general problems of the 2000 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

The frame on out 2000 Toyota collapsed because of rust. The collapse was on the side frame rail, just before the drivers side rear wheel. The vehicle is not able to be driven.

Tl-the contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4 runner. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed. The contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle in addition, the contact had to steer the steering wheel in excess in order to turn the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that the rear trailing arm had corroded and fractured. The technician also stated that the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000. Oo.

Vehicle suddenly became very unstable and loose in the rear end while driving down highway at 50 mph. Rear end started swaying back and forth pushing vehicle into center of 2 lane highway. Once vehicle was under control and off the road frame showed significant rust. Lower suspension arm mount on frame had rusted and broke. Roughly 24 inch section of this frame area had rusted out. Leaving no attachment of the suspension arm to the frame mount. Upon inspection many areas of frame are showing signifficant rust damage. Vehicle us now unsafe to drive. I have owned this vehicle for 11-12 years. Bought it with 12,000 mile and have taken great care of it. Engine purrrrrs like a kitten. Runs as well now as when I bought it. Toyota will not warranty a bad design/manufacturing process. Called Toyota dealership whom I purchased it from and they said they have been seeing many of these coming in and Toyota will not warranty the bad frames.

The vehicle was severely damage in the front left and middle of the truck. The truck airbags did not deploy causing injury.

My mechanic told me that my perch springs/shock mounts had rotted off. Brought the vehicle to a welder and told me that the frame was so rotted out that I should contact Toyota to see if there is anything they could do. Said he had a 2000 tundra with the same issue that was recalled and replaced. Why hasn't the 4runner been recalled yet?.

I own a 2000 Toyota 4runner. Went to the dealership to inspect a leak from the rear differential. Found out that not only was the rear differential so rusted that the fluid was now leaking from the porous rusted housing. But the frame was rusted and cracked so bad that that dealership said it was unsafe to drive. My now otherwise immaculate condition 4runner is now useless and rendered inoperable. This is a ramp if problem with tacoma/tundra for the same issue and same model years. How is this not a recall.

While driving on a family vacation, the 4 runner had a near catastrophic frame failure. The speed of the vehicle at the time of the failure was approximately 30 mph. This failure caused total loss of vehicle control and the inability to safely operate the vehicle. The vehicle was rendered unsafe for operation and it had to be towed. An independent inspection revealed multiple failure points along the frame rail related to corrosion.

The vehicle frame is deteriorating from rust on the passenger side of the vehicle. This severe rust is prevalent at suspension attachment points; significantly where the right-side rear "track bar" is attached. If this were to fail, the rear axle of the vehicle would become disconnnected from the vehicle undoubtedly causing a crash. Found out tonight the frame rail forward of the track bar has also deteriorated on the bottomside and is exhibiting numerous holes. This condition makes the vehicle unservicable from a safety aspect. It cannot be safety inspected in nys any longer. This vehicle was puchased new in ithaca, n. Y. The framework deterioration is indicative of other Toyota vehicles with frames rusting and causing major structural integrity issues. Toyota has done due diligence in supporting their customers on their tacoma and tundra vehicles. They performed frame replacements and a buyback program on these. I believe they ought to do the same for the 4runners seeing they are a virtual duplicate of the tacoma trucks' frame. The fact that the tundra and tacoma frames were produced in USA and the 4runner's frames were produced in japan does not have a bearing on this rust problem. . It does show an engineering deficiency on tundra, tacoma and 4runner's frame design. This issue is causing my family an undue financial burden. I most emphatically believe Toyota should address this issue. There should be a recall !!.

I am writing to report a defect in the frame of my 2000 Toyota 4runner. I just purchased this vehicle used for my 16 year old daughter to drive. Inspection by a certified mechanic revealed that the frame exhibits extensive rusting. The frame has rusted through on the passenger side between the front and rear wheels. It has holes and has separated along the bottom weld. The mechanic warned that catastrophic failure is likely to occur.

Safety issue do to frame rot. . Common issue with 3rd gen Toyota runners. Bought the truck new, and now my investment is at risk because Toyota makes vehicles with poor steal and the us dot will not step up and force them to correct the issue.

While having an oil change done my mechanic noticed sever fram rust, some spots go right through fram. I know Toyota recalled many vechiles for this so I call Toyota and they said they can do nothing for me, they didn't even want to look at it. They said if I wanted it looked at I would have to pay! sounds like they know they have more problems but they are not going to do anything about it.

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.

Frame is rusting through causing instability concerns.

Frame rusted 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pass side rear frame rusted through!.

Passenger side frame rail is rusted through on the inside of the rail.

Frame is rusting. Preforation. I was having rear shocks replaced and when mechanic pulled himself under the vehicle on his roller cart his fingers went thru the frame.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear differential was rusted and caused an oil leak. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and confirmed the rust and corrosion that caused the oil leak. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 178,000. Updated 09/27/11.

The rear axle housing has rusted through, while the vehicles body has no rust. Toyota fails to recognize this as a defect because of the vehicles year and mileage. We contacted Toyota and they provided the following reference number 1109161548. Research on the internet supports this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle and will occur on the 4 runner with much less mileage. This represents a safety issue since all of the rear axle fluid could leak out, allowing the rear differential to freeze, creating a possible accident. Toyota has a rust problem with the tacoma pickup, where they repurchased vehicles as a result of frame rust out. We are of the opinion Toyota has used inferior metals in the manufacture of their vehicles and should be held accountable. When I called their corporate office in torrance CA. They refused to allow me to speak with someone in management since I didn't agree with the decision of the person I discussed the matter with.

I own a 2000 Toyota 4runner. I have noticed my frame near the rear suspension is so severely rotted that the frame will need to be cut and re-welded or replaced all together. There are multiple holes in the box frame of the vehicle due to the construction of the frame. Water seeps in through the frame, causing it to rust from the inside out. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance recently and they informed me as well of the extensive rusting. I was told that this is and will be a major safety issue. The vehicle was later taken to two repair shops and they both confirmed that the failure was due to the design of frame. The rest of the 4runner is in perfect condition with no surface rust, rot or other blemishes. However, below the vehicle the frame is rusted extensively.

Severe frame rot on otherwise very well cared for vehicle. Will certainly result in catastrophic failure.

Tamara recall. . My frame on my 2000 Toyota 4runner is rotting out where the back front spring hangers suspension mounts to the frame. Also the frame rails are rotted out on the inside of the frame and is soon to be too dangerous to be driven. Noticed when looking this problem up online it is a major issue with these vehicles and a lot of people is having the same problem. I really like my 4runner but I have children that I would be afraid to let be riding in it if the problem continues to worsen!! so if something isn't done the vehicle will have to be parked.

Rust has consumed my frame, suspension and lower body panels.

My 2000 Toyota 4runner shakes at speeds above 60mph. It also does this while braking. It is visibly noticeable in the steering wheel, but all passengers in the car can feel the shaking and vibration. It becomes almost violent and alarming around 70mph. I have taken it to several repair shops and no one can find a solution. I have read hundreds of posts about this problem that ranges from 96-08 models.