2005 Toyota 4Runner Problems

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates off to fully address the issue. The metal is starting to split on the main frame by the tire, it is rotting from inside. Rust has always been there but last couple years has gotten really bad. So much rust my gas tank strap has broken but so much rust I cant get the skid plate off to fix it.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates off to fully address the issue. The metal is starting to split on the main frame by the tire, it is rotting from inside. Rust has always been there but last couple years has gotten really bad. So much rust my gas tank strap has broken but so much rust I cant get the skid plate off to fix it.

ENTIRE body frame has excessive rust, holes, and cracks. It is available for inspection. Toyota dealership says it is safe to drive for now but it is failing. I feel any cracks, rust, holes, separation of frame components places all occupants and anyone near the vehicle at risk for when anything fails - this could be when the vehicle is on the expressway in motion (such as when the GM ignition switch failures happened), causing catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and damage to all. It's not a matter of "if" it happens, it's "when" it will happen. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. The exterior, interior, braking, engine of the vehicle are in remarkable shape so it's very misleading. There are also 4runners on dealership lots that have significant rust, holes, and cracks in the frames that the dealership does not warn about, rather, they still have high for-sale values because the vehicle looks good otherwise.

Upon moving with the flow of traffic at about 30 to 35 mph a car shot from a driveway straight in front of me causing me to hit that driver in the rear quarter panel of the passenger side putting him into a 360 spin not causing my airbags to deploy at that rate of speed in my opinion that is a huge fault of my system from my vehicle at that rate of speed my airbags should have went off to protect me as if I didn't have my seat belt on but thank God I always wear my seatbelt

The back brake lines rusted out completely crumbling causing me to almost collide head on with oncoming traffic while my kids where in the car. This was a terrifying experience. Upon further inspection the back brakes were so rusted out that they crumbled to dirt.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

THE TOYOTA SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM HAS FAILED RENDERING MY CAR WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL... AND OTHER LIGHTS. THERE IS NO PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR THIS PART AND TOYOTA USED THE EXACT SAME SYSTEM ON THE TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS THE REPAIR FOR THE SYSTEM IS ROUGHLY 4000.00 ALMOST HALF THE COST OF MY CAR... PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX THIS ON ALL CARS WHERE THE SAME SYSTEM WAS USED.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off the internet while they hid the rusty underbody by applying some coating. A short time later, the dealership reposted the vehicle on their website. The vehicle was not properly advertised as having this major rust issue. I asked the salesman if his family was driving the vehicle, would he feel safe. He replied, "Absolutely". With this said, I decided to purchase the vehicle. Also, my signature is not on the "We owe". Also, the vehicle has an exhaust leak from the manifold area. It makes a loud ticking noise. This is going to cost approximately $1,500 to fix. The air conditioner is not blowing cold and either has a leak or in need of freon. This is another repair out of my pocket. This is what kind of pre-owned vehicle they sold me. This vehicle should have never been listed for sale.

The rear control arm broke while I was driving causing me to swerve uncontrollably and almost causing a collision

The frame broke loose from the rear sway bar due to excessive rust while I was driving it. My 4Runner is an 05 and has the same frame as the Tacomas of the same year, except with no recall. I believe it is wrong to recall the Tacoma frame and not the same 4Runner frame. It is available for inspection. The car wanted to loose control anytime the accelerator was pressed or released. The problem has been an issue for many 4Runner owners of similar years. There was no warning to this occurrence.

Rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation. Started to smell a burning smell and then moments later the entire rear hatch glass shattered. Known issue by Toyota. They issued a brief Warranty Enhancement Program (ZG7) in March 2017 thru April 2018 but are refusing to honor current issues.

The rear window shattered while using the rear window defrost.

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates off to fully address the issue. The metal is starting to split on the main frame by the tire, it is rotting from inside. Rust has always been there but last couple years has gotten really bad. So much rust my gas tank strap has broken but so much rust I cant get the skid plate off to fix it.

- The undercarriage and frame have had premature rusting for years. The car is otherwise in excellent condition due to my care of it over the last 20 years. 5 years ago, a service person at my local Toyota dealership said, "I'm really disappointed in Toyota, I've never seen rust like this." I have now recently been told by a local service shop that it's time to get a new car. The lines are all corroded for the power steering, etc, and he was unable to even "touch them," and said that the rust issue is no longer safe, and we shouldn't drive far from home. - We are now unable to drive the car much, as we live in the country and have far communities. With a [XXX] , we are unwilling to drive the car over 45 mph, or more than 10 miles for fear of an accident after reading about the manufacturing defect in this model of the 4-Runner. - It has not been inspected by the above stated people. - no warnings, I would not have know the vehicle had such severe premature rusting issues if it weren't for a service person telling me such. -My vehicle has under 140k miles on it, and I've taken exceptional care of it over the past 20 years. I could have sold it for 10k given its condition, and low mileage, but it is now likely worth nothing given the manufacturing defect which caused premature rusting. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Upon moving with the flow of traffic at about 30 to 35 mph a car shot from a driveway straight in front of me causing me to hit that driver in the rear quarter panel of the passenger side putting him into a 360 spin not causing my airbags to deploy at that rate of speed in my opinion that is a huge fault of my system from my vehicle at that rate of speed my airbags should have went off to protect me as if I didn't have my seat belt on but thank God I always wear my seatbelt

When accelerating it feels like the frame shifts on the body lots of rust,, as well as the power steering was a little low I added power steering fluid next thing you know it stopped working and driver seats is falling apart and collapse in Woodson within itself as well as the airbags didn't go off upon rear-ending a vehicle they came to a sudden stop in front of me at least 25 miles per hour

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who repaired the TPMS, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted and recommended that the vehicle no longer be driven. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,948.

THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRACTION ON DRY OR WET SURFACES. THEY ARE EXTREMELY SLIPPERY AND DANGEROUS. THEY SPIN WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON BOTH DRY AND WET ROADS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE THEY'VE SPUN MY WHEELS OR CAUSED MY CAR TO FISHTAIL. YESTERDAY, THEY CAUSED A SERIOUS AND SCARY INCIDENT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. WE WERE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A SIGNAL AT LOW SPEED THE TIRES SLIPPED AND CAUSED MY CAR TO GO SIDEWAYS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. AFTER THE LAST SLIDE MY CAR JUMPED A CURB AND WE ENDED UP IN A GRASS AREA ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND NOT OVER CORRECT THE WHEEL. WE WERE AT RISK OF HITTING A SPEED SIGN, HAVING OTHER CARS RUN INTO US OR RUNNING INTO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED! THEY ARE TBC THUNDERER R007S MADE BY TBC CORP.

LAST SEPTEMBER, I SENT A WRITTEN PLEA ASKING TOYOTA TO EVALUATE AND CORRECT THE EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION ON MY 2005 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED OUTSIDE SOUTH CAROLINA OR EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE DISCLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY WAS UNSATISFACTORY. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CORRECTED THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON SIMILAR MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. YESTERDAY, MY WIFE AND I AND TWO FRIENDS RIDING WITH US NARROWLY ESCAPED A FATAL ACCIDENT WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO THE CORROSION PROBLEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AFTER COMING CLOSE TO HITTING AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO EXPRESSED DISBELIEF AT THE CORRODED CONDITION OF THE FRAME AND IMMEDIATELY DECLARED THE VEHICLE UNREPAIRABLE AND INOPERABLE. HE SAID WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF SEVERE CORROSION ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AND HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE ON SOME MODELS, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND DETERMINE IF THE EXCESS CORROSION IS INHERENT TO 4RUNNERS AND IF AN IMMEDIATE RECALL IS WARRANTED. THE INTERNET HAS MANY REFERENCES TO EXCESS FRAME CORROSION ON 4RUNNERS. IT IS UNCONCIONABLE THAT TOYOTA WOULD PUT THOUSANDS OF THEIR CUSTOMER'S LIVES AT RISK TO AVOID THE COST OF REPAIRING FRAMES THAT WERE SUBJECT TO AN INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION PROCESS. AGAIN, MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 76,000 MILES, HAS NO CORROSION WHATSOEVER ON THE BODY, AND HAS NEVER BEEN OPERATED WHERE SALT IS APPLIED TO THE ROADS. ATTACHED IS ONE OF THE MANY PHOTOS OF THE FAILURE LOCATION. *JS*JS*JS *JS *JS *TR

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WHICH IS RUSTING ON THE CHASSIS AND REAR END HOUSING TOYOTA TELL ME THAT THERE NO RECALL ON THE 4 RUNNER OR TUNDRA BUT SEQUOIA IS RECALLED THERE MUST BE A COMPLAINT FILED SOME WHERE WE CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMEBODY TO DIE AS A RESULT THE REAR END FALLING OUT OR FRONT END BREAK AWAY YOU MUST CHECK INTO THAT JUST CHECK ONLINE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS. *TR

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 217,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 342,912.

I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.

Extensive, rapidly spreading rust throughout the vehicle's frame and fuel tank supports leaving little or nothing holding the fuel tank or areas of the suspension together. Vehicle cannot be safely placed on a lift for service because of thin metal in the bottom of the frame. .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT YEARS AGO, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY HAD A FUEL LEAK FAILURE WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *LN*JB

When accelerating it feels like the frame shifts on the body lots of rust,, as well as the power steering was a little low I added power steering fluid next thing you know it stopped working and driver seats is falling apart and collapse in Woodson within itself as well as the airbags didn't go off upon rear-ending a vehicle they came to a sudden stop in front of me at least 25 miles per hour

DRIVER'S SEAT ON NEW 2005 TOYOTA SR5 4RUNNER ROCKS AND SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED SEAT LINKAGE AND FRAME ASSEMBLY AND SEAT MOVEMENT HAS GRADUALLY RETURNED IN A VERY SHORT TIME PERIOD. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO CALL IT A NORMAL CONDITION PRIOR TO REPLACING SAYING THAT ALL SEATS IN 4RUNNER'S ON THE LOT WERE LOOSE FROM THE FACTORY. AS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND WEIGHT OF DRIVER SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH FROM STOPS AND STARTS, LINKAGE IN SEAT WEAKENS AND WORKS LOOSE. VERY POOR DESIGN. CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SAFETY SHOULD BE TOYOTA'S #1 CONCERN BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT YET. *JB

THE VEHICLE RPMS WOULD GO UP BUT THE CAR WOULD BARLEY MOVE, OR WHILE DRIVING GOING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER TO ENGAGE IN TRAFFIC, CORROSION OF PINS IN THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THIS HARNESS IS ALSO TIED TO THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING AS IF IT ACTS UP YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE AND SORT OF CHUGS ALONG. DANGEROUS IN ON RAMP AND TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION TO SHORT OUT AS IT WAS HANGING UP ON THE SHIFT WHICH CAUSED A CLUNKING SOUND. THE TRANSMISSION WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED WHICH SHOWED 3 CORRODED PINS. THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REPLACED. *TR

I AM WRITING TODAY TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIAL ACCELERATOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUV. IN MID-DECEMBER, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED, GOING FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH TO ABOUT 60 MPH WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS. MY HUSBAND, WHO HAS HAD PROFESSIONAL DRIVING INSTRUCTION, PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AT WHICH POINT THE ACCELERATOR (WHICH WAS MOVING TOWARDS THE FLOOR WITHOUT A FOOT ON IT) POPPED BACK UP AND THE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. HOWEVER, WITHIN THIS SAME JOURNEY, THIS SAME ACCELERATOR PROGRAM OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE SUV TO TOYOTA OF ALEXANDRIA IN VIRGINIA AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY NOTIFIED US THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS BUT, BASED ON OUR CONCERNS, AGREED TO EXAMINE THE SUV. TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY DID CALL IN A CORPORATE INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE THE DISSEMBLED DRIVE TRAIN WHO IN TURN DETERMINED THAT AN ACCUMULATION OF OIL IN THE DIFFERENTIALS CAUSED THE CARS COMPUTER TO MISREAD ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION INFORMATION. DESPITE THIS DIAGNOSIS -- AND SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIALS -- TOYOTA MECHANICS WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, WE WERE ADVISED TO PURSUE ARBITRATION WITH TOYOTA AND ARE CURRENTLY ENTRENCHED IN THAT PROCESS. IN THE INTERIM, WE ARE USING THE CAR ONLY FOR LOCAL JOURNEYS OUR OF CONCERN THAT THIS ACCELERATOR PROBLEM COULD REOCCUR. I AM WRITING TODAY TO INFORM YOU OF THE PROBLEM SO THAT YOU HAVE A RECORD THAT TOYOTA'S ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE CARS/SUVS INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL. *TR

SEAT BELT (MALE) FAILED TO LATCH INTO REAR DRIVER SIDE (FEMALE) ASSEMBLY. WE USE ALL THREE REAR SEATS FOR OUR THREE CHILDREN AGES 6, 5 & 4. THIS IS OUR 5 YEAR OLD SONS, WHO IS AUTISTIC, SPOT IN THE CAR. ANY CHANGE IS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO COPE WITH. *TR