1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Structure Problems
3 NHTSA complaints on file
Structure Issues in the 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
3 structure complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
3
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Structure Complaints
SERIOUS CORROSION ON REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING AT BELOW FILL BOLT, LEAKING FLUIDS. DEALER UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE PART IS NOT A COVER AS IN MOST VEHICLES. DEALER ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WITH ALL PARTS. THIS SITUATION PRESENTS A SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AS THESE COMPONENTS ARE SEVERELY AND UNUSUALLY RUSTED. *TR
I WANTED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T PULLING MY BOAT OR TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. BASICALLY THE FRAME FOR MY 4RUNNER RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. ONE BRACE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME TO STABILIZE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF THE FRAME ON ONE SIDE. THE OTHER SIDE IS HOLDING ON BY A STRING. THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH PIECES MISSING FROM RUSTING OUT. THE FRAME COULD IN MY OPINION BREAK IN HALF NEAR THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR OR WORSE THAN WHAT I READ ABOUT THE TACOMA TRUCKS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS WHAT THE GUYS SAID THERE. THE WORDS DIRECTLY FROM THE SERVICE GUYS WERE - THIS IS WORSE THAN ANY OF THE TACOMA'S THEY HAVE SEEN. THEY HAD THE REGIONAL TOYOTA...
NO CRASH OR INJURY,BUT 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DIFFERENTIAL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKS OIL THROUGH NUMEROUS PINHOLES. IT CAN'T BE PATCHED AND REPLACEMENT IS IN THE $1500 RANGE. I CAN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE ON TRIPS. I HAVE FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB - IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Other 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Problem Areas
Suspension
57 complaints
Structurebody
41 complaints
Unknown Or Other
17 complaints
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
16 complaints
Structureframe And Members
10 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
7 complaints
Power Train
6 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
6 complaints
Suspensionrear
5 complaints
Power Traindriveline
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalpassenger Sideinflator Module
1 complaint
Electrical System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
1 complaint
Equipment Adaptivemobility
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlights
1 complaint
Fuelpropulsion System
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblybanjo Housing
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
1 complaint
Suspensionrearspringscoil Springs
1 complaint