1997 Toyota 4RUNNER structure problems
69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the structure on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER — 50% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Very rusted out undercarriage. My other is only 3 years newer and has nothing like this on it. I was advised to sell it by a suspension shop that noted my broken, rusted out undercarriage, bad shock and the condition of the rear of the truck's frame in general. There is nothing wrong with the truck…”
filed Jul 26, 2019
“Hey I have a 1997 4 runner I have a problem of the frame getting rusted out. It is on the 4 link where it hooks to the axle it could have killed me my rear axle about came off and it almost got me into a reck. All I done is hit the brakes then hurt pop and rear end went crazy. I was on a busy city…”
filed Mar 4, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Structure problems in other 4RUNNER years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 4RUNNER | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% |
| 2019 4RUNNER | 3 | 5% |
| 2018 4RUNNER | 5 | 9% |
| 2017 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 4RUNNER | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 4RUNNER | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 4RUNNER | 8 | 10% |
| 2013 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 4RUNNER | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 4RUNNER | 9 | 6% |
| 2010 4RUNNER | 12 | 8% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.