general problems of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner

Rusted frame cracked by back driver side tire.

The frame is rusting out and is deemed unsafe to drive.

I bought my 4runner in 2021 and am just now getting ready to sell it. Did a carfax report and it shows a possible odometer rollback that the previous owner did in 2020. When I bought the vehicle it was my understanding that the vehicle had only 160,000 miles on it but it apparently had 236,900 miles. Because of this I’ve had to make countless repairs as I was under the impression that the vehicle had much less wear. Was researching what to do in this scenario and learned that this was the best place to report the incident.

I just purchased a 2001 Toyota 4runner. All seemed fine . But when I went to get it inspected they would not pass starting it had frame rust through. I called Toyota customer service who said and I also read online that thousands of Toyota trucks have a frame recall but mine does not. And they are not willing to do anything. Others had the frame replaced, repaired or bought back. Hopefully you can help me.

First there were 3 recalls 1. 135468 2. 135469 and 3. 135469 dating back to 2005 that I was never notified of and I have a very bad corrugated metal bumpers and when I drive my vehicle and I hit a bump or something in the road it feels like my car is going to turn over. I had the shocks replaced and it hasn't helped.

My 2001 tacoma had frame rust issues last year. I went to the local dealer and was told there was nothing they could do about it because the repair time frame had expired. They would have gladly sold me a new truck. Sorry, no can do. I took the truck to a weld shop and had the frame patched with new steel. Problem fixed. I just got back from the mechanic's after learning that he can't inspect it because of the severely rusted frame! it just rusted around the patches. Junk price is way low but what is the alternative?.

Took my vehicle for oil change and was advised that the frame was badly rusted and should take vehicle to Toyota immediately. Toyota indicated that no recall was issued for this year model vehicle and nothing could be done. So I have a mechanically good vehicle that I can not use due to rusted frame.

The frame rusted out and is very dangerous to drive . There are many complaints involving the frame rust on the 4 runners and Toyota will not help with the problem.

Excessive corrosion to frame and related chassis components. This vehicle was bought in 2001 and serviced at our local Toyota dealer for routine service all these years and never mentioned frame rust,until we had it serviced at a local muffler repair shop to replace the exhaust system. We have contacted Toyota and they informed us that the truck is off warranty and that there is nothing they can do for us, this is why we are contacting NHTSA ,to inform the agency of this problem which is similar to the case currently with the tacoma, sequoia and the tundra tucks manufactured by Toyota.

The frame is rusting out very badly, thus leaving vehicle unable to operate it soon.

"takata recall" my 2001 Toyota 4runner frame is rusted out and won't pass state inspection.

Frame rusting.

Takata recall the frame is rotten inside the frame rail under the right hand front seat not able to get a inspection sticker the body is great no rust just like my 04 tundra now it has a new frame.

Muffler fell off got parts and while changing muffler found out that my frame is rusted clear through!! what is being done about this I see a lot of other owners with this same problem this is the second Toyota that I have had this happen to really starting to wonder about the buying Toyotas anymore.

The unfortunate & common frame rust issue that has plagued thousands of owners of this model Toyota has now affected us. Safety concern quite high since the structural integrity is severely compromised due to a design flaw as noted countless times by numerous 4runner owners. This issue is identical to that with tacoma frames of the same vintage (which are identical in design & build to that of this model style 4runner), which was addressed by Toyota motor corporation. Yet no recall to assist 4runner owners has been executed. It appears that Toyota is allowing vehicles to become prematurely unusable & unsafe for consumers. Toyota has either replaced some frames on similar vintage 4runners or has provided reimbursement to owners suffering from premature failure. . . But only very sporadically. I have contacted Toyota motor corporation & was told their is nothing that they are going to rectify for us, yet there are others that do receive a resolution of some kind. As a paramedic I see first hand what tragedy occurs on our roadways. . . And this situation worries me greatly with vehicles that are supposed to protect it occupants in the event of a crash, but may now actually contribute to the unnecessary harm or possible death of it's occupants/operators.

Ignition key will not turn when trying to start the vehicle. This problem is happening on and off since about about six months ago.

The frame on my 4runner will not pass inspection due to rust, which I need to repair. The vehicle does not have much miles on it and should not rust like it did from the inside. The rust is from the inside, which makes it very dangerous to have on the road especially in states where an inspection is not required. It could easily go unnoticed until it is too late, and somebody could get hurt or killed when the frame fails.

Suspension mount on frame in front of driver's rear wheel broke off due to unusual amount of rust. This impaired control of vehicle at speed, I almost went in ditch as rear of vehicle swayed back and forth severly (like rocking a boat) I had this repaired to continue driving. As of 8-30-15 the same part on other side is almost broken off research shows this to be very common,why is it not addressed?.

On routine check and inspection, Toyota arlington and Toyota schaumburg called my attention regarding a premature rusting on the underbody frame and resulted in a linear hole by the rear left and right portions of the vehicle. This according to the service advisors of both Toyota dealerships may make the vehicle unsafe to operate and may result to uncontrolled stability during driving.

Frame rust issues. My frame has been rusting away for the entire time I've owned it, and it isn't getting any better. The passenger inside frame rail is rusted from the rear lower control arm mount to the cross member mount midway down the frame. The driver inside frame rail is rusted at the lower control arm mount as well, and slightly in front of it. When I purchased the vehicle I noticed a slight pit, and didn't think anything of it. Over the next year that pit got bigger until there was a large opening that you could fit two hands inside of.

Vehicle failed inspection in may 2014 due to excessive frame rust and perforation. The frame was rusted so badly that the service advisor at new rochelle Toyota advised "due to excessive frame perforation do not let customer drive vehicle. ".

Extreme rust on frame and surrounding components. The 4runner only has 115k miles on it.

Vehicle has a frame that is rusted on passenger side and was told by a mechanic on 3/20/15 that it should be in a recall ASAP. Differential cover is a rusted bullet and is leaking. There is no changing it as cover is a solid weld no bolts to take off to change cover. Brilliant idea by Toyota.

When I took my vehicle to get a state inspection at my Toyota dealership, the mechanic found a rust hole on my frame . It is located on the passengers side right beside the muffler. This vehicle is serviced regularly at this dealership since it was new. There are forums on the internet that have many people that have the same problem that I do. If these frames are this inferior they should be recalled just like the tacoma and tundra.

Driving down the highway in 2001 Toyota 4-runner going about 60 and all of a sudden the rear end/tires locked up and got it to the side of highway barely and then it started smoking really bad. Very lucky that it didn't cause a wreck or no one got hurt. Can't drive it or nothing, makes a loud knocking noise in the rear end and also when you turn the key on inside the vehicle all lights are on and its making a terrible buzzing noise. So had to have it towed and that cost me also and I need the whole rear differential and that's a lot of money. I've seen other problems/complaints about the same thing that happened to mine. I really think something should be done about it, Toyota should be fixing the problem and we shouldn't have to pay for it. Hopefully something gets done about this.

The frame has suffered serious rust through also described as "frame rot" in postings on line of Toyota 4-runner problems. This rust through has made the vehicle unsafe and currently unusable. The rust was discovered when the entire rear axle was replaced at my expense. Toyota would not allow that they were responsible for faulty manufacturing of the rear axle either which was yet another safety concern.

My 2001 4runner vehicle will not pass inspection due to corrsion, actual holes and soft spot, on the rear part of the frame in the muffler area. Concerned with failure when towing 300 lbs trailer. No other issues with the vehicle, 112k miles and bought new 11 years old. Only detecting the problem now. Should not be needing to replace frame. Cost estimate $10k, shopping around for better pricing. Cost to repair 40% of the original purchase price or twice what the vehicle books today. Contacted Toyota and they will not even disclose # of complaint on this issue. Their only comments is there is no recall at this time. Finding numerous people experiancing the same issue.

Not really a complaint, but you guys don't have 4runner listed as a model for Toyota. Just thought you should know. . .