17 problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2000 4Runner.
Was driving to work one morning and my frame broke and cause my rear differential to shift cause me to have to tow my vehicle.
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.
I discovered this morning that the rear differential housing cover is leaking oil the vehicle has had some major rust issues which have affected the structural and mechanical well being of this vehicle.
The rear axle housing has rusted through such that differential fluid was leaking through a hole in the metal and dripping onto the roadway. The metal was so thin, like paper. This is a safety issue since all of the rear axle fluid could leak out, allowing the rear differential to freeze or seize up, causeing a loss of control of the vehicle and creating a possible accident. It could also cause other vehicles to lose traction on road due to gear oil leaking onto roadway. We had no choice but to have the car repaired by an independent repair shop who had to replace the entire axle housing. Research on the internet supports this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle. I think the NHTSA needs to step in and make Toyota issue a recall for these faulty differentials. It is obvious that Toyota used inferior metal to manufacturer these parts.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered that the rear differential was leaking. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or a local mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The failure mileage was 170,000.
When getting the left/rear wheel bearing repaired (due to heavy rusting of the differential housing, causing fluid loss), the technician reported extensive frame loss also due to corrosion. Affected vehicle (otherwise in good condition) was/had to be junked for safety reasons, thus forcing me to purchase a new vehicle sooner than anticipated. In n. E. (north east) USA, Toyota tacomas (frames manufactured in the USA) were recalled for this condition but not Toyota 4runners (frames manufactured in japan). Both my 4runner corrosion conditions are not unusual in n. E. Usa! (photos available upon request). Should Toyota be allowed to continue doing nothing about this dangerous condition?.
Rear differential casing is completely rusted through. It is beyond repair and requires replacement of entire unit.
No injury or crash . . . Reporting what I believe may be a design defect which could potentially be a safety danger. --- the rear differential housing in the 2000 Toyota 4runner I own seems to be rusting unusually quickly. This is a 10-year old vehicle, but it only has 113,715 miles on the odometer when it sustained a leak due to corrosion. Apparently this is a known issue as both the local Toyota dealer and my local mechanic said they are seeing this issue with Toyotas. The local mechanic stated that it seems to be due to Toyota having thinner metal in the housing.
2000 Toyota 4runner 6cyl 78000 miles. Noticed rear end differential is leaking oil. Dealer says it is because I park it on dirt driveway. Not leaking at seal or normal connection point. Is coming through the metal itself. They said the metal has become ' porous '. Last 4 runner had 340,000 miles on it and never had a drop come through the metal and was used extensively off road. This vehicle minimally. This is obviously a defective part through substandard manufacturing process or inferior metal. I am getting no help from dealer in fixing this problem. Have seen alot of people with same issue on line and was referred to this site through a link.
2000 Toyota 4runner died and broke down completely on us 68, a very busy six lane highway. Vehicle was towed to a transmission service in morgantown wv. Differential was fixed on 18 Nov. By afternoon a pinhole leak was discovered in the differential cover. Most oil had leaked out in approximately 2 hrs. Mechanic says pinion was cracked in half - new parts were oem from Toyota,. But a new differential cover is not available. Apparently only as a new axle. Mechanic will mig weld the cover. Approximate cost for everything $2000. Seems weird that Toyota will not support its customers by making new covers available. Especially since many customers in canada and upper us have reported this problem.
My 2000 Toyota 4runner has a rear differential rust through issue releasing gear oil onto the highway and potentially causing my rear end to seize possibly causing a crash.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4 runner. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact noticed that there was oil leaking from the rear differential. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 120912. Updated 03/10/10 the rear differential had rusted in multiple locations, which allowed gear oil to be released onto the road. Updated 05/17/10.
Rear differential cover is rusted and fluid leaches right through the metal spraying fluid on to spare wheel and rear bumper and anything in tow. Cover is evidentially cheap metal and is poorly designed as the cover is welded on and cannot be replaced without replacing the entire rear axle. There is no other significant rust on this vehicle and the remainder of the axle is in very good condition therefore I believe that this is a manufacturer defect which should be addressed by Toyota. I have been quoted $1500-$2000 for a replacement axle which is 1/4 of the vehicle's value. Toyota chose a poor design and material for this part and should be held accountable for this issue as it is the only weak link on the entire vehicle, unfortunately the rear axle is not an optional part for its operation. I have reviewed several message boards and have found that there are several other 4runner owners in the range from '99 to '02 with the same exact issue and all report no other rust on the vehicle except for this one location. My mechanic advises the only repair for this issue is the complete replacement of the rear axle when only a small plate has failed.
Rear differential fluid leak due to excessive rusting of housing in gear carrier area.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The rear differential cover had corrosion, and the differential fluid was leaking. As a consequence the differential could freeze and cause the vehicle to crash. The manufacturer does not sell a cover for the differential, but the whole differential needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The current mileage was 92,000. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Loud noise in rear end of vehicle. Toyota dealership kept saying it was my tires. Until, I took it to another mechanic. Rear differential failure at 85,000 miles. Front & rear bearings were gaulded. "never" drove 4 runner under special conditions! vehicle maintenance was always kept up to date. Have "all" records. Rear differential pinion bearings, carrier bearings, crush sleeve, pinion seal, differential gasket, spacer and gear oil all had to be replaced and repaired. When asked to see old parts. We were told they were sent back to Toyota!.
Rear differential housing completely rusted through such that differential fluid is leaching directly through the metal and dripping onto the roadway. This could result in the differential seizing up and causing loss of control of the vehicle, or other vehicles to lose traction on road due to gear oil leaking onto roadway. Toyota does not sell differential housing and insists entire differential must be replaced at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Rust problem first observed in 2005 and steadily becoming worse each month. No repairs yet made because of excessive cost. Owner is expecting and waiting for a safety recall for this issue.