Toyota 4RUNNER Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 906 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Toyota 4RUNNER across 30 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (114). The words owners use most often: “frame rusted” (11% of reports).
- 906suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 47mention a crash
- 24mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $3,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Frame rusted: mentioned in 100 of 906 complaints (11%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 84 of 906 complaints (9%)
- Rear suspension: mentioned in 53 of 906 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Toyota 4RUNNER at $3,550, and half of them between $1,600 and $5,550.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 594 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 906 complaints, 47 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 24 an injury.
Toyota 4RUNNER suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 4RUNNER | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 4RUNNER | 3 | 9% | — |
| 2022 4RUNNER | 6 | 15% | — |
| 2021 4RUNNER | 10 | 28% | 350 |
| 2020 4RUNNER | 4 | 12% | 28,650 |
| 2019 4RUNNER | 7 | 11% | 18,750 |
| 2018 4RUNNER | 4 | 7% | 22,000 |
| 2017 4RUNNER | 2 | 6% | 45,000 |
| 2016 4RUNNER | 9 | 11% | 18,445 |
| 2015 4RUNNER | 10 | 11% | 39,489 |
| 2014 4RUNNER | 3 | 4% | 50,000 |
| 2013 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% | 55,821 |
| 2012 4RUNNER | 2 | 2% | 1,300 |
| 2011 4RUNNER | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2010 4RUNNER | 5 | 3% | 149,500 |
| 2009 4RUNNER | 2 | 9% | 99,500 |
| 2008 4RUNNER | 11 | 11% | 83,600 |
| 2007 4RUNNER | 14 | 9% | 104,500 |
| 2006 4RUNNER | 65 | 17% | 125,000 |
| 2005 4RUNNER | 77 | 18% | 127,500 |
| 2004 4RUNNER | 113 | 17% | 138,000 |
| 2003 4RUNNER | 114 | 16% | 149,000 |
| 2002 4RUNNER | 49 | 22% | 128,265 |
| 2001 4RUNNER | 27 | 15% | 130,500 |
| 2000 4RUNNER | 102 | 21% | 165,000 |
| 1999 4RUNNER | 66 | 20% | 181,800 |
| 1998 4RUNNER | 60 | 24% | 170,000 |
| 1997 4RUNNER | 95 | 36% | 170,000 |
| 1996 4RUNNER | 39 | 24% | 184,000 |
| 1995 4RUNNER | 2 | 1% | 163,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Suspension; steering
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. During installation, certain steering and suspension components may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: Loose fasteners may cause a loss of vehicle control, or cause an accessory to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-tighten the steering and suspension fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET19B.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Model years: 2001, 2002
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Suspension
Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998
Problem: On certain 2-wheel-drive (2wd) and 4-wheel-drive (4wd) 4runner sport utility vehicles, a combination of heavy loading (simultaneous loading to rear gross axle weight rating and gross vehicle weight rating) and severe steering maneuvers could cause the 2wd 4runner to lose directional stability.
Risk: This may result in a loss of control and could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. Although the 4wd 4runners do not exhibit the handling condition, toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the replacement parts. Owner notification began february 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle Component: Solid Rear Axle Assembly / Rear Suspension GeometryDefect Summary: The vehicle exhibits a factory manufacturing defect causing severe rear axle misalignment. At approximately 350 miles from new, an official dealership Hunter alignment report documented out-of-spec rear alignment…
Thankfully the piece of my shock coil spring fell off in my driveway on Aug 23rd 2026. I am being told I should not drive my car now as the entire coil spring can come off and cause me to crash. They have a 2018 trd pro at my dealership that has been waiting since March for the same part. I have…
The steering system malfunctioned. The vehicle is at the dealer for inspection/repair. When driving the steering is loose, when you go over bumps there is an audible thump in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle is at the dealer in Rockwall Texas for the 3rd time for this issue. The lower steering…
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…
I have experienced a persistent steering and suspension-related issue with my 2019 Toyota 4Runner since early ownership, beginning at approximately 6,800 miles. The vehicle repeatedly pulls/drifts to the right at highway speeds and requires constant steering correction. I have also experienced…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota 4RUNNERs have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 906 owner complaints about suspension for the Toyota 4RUNNER. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota 4RUNNER suspension?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Toyota 4RUNNER?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,550 (half paid between $1,600 and $5,550), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most frequent phrase is “frame rusted”, in 100 of 906 complaints, followed by “control arm” (84).
Other Toyota 4RUNNER problems
- Structure problems (1,789)
- Air Bags problems (524)
- Power Train problems (405)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (363)
- Steering problems (311)
- Service Brakes problems (286)
- Electrical System problems (248)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (238)
See all Toyota 4RUNNER problems.