TOYOTA 4 RUNNER · model year

2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER

118 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000TOYOTA4 RUNNER carries 118 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 0 fires, 34 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 4 RUNNER is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 12 filings, followed by tires (10) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2000 4 RUNNER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

118
Complaints
26
Crashes
0
Fires
34
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

118 filings

Crashes Reported

26 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR12
TIRES10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
AIR BAGS3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
WHEELS2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2

Recent Complaints

20060730POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE OF MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2000 4RUNNER SR5. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN I COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. THE MOTOR WAS RACING BUT NO POWER WAS GETTING TO THE WHEELS. IT WAS A SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE RIGHT AND WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. I THEN TRIED ALL GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE BUT NONE WORKED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. A USED TRANSMISSION WAS USED (REBUILT WAS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR CONSIDERABLY MORE MONEY). NO REAL DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE OF THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION HAD ABOUT 82000 MILES USAGE AT THE TIME. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS PERIODICALLY CHECKED AND ALWAYS WAS FINE BUT HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED (THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO CHECK IT EVERY 30000 MILES, BUT DOESN'T SAY TO REPLACE IT UNLESS OPERATING UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS LIKE TOWING WHICH I NEVER DI

Mileage: 82,000

20060404POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

LOUD NOISE IN REAR END OF VEHICLE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING IT WAS MY TIRES. UNTIL, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AT 85,000 MILES. FRONT & REAR BEARINGS WERE GAULDED. "NEVER" DROVE 4 RUNNER UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS! VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS ALWAYS KEPT UP TO DATE. HAVE "ALL" RECORDS. REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARINGS, CARRIER BEARINGS, CRUSH SLEEVE, PINION SEAL, DIFFERENTIAL GASKET, SPACER AND GEAR OIL ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED. WHEN ASKED TO SEE OLD PARTS. WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE SENT BACK TO TOYOTA! *JB

Mileage: 85,254

20060227SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE CAR WAS NEW. *JB

20060112POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

THE CV JOINT BOLT AND CLIP ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FELL OFF CAUSING THE SPINDLE TO BEND, THE AXLE AND CV JOINT TO BE DESTROYED. THE CLIP COULDN'T BE FOUND, ONLY THE BOLT. LUCKILY WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT OR SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. WE MET A MECHANIC WHO HAD JUST SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM W/ ANOTHER 4 RUNNER AND WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY. *JB

Mileage: 91,000

20060112POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

THE CV JOINT BOLT AND CLIP ON MY 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FELL OFF CAUSING THE SPINDLE TO BEND, THE AXLE AND CV JOINT TO BE DESTROYED. THE CLIP COULDN'T BE FOUND, ONLY THE BOLT. LUCKILY WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT OR SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. WE MET A MECHANIC WHO HAD JUST SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM W/ ANOTHER 4 RUNNER AND WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY. *JB

Mileage: 91,000

20051205STRUCTURE

SALVAGED CARS AND CARS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ARE BEING PASSED OFF AS CLEAN PREOWNED SAFE CARS. THE CARFAX STATES ONE THING BUT THE MECHANICS ARE FINDING THE LIES AND THE ATTEMPTED COVER UPS. MAJOR WORLD LOCATED AT 43-40 NORTHERN BLVD. LONG ISLAND CITY NY. SHOWED ME A BEAUTIFUL CARFAX THAT DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH. I FOUND OUT LATER AFTER I PAID A MOBILE MECHANIC 191.00 TO CHECK THE CAR OUT. THE MANAGER ADMITTED TO THE MECHANIC THAT THE CAR WAS A SALVAGE CAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY PASSED THIS SUV (2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER) UP. I WOULD NOT HAVE HIRED A MECHANIC. I AM ON DISABILITY AND LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME. I PASSED UP MY AMBULETTE SERVICE AT THEIR SUGGESTION TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANICS ARRIVAL. THEY PROMISED TO PAY MY CAB FARE HOME. THEY LIED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEALERSHIP. I AM OUT OF $201.00 BECAUSE OF THEIR LIES. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF EVEN WORSE THAN ME. AT LEAST I HAD

20051205LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SALVAGED CARS AND CARS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ARE BEING PASSED OFF AS CLEAN PREOWNED SAFE CARS. THE CARFAX STATES ONE THING BUT THE MECHANICS ARE FINDING THE LIES AND THE ATTEMPTED COVER UPS. MAJOR WORLD LOCATED AT 43-40 NORTHERN BLVD. LONG ISLAND CITY NY. SHOWED ME A BEAUTIFUL CARFAX THAT DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH. I FOUND OUT LATER AFTER I PAID A MOBILE MECHANIC 191.00 TO CHECK THE CAR OUT. THE MANAGER ADMITTED TO THE MECHANIC THAT THE CAR WAS A SALVAGE CAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY PASSED THIS SUV (2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER) UP. I WOULD NOT HAVE HIRED A MECHANIC. I AM ON DISABILITY AND LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME. I PASSED UP MY AMBULETTE SERVICE AT THEIR SUGGESTION TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANICS ARRIVAL. THEY PROMISED TO PAY MY CAB FARE HOME. THEY LIED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEALERSHIP. I AM OUT OF $201.00 BECAUSE OF THEIR LIES. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF EVEN WORSE THAN ME. AT LEAST I HAD

20051205TIRES

SALVAGED CARS AND CARS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ARE BEING PASSED OFF AS CLEAN PREOWNED SAFE CARS. THE CARFAX STATES ONE THING BUT THE MECHANICS ARE FINDING THE LIES AND THE ATTEMPTED COVER UPS. MAJOR WORLD LOCATED AT 43-40 NORTHERN BLVD. LONG ISLAND CITY NY. SHOWED ME A BEAUTIFUL CARFAX THAT DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH. I FOUND OUT LATER AFTER I PAID A MOBILE MECHANIC 191.00 TO CHECK THE CAR OUT. THE MANAGER ADMITTED TO THE MECHANIC THAT THE CAR WAS A SALVAGE CAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY PASSED THIS SUV (2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER) UP. I WOULD NOT HAVE HIRED A MECHANIC. I AM ON DISABILITY AND LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME. I PASSED UP MY AMBULETTE SERVICE AT THEIR SUGGESTION TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANICS ARRIVAL. THEY PROMISED TO PAY MY CAB FARE HOME. THEY LIED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEALERSHIP. I AM OUT OF $201.00 BECAUSE OF THEIR LIES. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF EVEN WORSE THAN ME. AT LEAST I HAD

20050921FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

THE VEHICLES FUEL SENDING SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ INACCURATE FUEL QUANTITIES. THIS HAS LED TO FUEL STARVATION WHICH COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD IT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN AS OF YET. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED BY TOYOTA AS A KNOWN DEFECT IN TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN EL010-00. SINCE TOYOTA HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A KNOWN DEFECT ISSUE; MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ORDERED TO RECALL AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *JB

Mileage: 82,000

20050810ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL OF ITS OIL. THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE TECHNICIAN FORGETTING TO TIGHTEN THE OIL FILTER AND THE OIL DRAIN PLUG.*** *NM THE OIL CHANGE FACILITY ONLY OFFERED PARTIAL REOIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE THEY ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE THAT THEY SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. *NM

20050801ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL OF ITS OIL. THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE TECHNICIAN FORGETTING TO TIGHTEN THE OIL FILTER AND THE OIL DRAIN PLUG DURING A OIL CHANGE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE MANAGER OFFER TO PARTIALLY COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR THE ENGINE BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE OFFER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLECT. *NM

20050727ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I JUST PURCHASED A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH 80K .THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GAVE A PROBLEM CODE OF PO171 MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR .ME AND MY KIDS WENT TO GRAB SUPPER AT THE DAIRY QUEEN AND HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF THE DQ WHEN MY CAR STARTED SHUTING DOWN IN THE ROAD WAY, MY 4RUNNER COULD NOT EXCEED 25MPH .ALMOST A CRASH! FROM ALL IVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THIS IS THE NUMBER 1 PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 4RUNNNER AND COULD CAUSE ASERIOUS ACICDENT OR DEATH. THE CAR DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FOR ME AT NO CHARGE. I THINK TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS FAULT IN THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS I READ ONLINE WHERE ONE TOYOTA DEALER HAD SOLD OVER 300 NEW MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS.PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME ANYTIME.JSR7044775308

Mileage: 81,000

20050330CrashSUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2000, AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN. *BF WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SUDDENLY FELT THE VEHICLE BEND TO THE RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

20050323CrashSUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

TOYOTA 4-RUNNER 2000, AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN. *BF WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FELL ABNORMAL, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DIVIDER. *JB

20050227CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING APPROX. 60 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET FROM PREVIOUS RAINFALL. MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 2WD HYDROPLANED AND CAUSED ME TO SPIN OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. I STRUCK THE CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER TWICE AND CONTINUED TO SPIN AND FINALLY SLID ACROSS ALL FOUR LANES OF THE FREEWAY AND RESTED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE DID FEEL LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ROLLOVER, I MANAGED TO STEER THE WHEEL OPPOSITE OF WHERE IT WAS PULLING AND KEPT IT UPRIGHT. HOWEVER, DURING THE ACCIDENT AND UPON IMPACT (TWICE) NEITHER ONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH MYSELF AND MY FRONT PASSENGER WERE INJURED WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AIRBAGS FAILURE TO DEPLOY. I PLACED A CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NOT ANY CURRENT RECALLS ON MY MODEL. *JB

20050210TIRES

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BENT TO THE RIGHT, OUT OF CONTROL, THEN HIT THE DIVIDER AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN AXLE. *BF IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE GOING OUT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL STREES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *SC

20050210POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BENT TO THE RIGHT, OUT OF CONTROL, THEN HIT THE DIVIDER AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN AXLE. *BF IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AXLE CENTER WAS TOTALLY BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE GOING OUT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL STREES AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *SC

20050128SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

IN COLD WEATHER BRAKES DO NOT WORK IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE RESULTING IN CAR BACKING UP OR MOVING FORWARD WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. THIS OCCURS IN SPITE OF PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES PEDAL FEELS LIKE YOU ARE SECURE BUT THEY ARE NOT WORKING. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

20041217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

EXPERIENCE HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 2 SETS OF ROTORS IN 2 YEARS. DEALER IS OF NO HELP. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND DRIVE MY CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS SUV DAILY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST WANTED IT OUT THERE IN CASE ANYTHING EVER HAPPENS. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

20041029CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

MY WIFE TOTALED OUR 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, LIMITED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL FRONTAL IMPACT AND ROLLOVER. THE EMERGENCY WORKERS WERE SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE DIGITAL PICS OF THE WRECKED VEHICLE IF NEEDED.

Mileage: 68,000

Compare 2000TOYOTA4 RUNNER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER have?
The 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER has 118 NHTSA complaints, 26 crashes, 0 fires, 34 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER?
The most-complained component for the 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.