Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 12% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 33% | 2,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% | 9,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 5% | 32,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 8% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 10% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 10% | 31,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% | 128,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 14% | 114,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 17% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 40 | 26% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 143 | 38% | 127,000 miles |
| 2005 | 185 | 44% | 129,000 miles |
| 2004 | 310 | 46% | 137,000 miles |
| 2003 | 284 | 41% | 139,000 miles |
| 2002 | 88 | 39% | 140,000 miles |
| 2001 | 81 | 44% | 130,000 miles |
| 2000 | 256 | 53% | 145,000 miles |
| 1999 | 112 | 34% | 178,000 miles |
| 1998 | 78 | 31% | 170,000 miles |
| 1997 | 76 | 29% | 178,000 miles |
| 1996 | 42 | 26% | 186,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Retaining clips / fasteners missing from front air dam causing the large plastic structure to become dislodged and tangled in steering brakes, suspension or causing unsafe road hazard for other vehicles particularly motorcycles. Many owners are reporting this issue and I have verified on my own vehicle missing hardware from recent purchase and vehicle currently has less than 2000 miles. The dealerships are not taking my owner complaints seriously and are refusing to honor warranty claiming that this issue is caused by road hazards when it clearly is not and is easily proven to be a defect or manufacturing issue. My air dam came loose on a interstate highway with 75 mph speed zones and became entangled in the undercarriage, further investigation revealed that several of the fasteners were missing and no evidence they were ever installed. …
I recently purchased a 2025 4Runner and currently have approximately 1,000 miles on it. On Sunday, as I was driving from Sedona to Phoenix on Interstate 17, I heard an odd sound from the driver's front tire area. Upon inspection, at least one screw/bolt was missing on the front spoiler and it was hanging loose and rubbing against the tire. The edge had been rubbing against the front tire as I drove down into the valley. I searched online for this issue in 6th generation 4Runners and found that the front spoiler falling off at high speeds is indeed a problem - please visit 4runner6g.com to see multiple reports and photos that echo mine.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the rear passenger-side seat belt strap detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the failure occurred due to an outside interference from the misuse of a child safety seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,038.
Last October we purchased a new 4 Runner (vin [redacted] ) and to date we have a little over 200 miles on it. The primary issue surrounding the lack of usage is that the running boards "platform" does not extend far enough out from the body. My wife has an extremely hard time both entering and exiting the vehicle, as the surface area is too narrow at 2 3/4". Even placing your foot parallel with the board is a challenge. On exiting there is a safety hazard as one's heel slips off of the rounded edge. The boards are six inches wide with three inches under the rocker panels. Not certain why this was designed this way as there is zero adjustment on the brackets. This is a potential slip and fall issue. [redacted]
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was discovered that the undercarriage was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the vehicle jerked and almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and pulled over the shoulder of the roadway to inspect the vehicle. The contact noticed that the shock absorber brackets were rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the shock absorber, carrier differential, gasket, gasket plug, and bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,500.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed corrosion underneath the vehicle and on the lug nuts. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to locate any failure on the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to second local dealer, Clearwater Toyota (21799 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765: [phone]) and the vehicle was diagnosed with needing multiple unknown components and serial bolts to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000. Toyota case number is [redacted]. "
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the frame holding the radiator of the vehicle was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator frame was corroded; however, the dealer applied paint to the structure instead of replacing the part under warranty. The contact later noticed that the radiator frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that the radiator frame needed to be replaced and the repair would be completed at her own expense as the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 13,290.
Totaled vehicle repaired after vehicle reported totaled - vehicle not repaired adequately and is unsafe as a result of a hit and run accident. Incident reported to police - insurance company, towing service, and consumer fraud by network hacking insurance information.
Related recalls (1)
Structure › Body › Hood
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (310), 2003 (284), 2000 (256), 2005 (185) and 2006 (143) model years. Body complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 17V-763 (hood, Nov 29, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota 4Runner body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles; 7% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (1,387 mentions), followed by the frame and members › underbody shields (163).
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.