1999 Toyota 4Runner Problems

The component that is failing is the frame. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others is at risk due to the frame falling apart due to the lack of integrity. The lack of integrity and strength is from oxidation or major rust. The vehicle has not been inspection by a 3rd party. The rust is a common issue in this year/model from other owners and has appeared to be a manufacturing error.

MY FRAME IS RUSTED ALMOST TO PIECES. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4RUNNER OF THE SAME YEAR MODELS. AND I HOPE TO GET A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S PUTTING ME AND OTHERS AT RISK OF WRECKING THE CAR AND POSSIBLE INJURIES.

The frame above the RT rear tire has rusted completely through. It's where the rear end bolts to the frame, at a wedge welded to the frame with bolt holes in it. It's like it wants to flip over and darts left or right every time there's a dip or rough spot in the road. I chained it and put a tow strap around everything I could to keep the rear end from coming out & killing me or someone behind me

The contact's wife owns a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at a slow speed, the back end of the vehicle began to wobble. The contact stated that his daughter pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was inspected and severe corrosion was discovered on the driver's side rear lower control arm mount. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there are no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

THE VEHICLE READS EMPTY WHEN FULL AND FULL WHEN EMPTY SOMETIMES. CONSTANTLY CHANGING NEVER ABLE TO KNOW IF THE TANK IS FULL AND RAN OUT OF GAS SINCE IT WASN'T READING THE CORRECT AMOUNT CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN I RAN OUT FORTUNATELY. *TR

LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON WITH AROUND 5-6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING AND GAS HAND GOES FROM FULL TO HALF AFTER ONLY 70 MILES.

I BOUGHT THIS TIRE FROM A FIRESTONE COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-60 EAST COMING FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL, STIRRED TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE HIGHWAY SEPARATOR (A CONCRETE ROAD BLOCK). THE FRONT OF MY CAR DIRECTLY WENT CRASH INTO THAT CONCRETE BARRIER IN A PERPENDICULAR POSITION, MAKING A FULL FRONTAL CONTACT, THAT RELEASE BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS. MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND MY FRONT CAR AREA IS TOTALED. I CAME OUT OF THERE WITH NECK, HEAD, BACK AND CHEST INJURY. *TR

THE TIRES WERE DISINTEGRATING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RIDE EXTREMELY ROUGH AND CHOPPY. *AK THE TIRES FELT LESS SMOOTH. FIRESTONE ADMITTED THAT THE TIRES FELT CHOPPY AND REFUSED REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM WORSENED AS TIME WENT ON. *SC *JB

Over the years of ownership, my vehicle has been overwhelmed with rust issues. All four axles are rusted to include the brake components. I didn't realize how bad the rusting was until I heard "popping" noise when making turns The rear suspension sway bar link was rusted so bad, it broke free. I had the rack and pinion replaced in August of 2020 because rust ate through the lines. The frame appears to have separations due to rust as well.

I DO NOT KNOW IF THE STOPPING PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES, TIRES, BOTH, OR SOMETHING ELSE. AT ONE POINT I GOT NEW TIRES AND THE STOPPING PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS AND MANY MORE INCIDENTS BY THE CAR ITSELF. WHEN BRAKING IN RAIN/SNOW/ICE AND EVEN SLIGHT DAMP ROADS THE CAR SKIDS FORWARD. WE HAVE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE IN FRONT OF NOW COMPARED TO OTHER CARS WE DRIVE. ALSO DURING ACCELERATION ON RWD FROM A STOPLIGHT EVEN DURING DRY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES THE REAR TIRES SPIN OUT/BURN OUT/ HAVE NO TRACTION.

REAR END RUSTED OUT AND FLUID LEAKED OUT,DESTROYING RING AND PINION WHILE ON HIGHWAY AFTER TRAVELLING ABOUT 20 MILES.

THE VEHICLE STALLS, INCOSISTENTLY, BUT, ON A FREQUENT BASIS, AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THEN WILL BE FINE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IT EATS BATTERIES. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST REPLACED THE B+ CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A YEAR, BUT, HAS SINCE RETURNED. I RECENTLY UPGRADED TO A BATTERY WITH MORE CRANKING WATTS, AND HAVE EEN IMPROVEMENT. HOWEVER. THERE'S THE ISSUE OF THE HESITATION, JERKING, AND LOSS OF POWER, WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER 1ST START OF THE DAY, REPLACED PLUGS, AND BATTERY AND DID A TUNE - UP, BUT, IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. VERY DANGEROUS AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES, AS A RESULT, INCLUDING DYING WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4-WAY INTERSECTION OF A TRAFFIC - CHOKED COASTAL HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A POPULAR BEACH RESORT, FEATURING OVER 200 OUTLET SHOPS AND MALLS, MID-DAY, ON THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND, AND A SATURDAY AT THAT,, AND HAVING TO CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 5 TIMES, TO GET IT GOING AGAIN, TO GET TO MY DESTINATION, LESS THAN 6 MILES AWAY, AND HAVING TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD'S SHOULDER THE WHOLE WAY, IN CASE OF ANOTHER BREAK-DOWN,

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED HEAD GASKET FAILED, 3RD CYL AFFECTED. *TR

WENT TO GET AND OIL CHANGE, WHEN MY CAR WAS RETURNED THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE VERY TIME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OVER 12-13 TIMES ALL WITH DIFFERENT CODES... MY CAR KEEPS STALLING AND RESTARTING... THE BRAKES IS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND JUST GOT THE BRAKES DONE... FUEL INJECTION CLEANING ... AND THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING EVEN AFTER I'VE CHANGE THE BULBS ON SEVERAL TIMES...

AFTER A LESS THAN 10 MILE DRIVE THE TOYOTA WAS PARKED. AFTER A HOUR OR SO IT BURST INTO FLAMES. PRIOR TO THIS THE DOOR LOCKS WERE LOCKING THEMSELVES. TWO FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED. THE 4RUNNER WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. ALSO BURNED PART OF THE ROADSIDE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS AND PHOTOS OF OTHERS BURSTING INTO FLAMES, BUT HAVE FOUND NO RECALLS. TOYOTA WAS ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. HORRIBLE ORDEAL AND THANKFUL NO ONE WAS KILLED. SHAME ON TOYOTA.

FUEL GAUGE READS INACCURATELY CAUSING A RUNNING OUT OF FUEL SITUATION, VERY DANGEROUS. GAUGE IS VERY ERRATIC, BUT USUALLY SHOWS 1/2 TANK WHEN IT RUNS OUT. SOMETIMES GOES ALL THE WAY TO FULL, SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER IN THE TANK WITH NO CHANGE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN # EL010-00 WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER 950312. TOYOTA SAYS THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. AM I NOW SUPPOSED TO SCRAP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN I WILL RUN OUT OF GAS BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE TANK IS ACTUALLY NEAR EMPTY? I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. I AM NOT ASKING FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE THE PARTS AT NO CHARGE, JUST THAT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ME. I AM FILING THIS INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF MY GRANDSON, AS IT IS HIS CAR. I, HOWEVER AM A RETIRED MECHANIC WHO WILL BE DOING THE REPAIR AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SOURCE THE REQUIRED PARTS.

Over the years of ownership, my vehicle has been overwhelmed with rust issues. All four axles are rusted to include the brake components. I didn't realize how bad the rusting was until I heard "popping" noise when making turns The rear suspension sway bar link was rusted so bad, it broke free. I had the rack and pinion replaced in August of 2020 because rust ate through the lines. The frame appears to have separations due to rust as well.

I HEARD RUBBING NOISES FROM MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL.I THOUGHT BRAKES BUT WHEN I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE RUBBING WAS COMING FROM A RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF BRAKE SHIELD.I AM OLDER WITH BACK ISSUES SO GETTING UNDER THE CAR FOR A GOOD LOOK M IS TOUGH AT BEST.WHAT I COULD SEE USING A RIGID SEESNAKE BOROSCOPE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST .RUST ALL OVER KEY STRUCTURAL FRAME COMPONENTS FROM MOTOR MOUNTS TO STEERING LINKAGE THE CHASSIS IN SOME AREAS HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED.LOOKING AT THE BODY YOU WOULD THINK THE CAR WAS IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE BUT NOT UNDERNEATH.TOYOTA DIDN'T HAVE 4RUNNERS AS PART OF THEIR RECALL BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE AS THE 4RUNNER USES THE SAME TRUCK CHASSIS AS THE TACOMAS .I NEED THIS TRUCK AND I NEED IT TO BE SAFE.THANKS FOR LISTENING

ABS LIGHT ;PO500 CODE SPEED SENSOR A SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, WONT SHIFT INTO GEAR WITH ABS LIGHT ON WINDOWS MALFUNCTION AND ALL ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING POSSIBLY DUE TO SAME ABS CIRCUITE AS NOTICED SAME EXACT TIMEFRAME. APART FROM THAT PRIOR MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEEDS RESTTING FROM DEALER AND ALSO HORN DOES NOT OPERATE. MISSING/NO FACTORY INSTALLED FOG LAMPS --DEALER WANTS OVER 1,200.00 FOR 2 BASIC FOG LAMPS FROM THEIR PARTS DEPT.

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON FEB. 10, 2010 FOLLOWING A SERIOUS FRONT END CRASH (30-50 MPH) OF OUR 1999 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. AS A RESULT WIFE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 2 DAYS WITH CONCUSSION, SPRAINED NECK AND PTSS.CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED. REPORT TAKEN. *TR

I DO NOT KNOW IF THE STOPPING PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES, TIRES, BOTH, OR SOMETHING ELSE. AT ONE POINT I GOT NEW TIRES AND THE STOPPING PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS AND MANY MORE INCIDENTS BY THE CAR ITSELF. WHEN BRAKING IN RAIN/SNOW/ICE AND EVEN SLIGHT DAMP ROADS THE CAR SKIDS FORWARD. WE HAVE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE IN FRONT OF NOW COMPARED TO OTHER CARS WE DRIVE. ALSO DURING ACCELERATION ON RWD FROM A STOPLIGHT EVEN DURING DRY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES THE REAR TIRES SPIN OUT/BURN OUT/ HAVE NO TRACTION.

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65MPH, WHILE FEELING THE VEHICLE JERK TO THE RIGHT, THRUSTING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. WHILE TRYING TO COMPENSATE TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE, IMMEDIATELY ROLLED 3-4 TIMES ACROSS THE 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER. THE LEFT REAR AXLE AND WHEEL WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.

THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WON'T RETRACT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT. IT HAPPENED JANUARY 2017. I WAS FIRST TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEN THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. IF THERE WAS A RECALL, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY CORRESPONDENCE.

1- THE SEATBELT THREADS BECOME LOOSE AND BROKE. 2- AT 50 M/H THE CAR IS BOUNCING LEFT TO RIGHT.

1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD 4X4 FRAME IS ROTTED /RUSTED OUT WILL NEED MAJOR REPAIRS OR NEW FRAME APPARENTLY THIS IS ALL 4RUNNERS AND TACOMAS BUILT FROM THE MID 90S TO MID 2000S BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ROT ON THE INSIDE AND BOTTOM OF THE FRAME SO MUCH SO THEY STARTED SELLING KITS TO FIX THIS ON EBAY WHAT A SHAME I NEVER THOUGH TOYOTA WOULD BE SUCH JUNK SAD THEY WONT FIX / RECALL THE 3RD GEN 4 RUNNER IN THERE CURRENT FRAME RECALL EVEN THO THEY HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE .SAFETY ISSUES ....

WENT TO GET AND OIL CHANGE, WHEN MY CAR WAS RETURNED THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE VERY TIME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OVER 12-13 TIMES ALL WITH DIFFERENT CODES... MY CAR KEEPS STALLING AND RESTARTING... THE BRAKES IS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND JUST GOT THE BRAKES DONE... FUEL INJECTION CLEANING ... AND THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING EVEN AFTER I'VE CHANGE THE BULBS ON SEVERAL TIMES...

DRIVING EASTBOUND INTO PORTLAND (OR) ON HWY.26 (SUNSET HWY.), THREE LANES INBOUND. THREE LANES INBOUND, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE.AS WE NEARED THE TUNNELS, TRAFFIC STOPPED BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, AS IT OFTEN DOES. I STOPPED, LEAVING A SMALL BUFFER BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE ONE AHEAD OF ME, AND WATCHED THE RED MAZDA CX-5 APPROACHING BEHIND, NOT SLOWING, AND BRACED FOR THE BUMP. BAM! IT WAS A SERIOUS JOLT. WE PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. TRAFFIC WAS BUSY, SO IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET OUT TO INSPECT DAMAGE. I WAS EXPECTING MORE THAN I FOUND, AND ACTUALLY NOTICED NO DAMAGE AT THE TIME. THE MAZDA THAT HAD REAR-ENDED ME SUSTAINED SOME SERIOUS COSMETIC DAMAGE, BUT WAS STILL DRIVEABLE. WE TRADED INFO, AND I HEADED ON TO MT.HOOD TO SKI. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS A BIT WOBBLY. WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO CHECK THE CAUSE,I FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT WAS LOOSE.I TIGHTENED IT BACK DOWN.,BUT IT CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER THE EMBEDDED NUT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED A PLEATHORA OF 4RUNNER AND TACOMA OWNERS ENCOUNTERING SIMILAR FAILURES.TO FIX, I DRILLED A 1/2" HOLE THROUGH THE BOLT HOLE AND THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME CHAMBER, RAN A 4"X1/2" STEEL BOLT THROUGH THE HOLE, FASTENED WITH A LARGE WASHER, LOCK WASHER, AND NUT, SOME THREAD-LOCK, AND SLATHERED ON THE BLACK SILICONE RTV. ALL DONE. SEEMS JUST FINE, NOW. CBS NEWS DID A STORY ON THEIR MORNING SHOW LAST THURSDAY, REGARDING DANGERS OF SIMILAR SEAT FAILURES IN HONDAS, I BELIEVE. I'M SURPRISED THAT THESE COMPANIES HAVE NOT DONE RECALLS ON THESE DESIGN FAILURES,ALREADY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER LEVER WAS FRACTURED. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING GEAR OIL ALL OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND BRAKE. I HAVE HAD THE REAR AXLE SEALS REPLACED 5 - 7 TIMES: DECEMBER 2006, JUNE 2007, DECEMBER 2007, JUNE 2008, DECEMBER 2008, AND NOW AGAIN IT IS LEAKING FEBRUARY 2010. THE INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS WHERE I TAKE MY VEHICLE SUBSCRIBES TO "ALL DATA' WHICH ASSISTS MECHANICS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IN SHARING WORK DONE ON VEHICLES; ASSISTING IN DIAGNOSING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, ETC. THERE ARE A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF SIMILAR LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURES ON TOYOTA 4-RUNNERS AND PICKUPS 1999 - 2001 WHICH USE THE SAME AXLE LISTED IN THE ALL DATA WEB SITE. MANY OF THESE LIST MULTIPLE TIMES THE SEAL AS FAILED ON THE SAME VEHICLE. . I MY CASE WE HAVE BEEN GETTING THE SEALS FROM TOYOTA. THE REAR BRAKE ON THE LEFT SIDE IS COVERED IN AXLE GREASE WHICH IN MY OPINION WILL SERIOUSLY LIMIT MY BRAKING ABILITY AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AND ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2007. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

SEVERAL SUSPENSION AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF MY 1999 4RUNNER ARE SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST. THE WORST OF WHICH IS ON THE REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO WELD A BROKEN STABILIZER BRACKET. THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT A HOLE HAS FORMED AND GEAR OIL IS LEAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 169,000.

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 4 HOURS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PUT THE FIR OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE NEW LAMPS REPLACED AND THEY GO OUT IN A FEW WEEKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN '99. *NM

REAR TAIL LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, NOT ONLY ONE BUT ALL TAIL LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS 3 TIMES IN LAST YEAR. *AK FOG LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED MORE THAN THREE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *YH