Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
- The undercarriage and frame have had premature rusting for years. The car is otherwise in excellent condition due to my care of it over the last 20 years. 5 years ago, a service person at my local Toyota dealership said, "I'm really disappointed in Toyota, I've never seen rust like this." I have now recently been told by a local service shop that it's time to get a new car. The lines are all corroded for the power steering, etc, and he was unable to even "touch them," and said that the rust issue is no longer safe, and we shouldn't drive far from home. - We are now unable to drive the car much, as we live in the country and have far communities. With a [redacted] , we are unwilling to drive the car over 45 mph, or more than 10 miles for fear of an accident after reading about the manufacturing defect in this model of the 4-Runner. …
I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates off to fully address the issue. The metal is starting to split on the main frame by the tire, it is rotting from inside. Rust has always been there but last couple years has gotten really bad. So much rust my gas tank strap has broken but so much rust I cant get the skid plate off to fix it.
The rear axle rusted so badly that it started flaking apart. The frame is rusted severely in the areas where the rear suspension components attach. The gas tank skid plate rusted until it began to fall off while driving down the road and all of the areas where it was bolted to the frame completely rusted out. The exhaust also rusted through behind the muffler causing it to fall off while driving down the road. There are holes in multiple areas of the frame. I had to grind,chip, and wire brush the frame with the vehicle on jack stands in order to repaint everything and keep my vehicle going. This took over 100 hours of labor just to compete. I also had to replace the exhaust and the gas tank skid plate. All of the bolts for the skid plates on the bottom of the vehicle were completely rusted through and could not be removed without falling apart and leaving half the bolt in the frame. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and vsc warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto store where a technician pulled up diagnostic trouble codes. The contact spoke with a local dealer who stated that, based on the codes provided, the vehicle would be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 05V123000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, there was a two second delay before the vehicle jolted. The contact stated that it felt as though someone had rear-ended the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently and became progressively worse over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the driveshaft was lubricated; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
2005 Toyota 4runner sr5 was taken into a certified Toyota mechanic for inspection and the mechanic showed me the undercarriage of the vehicle, namely the frame and other associated parts. He warned that it would be difficult to perform maintenance on the vehicle if the frame is rotted through. The vehicle was put on a lift for inspection.
Vehicle has very excessive frame rust. Holes throughout entire frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Rusting from the inside out due to negligence on toyotas part. This vehicle has the same exact frame that was recalled on the tacomas, tundras and sequoias. Please tell me why the 4runner was left out?
1. Happened since about 15-20K miles on my 2005 4runner (I'm the first and only owner). 2. Occurs when coming to a stop, large clunk sound and vehicle jolts forward right after a full stop. 3. Nothing has been done to correct the failure. Each time the Toyota dealer service tech takes it for a ride they cannot replicate it, I went once and was not able to replicate it at that time. However, there are numerous online forum discussions about the issue (see this one: http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/4runner/53302-4runner-v8-clunk-in-drivetrain/). Apparently a recall fix for the Lexus 470 (same as a Toyota 4runner like mine) has been provided for Lexus owners but not for Toyota owners. The parts to solve the issue are identical. Toyota dealer service department stated unless Toyota motor corp. …
When coming to a stop vehicle tends to shift into first gear late, right at stopping and it feels like a bump or someone hitting you from behind. This depends on how fast the vehicle is stopped. If stopped faster, the vehicle never shifts into first gear at stopping. After the brake is released the vehicle feels as if shifting from second to first gear. Manually down shifting the vehicle in all gears feels normal except from second to first. There is a hesitation between these gears, the vehicle coast as if in neutral for about two seconds then shifts into first gear. This website also describes the "bump" feel from other owners, search for "bump" http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0dacc5/175.
The vehicle rpms would go up but the car would barley move, or while driving going to accelerate the vehicle would not go faster to engage in traffic, corrosion of pins in the transmission wiring harness that connects to the engine wiring harness. This harness is also tied to the ABS, traction control. It causes the vehicle to become unsafe when driving as if it acts up you cannot accelerate and sort of chugs along. Dangerous in on ramp and traffic situations. This also caused the solenoid in the transmission to short out as it was hanging up on the shift which caused a clunking sound. The transmission wire harness was replaced which showed 3 corroded pins. The solenoid in the transmission was also replaced.
Transmission complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, 6% of the model year's 425 complaints. The component named most often is driveline (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota 4Runner transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 5 recalls 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 2005 Toyota 4Runner transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 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.