2000 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 379 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (63% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 and 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 379 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2023
“The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2023
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, it was later discovered that the both the driver's and passenger's side doors and the hatch door could not be opened manually or remotely. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2022
“The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while at a local mechanic he was informed that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2021
“Frame on passenger side (front,left) is rotted. While I was driving on the highway I almost got in an accident because the frame gave out. Now I'm out of car and I don't want to pay but I'm going to have to thousands of dollars to get the frame fixed. That's money I don't have as I am a recent college student trying to pay of his loans.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2021
“Section of frame broke and fell to the pavement. Vehicle bouncing and went off road causing damage to front driver side bumper, turn signal light housing, headlight. Extensive Back frame rusting has made vehicle dangerous. Frame has many soft spots. Both back shocks rusted and broken. Replace shocks but frame will eventually brake. This is my only vehicle. So, I will continue to drive and pray that this vehicle stays together and doesn't result in death. Front frame and suspension are also rusted and rusting. Please help !”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2021
“About 1 month ago the air bag light started flashing. It is available for inspection. It had not been in an accident. We took it to a local Toyota dealer. There are some middle of the story details, but bottom line is eventually they told me it could not be fixed secondary to inability to obtain a control module. This has been verified by Toyota Customer Service.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2021
“Traveling on interstate at 65 mph and heard a "pop." vehicle started swerving badly -- total loss of control. Rear end wagging horrifically nearly hitting cars in other lanes. Managed to get to shoulder but couldnt see what was wrong. Got vehicle off at exit and to garage. Was told frame snapped and rear end control arm no longer attached rear end to frame. Frame rot extensive. Scary as hell. No other rust on vehicle. Thought vehicle would flip!”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2020
“Due to the dreaded ' toyota rot ' frame failure the spare tire mechanism had rusted off going down us highway 25 in kentucky and put a poor man and his children in harms way. Toyota doesn't care about their customers they just want your money !!! I feel this problem could have been avoided toyota should have recalled these vehicles knowing the frame issues have existed since the mid 90s!!!! When I look up my vehicle it has zero recalls shame on you toyota there should be a remedy even if it's splitting the cost with your customer. Very unsatisfied”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 4RUNNER by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
NHTSA has 379 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is structure (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,280 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.