2000 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
379
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2000

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

69% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 379 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 379 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2005 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2023 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 379 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2024 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026

2000: 379 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199079
199143
199253
199352
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201679
201736
201858
201965
202032
202136
202239
202330
20249
202559
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

69% · 263 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-11

Also filed under Power train and steering

Traveling straight down the highway at 65 MPH. I hear a loud pop and my SUV veers hard to the right crossing the low speed lane and breakdown lane. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles next to me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-11

Also filed under Suspension

The frame is rusted almost in half a mechanic said it's not safe to drive it will kill someone. The car lot that is selling me the car said he can fix it but it's being held together by welds and c foam. He wants me to still pay for it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-09

Also filed under Suspension and steering

Suspension

26% · 98 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving on the highway and the car started rocking violently back and forth.I applied on the brakes gently and the car started to slow down but would not stop shaking, almost causing the vehicle to flip over on its side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-28

Power train

9% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and differential unit.

CRASH

Steering

5% · 18 reports
CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

2% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2000Complaint volume 379 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

  3. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

Buy-smart checklist

2000 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 263 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 98 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.