Toyota 4RUNNER knocking problems

Filed Mar 8, 2026 · Electrical · GA

For the 2nd time in 5 weeks, the main wiring harness and knock sensor have been eaten and destroyed by rodents. This has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, and it's due to the soy based wiring used in the wiring harness. I cannot keep this vehicle outside for any period of time without the threat of the harnesses getting chewed.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Steering · PA

While going around turns (left or right) over 30mph the vehicle has knocking that can be felt coming through the steering wheel. This is not the driver assist feedback. If the turn are longer (like highway on ramp) you can hear a slight clunk associated with the knocking that is felt.

Filed Nov 2, 2025 · Steering · HI

Steering wheel creaking and knocking noise when turning the steering wheel left and right.

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Body, Engine · TX

When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off the internet while they hid the rusty underbody by applying some coating. A short time later, the dealership reposted the vehicle on their website. The vehicle was not properly advertised as having this major rust issue. I asked the salesman if his family was driving the vehicle, would he feel safe. He replied, "Absolutely". With this said, I decided to purchase the vehicle. Also, my signature is not on the "We owe". Also, the vehicle has an exhaust leak from the manifold area. It makes a loud ticking noise. This is going to cost approximately $1,500 to fix. The air conditioner is not blowing cold and either has a leak or in need of freon. This is another repair out of my pocket. This is what kind of pre-owned vehicle they sold me. This vehicle should have never been listed for sale.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · CO

I have taken my car to Mountain states Toyota as well as corwin toyota for a tripped light it has to do with vehicle stability system it trips leaving the vehicle stability option not usable. I have told both dealers not to just reset the code however this is what’s happening and they don’t seem to know why it’s doing this. we have repaired the knock sensors and speed sensors. It feels unsafe driving when this trips when road conditions call for all wheel drive. the technician can’t figure it out why. their only solution is to keep resetting. This is not the option I want I need it repaired and they don’t seem to want to do it or figure out and give us options on repair.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 94,000 miles · FL

The vehicle is hard to stop and the brakes are spongy, ive driven a few 4runners and they are all like that and its dangerous. You have to push the pedal to the floor. The engine makes a horrible ticking sound when idling and sounds like the engine is going to blow up

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Body, Steering · 196,000 miles · NC

Upon recently driving a family member's 2005 toyota 4runner limited v8, I heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle over bumps. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I discovered extensive rust on nearly every single part of the structural frame, suspension components and even exhaust system. Some parts are so badly rusted that they can be punctured by simply pushing your finger through them (including the rear frame cross member crash structure behind the rear bumper). These vehicles are rusting so terribly that I'm shocked the federal safety agency hasn't forced toyota to recall them. Yes, they're older, but the level of rust and decay is unprecedented for nearly any modern car. Toyota already had to recall all of their other body-on-frame vehicles (tacoma, tundra, sequoia, and land cruiser) to replace the frames due to rust. Why have they neglected the 4runner when it's arguably the vehicle that will likely see use off road more than all the others? The federal safety agency should force toyota to recall these cars before someone is killed. Look at any online forum as I did last night and you'll see toyota is actually being sued in a class action lawsuit for this very issue. Tons of people are sharing photos and stories of their own incidents. Someone is going to be killed when their car disintegrates as they drive down the road and they lose control of their steering, braking or if they're hit in a collision and the structural members of the car crumble like a cracker.

Filed May 31, 2019 · Body · 190,000 miles · NY

I noticed a pretty distinct wobble when driving my 2001 $runner on the highway recently. I took it to a mechanic who informaed my the frame has a 1 inch wide 18 inch long hole from rust. The mechanic says they can weld it to possibly give it some more time to live but that it is a ticking time bomb. There very well could be rust on the frame hidden behind the gas tank, but I am unable to look behind it. Toyota needs to take responsibility for their mistake when not properly coating these frames. They recalled other models for this same issue but failed to address the issue with the 4runner.

Filed Jun 27, 2018 · Body · 41,916 miles · MN · 1 injury

I was loading items into the rear cargo area of my 2015 4runner which was parked in a parking lot when the struts supporting the rear hatch door suddenly failed causing the heavy door to come crashing down on my head and neck, knocking me to the ground with thankfully minor injury to my head and neck.

Filed May 25, 2018 · Body, Engine · 256,518 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the knock sensors needed to be replaced. The technician advised the contact not to drive the vehicle because the frame was severely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 256,518.