Most common 2000 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of the 483 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota 4Runner complaints by model year
Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
What 2000 Toyota 4Runner owners say
Body & structure all 256 →
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.
The frame rusted and is available for inspection. My daughter was driving our 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 which I purchased new in 2000 when she noticed the truck started to wobble when she hit small bumps. I drove it to the garage the next day which is 2 miles from my house. It was doing the same for me. My mechanic went to put it up on the lift, he noticed that the frame rusted out. There was nothing he can do at this point. There are many complaints of the same issues with the 2000 Toyota 4Runners with the frames rusting out. If she was driving on the highway, this could have been a lot worse and possibly someone seriously injured or death. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the frame rusting out. The only one to inspect it was my mechanic.
Suspension all 102 →
We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.
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 !
Transmission & drivetrain all 42 →
Driving in mild winter condition (light wet slush) on a maintained highway my 4runner began to fish tale. When an attempt was made to correct the fish tale no control input from the drive would correct the sliding motion. This caused the vehicle to slide toward the shoulder of the road. On the shoulder of the road the vehicle began to slow to almost a stop, however, the rear end was far enough off the shoulder that it began to be pulled by gravity down hill. While it slid down hill the rear wheel hit a rock causing the axle to snap near the contact point of the wheel. This caused the vehicle to roll one and a half times endangering four lives. The air bags failed to deploy however none were injured. The car was destroyed and not able to be driven.
The rear axle housing has rusted through such that differential fluid was leaking through a hole in the metal and dripping onto the roadway. The metal was so thin, like paper. This is a safety issue since all of the rear axle fluid could leak out, allowing the rear differential to freeze or seize up, causing a loss of control of the vehicle and creating a possible accident. It could also cause other vehicles to lose traction on road due to gear oil leaking onto roadway. We had no choice but to have the car repaired by an independent repair shop who had to replace the entire axle housing. Research on the internet supports this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle. I think the NHTSA needs to step in and make Toyota issue a recall for these faulty differentials. It is obvious that Toyota used inferior metal to manufacturer these parts.
2000 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota 4Runner a good car?
Based on 483 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 4Runner rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Toyota 4Runner?
The body & structure — 256 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (102) and transmission & drivetrain (42).
How many recalls does the 2000 Toyota 4Runner have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Toyota 4Runner. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota 4Runner?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2011, 2003 and 2004. See the full Toyota 4Runner years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 143,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.