2002 Toyota 4Runner Owner Complaints

THIS IS FOR TIRE SIZE P265 75 16. To start, I've seen multiple other complaints describing the same scenario and type of incident. Driving along the highway at appropriate speeds, I hear a whoosh/deep pitch rumble, then my vehicle began to vibrate violently. I was luckily able to pull over but had to swerve to regain control of my vehicle once the rumbling and vibration got too severe since it happened so quickly. Witnessed my driver side rear tire completely shredded, no damage along tread material, only on sidewall with multiple tears/punctures. This was a center lane on the highway with no debris. I'm now noticing other similar "tear/wear" signs on my other 3 tires on the vehicle. All specifically on the sidewall along the aggressive tread that the AT3W tires were known to have for extra grip. It just seems to be separating over time.

NHTSA ID

11594739

Incident

Jun 16, 2024

Frame rot

NHTSA ID

11531971

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the subframe and that the subframe and sway bar were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11522804

Incident

May 18, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling the door handle to unlock the doors, the auto unlock function failed to unlock the doors. The contact had to press the unlock button to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that a failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11511032

Incident

Mar 9, 2004

Mileage

150,000 mi

Frame is excessively rusted. The recall that already exists for this issue only covers certain frames from Japan made with this steel. However, the same frames were imported to America and a large percentage of 4Runners were made with the same steel and didn’t receive a recall. Mine is one of them.

NHTSA ID

11482461

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

frame rust saftey hazardous? midas mechanic pointed out to me while work being done on exhaust march 2022

NHTSA ID

11466536

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a slight right curve, the vehicle independently shifted from side to side without warning nearly causing the vehicle to flip. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and the mechanic discovered severe corrosion throughout the entire subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the entire subframe needed to be replaced to ensure safe driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11461138

Incident

Mar 18, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

Frame rusted through from the inside out. There isnt even any surface rust where the hole started. Its just a hole in the middle of clean metal. The rest of the frame rail is solid. Rear suspension arm mount is also rusted out and starting to come off. The entire structural integrity of the frame is in question, even though externally, theres only slight surface rust. The frame should not be rusting this way.

NHTSA ID

11453546

Incident

Feb 21, 2022

Premature rusted frame throughout, vehicle is garaged and well maintained 117,000 miles on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Auto body specialist estimates $3k-$4k to restore, at least.

NHTSA ID

11451258

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out .only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner

NHTSA ID

11443916

Incident

Apr 17, 2021

Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1 ,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two other shops (names withheld) assess the state of the frame and suspension + and was told that the vehicle has maybe 1 year or so until the frame falls apart. Given I am the original owner, have gargage-kept my vehicle, have very low-mileage - 74,000 miles, and have maintained the vehicle immaculately and am aware of rusting problems with other Toyota [truck] frames, etc. this seems to be a defect in the manufacturing process. I know there have been recalls on Toyota's other trucks due to Toyota's failure to add [enough?] rust inhibitor/preventative to the molten steel when forming the frame for many models of their trucks.

NHTSA ID

11438485

Incident

Oct 14, 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance repair on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11431008

Incident

Aug 26, 2021

Mileage

136,000 mi

After having my 4 runner in for routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that my frame was in bad condition and rusting through. Doubtful it has a year left and he advised me to junk it as fast as I can. 180;000 miles - so much for Toyota’s lasting a long time.

NHTSA ID

11424088

Incident

Jun 16, 2021

FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST ALL OVER, A KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNERS AND TOYOTA TRUCKS. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS VEHICLE PROBABLY HAS ONLY 1 YEAR OF LIFE LEFT BEFORE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. CAR HAS ONLY 100000 MILES ON IT, 1998 4RUNNER WE HAD MADE IT TO 250000 MILES- UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11413734

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND TO GET NEW TIRES. WHILE ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND AS I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE REPAIRS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

11405965

Incident

Mar 30, 2021

Mileage

278,000 mi

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID

11405818

Incident

Mar 31, 2021

Mileage

116,000 mi

THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS FRAME, IT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND IT'S THE SAME IDENTICAL FRAME. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. JUST MAKING A NORMAL TURN ON A BEND IN THE ROAD MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11403610

Incident

Oct 12, 2019

Mileage

202,000 mi

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTAS FROM THE SAME TIME THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER EVEN THOUGH IT SUFFERS THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11399712

Incident

Mar 2, 2021

Mileage

149,000 mi

HAD THE 4RUNNER WV STATE INSPECTED. NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER. NOTICED THE FRAME CRACKED ON FRAME RAIL NEAR MUFFLER LOCATION.

NHTSA ID

11374605

Incident

Nov 13, 2020

Mileage

191,000 mi

FRAME IS RUSTED. DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11365850

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, ORIGINAL OWNER WITH ONLY 110,900 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT! VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST/ROT DAMAGE TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FRAME. EXTENDS FROM MIDDLE CROSS MEMBER TO REAR CROSS MEMBER. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED. SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. REPAIR WILL BE NECESSARY SOON, AS I'M STARTING TO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70+ MPH). THANK YOU!

NHTSA ID

11361721

Incident

Sep 16, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE VEHICLE IS IN IMPECCABLE CONDITION. THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE TRAILING ARMS AND THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE RAIL. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2006 AND HAVE BABIED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11355215

Incident

Sep 14, 2020

Mileage

295,000 mi

I FOUND FRAME RUST WITH PERFORATION ON MY 02 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

NHTSA ID

11353316

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

166,000 mi

FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11352980

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF BEING A DANGER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. FRAME DID NOT EASILY APPEAR RUSTED WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 4 YEARS AGO. IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THE COATING CONCEALED THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO REPAIR. MY VEHICLE DRIVES PERFECTLY BUT IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THE FRAME DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329213

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

151,000 mi