- The problem
- Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
Vehicle safety record
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 493 complaints about the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (257) and the suspension (103). Those complaints describe 31 crashes, 1 fire, 31 injuries and 2 deaths. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 2006 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 1999 has 332 and the 2001 has 190.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 4RUNNER year, for its age
#15 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 493
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 31
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 31
- Deaths
- 2
Most common 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER problems
Share of all 493 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
What owners say
Be the first 4RUNNER owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
493 complaints about the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 20.
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
The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it. I've complained about not being able to drive over 45 without swaying badly and they keep doing stuff to it saying it's fixed and it's not. It's to dangerous to drive. I have a video of underneath but it won't let me upload it
We recently looked at this vehicle at Toyota of Ann Arbor car lot. After taking the vehicle to a private Professional Certified Car Inspector we were told that that the passenger side Frame had a catastrophic Crack that ran 7' from front to back and over the forward facing Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Support making the vehicle unsafe for any driving. They showed us the frame damage and showed us how wire mesh and foam spray had been used in an attempt to hide it. We were scared to drive it back to the dealer (we drove...
Read the full complaint
very slow). We informed them of the damage and they were very rude and asked us to leave. My only goal here is to insure that this vehicle is not put on the road were it could result in death or injury.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, it was later discovered that the both the driver's and passenger's side doors and the hatch door could not be opened manually or remotely. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Section of frame broke and fell to the pavement. Vehicle bouncing and went off road causing damage to front driver side bumper, turn signal light housing, headlight. Extensive Back frame rusting has made vehicle dangerous. Frame has many soft spots. Both back shocks rusted and broken. Replace shocks but frame will eventually brake. This is my only vehicle. So, I will continue to drive and pray that this vehicle stays together and doesn't result in death. Front frame and suspension are also rusted and rusting. Please help !
The frame rusted and is available for inspection. My daughter was driving our 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 which I purchased new in 2000 when she noticed the truck started to wobble when she hit small bumps. I drove it to the garage the next day which is 2 miles from my house. It was doing the same for me. My mechanic went to put it up on the lift, he noticed that the frame rusted out. There was nothing he can do at this point. There are many complaints of the same issues with the 2000 Toyota 4Runners with the frames...
Read the full complaint
rusting out. If she was driving on the highway, this could have been a lot worse and possibly someone seriously injured or death. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the frame rusting out. The only one to inspect it was my mechanic.
Frame is rotted out. Mechanic lifted it on hoist and frame is rusted terribly and said not drivable.
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.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while at a local mechanic he was informed that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Frame on passenger side (front,left) is rotted. While I was driving on the highway I almost got in an accident because the frame gave out. Now I'm out of car and I don't want to pay but I'm going to have to thousands of dollars to get the frame fixed. That's money I don't have as I am a recent college student trying to pay of his loans.
About 1 month ago the air bag light started flashing. It is available for inspection. It had not been in an accident. We took it to a local Toyota dealer. There are some middle of the story details, but bottom line is eventually they told me it could not be fixed secondary to inability to obtain a control module. This has been verified by Toyota Customer Service.
I reported a serious safety issue several years ago with a defective frame weld on my 2000 toyota 4runner, which caused my rear differential support to separate from the frame while driving at 55-60 mph. This caused a severe, unexpected swaying of the vehicle back and forth and almost complete loss of control
Frame is rusted completely and unsafe which is a very common problem please help was driving home city street
Traveling on interstate at 65 mph and heard a "pop." Vehicle started swerving badly -- total loss of control. Rear end wagging horrifically nearly hitting cars in other lanes. Managed to get to shoulder but couldnt see what was wrong. Got vehicle off at exit and to garage. Was told frame snapped and rear end control arm no longer attached rear end to frame. Frame rot extensive. Scary as hell. No other rust on vehicle. Thought vehicle would flip!
Vehicle started handling poorly. I had recently replaced the rear shocks and thought I needed an alignment done. Brought it to my mechanic who pointed out that my rear upper control arm brakcet on the passenger had rotted and broken, causing the squirrely handling. Shortly after, while driving home from work on the highway at ~70mph, I heard a clunk and the tail end of the truck started jumping/swerving. Took back roads home and assessed the problem. Lo and behold my driver's side upper control arm bracket...
Read the full complaint
encountered the same fate. Rotted and broken. My vehicle's first owner was in minnesota but since then it has been in texas where there is no salt on the roads. I've done what I can to seal and prevent further rust on the frame after purchase and yet this still happens? My truck is no longer drive-able as it's extremely unsafe to have my rear axle disconnected from the frame. So until I can manage to 1) find someone willing to weld my frame 2) pay for such a service I am without a vehicle... I paid $2000 for this car less than a year ago with only 170k miles on it.
RUST AND HOLES IN THE FRAME. *TR
As I started to accelerate at a busy intersection, my 4runner started to jolt and once it began moving it started a swerve motion. It became difficult to stop as well. No indicator light came on to warn me of any problem while I was about to enter the interstate highway. So I turned off the road. I brought the truck to my mechanic who stated the frame had broken loose. The mechanic also stated this was not due to wear and tear, but it was in his professional opinion a manufacturing rust defect. He said this should have never happened. I don't have images at the time I'm writing this report because my 4runner is at the service garage, however I can furnish images upon request.
Due to the dreaded ' toyota rot ' frame failure the spare tire mechanism had rusted off going down us highway 25 in kentucky and put a poor man and his children in harms way. Toyota doesn't care about their customers they just want your money !!! I feel this problem could have been avoided toyota should have recalled these vehicles knowing the frame issues have existed since the mid 90s!!!! When I look up my vehicle it has zero recalls shame on you toyota there should be a remedy even if it's splitting the cost with your customer. Very unsatisfied
Frame is really rusting bad as is the case with 100s of other 4runners. T4r.Org will show hundred upon hundreds of complaints of this. My truck only has 99k miles and the frame is almost completely wrecked. This has been an issue on these trucks for years and nothing has been done. Please look into this it's a huge safety issue!
The under frame rotted out and broke while traveling on highway at 65mph, when all of a sudden the vehicle started weaving back and forth violently. Almost lost control of vehicle before slowing down.Pulled over because we thought we had a flat. Was not the case. Got back on the road and any time we went over 45mph it started to violently weave back and forth. Luckily we did not roll over or crash with an autistic child in the back of the 4runner or my very ill husband on oxygen. If not addressed or recalled soon,...
Read the full complaint
someone is going to get seriously hurt or worse. This needs to be recalled. My 4runner only has 168,000 miles on it. *Bf contact stated vehicle was taken to the shop for repair but was told it was not repairable.*Jb
2000 4Runner with frame rust/rot, rear passenger side railing arm fell off. Lucky I was not driving fast on a highway, it was just a slow speed street. Took to two frame shops, one said would not work on it since it's so bad. Other says I need a new frame costing about $3400. Body in excellent condition. My dad's 1984 gm blazer frame is still solid and have a lot thicker frame!
Frame is rusting to beyond repair and no longer safe to drive
The rear frame broke and the shock tower broke off due to rust. I was driving down the highway and a loud bang when it let go tearing off the exhaust l.
FRAME IS GETTING MANY LARGE RUST HOLES
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the frame was corroded with holes. The contact also found that the rear control arm was corroded. The contact was unsure if the vehicle could be repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not conctacted. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The failure mileage was 194,000. *Jb
Toyota 4RUNNER: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 678 | 2 | F |
| 2003 | 708 | 3 | F |
| 2002 | 251 | 3 | F |
| 2001 | 190 | 3 | D |
| 2000 | 493 | 2 | F |
| 1999 | 332 | 2 | F |
| 1998 | 264 | 4 | F |
| 1997 | 264 | 4 | F |
| 1996 | 165 | 5 | D |
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER | 493 | 2 | F | |
| 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1,829 | 12 | D | Compare |
| 2000 Dodge Durango | 1,097 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Chevrolet Blazer | 600 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Jeep Wrangler | 270 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Subaru Outback | 207 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Nissan Pathfinder | 128 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Ford Explorer | 0 | 15 | B | Compare |
| 2000 Honda Passport | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
Does the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER: exterior lighting (May 2006); exterior lighting (March 2006). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (257), suspension (103), transmission & drivetrain (42).
How many complaints has the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER had?
493 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 3, 1999 and the latest on October 11, 2023. Of these, 31 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 31 injuries and 2 deaths.
Is the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 10 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Toyota 4RUNNER year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Toyota 4RUNNER years have the most complaints?
2003 (708), 2004 (678), 2000 (493). See every Toyota 4RUNNER year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data