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 2006 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH, the control arm detached. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the control arm was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. Additionally, the contact stated that while a routine inspection was being performed on the vehicle, she was informed that the frame was corroded, and the vehicle was not drivable. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after a State Inspection, the vehicle was declared unsafe to drive on the State roadways due to severe corrosion. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe needed to be replaced due to extensive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the undercarriage frame was rusted. The contact was made aware of the failure after replacing the exhaust pipe himself and taking the vehicle to the dealer to have the sway bar removed and replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while in for maintenance it was discovered that the subframe had experienced extensive rusting and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 121,000.
Frame rust damage, normal street driving. Lower control arm mounts disintegrated causing vehicle to be not drivable. Along with complete frame rust that possibly couldve lead to even more dangerous conditions.
We took the vehicle in for inspection and it failed due to the exhaust leaks, and more importantly the frame rusting out. We never received the recall notice for this issue. We have owned this vehicle for many years, so there is no reason we would not have been notified for the recall of the frame. The vehicle was just serviced last year and we spent a great deal of money to keep it running properly so we would not have any issues and it would last us for quite a long time to come. With the frame being rusted through, there is simply no way to keep this vehicle safe. Toyota did not notify customers that had the vehicles with the frame issue. This is something that is simply not acceptable. We are a family of Toyota owners and have always depended on the reliability of them. Finding this out has really shocked us and honestly diminished our trust in the Toyota reliability. …
Vehicle failed inspection due to rust on the frame. Bought vehicle because it is supposedly ruggedly built and for the frame to rust out when the vehicle has 103k miles and not driven off-road for more than a few times since we owned it is ridiculous. Dealer quoted $11k for the frame alone, not including labor. The fact this vehicle shares the platform with the Tacoma which was recalled for frame does not make sense. Vehicle was inspected last year (Virginia requires annual safety inspections), so given the amount of rust discovered makes me doubt whether or not the Toyota dealership did a thorough job inspecting the vehicle last year. We don't drive the vehicle that much so it doesn't make sense that it would rust som significantly.
Frame is rotting away. The tacomas, tundras, sequoia were recalled for this issue. The tacomas frame is very close in design to the 4runner. The main difference is the 4runner uses coil springs whereas the tacoma used leaf springs. Toyota stated that because the 4runner was made in Japan unlike the others that were made in the USA, that the 4runners were not part of the recall.most of the 4runners that are no longer drivable, are because of rotted frames. The repair kits that fix the rotted frames on the tacomas are the same kits that fix the 4runners. Now toyota won't even touch my vehicle for other repairs because of the rot holes.
Corrosion related issues not found on other makes based on personal experience with other boxed ladder frame vehicles Extreme corrosion involving disintegration of the rear trailing arm already haphazardly repaired with steel doubler Ladder frame is disintegrating from interior of frame penetrating towards the exterior facade Compromises structural integrity and safety of vehicle that is seen beyond on many 4runners beside this particular example Brake calipers sticking due to corrosion requiring replacement on multiple occasions Binding of brake components cause severe pull under highway speed braking
Frame under the vehicle has severe premature rusting including large holes that make the vehicle dangerous to drive. Vehicle has been inspected, and this is the info that was given to me. Vehicle model/year has seen this issue countless times from other owners, and Toyota has not paid to repair this major flaw from their vehicles. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, but has been inspected by a body shop/ repair shop. No warning lamps or messages were shown. Vehicle frame has not failed yet, but needs replacement.
NHTSA investigations
Frame corrosion
On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other…
Body complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 143 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Toyota 4Runner, 38% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is body (127 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota 4Runner body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 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 2006 Toyota 4Runner body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.