Differential Unit problems of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner

Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while exiting out of a parking space, there was an oil stain on the ground. The contact noticed that the oil was leaking from the rear differential. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,528. Djr.

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.

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.

The back of the rear differential housing started leaking about one drop per second. The vehicle has 113,800 miles. We bought the car with about 20,000 miles. It has received the recommended maintenance. The source of the leak is severe corrosion that has removed much of the structural metal of the differential housing. The leak is coming through several cracks that have passed through the remaining metal. The only available repair is to replace the entire rear axle housing to the tune of between $2000 and $3000. This type of corrosion is unusual. I have not experienced this sort of malfunction in nearly 50 years of driving.

Rear differential has had normal wear up until recently when I noticed a section of the rear diff leaking and rotting. The way the rear axle housing is build it does not have a rear cover like most. But that is the section that has flaked and begun to leak. The fill plug is in the same area which also is rusted. Making it not possible to check the fluid level. If your in a spot were you don't have the finances take care of the problem it leaves you in a spot of drive it till the rear end detonates. Being as this is a common problem for Toyota and it being a one part fix. I feel Toyota needs to look into covering it under warranty or at least good willing parts prices than leaving myself and others in the spot of a $3,000. 00 bill due a known problem.

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?.

My vehicle has very little rust except for the rear differential. Large flakes of rust have formed. The differential recently began leaking. After searching online I see this is a common problem with 4runners.

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 hell. . . They put me and my family at grave risk. . . .

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.

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.

I have a Toyota 2001 4runner with 77563 miles. The rear differential has rusted thru and leaks. Toyota is unwilling to help.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle differential was corroded and developed a leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear differential assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.

Rear differential cover rusted through with only 22650 miles on vehicle. Dealer had to replace the whole rear axle assembly at a cost of $1800 because the cover is welded on and cannot be replaced separately. My concern is for the frame rusting out and subsequent safety issue as indicated by the number of other complaints listed here. I understand the tacoma's have similar problems and similar frames. The warranty for corrosion has been extended by Toyota for the tacoma. When are you going to do something about this?.