2005 Toyota 4RUNNER transmission problems

Filed May 14, 2026 · Body, Suspension · WA

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner with frame rust that has caused everything under my 4runner to rust. Toyota knows these frames have problems with rust and corrosion and have done nothing, I am far from being the only one with this complaint or problem. It is up for inspection anytime. I have taken it to get work done at shops and been turned away because of the amount of rust on all bolts, lines, all metal under truck causing it to be a liability. I cant even get my skid plates off to fully address the issue. The metal is starting to split on the main frame by the tire, it is rotting from inside. Rust has always been there but last couple years has gotten really bad. So much rust my gas tank strap has broken but so much rust I cant get the skid plate off to fix it.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Body, Transmission · VA

- The undercarriage and frame have had premature rusting for years. The car is otherwise in excellent condition due to my care of it over the last 20 years. 5 years ago, a service person at my local Toyota dealership said, "I'm really disappointed in Toyota, I've never seen rust like this." I have now recently been told by a local service shop that it's time to get a new car. The lines are all corroded for the power steering, etc, and he was unable to even "touch them," and said that the rust issue is no longer safe, and we shouldn't drive far from home. - We are now unable to drive the car much, as we live in the country and have far communities. With a [XXX] , we are unwilling to drive the car over 45 mph, or more than 10 miles for fear of an accident after reading about the manufacturing defect in this model of the 4-Runner. - It has not been inspected by the above stated people. - no warnings, I would not have know the vehicle had such severe premature rusting issues if it weren't for a service person telling me such. -My vehicle has under 140k miles on it, and I've taken exceptional care of it over the past 20 years. I could have sold it for 10k given its condition, and low mileage, but it is now likely worth nothing given the manufacturing defect which caused premature rusting. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Body, Transmission · VA

Excessive frame rust and underbody rust. Most weld points and frame assembly is degrading from rust. Transmission coolant lines have cracked and leaked.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Body, Steering · 198,500 miles · NV

Excessive underbody rust, rusting frame joints, and rotting frame members from the inside out.

Filed Apr 14, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 130,000 miles · OH

Vehicle has very excessive frame rust. Holes throughout entire frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Rusting from the inside out due to negligence on toyotas part. This vehicle has the same exact frame that was recalled on the tacomas, tundras and sequoias. Please tell me why the 4runner was left out?

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 228,000 miles · WA

2005 toyota 4runner sr5 was taken into a certified toyota mechanic for inspection and the mechanic showed me the undercarriage of the vehicle, namely the frame and other associated parts. He warned that it would be difficult to perform maintenance on the vehicle if the frame is rotted through. The vehicle was put on a lift for inspection.

Filed Oct 18, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 100,000 miles · PA

The rear axle rusted so badly that it started flaking apart. The frame is rusted severely in the areas where the rear suspension components attach. The gas tank skid plate rusted until it began to fall off while driving down the road and all of the areas where it was bolted to the frame completely rusted out. The exhaust also rusted through behind the muffler causing it to fall off while driving down the road. There are holes in multiple areas of the frame. I had to grind,chip, and wire brush the frame with the vehicle on jack stands in order to repaint everything and keep my vehicle going. This took over 100 hours of labor just to compete. I also had to replace the exhaust and the gas tank skid plate. All of the bolts for the skid plates on the bottom of the vehicle were completely rusted through and could not be removed without falling apart and leaving half the bolt in the frame. The xreas suspension system which runs hydraulic lines around the frame also rusted apart and leaked fluid all over everything. The bolts were all heavily rusted and could not be removed to get the lines off the frame. The frame on this vehicle was not adequately coated to prevent it from rusting. This needed to be done with approximately 100,000 miles on the vehicle.

Filed Dec 20, 2016 · Transmission · 127,000 miles · VT

Ststionary rear axel housing rusted -leaking oil-inferior steal just like the frame that was replaced

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Body, Suspension · AZ

Excesive rust under body. Exhaust system and frame.

Filed May 16, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota 4runner. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and vsc warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto store where a technician pulled up diagnostic trouble codes. The contact spoke with a local dealer who stated that, based on the codes provided, the vehicle would be repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v123000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.