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 2001 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
I was driving my truck on a city street in brooklyn, new york ( flatbush ave) when I suddenly smelled smoke followed by fire coming from the hood. I did not hit any bump and was not involved in any accident. By the time the fire department came, the entire front compartment of the truck was on fire.
The frame on my 2001 rotted very quickly from the inside out. It is the same exact frame used on the tacoma (which was recalled) and on the 2002 4runner, which is currently under investigation. If I didn't get the necessary frame repairs it easily could have cracked in half when on the road. The main areas of rot are located at the rear control arm (which I had professionally repaired), and up front near the suspension and axle. My brothers 1997 4runner axle and suspension completely fell apart when he was driving on the road. He was lucky to not be on the highway. Someone definitely needs to look into this issue. I purchased the vehicle from the south four years ago (2014) with a spotless rock hard frame. Four years later the rear control arm areas mentioned above completely rotted through. This should not happen! …
The frame of my 2001 Toyota 4runner is rusted to the point that you can break some of it off in our hand. Recently took my vehicle in for an oil change and was told that it would not pass inspection in its current condition. This required welding to some sections in order to keep driving. The welding will only keep me on the road for now but the overall condition of the frame is very deteriorated. The vehicle has over 205,000 miles on it but has been garage kept and maintained to all other standards. The auto shop said that the vehicle should not rust this much. I called Toyota national headquarters and they said that the year and model was not included in any recalls. I need this car so I had the garage repair the immediate safety concern. This was discovered by the technician conducting the oil change. …
The under carriage has been rusting since I noticed approx. 4 yrs after purchase. I now have been unable to pass inspection or drive vehicle since entire under carriage is completely rusted out. When attempt was made to place on lift to observe it began to crack or split . I have only 87000 miles on it and the rest of vehicle is clean and basically rust free. It is March 27 , 2015 and has been sitting in driveway for last 3 yrs. The Toyota dealership in wappingers falls stated that Toyota is planning on repairing but is uncertain as to when. At present the back parking lot is filled with new under structures for other models.I would like to know when this ongoing terrible and dangerous problem will be repaired.
My 2001 Toyota 4 runner was up on the lift for regular oil change. A service tech brought me to the service bay and informed me of a considerable amount of rust failure of the frame. Not surface rust, but rust that is causing the frame to separate causing visible cracks to appear. He advised me of the potential danger. He advised me that Toyota has addressed this issue on tundra's, tacoma's and sequoia's but offers no relief for 4runner owners. The vehicle has 137,000 miles on it. My guess was that I had another 20-30,000 more to go as it doesn't travel many miles on a daily basis. Seems hard to reason that Toyota has had replacement plans in place for other models with the same problem but not for the 4runner.
I noticed a pretty distinct wobble when driving my 2001 $runner on the highway recently. I took it to a mechanic who informaed my the frame has a 1 inch wide 18 inch long hole from rust. The mechanic says they can weld it to possibly give it some more time to live but that it is a ticking time bomb. There very well could be rust on the frame hidden behind the gas tank, but I am unable to look behind it. Toyota needs to take responsibility for their mistake when not properly coating these frames. They recalled other models for this same issue but failed to address the issue with the 4runner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. While the contact was at an independent mechanic for a muffler replacement, he was informed that the vehicle frame was severely rusted. The mechanic stated that the muffler could not be replaced and a leak was present. The dealer (mcgee Toyota of hanover, 860 washington st, hanover, ma 02339, [phone]) informed the contact that the frame and differential housing needed to be replaced. The differential housing was repaired, but the frame was not. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Massive rust corrosion and pieces breaking away located underneath entire vehicle. The rust with breakage has intensified greatly in the last couple of years and required welding this year to pass inspection because the vehicle was unsafe. The welding consisted of welding the frame rail where the rear suspension mounts and a new bracket had to be welded on the axle housing that holds an upper rear strut rod because it rusted off. Both were on the passenger side of vehicle. This vehicle only has 101,000 miles and is washed and waxed on a regular basis.
Frame rust issues. My frame has been rusting away for the entire time I've owned it, and it isn't getting any better. The passenger inside frame rail is rusted from the rear lower control arm mount to the cross member mount midway down the frame. The driver inside frame rail is rusted at the lower control arm mount as well, and slightly in front of it. When I purchased the vehicle I noticed a slight pit, and didn't think anything of it. Over the next year that pit got bigger until there was a large opening that you could fit two hands inside of.
Body complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner, 44% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is body (53 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota 4Runner body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 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 2001 Toyota 4Runner body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire 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.