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2000 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems

42 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 120,912. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
42
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
120,912
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Driveline
    8
  • Driveline: differential unit
    5
  • Automatic transmission
    4
  • Clutch assembly
    2
  • Axle assembly
    2
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Driveline: constant velocity joint
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Harsh shifting 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · AL

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

Filed Mar 19, 2022 · Suspension, Transmission · VA

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.

Filed Mar 16, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 275,000 miles · WV

Was driving to work one morning and my frame broke and cause my rear differential to shift cause me to have to tow my vehicle.

Filed May 30, 2018 · Body, Transmission · 175,000 miles · OH

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!!

Filed Jan 11, 2018 · Body, Steering · 63,000 miles · NM · crash

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Body, Transmission · 175,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Body, Suspension · 163,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Suspension, Transmission · 84,183 miles · NY

The rear axle housing has rusted through such that differential fluid was leaking through a hole in the metal and dripping onto the roadway. The metal was so thin, like paper. This is a safety issue since all of the rear axle fluid could leak out, allowing the rear differential to freeze or seize up, causing a loss of control of the vehicle and creating a possible accident. It could also cause other vehicles to lose traction on road due to gear oil leaking onto roadway. We had no choice but to have the car repaired by an independent repair shop who had to replace the entire axle housing. Research on the internet supports this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle. I think the federal safety agency needs to step in and make toyota issue a recall for these faulty differentials. It is obvious that toyota used inferior metal to manufacturer these parts.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 195,562 miles · NY

When getting the left/rear wheel bearing repaired (due to heavy rusting of the differential housing, causing fluid loss), the technician reported extensive frame loss also due to corrosion. Affected vehicle (otherwise in good condition) was/had to be junked for safety reasons, thus forcing me to purchase a new vehicle sooner than anticipated. In n.e. (north east) USA, toyota tacomas (frames manufactured in the USA) were recalled for this condition but not toyota 4runners (frames manufactured in japan). Both my 4runner corrosion conditions are not unusual in n.e. Usa! (photos available upon request). Should toyota be allowed to continue doing nothing about this dangerous condition?

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Transmission · 159,000 miles · PA

Experienced soft hum like noise. Took vehicle to local toyota dealer for diagnosis. Rear end housing found to be severely rusted to the point where the internal fluid is seeping out thru the rear of that housing. Non reparable, needs replaced minimum $3000. Dealer said this is not an isolated problem & had contacted toyota of this situation. Dealer was told it happens & toyota would not do anything about it. Has been a good vehicle otherwise. Disheartened & financially stressed!

Questions about the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission

Does the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the transmission of the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 120,912 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota 4RUNNER have bad transmission?

The Toyota 4RUNNER model years with the most transmission complaints are 2000 (42 complaints), 2003 (39 complaints) and 2004 (36 complaints).

Other 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER problems

Body 256Suspension 102Brakes 33Fuel system 25Steering 21Engine 17Tires 16Airbags 13Visibility 10Acceleration 9Wheels 6Electrical 4Lights 2Locks 2Seats 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1

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