Problems · by component

2000 Toyota 4Runner power train problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota 4Runner cite power train, 9% of all 493 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
42
9% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The hole underneath frame is rusted into and there is a bunch of wielding done to it and it's very unsafe to drive and the car lot guy keeps saying he wants it back on the road”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11549388
“The frame is rusted thru in many places that hold the rearend in the frame and along the side rails of this 4 Runner Toyota 2000, the suspionsion arm rusted and broke free from the frame.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2022Suspension, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11457414
“MY 2000 4RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT NEXT TO THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I TAKE IT FOR REGULAR WASHES--AND THIS STILL HAPPENED. I PURCHASED MY 2000 4RUNNER BRAND NEW WITH AN ADDITIONAL UNDERCOATING PROTECTION--BUT YOU WOULD NOT KNOW IT BY LOOKING AT THE RUST DAMAGE. THIS IS THE TELLTALE SPOT, IT SEEMS, FOR 4RUNNERS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TOYOTA!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2018Power train, StructureODI 11098854
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2018Steering, Power train, StructureCrash reportedODI 11062119
“VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE WELD JOINT WHICH JOINS THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT TO THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED ALLOWING TO CONTROL ARM TO MOVE FORWARD AN BACK. THIS IN TURN ALLOWED THE REAR AXLE TO TURN FROM SIDE TO SIDE. ON INSPECTION THE FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED IN THIS AREA AND THE WELD HAS GIVEN WAY AND IS TEARING APART FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALSO RUSTED, BUT THE JOINT HAS NOT YET SEPARATED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2015Power train, StructureODI 10759396
“SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. RUST HAS COMPLETELY PERFORATED AND SEPARATED STRUCTURAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS (REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM MOUNT). VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL MAJOR REPAIRS OR COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT IS PERFORMED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2015Suspension, Power train, StructureODI 10693880

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.