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2005 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 425 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the body and structure (44% of complaints, typically around 128,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2005 Toyota 4Runner problems
Body and structure
185 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the front passenger side of the subframe separated and caused the front axle to fracture and damaged the front control arm. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who indicated that the subframe failure was due to severe rusting and…
Frame is rusted on the front of my Toyota that is failed to pass inspection. If required I can send my failed inspection report and pictures of the rusted frame.
Suspension
77 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 127,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front, subframe/mounting bracket.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. While driving 45 MPH, the rear of the vehicle was moving. The contact stated that the sway bar fractured and detached from the frame. In addition, the traction control and TPMS warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and…
Vehicle has very excessive frame rust. Holes throughout entire frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Rusting from the inside out due to negligence on toyotas part. This vehicle has the same exact frame that was recalled on the tacomas, tundras and sequoias. Please tell me why the 4Runner was left out?
Other or unspecified
67 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles.
I am having deep rust issues on my 4Runner v8 limited frame mostly near the catalytic converter. The rust is so bad there is a big hole on both size of the frame 3inch tall 7 inch wide. I have found some loose nuts inside of the frame rails, not sure where they are from and there are a lot of broken frame parts on the…
Nothing happened yet but found upon checking that the rear differential upper control arm that is attached to the frame is rusted through. I am afraid it will detach while driving and can cause an accident. I have removed the flaky metal myself in the summer of 2020 and painted it to avoid further rusting. The…
Brakes
31 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
The master brake cylinder completely failed thus rendering the brakes completely inoperable. To stop the vehicle, the car was placed in p and shut down. It was towed to the dealer for inspection. This car had been serviced per the manufactures schedule since it was purchased in 2005. For almost two years, we had heard…
In miami, fl. At intersection of waterway drive and sw. 72 ave. Made left turn under rain, (all day raining) I lost control of the vehicle after turn. Came to a stand still and momentarily, I accelerated towards a tree aprox. 15 feet away, vehicle crashed against tree so severely that passenger side of frame bent bad…
Engine
31 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
My check engine light came on along with vsc trac. After taking vehicle to dealership I was told that the repair would cost $2,048.73 due to the air pump being stuck in off position. While Toyota in response to reports of air induction pump assemblies and/or air injection switching valves issues on their 2007-2010…
I'm a retired master mechanic turned aerospace engineer. On aug 24, while my foot was on the brake, the engine revved to full throttle, squealing the rear tires. This event was clearly caused by a faulty electronic throttle control circuit. I shut off the truck. When I started it again, the situation was still there.…
Steering
29 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
Unable to turn wheel without great effort, wheel does not return to straight after turn without driver pulling wheel back to original position.
Steering column rusted through. Hard to turn, when turning wheel it goes from smooth(normal) then grabby. I almost flipped my vehicle when turning off of mass avenue in somerville. If I was driving any fast I would have rolled. I don't know if any wheels came off the ground, but it was close.
Speed control
29 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the accelerator became stuck. After repeated brake application, the vehicle would not stop. After deactivating the cruise control she was able to stop the vehicle. The dealer was notified, and a technician concluded that the…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. While driving with the cruise control switch activated at 65 MPH she applied pressure to the brake pedal to deactivate the cruise control. The cruise control would not deactivate. As a consequence the vehicle continued to accelerate past the intended speed. Upon further…
Visibility and wipers
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 154,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, glass, side/rear, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield exploded and the glass shattered into pieces without any impact or warning. The contact called rick hendrick Toyota of fayetteville at [phone] (located at 1969 skibo road, fayetteville, nc 28314) and…
Rear hatch glass exploded while the electric heated defrost system was activated. The electric defrost had been operating for approximately five minutes. The window was in its fully closed position. The vehicle was in motion at approximately 25 miler per hour on a city street. Ambient temperature was 39 degrees and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on december 1, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is g0c and glb.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 toyota land cruiser and lexus lx470, 2005-2006 toyota tundra and sequoia, 2004-2006 toyota 4runner and lexus gx470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Frame corrosion
Summary
On august 7, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Gary weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (my) 2002 - 2006 toyota 4runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his my 2005 toyota 4runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in toyota 4runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA id 11098055). On august 17, 2018, odi opened dp18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2005 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (185 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles); suspension (77 complaints, typically around 127,500 miles); other or unspecified (67 complaints, typically around 150,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is 4th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints, with 425 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.