHANIC HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SORT OF MALFUNCTION THOUGH IT WAS THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO LEAVE IT DISCONNECTED. WE AGREED IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY. WE HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED ON VARIOUS WEB BASED BLOGS THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED PRECISELY THE SAME PROBLEM. LINKS WERE SUBMITTED TO TOYOTA. AS DISCUSSED WITH YOUR CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE, THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WERE AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE, HOWEVER, THE OVERWHELMING CONCERN IS WONDERING IF WE HAVE PLACED OUR DAUGHTER IN A CAR, THAT MAY HAVE INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEMS RENDERING IT UNSAFE FOR HER TRAVELS TO WORK, SCHOOL, AND VACATIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/13/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS OPENED THE AUTOMATIC OPEN/CLOSE MECHANISM FAILED AND CLOSED ON THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND. THE 4TH AND 5TH DIGITS OF THE RING FINGER AND PINKY WERE CRUSHED AND THE 5TH DIGIT OF THE PINKY OF THE RIGHT HAND WAS HYPEREXTENDED AND MAY HAVE BEEN DISLOCATED. THERE WAS POSSIBLE NERVE DAMAGE TO THE FINGERS AND SWELLING TO THE RIGHT ARM. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. A PHOTO AND X-RAYS WERE TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

• 11/12/2020· STRUCTURE

  MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, HAS CORROSION TO THE FRAME THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR THIS AGE. THIS CAR IS STORED IN A GARAGE AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS RUST TO THE FRAME MAKE THE VEHICLE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSING CONTROL DUE TO A RUPTURE OF THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED IN THE PASS TO SUB STANDARD FRAMES IN THERE OTHER LINE OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR.

• 11/08/2024· AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact owned a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that her son was driving at an unknown speed when another vehicle pulled in front of them to change lanes without warning causing her son to t-bone the vehicle and sending the other driver's vehicle to spin crashing into other vehicles nearby. The air bags deployed however their son received 2nd-degree burns on their right and 1st-degree burns on their lower region, and a concussion. The contact was unable to confirm if any other persons received injuries but was able to confirm other vehicles were damaged from the crash. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to their insurance company's facilities who had stated the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.