Problems with 2000 Toyota 4Runner STRUCTURE

Rusted out frame. i took my truck in for some minor repairs. the shop called me back and said the frame is so rusted that the car is no longer safe to drive.. the support holding up the transmission is about to break. this could've caused a serious accident or worse if it happened while i was driving.. not to mention i don't have the money to just buy a new car on a whim.. unfortunately i will have to continue driving this death trap until either the frame breaks or i have the money to buy a new car. toyota needs to do something about this before someone gets hurt or worse.. i know i'm not the only one with this problem. they need to recall the 4runners like they did the tacomas.. rusted out frame!!!! rusted out frame!!!! rusted out frame!!!! *tr

Upon trying to sell my 2000 toyota 4runner to a prospective buyer who was an employee of greentree toyota, in ct, he pointed out that the frame on the passenger side forward of the rear axle was rusted through on the inside for about 18 inches. it is unsafe to drive. when i had it serviced at toyota in september 2013, no one told me about this severe safety issue. i have been at risk since then while driving the vehicle. upon searching the internet, i see that this is a common problem with this make and model, yet toyota refuses to issue a recall. they issued a recall on tacoma frames which uses the same frame as the 4runner. *tr

On working under vehicle i noticed that the passenger side structural rail leading to the rear of vehicle was rusty so i poked it and my screwdriver went right through, it was rusted through, it will need welding, as i tow a work trailer (and for safety reasons of course). then the thin rear wall of the differential rusted through and started leaking oil, the part is not sold separately and i was quoted 1500.- for the part and at least 500 labor, by falmouth toyota. i was told it was a common problem, but that toyota wasn't standing behind their vehicle. if i hadn't been under the car for other reasons this could have turned into a catastrophic failure. i urge you to contact your representative if you have had similar problems. *tr

Rear differential housing is rusted very badly leaking gear oil. rust is extremely thick. huge flakes more like chunks. leaking from rear of housing where rust has penetrated far enough to cause a slow leak. rest of 4runner is in good shape. *tr

Frame is rusting through causing instability concerns. *tr

2000 toyota 4runner frame rusted threw at area that holds rear axel in place rear drivers frame rail had rusted through where it mounts the lower control arm. when frame failed vehicle was hard to control and swaying to the point of immediate danger to passengers and other vehicles on highway this vehicle is well maintained and is in excellent condition. frame failure on this age vehicle should be unacceptable and should be addressed. *tr

Tl* the contact 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that while having regular maintenance performed, it was notified that the frame was completely corroded. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 220,000.

This is a 13 year old suv, that despite proper maintenance and a dependable engine had to be junked due to an almost completely rusted through frame. after noticing some increased rattling under the car, my husband found not only had the muffler brackets rusted away (some pieces fell out), but it was one pothole away from separating from the swing arm. very dangerous (accident waiting to happen) and appeared to have rusted from the inside out. not readily noticeable from the outside. we took it off the road immediately. toyota does't seem to bother to acknowledge this problem let alone do anything about it.

Extensive frame rust-through and failure. left and right rear halves of frame cracked. rear control arm brackets cracked at welds.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed at the dealer, he was informed that the frame suffered from massive corrosion and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileage was 133,000.

2000 toyota 4runner has major frame issues that could break at anytime and cause an accident! these frames rust out without the owners knowing. these are family vehicles that are driven for many years and toyota has had issues with other frames on different models but same year vehicles. toyota has had numerous complaints on these frames and has never recalled these models. for the safety of my family and others please look into this matter! *tr

I was driving with 2 young kids and turning around at a dead end when i heard a loud noise. i looked under the car and saw nothing. the car started swaying when we drove home. i looked under again at home and saw my rear sway bar hanging down broke/rusted off from the frame. the whole frame behind were it broke was rotted right next to the gas tank. the 4runner only has 79,000 miles and has no rust on the body. i have washed the undercarriage really good over the years just to keep it clean. there is no point in having a motor that goes 200,000 miles if the frames cant make it to 80,000. i see many much older vehicles on the road as a frame should be the last thing to rust. if i was on the highway and that happened i easily could have crashed because the 4runner started swaying badly. i was a huge toyota fan before but now i see all their frames are thin cheap steel. *js

Frame rusted in front of both rear tires load bearing area. toyota refuses any warranty or acknowledgement of this safety problem on truck frames used on suv's. tacoma frames all recalled for same reason. toyota still states not to undercoat when purchase is new or to rust prevent at any warranty/preventive maintenance inspection. consumer put at risk to a problem only observable from a lift,and told to spend thousands of dollars in repairs or total loss,and will not sell the frame even at five thousand dollars. upon reading blogs of 4runner owners this is a common frequent increasing safety problem with all 4runners. *tr

Frame rusted through. will not pass state inspection. *tr

2000 toyota 4runner was in for scheduled routine maintenance. at this time, it was reported that the vehicle's frame is cracked and not safe to drive. the vehicle was then looked at by a local welder who confirmed the cracked frame and reported excessive frame corrosion. *tr

Vehicle had no visible signs of frame rust. drove vehicle over a small bump at 5mph & heard a sound from rear. parked car. when driving away later noticed a sway in low speed driving. got out and saw the rear drivers frame rail had cracked where it mounts the lower control arm. that section had to have rusted from the inside out as it is a boxed frame and there was no visible rust on the outer frame. this is a very alarming issue and a major safety concern. vehicle is driven in northeast but garaged. we've had rusted body panels only on much older cars - this seems like a major flaw in vehicle design. especially as it isn't visible and just recently passed a state safety inspection. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated he was performing a repair to the vehicle for an unrelated failure when he noticed that the entire passenger's side frame was completely corroded. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the frame was severely corroded. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 117,000. the vin was unavailable.

While having my 2000 4runner serviced recently, my mechanic advised me that my carriage frame was cracked and rotting. i took it to toyota dealer in bristol ct, who put vehicle on hoist and confirmed the problem. i was advised there was no recall or tsb on my suv, and probably nothing they could do. they said they would send info & pictures to district office for review and advise when they heard back. i asked them about fixing it in the meantime, but they said they couldn't accept the liability? i can email pictures if you want to review these as well. i am having it welded in the meantime, as the crack was rather severe. my mechanic and toyota both advised that if the crack broke thru while driving, the rear axle would come loose from the frame. the estimate to fix my suv is apx. $1,500, which includes replacing the gas tank under-shield, which looks like a chunk of swiss cheese as well. please advise of any recourse i may have. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the rear of the frame was fractured and rusted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 211,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the frame exhibited excessive rust build up. the contact called the manufacturer, who stated that they would provide a remedy for the vehicle. the vehicle was no longer drivable. the failure mileage was 140,000.

My 17 year old was driving our 4runner, and it began swaying all over the road. luckily, he was only a couple miles from home, and made it back safely. the frame has rotted away from the inside out, leaving the rear axle components not properly "attached", and making the vehicle unsafe to drive any distance. the body on this vehicle is in immaculate condition, and i was looking forward to being able to drive this vehicle up to 200,000 miles, which should not be uncommon for this vehicle type. i've contacted toyota customer experience and filed a complaint. i was told nothing will be done and no financial considerations will be made either. this is a known problem with this generation 4runner, and toyota should be made to offer to fix or make financial considerations for this vehicle just as they have done with the toyota tacoma with essentially the same frame. *tr

I discovered that my 2000 toyota 4runner has sever interior frame rot in front of the rear trailing arm connection points, more so on the passengers side. this will become very unsafe after a while if nothing is done to address the problem. i remember toyota recalling tacomas for the same issue. why will they not uphold toyota quality and safety and recall a vehicle that is built on basically the same frame as the tacoma? the rest of the body is perfect. that in itself proves a design and construction flaw of the frame. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the rear passenger's side frame was corroded. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the frame was severely corroded. the vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 132000. the vin was unavailable.

Frame rot. right side along rear wheel. crack in the frame. otherwise frame fine and no rust/rot on left hand side. *tr

Frame has severe rust that has caused the frame to become weak and unsafe. multiple holes in frame have developed. vehicle has been washed regularly and stored indoors for years but has severe frame rot. toyota will not repair because they say there was never any problem with the 4runner frames just the tacoma and tundra had issues. the frame on the 96-02 4runners are the same as the tacoma, only difference is the rear suspension setup. they appear to have the same rust issues. *tr

The longitudinal frame rails are completely rusted through on all four sides of the box frame on both sides. there is also significant rust in the cross rails, particularly at the attach points to the side members. an auto body repair shop owner says that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and needs a complete frame replacement. the vehicle has been garaged its entire life and there is absolutely no rust on the body. the shop owner says that he has seen a lot of 4runners with the frame in this condition and that toyota needs to step up and support the 4runner as it has with the sequoia and the tacoma, which also have severe frame rust issues. *tr

Went to go and have my 2000 toyota 4-runner inspected and was told it would not pass due to the frame being rusted out and was not safe to drive....called toyota and was told sorry there is nothing we can do. *tr

Replacing the muffler and was informed by the mechanic that the frame is rusted through. should not have happened. needs recalled. *tr

My mechanic informed me that my well maintained 4runner has holes in the frame from rot and is junk. the rest of this vehicle is in beautiful shape. i am really upset. *tr

At a regular oil change, at a toyota dealer, i was shown a picture of a hole in my frame. my 4runner has been an excellent and reliable vehicle with regular maintenance. it has a rust spot on a bumper, and that's all! this is our family vehicle, and is not abused. i only have 154,000 miles and feel strongly that a frame on a vehicle should last much longer, as in past vehicles i've owned. i have had no problems with my 4runner, and don't want to junk yard it over a bad quality frame from toyota, but it may come to this if i can't have it welded. the vehicle is not safe, the hole is in a weight bearing area. shame on toyota for not doing a recall on the 4runners like they did with their trucks. safety should be first. yes, i do transport children in my vehicle on a daily basis, so again, shame on them. i strongly feel that others are not safe, and someone should address this pressing issue. *tr

I had an issue with the 4wd so i brought the car in the my local shop. while investigating the issue, the auto shop discovered some major frame rot towards the back right wheel that extended into the arm that holds up the back wheels. i was told that the car is unsafe to drive and there is no telling what would happen in an accident or if i simply went over a bad pot hole. i was also told by a separate auto person that the 4wd issues i had been experiencing may also be the result of the frame rust which most likely warped the frame and messed with the gears involved in 4wd. i brought my car to the local toyota dealer for a second opinion on the safety of the vehicle. the dealer refused to take a look and instructed me to call customer service. i called customer service and they offered no assistance. this issue is very similar to the toyota tacoma recall and should be addressed in a similar fashion. i was told by customer service that they do not consider them similar because the tacoma frames were made in america while the 4runner frames were made in japan. i don't know why that takes away their liability for a poorly made vehicle with clear manufacturing issues. i have read about this problem with other 4runner owners and know that it's not just my problem, this is an owner-wide issue and clearly something that can be traced back to toyota's manufacturing process of this vehicle. now i am stuck with an unsafe vehicle that i cannot drive with a clean conscience nor sell with a clean conscience. toyota's poor manufacturing has left me liability issue that i think should be addressed. i would at least like to trade in the vehicle for a new one with a sound frame! *tr

I was driving the truck to a body shop to fix the frame and body of the truck, as directed from toyota. which i was told from toyota in portsmouth nh, to take it to a body shop to get it fixed. when driving the vehicle they car began to accelerate out of control, i had to pass several vehicles, the car was shaking as i had the breaks on the whole time. it was upwards of 80 miles an hour with out any control. my sister was following me, i also have proof from the body shop, as i barely made it there, i had to put on the emergency break to stop the car. toyota customer service told me, probably driver error, not the case. when i left the truck with the body shop, they told me the frame and body of the truck were not repairable. i paid toyota for tire rotation, oil change, and filters, to hear that i have to scrap the car. i still feel unsafe driving due to the truck accelerating out of control, and got no support from toyota. *tr

Brought vehicle into dealership for general maintenance. service tech indicated that the frame was rusted through so bad that the vehicle might not be safe to drive. service tech was concerned even lowering it from the lift. he indicated that he has seen this issue on a fair number of other toyota vehicles that share the same frame design. i'm now left with a car that would be very drivable if it wasn't for the defective frame. *tr

Frame rust-through - vehicle's frame has prematurely rusted through from the inside-out along passenger side in area of muffler assembly. *tr

I have a 2000 4runner sr5 sport that has lived its life in new england. the car is in good shape and the frame of the car appears to have some surface rust. i had the exhaust replaced last week and they found that the inside of the frame had totally rotted out from the inside, so that the there are only three sides to the four of the tube frame left. i heard that toyota has had issues with frames rusting. i have two children i drive around in this car and i feel this is a serious safety issue toyota should address before someone gets killed. *tr

While driving on the nys thruway in the vicinity of harriman, ny, the steering began to wander, and the vehicle felt unsafe to drive. i was able to drive a short distance to an auto repair shop, which inspected the 4runner and found extreme rust damage to the undercarriage frame such that it should not be driven again, and could only be scrapped. they observed that the right rear wheel was close to breaking off, which would have resulted in a serious accident where we could possibly have been killed. we were shocked that such a dangerous rust condition could develop in a toyota 4runner that was only 12 years old, was built and intended for heavy duty use, and had been maintained in strict accordance with the owner's manual. this vehicle had never been driven off-road. we notified toyota by telephone and letter of this occurrence, and were informed that there had been no recall of this model, and that there was nothing that they would do. a search of the internet showed many reports of similar occurrences for this year and model. we strongly believe that a safety recall needs to be considered. *tr

Vehicle was taken to dealer for scheduled 95k mile service. i was contacted by the dealer and told that the vehicle was "not worth working on because the entire frame is rotted and this is a safety hazard. the vehicle should not be driven". the vehicle has been well maintained and is excellent condition in all other aspects. i see many instances of this happen in other on-line sites. toyota has recalled other vehicles in the same model year (2000 tundra) for a similar problem yet this one has been ignored. *tr

I hit a pot hole traveling at 25 mph and broke the frame of my 2000 4runner. i brought the car to my mechanic and he said the frame has rusted from the inside out and is non-repairable and was very dangerous to be driving. the truck is in otherwise good condition mechanically and the body has no rust. *tr

The frame is rusted out. i can only see one side. toyota took pictures, but never heard back from them. i took some photos myself. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that the frame was rusted. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was contacted and they stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. the failure and current mileages were 121,000.

The frame in this particular model gen 3 4 runner has severe rust due to a substandard steel that was used for production. the tacoma's frames were voluntarily replaced by toyota . none of the 4 runners qualified even though the steel used and chassis were the same. i was made aware of this unsafe chassis by mechanics who has informed me of this horrendous condition exists with this model year and other years up until 2005. this condition can ,if not already, cause cause serious injury, and is detremental to the normal operations of our highways.

Suspension system rusted apart causing the rear shocks to become disconnected from the frame. the vehicle also has severe rust on the frame that is characteristic of the problems other are experiencing with frame rot. there are nearly 200 complaints on here for this issue...it should be recalled and repaired. i cary my 2 year old around in this car on a daily basis. surprised to find such a poor quality car from toyota and that they aren't doing anything about it when they did something about it on other vehicles with the same frame and same problem. *tr

Brought my 2000 toyota 4runner sr5 to toyota dealership to repair my rear differential assembly that was leaking. once the truck was put on the lift it was quickly discovered by the mechanic i had much greater problems than a leaking rear differential, he informed me that my frame was "junk". he told me there was substantial rot on the passenger side frame rail starting from where the rear suspension ties in all the way to the front of the vehicle. he saw no point in removing gas tank on the other side to investigate how bad it may be there, that the passenger side was enough to render the car unsafe to drive. i quickly asked if there were recalls on the frame to which he said no, toyota isn't doing anything to remedy this issue at this time. he told me a frame for this vehicle would cost me between $10-12 thousand dollars! i've taken it to two different highly qualified body shops and both have given me outrageous quotes to get this frame patched, yet both also said it would only be a temporary fix, that the frame would in fact need to be replaced, and both encouraged me to stop driving the vehicle. i have two small children and am now left trying to figure out what to do with transportation as i no longer have a safe vehicle. my truck has been well kept and dealer serviced its entire life it only has 128,000 miles on it. toyota.... stand behind your products and replace these frames before someone gets killed. im sure there are thousands of motorists driving this same year vehicle that look to be in great shape and have no idea their vehicles could literally fall apart at a moments notice! *js

My 2000 4runner is rusting out next to the rear passenger wheel well. it's always been parked in the garage. i take it for regular washes--and this still happened. i purchased my 2000 4runner brand new with an additional undercoating protection--but you would not know it by looking at the rust damage. this is the telltale spot, it seems, for 4runners rusting out. this is unacceptable toyota!!

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4 runner. the contact stated after inspecting his vehicle there was rust and corrosion on the frame. the dealer was notified and stated there were no recalls or related warranties; however, they agreed to repair the vehicle for $1200. the manufacturer was notified and stated there were no recalls or warranties. the failure mileage was 120,000.

I own a 2000 toyota 4runner. i took my car for state inspection. my mechanic told me that the frame is rusted out an is a major safety problem. the 2000 $runner has the same frame as the 2000 toyota tacoma in which toyota bought back the tacomas from the owners for 150% of the kelly blue book value. if toyota knows that there is a problem with one model (tacoma) and fixes then they should also fix the 4runner. *tr

My 2000 toyota 4runner has rust perforation in the frame and im scared to drive it. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the entire frame was corroded. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

Frame rails between front and rear wheels rusted through. not little holes but sections 1 to 2 feet long and big enough to put your hand into. updated 05/09/12 *bf *tr the consumer stated the passenger side frame rail, inside, outside, and bottom, had rusted. from the front wheel back to the rear tire. updated 05/12/2012 *js

Brought veh in for nhsi, was told that veh would not pass again due to frame perforation. the rust is coming from the inside out on passenger side inner frame rail along where the muffler is located. spoke to toyota on many levels and was told by them that there are no frames available for purchase and that the "chucks" to build the frames with had been lost so toyota will not be making anymore. so i cannot fix this problem properly if i was to pay out of pocket. paid a body shop $650 to weld in a patch to get me by as i still owe on it. too bad toyota will not recognize this as the same issue tacoma, sequoia, and tundra have. if the frame was to separate @ the corrosion sight @ highway speeds it would result in injury and possibly death!! *tr