2005 Toyota 4RUNNER body & structure problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed May 14, 2026WABody & StructureSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11737968 · source
2. Filed Aug 4, 2025205,000 miOHBody & StructureEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11678278 · source
3. Filed Jul 9, 2025VABody & StructureTransmission & Drivetrain

   - 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…

   NHTSA complaint #11672178 · source
4. Filed Jun 27, 2025TXBody & StructureEngineOther / Unknown

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11669643 · source
5. Filed May 27, 2025OHBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   Frame rot. The frame on the 4Runner is a known problem for excessive rot. My frame is shot. There is no reason a frame on a 2005 should be rotted. I was advised by my mechanic that my frame is dangerously close to snapping in half. This needs fixed by Toyota!

   NHTSA complaint #11663092 · source
6. Filed Jan 22, 2025ILBody & Structure

   Under frame is rusted. The area between the doors in the passenger side is gone. only the top face of the member is present.

   NHTSA complaint #11637811 · source
7. Filed Dec 18, 2023200,948 miPABody & StructureWheels & Tires

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11560604 · source
8. Filed Nov 3, 2023VABody & StructureOther / UnknownSuspension

   Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4Runners weren’t. Noticed a lot of other 4th generation 4Runners are having the same issues.

   NHTSA complaint #11553471 · source
9. Filed May 3, 2023166,000 miMDBody & StructureSuspension

   The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for servicing, and he was informed that the sub frame was severely corroded. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11520258 · source
10. Filed Oct 5, 2022MNBody & Structure

    Frame on 2005 Toyota 4Runner has excessive rust due to Toyota’s negligence on frame production. I can make it available if needed. My safety is 100% compromised, had my mechanic not have told me of the issue, I would have kept driving the vehicle and the suspension could have detached from the frame at any point. The problem has been confirmed by my independent service center South Lake Automotive. It has not been inspected by police, manufacturer or other. There was no…

    NHTSA complaint #11488093 · source
11. Filed Sep 11, 2022NYBody & StructureSuspension

    My frame has rotted through, causing the rear bump stops to fall off, putting excessive wear on both frame and suspension components. In parts of the frame, it has rotted all the way around and caused a loss in structural integrity. Worst of all, there is a hole near the rear most strap holding the gas tank to the chassis, which is a risk to not only me and my pregnant wife but others driving on the road around me if it where to fall off. Looking at the body, there is no…

    NHTSA complaint #11483876 · source
12. Filed Jul 3, 2022INBody & Structure

    Frame of the vehicle is rusting from the inside out. Upon inspection, holes in the frame are found, with many more hidden from sight. This is a disaster waiting to happen. This puts the driver and anyone else on the road at extreme risk if the frame breaks while driving. This problem is well documented with Toyota, and they have previously replaced Tacoma, Sequoia, and Tundra frames, but not 4runners. Everyone is at risk with these frames, even if it does not appear so. My…

    NHTSA complaint #11472212 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology