Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Frame rusted out where the rear axle arm attaches. Arm mount broken loose from frame. Vehichle is undriveable and virtually not repairable. (frame replacement) ridiculous Toyota!!! You know about this problem, make it right to your customers!. Myself and fmaily own 7 toyotas. Might reconsider ever buying another!
Drive down the road and the part from rear end that connects to frame rusted and broke off. Violent shaking occurred and forced me off the road. Frame looks good everywhere else but the same location on both side.
Re: 1997 Toyota 4runner - I am original owner of this defective vehicle.the frame rail on the passenger side has severe rust perforation in the back where the rear control arm bracket is welded to the frame rail. An independent certified mechanic has stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and should have been recalled as this is a manufacturer design/material defect and a common issue although previously unknown to me. Upon further research I have learned that many other owners of this generation of thetoyota 4runner have reported this issue. Please note there a great many of these vehicles still in service whose owners are unaware of this issue and are in serious danger of harming themselves and other innocent people. Must the NHTSA wait for someone to die before Toyota is held accountable by the NHTSA for this defect?
I came to a stop light and heard a pop like something had broken. Proceeded to get on interstate on ramp and within a mile the vehicle was very hard to control, the rear of the vehicle was swerving back and forth. Luckily I only had to go about a mile to my exit. Once home I had discovered that part of the frame had rusted into at a very critical area of the frame. It was on the drivers side in front of the rear axle and was a part where a rod mounted to it that keeps the rear axle aligned. This should not have happened to a vehicles frame regardless of it being 19 years old. The vehicle is not driveable and Toyota somehow doesn't feel the need to recall what is a huge issue for lots of owners of these vehicles.
Purchased with 165,000 miles. Almost new for a modern vehicle. Took it to the mechanic and was notified the frame was rusted out, the rear end was ready to collapse, and it was unsafe to drive. Took it to a body shop for a second opinion and notified the same thing. Toyota manufacturer customer support line contacted and notified me there is no recall on this vehicle for this. This vehicle was registered its entire life in kentucky, not michigan. Rusting out at 165K is unheard of for a modern vehicle in these conditions. Deeply disappointed in Toyota for not standing behind their product. I will probably have to sell it to the junkyard. What a waste of money I don't have.
Cars real end started to sway when driving, took it to the mechanics and was told the frame was rusted through, that it was unsafe to drive. Contacted Toyota and was told no recall issued,nothing they could do!!!!. This Toyota only has 121,000 miles on it!! It should be going for another 100,000, that's why people buy toyotas!! My son bought this car 3 years ago, took all his money now he has no car to drive or money to buy a new one. Toyota should issue a recall. Since this happened I found that many other Toyota 4runner owners have this same issue. They recalled the tacoma for the same reason.. Same years. Need a recall on the 4runner!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear of the vehicle started swaying left and right. The contact was able to drive home. Upon parking the vehicle, the contact inspected underneath and found rust on the rear driver side frame. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found recalls for other Toyota vehicles for frame rust, but not for the 4runner. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle swayed from left to right and became hard to control. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that the rear passenger side bracket that holds the stabilizer bar to the frame was fractured. In addition, the contact noticed that the whole rear frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 263,514.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted and there was nothing supporting the stabilizer arm. Fox Toyota (228 fox family ln, clinton, tn 37716, [phone]) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 271,000.
1997 Toyota 4runner "rear frame rust and holes" my Toyota 1997 4runner (current mileage 139,035) has the rust and holes on the rear passenger side & driver side frames. Toyota service center mechanic said " do not drive because it is very dangerous." I bought this car at $34,500 on June 1997. It was very expensive one. It's very ridiculous that this expensive car has this kinds of problem. Let me have recall service. I will appreciate for your comments. Thank you.
Body complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1997 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the body & structure of the 1997 Toyota 4Runner, 29% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is body (42 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota 4Runner body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1997 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Toyota 4Runner body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 178,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.