2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 256about this part
- Share
- 53%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 256 complaints about the body and structure of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER, 53% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2000 4RUNNER with frame rust/rot, rear passenger side railing arm fell off. Lucky I was not driving fast on a highway, it was just a slow speed street. Took to two frame shops, one said would not work on it since it's so bad. Other says I need a new frame costing about $3400. Body in excellent condition. My dad's 1984 GM blazer frame is still solid and have a lot thicker frame!”
NHTSA complaint #11300361, filed 2020-01, 10 miles“This is a very well known issue, my frame on my 2000 4RUNNER is completely rusted out, my shock mount rusted and broke while driving. There are many many many cases of the 3rd gen 4runners rusting out, a simple google search yields pages and pages of corrosion to frames. This needs to be addressed as other Toyota vehicles in this age grou has recalls for frames.”
NHTSA complaint #11204058, filed 2019-04, 155,000 miles“I have a 2000 4RUNNER with 144000 miles and the underside is rusting away. I now have holes in the frame. Toyota has advised me try to repair or purchase something else because this vehicle is no longer safe to drive and will not pass virginia state inspection. I have 1994 Toyota dlx pickup that has 372000 miles and the underside of it is in good shape.”
NHTSA complaint #10872600, filed 2016-06, 144,000 miles“My 2000 4RUNNER is rusting out next to the rear passenger wheel well. It's always been parked in the garage. I take it for regular washes--and this still happened. I purchased my 2000 4RUNNER brand new with an additional undercoating protection--but you would not know it by looking at the rust damage. This is the telltale spot, it seems, for 4runners rusting out. This is unacceptable Toyota!!”
NHTSA complaint #11098854, filed 2018-05, 175,000 miles“Takata recall..my 2000 4 runners frame is rusted out on the back end and my fiance had to put a plate on the right front about 3-4 yrs ago because it was rusted pretty good too..it now like dances in the back end if I hit a rough patch in the road which doesn't make me feel safe at all to put my children in it.”
NHTSA complaint #10960126, filed 2017-03, 278 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 30% |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% |
| 2019 | 3 | 5% |
| 2018 | 5 | 8% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 8 | 10% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 8 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 9 | 6% |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% |
| 2009 | 3 | 14% |
| 2008 | 16 | 17% |
| 2007 | 40 | 26% |
| 2006 | 143 | 38% |
| 2005 | 185 | 44% |
| 2004 | 310 | 46% |
| 2003 | 284 | 41% |
| 2002 | 88 | 39% |
| 2001 | 81 | 44% |
| 2000 | 256 | 53% |
| 1999 | 112 | 34% |
| 1998 | 78 | 31% |
| 1997 | 76 | 29% |
| 1996 | 42 | 26% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
| 1994 | 6 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 8 | 10% |
| 1989 | 1 | 17% |
| 1988 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
102 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTires
16 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology