2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 9%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,547miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER, 9% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,547 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The cv joint bolt and clip on my 2000 Toyota 4 RUNNER fell off causing the spindle to bend, the axle and cv joint to be destroyed. The clip couldn't be found, only the bolt. Luckily we were in a parking lot or serious consequences would have occurred. We met a mechanic who had just seen the same problem w/ another 4 RUNNER and we live in a small community.”
NHTSA complaint #10147507, filed 2006-01, 91,000 miles“My 2000 Toyota 4runner shakes at speeds above 60mph. It also does this while braking. It is visibly noticeable in the steering wheel, but all passengers in the car can feel the shaking and vibration. It becomes almost violent and alarming around 70mph. I have taken it to several repair shops and no one can find a solution. I have read hundreds of posts about this problem that ranges from 96-08 models.”
NHTSA complaint #10231458, filed 2008-06, 98,000 miles“When getting the left/rear wheel bearing repaired (due to heavy rusting of the differential housing, causing fluid loss), the technician reported extensive frame loss also due to corrosion. Affected vehicle (otherwise in good condition) was/had to be junked for safety reasons, thus forcing me to purchase a new vehicle sooner than anticipated. In n.e. (north east) USA, Toyota tacomas (frames manufactured in the USA) were recalled for this condition but not Toyota 4runners (frames manufactured in japan). Both my 4RUNNER corrosion conditions are not unusual in n.e. Usa! …”
NHTSA complaint #10659294, filed 2014-11, 195,562 miles“My 2000 Toyota 4runner has a rear differential rust through issue releasing gear oil onto the highway and potentially causing my rear end to seize possibly causing a crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10283158, filed 2009-09, 120,912 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10061578Jun 13, 2011Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 43% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 45% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 30 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 6% |
| 2004 | 36 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 33 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 17% |
| 2000 | 42 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 25 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 3 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 8% |
| 1991 | 5 | 12% |
| 1990 | 14 | 18% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
256 complaintsSuspension
102 complaintsOther or unknown
60 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 30, 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