Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have noticed that my vehicle doesn't seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.
On December 31, 2014 we were driving in hillsboro, oh and noticed a popping and cracking noise upon stopping and accelerating. On the way home, we noticed that the noise subsided. On January 1, 2015, went to drive the vehicle just outside our corporation limit and noticed that the vehicle was swaying back and forth like a boat out on the water, and thought it was just caused by excessive wind. On January 2, 2015 we were travelling on us 35 towards chillicothe, oh and hit a ripple in the road and the front end of the vehicle started swaying violently at about 45 MPH. We pulled the vehicle off the road and thought it was in the front end and couldn't see anything. We took off again and it did the same thing at about the same speed and pulled off the road and decided to take it to gusweiler Toyota in washington c.h. Oh approximately 3 miles away. …
I see that you guys have ordered a recall on 2001-2002 Toyota 4runner for the lower ball joint failing. The part number for the lower ball joint is the same for years 1996-2002 and there are numerous posts of people having their ball joint fail on years prior to 2001. Can you please explain why only years 2001-2002 are covered? This is a liability and Toyota should know that the same part number is covered for all 3rd generation Toyota 4runners and it is failing on all 3rd generation 4runners. Please do a quick google search and you will see numerous people getting into accidents, flips, etc. On 4runners that are pre 2001 (1996-2000) because of lower ball joint failure. This has the potential of people bringing suit against Toyota as well as the safety commission for their negligence in fixing this matter.
Shock absorber completely went threw the frame causing the 4 runner to go size to size while driving. Frame is rusting from inside out. Very very dangerous. The same exact frames on the tacomatacoma got a recall, they replaced them. Why wasnt this recalled on the 4runner? And the seatbelts just pop out of the buckle while your just driving. Something has to happen soon or somebody is gonna get very hurt ,or killed. 1 more thing. I had a wheel pop off also from the ball joint breaking luckily that was in my driveway, luckily I wasn't on the main road I could've killed somebody.
I was getting on the hiway ramp and was traveling 60pmh when my vehicle felt like it wanted to move over to the next lane while the steering wheel was held steady. I took the vehicle to northpark Toyota in san antonio texas on August 29,2017. Iwas told the parts were ordered and would take 2weeks to come in. I called 2weeks later and could not get any info on the parts ordered. Today is 10/16/2016 and still no info. I have been driving the vehicle little because it has wanted to move over to the next lane several times even though I hold the steering wheel straight.
Frame is rusting from inside out. Holes in frame big enough to push your whole arm through. Areas of frame connected to suspension prematurely rusting out. This rest of this vehicle is in excellent condition, body panels included. Welder told me entire frame is rusting away and repair to the frame is very difficult anf expensive even if possible. Vehicle has under 185,000 miles and runs great. I hear creaking developing and am afraid car May split in half. Why is Toyota not stepping up after admitting to badly manufactured frames.
My vehicle has been slipping a lot causing me to lose control of the vehicle it's not the first time it has happened just recently it happened again and I was told to check if there was a recall on the vehicle but there wasn't but after researching my 4runner I've read there was some recalls on the car about the rear suspension.
As I was making a right hand turn from a stop, the vehicle became severely poor handling. Upon inspection, it was realized that the mounting flange for the right rear control arm and frame had rusted through and the control arm was no longer connected to the frame.
Frame rust, a fair amount of rust is causing concern and makes me question how trustworthy vehicle is. The date listed isnt the date of the incident its roughly around the time the extent of the rust had been noticed.
Known documented issues with Toyota 4runner frame rot. This particular vehicle the control arm support brackets are showing signs of rust through with holes appearing in the brackets. This is documented with photos! The vehicle was purchased new by my father in 96, always garage kept ,in 2006 I bought the vehicle from him and also is kept in a dry garage not sitting out over moist soil. The 4runner has never been in a accident. I am a certified mechanic who performs safety inspections as I work for engineering university. It came to my attention when I was hearing and reading stories of these 3rd generation 4runners have stability problems directly related to the rusted out frame support brackets that hold the control arms in place for the rear axle. …
Related recalls
Suspension
On certain 2-wheel-drive (2wd) and 4-wheel-drive (4wd) 4runner sport utility vehicles, a combination of heavy loading (simultaneous loading to rear gross axle weight rating and gross vehicle weight rating) and severe steering maneuvers could cause the 2wd 4runner to lose directional stability.
Remedy: Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. Although the 4wd 4runners do not exhibit the handling condition, Toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the…
Suspension complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Toyota 4Runner, 24% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is rear (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-021 (suspension, Jan 18, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota 4Runner suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 184,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries and 2 deaths to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.