1. Toyota 4Runner
  2. Problems
  3. 2000
  4. Body

2000 Toyota 4Runner Body Problems

167
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 167 stored complaint records:

  • 5 indicate a crash
  • 4 indicate injury
  • 1 indicate fire

What owners report

  • frame rusted · 24 records
  • passenger side · 16 records
  • unsafe drive · 13 records
  • rear control · 13 records
  • frame rust · 12 records
  • failure mileage · 12 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
150–400k mi59
100–150k mi58
60–100k mi10
30–60k mi3
1–30k mi2

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • April 1, 2015 · 145,000 miles

    Body

    THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL SPOTS.

    ODI 11054907

  • March 26, 2015 · 231,000 miles

    Body

    About 1 month ago, the frame of my 4runner without warning had a catastrophic failure while on a highway and my rear control arms disconnected/pulled out of the frame. Fortunately i did not have a serious accident, but it easily could have been. The lack of any warning signs was the scary part in all of this. After a bit of basic searching on the web, including nhtsa, it appears my case is not a unique one. It is…

    ODI 10713486

  • March 2, 2015 · 156,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    Traveling straight down the highway at 65 mph. I hear a loud pop and my suv veers hard to the right crossing the low speed lane and breakdown lane. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles next to me. Suv missed the guard rail, but climbed an embankment and came to rest on the drivers side of the vehicle. Resulting in me forcefully twisting the steering wheel, hitting my head on the windshield and braking the side…

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 10705099

  • February 24, 2015 · 156,000 miles

    Body · Steering · Suspension

    Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, a noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the contact had to maneuver 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…

    ODI 10702201

  • February 4, 2015

    Body

    It is a known problem that toyota wishes to not address that the frames are not properly treated for rust prevention and are prone to rusting out and falling apart at a rate that is beyond reasonable. Pictures from hundreds if not thousands of 4runner owners are all over the web and toyota forums showing the same issue. The most problem spot is on the right side of the frame on the inside near the muffler, near the…

    ODI 10690495

  • February 2, 2015 · 171,542 miles

    Body

    Upon inspection of my vehicle while on lift, i found an area of rust perforation above the right rear control arm bracket on the frame. The area is approx .5"x 3" in length. *tr

    ODI 10680936

  • December 30, 2014

    Body

    FRAME IS RUSTING PREMATURELY. *JS

    ODI 10669175

  • December 20, 2014 · 172,065 miles

    Body

    While vehicle was on lift being serviced my mechanic advised me to respond to his shop, observed large sections of vehicle's frame completely rotted and missing, mechanic advised frame needs to be replaced. *dt

    ODI 10667453

  • December 15, 2014 · 120,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact discovered that the frame was rusted on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they could not repair the vehicle because of the excessive rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

    ODI 10764263

  • October 5, 2014 · 110,000 miles

    Body · Suspension · Visibility/Wiper

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

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 10723144

  • October 1, 2014 · 150,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    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? *tr

    ODI 10652168

  • September 30, 2014 · 110,000 miles

    Body

    We purchased a 2000 toyota 4runner with the knowledge that the vehicle was 14 years old however, the body, engine and interior of the vehicle were in great condition. We became aware of the frame rust when taking it for inspection and had some repairs made in order for the vehicle to pass state inspection. We take good care of our vehicles and we were checking the brakes and we were going to undercoat the frame when…

    ODI 10640174

  • September 10, 2014 · 200,000 miles

    Body · Engine

    Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated while that while the vehicle being diagnosed by a mechanic for a unrelated issue, the mechanic informed that there was rust coming from the rear end of the frame. Additionally, the contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe, the cadillac…

    Fire reported

    ODI 10764652

  • August 28, 2014 · 151,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    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 dealership said it was unsafe to drive. My now otherwise immaculate condition 4runner is now useless and rendered inoperable. This is a ramp if…

    ODI 10629306

  • August 21, 2014 · 126,408 miles

    Body · Suspension

    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…

    ODI 10630029

  • August 1, 2014 · 37,500 miles

    Body

    Right side of vehicle has rusted through approx 48 to 60 inches. Rear stabilizer bar is detached from frame. Entire right side of frame "is compromised" per mechanic/body shop. *tr

    ODI 10622292

  • July 22, 2014

    Body · Engine And Engine Cooling

    Hi, i have a 2000 toyota 4 runner. It has a little over 200k miles and i took it in for service to have the timing belt and water pump replaced. I drive the vehicle daily. The mechanic did not perform the work because he noticed the frame had rusted through and recommended to not drive the vehicle for safety reasons. He stated that if the frame did bend or separate the vehicle would buckle and there would not be any…

    ODI 10616037

  • July 16, 2014 · 160,000 miles

    Body

    I took my 4runner to my mechanic for an oil change today. When on the lift he noticed that the passenger side frame is rusted out. He felt it was unsafe and needed fixed or scrapped asap. This vehicle runs great and i have had no other issues. This is my daily driver and i always have my five year old with me. This is a major safety concern. I am not in the position to buy a new vehicle right now. It is crazy that…

    ODI 10611085

  • July 9, 2014 · 145,000 miles

    Body

    2000 toyota 4runner sr5 with 145,000 miles. At a regular maintenance, i was shown a picture of a hole in my frame. Right hand rear of frame where lower trailing arm bracket is welded was rusted through with substantial instability concerns and potential loss of use due to inability to pass state inspection. . Otherwise frame fine and no rust/rot on left hand side front or rear. My 4runner has been an excellent and…

    ODI 10614529

  • June 18, 2014

    Body · Suspension

    Extreme rust and damage due the aforementioned rust. The rear control arms completely rusted off the frame. I know the vehicle is 15 years old but this much rust is not normal and will cause injury to many people if they do not now it is failing. *tr

    ODI 10676708

  • June 2, 2014 · 128,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the under carriage was severely corroded and fractured. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current was…

    ODI 10599203

  • May 7, 2014 · 159,000 miles

    Body

    Upon a recent mechanical inspection my 2000 toyota 4runner has been deemed unsafe for driving due to frame degradation due to rusting. The frame has several locations with holes and deterioration that seriously undermine the mechanical rigidity of the frame and truck. This vehicle has been well maintained and is in great condition with the frame as the only exception. I have owned several vehicles from different…

    ODI 10586987

  • February 9, 2014 · 131,540 miles

    Body

    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…

    ODI 10563594

  • December 18, 2013 · 200,000 miles

    Body

    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…

    ODI 10578660

  • December 17, 2013 · 108,500 miles

    Body · Power Train · Suspension

    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

    ODI 10556738