2000 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RIDING SAFELY. THEY FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE BACK UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE FRAME OF THE CAR POSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY AND ROAD HAZARD. IT WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN NUMBER YET TO POST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTING AND HOLES WERE DEVELOPING ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE IN THE FRONT LEFT AND MIDDLE OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY.

MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY PERCH SPRINGS/SHOCK MOUNTS HAD ROTTED OFF. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A WELDER AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS SO ROTTED OUT THAT I SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO. SAID HE HAD A 2000 TUNDRA WITH THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED. WHY HASN'T THE 4RUNNER BEEN RECALLED YET? *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 14 YEARS OLD HOWEVER, THE BODY, ENGINE AND INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WERE IN GREAT CONDITION. WE BECAME AWARE OF THE FRAME RUST WHEN TAKING IT FOR INSPECTION AND HAD SOME REPAIRS MADE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND WE WERE CHECKING THE BRAKES AND WE WERE GOING TO UNDERCOAT THE FRAME WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST AND DAMAGE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TRANSFERRED MY CALL TO "CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS". SPOKE TO A PHONE REPRESENTATIVE WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THE WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSE A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS. MY RESPONSE TO THAT WAS OUR 1998 BLAZER NEVER HAD THE AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST THAT THIS 4RUNNER HAS, BOTH DRIVEN IN THE SAME CONDITIONS. CERTAIN TOYOTA MODELS THAT ARE ALSO HAVING FRAME RUST HAVE BEEN COVERED UP TO AS LONG AS 15 YEARS ON FRAME DAMAGE WHY WASN'T THE 4RUNNER. I'M SURE ALL MODELS DURING THIS TIME WERE BUILT WITH BELOW STANDARD FRAME MATERIAL SO WHY WASN'T THIS ADDRESSED WITH ALL MODELS? *TR

TOOK 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 IN FOR INSPECTION. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID FRAME IS BAD. FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAS MULTIPLE HOLES ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK OF THIS AREA. IT ALSO HAS SEVERE RUST AND HOLES IN THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE SAME REAR AREA AND ABOVE THE GAS TANK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. SPOKE TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CUSTOMER SERVICE REPAIR CENTER REP AND INQUIRED ABOUT ANY RECALLS FOR RUSTED FRAME SUCH AS THE BUY BACK PROGRAM THAT TOYOTA HAD FOR THE TACOMA. I WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR BUY BACKS FOR THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATION CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR BUY BACKS AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE ELSE I COULD SPEAK TO IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT. REP SAID THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME IF TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL. I TOLD THE REP WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT DO SINCE I WOULD HAVE TO SCRAP THE VEHICLE AND UNLESS TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS A RECALL WOULD NOT HELP ME IF I NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. I ALSO TOLD THE REP THAT THIS PLACED AN UNDUE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ON ME BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE SINCE THE 4RUNNER WAS NO LONGER SAFE BECAUSE OF THE FRAME DAMAGE. HE SYMPATHIZED WITH ME BUT SAID THE ONLY THING HE COULD DO FOR ME WAS FILE MY COMPLAINT AND ISSUE ME A CASE NUMBER. SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I THINK THE NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MAKE TOYOTA ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY FRAMES. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT TOYOTA USED INFERIOR METAL TO MANUFACTURER THESE FRAMES AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE RUSTING OUT PREMATURELY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC FOR A UNRELATED ISSUE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THERE WAS RUST COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE FRAME. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE, THE CADILLAC CONVERTER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT A LEAK FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. FOUND OUT THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SO RUSTED THAT THE FLUID WAS NOW LEAKING FROM THE POROUS RUSTED HOUSING. BUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED SO BAD THAT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY NOW OTHERWISE IMMACULATE CONDITION 4RUNNER IS NOW USELESS AND RENDERED INOPERABLE. THIS IS A RAMP IF PROBLEM WITH TACOMA/TUNDRA FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND SAME MODEL YEARS. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ONE YEAR AGO AT DRY RIDGE TOYOTA USED CARS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING IN THE REAR END FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH THE SIDE TO SIDE REAR END WOBBLING WHICH WAS VISIBLE FROM VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AT A GARAGE AND PUT UP ON A LIFT, THE FRAME UNDERNEATH HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS READY TO BREAK. THE GARAGE SAID THEY WOULDN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES. THEY SAID IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SO NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CANT DRIVE, CANT BE FIXED AND A LOAN TO PAY ON IT. TOYOTA SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WILL DO NOTHING. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN A YEARS TIME AND ITS ONLY A 2000. *TR

I TOOK MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE ANNUAL NY STATE INSPECTION. THIS IS A ONE OWNER (ME) VEHICLE WITH ONLY 126,777 MILES. WHAT HE FOUND WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND PERFORATIONS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME FROM FRONT TO REAR. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HE SAID WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE COLLAPSE AND FAILURE IN THAT SECTION WHILE DRIVING. I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND DETERIORATION I SAW IN THE FRAME. I CALLED TOYOTA CORP THE SAME DAY AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WOULD NEED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND DOCUMENT IT. I TOOL IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER COMPLETED A REPORT AND TOOK PHOTOS. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS FRAME PERFORATIONS BEYOND REPAIR AND THAT THE REAR END HOUSING IS POROUS. HE ALSO FOUND AN EXHAUST LEAK. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE 4RUNNER FOR SEVERAL YEARS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA HAD A SIMILAR RUST ISSUE AND THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THOSE VEHICLES WHEREBY NEW FRAMES WERE INSTALLED, BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER. HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE 4RUNNER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES. THIS IS ALSO AN ECONOMIC CONCERN TO ME. MY 4RUNNER'S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR IS IN VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. IT'S VALUE IS AROUND $7 THOUSAND. I EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME. NOW IT SITS IN MY GARAGE WAITING FOR TOYOTA OR THE DOT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. I URGE TOYOTA AND THE DOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS FRAME PROBLEM IN ORDER TO AVOID NEEDLESS CUSTOMER INJURIES AND FATALITIES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A FAMILY VACATION, THE 4 RUNNER HAD A NEAR CATASTROPHIC FRAME FAILURE. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THIS FAILURE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND THE INABILITY TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UNSAFE FOR OPERATION AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION REVEALED MULTIPLE FAILURE POINTS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL RELATED TO CORROSION. *TR

EXPERIENCED SOFT HUM LIKE NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. REAR END HOUSING FOUND TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE INTERNAL FLUID IS SEEPING OUT THRU THE REAR OF THAT HOUSING. NON REPARABLE, NEEDS REPLACED MINIMUM $3000. DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM & HAD CONTACTED TOYOTA OF THIS SITUATION. DEALER WAS TOLD IT HAPPENS & TOYOTA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAS BEEN A GOOD VEHICLE OTHERWISE. DISHEARTENED & FINANCIALLY STRESSED! *TR

ON 08/13/2014 MY 16YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET BUILD INTO THE FRAME FELL OFF THE FRAME AND CRACKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRAME HAD RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE WELDED BRACKET TO BREAK AT THE FACTORY WELD. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TOYOTA WAS DOING A VOLUNTARY BUY BACK THAT EXPIRED IN 2011. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2013 AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF ANY SUCH ISSUES. IT APPEARS TO US SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO SERVICE CENTERS WILLING TO RE WELD THE BRACKET BACK IN PLACE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO JUNK A GREAT RUNNING GREAT BODY CONDITION CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO BE COMMON. ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE SERVICE GARAGES THAT HAVE INSPECTED FOR REPAIR NONE OF THEM WILL DUE TO LIABILITY AND THAT THERE IS NO GOOD METAL LEFT TO WELD TO AS THE FRAME IS SIMPLY RUSTING INTO HOLES. ANY ADVICE ON FIXES OR RECALLS ETC WOULD BE MUCH HELP. TOYOTA DEALERS ADVISED NOTHING WE COULD DO. *TR

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE (OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, ETC.) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL AREAS. THEY RECOMMENDED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER SINCE EXTREME RUST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TRUCKS & SUVS. LOOKING ONLINE, I SAW RECALLS FOR THE RUST PROBLEMS WITH TRUCKS, BUT NO RECALL FOR 4RUNNERS??? I THINK THERE SHOULD BE THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY SHOWN BY TOYOTA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN SIMILAR VEHICLES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED TO BOUNCE LEFT AND RIGHT AND COULDN'T STOP IT. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE CAR .WHEN I CHECKED THE REAR SUSPENSION I'VE SEEN THAT THE ENTIRE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STABILIZATION BAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DUE TO RUSTED FRAME. I NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN LIBERTIVILLE IL AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED THE CAR THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AT THIS TIME AS A DEALER CAUSE TOYOTA DOES NOT A HAVE A RECALL ON TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS BUT THERE IS A RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON OTHER MODELS LIKE TACOMA OR TUNDRA. THIS IS RIDICULOUS . WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS CAR NOW. I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IN MY AREA AND WHEN THEY SEEN IT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT WELD THE FRAME AT THIS POINT CAUSE THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROUTED AND ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. SO MY CAR IS TRASH NOW . THANKS TOYOTA *TR

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE WORK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE. I LOOKED INTO THIS AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD MANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. THE 4-RUNNER THAT I OWN DOES NOT HAVE THE RECALL. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SO I WANTED TO FILE ONE AS WELL. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN THESE VEHICLES. MANY 4-RUNNER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE.

RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH APPROX 48 TO 60 INCHES. REAR STABILIZER BAR IS DETACHED FROM FRAME. ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF FRAME "IS COMPROMISED" PER MECHANIC/BODY SHOP. *TR

HI, I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 200K MILES AND I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP REPLACED. I DRIVE THE VEHICLE DAILY. THE MECHANIC DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK BECAUSE HE NOTICED THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND RECOMMENDED TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. HE STATED THAT IF THE FRAME DID BEND OR SEPARATE THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCKLE AND THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY CONTROL, ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE MECHANIC RECOMMEND THAT I CHECK TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS. I DID CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS AND THERE WAS NOT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TOYOTA TACOMA HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE FRAME'S RUSTING THROUGH AND TOYOTA DID A RECALL/BUY BACK FOR THOSE VEHICLES. I WAS ON THE TOYOTA FORUM AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS IN THIS SAME CIRCUMSTANCE. I FEEL IF THERE ARE OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FROM TOYOTA HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, THEN THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/BUYBACK PROCESS. THANK YOU. *TR

I TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE TODAY. WHEN ON THE LIFT HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. HE FELT IT WAS UNSAFE AND NEEDED FIXED OR SCRAPPED ASAP. THIS VEHICLE RUNS GREAT AND I HAVE HAD NO OTHER ISSUES. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND I ALWAYS HAVE MY FIVE YEAR OLD WITH ME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I AM NOT IN THE POSITION TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. IT IS CRAZY THAT TOYOTA RECALLED THE FRAMES FOR TACOMA AND TUNDRA BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR 4RUNNER OWNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS ENTIRELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,231. DJR UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 WITH 145,000 MILES. AT A REGULAR MAINTENANCE, I WAS SHOWN A PICTURE OF A HOLE IN MY FRAME. RIGHT HAND REAR OF FRAME WHERE LOWER TRAILING ARM BRACKET IS WELDED WAS RUSTED THROUGH WITH SUBSTANTIAL INSTABILITY CONCERNS AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF USE DUE TO INABILITY TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. . OTHERWISE FRAME FINE AND NO RUST/ROT ON LEFT HAND SIDE FRONT OR REAR. MY 4RUNNER HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT AND RELIABLE VEHICLE WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. IT HAD ONLY A RUST SPOTS ON THE FRONT BUMPER, AND THAT'S ALL! THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE, AND IS NOT ABUSED. I ONLY HAVE 145,000 MILES AND FEEL STRONGLY THAT A FRAME ON A VEHICLE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER, AS IN PAST VEHICLES I'VE OWNED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY 4RUNNER, I DON'T WANT TO JUNK YARD IT OVER A BAD QUALITY FRAME FROM TOYOTA, BUT IT MAY COME TO THIS IF I CAN'T HAVE IT WELDED. TOYOTA NEED TO OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE WITH A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNERS LIKE THEY DID WITH THEIR TRUCKS. SAFETY SHOULD BE FIRST. THIS IS A PRESSING ISSUE AND NEED TO ADDRESSED . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME WOULD POSSIBLY FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 04/2/2015 *JS

EXTREME RUST AND DAMAGE DUE THE AFOREMENTIONED RUST. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF THE FRAME. I KNOW THE VEHICLE IS 15 YEARS OLD BUT THIS MUCH RUST IS NOT NORMAL AND WILL CAUSE INJURY TO MANY PEOPLE IF THEY DO NOT NOW IT IS FAILING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT WAS 128,000. UPDATED 9/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO A SERVICE THAT BUYS JUNK CARS FOR A TOTAL OF $600.00. UPDATED 12/17/2014 *JS

THE VEHICLE FRAME IS DETERIORATING FROM RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SEVERE RUST IS PREVALENT AT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS; SIGNIFICANTLY WHERE THE RIGHT-SIDE REAR "TRACK BAR" IS ATTACHED. IF THIS WERE TO FAIL, THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSING A CRASH. FOUND OUT TONIGHT THE FRAME RAIL FORWARD OF THE TRACK BAR HAS ALSO DETERIORATED ON THE BOTTOMSIDE AND IS EXHIBITING NUMEROUS HOLES. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSERVICABLE FROM A SAFETY ASPECT. IT CANNOT BE SAFETY INSPECTED IN NYS ANY LONGER. THIS VEHICLE WAS PUCHASED NEW IN ITHACA, N.Y. THE FRAMEWORK DETERIORATION IS INDICATIVE OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH FRAMES RUSTING AND CAUSING MAJOR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS DONE DUE DILIGENCE IN SUPPORTING THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THEIR TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES. THEY PERFORMED FRAME REPLACEMENTS AND A BUYBACK PROGRAM ON THESE. I BELIEVE THEY OUGHT TO DO THE SAME FOR THE 4RUNNERS SEEING THEY ARE A VIRTUAL DUPLICATE OF THE TACOMA TRUCKS' FRAME. THE FACT THAT THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA FRAMES WERE PRODUCED IN USA AND THE 4RUNNER'S FRAMES WERE PRODUCED IN JAPAN DOES NOT HAVE A BEARING ON THIS RUST PROBLEM..IT DOES SHOW AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY ON TUNDRA, TACOMA AND 4RUNNER'S FRAME DESIGN. THIS ISSUE IS CAUSING MY FAMILY AN UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN. I MOST EMPHATICALLY BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL !!. *TR

I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT IN THE FRAME OF MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE FRAME EXHIBITS EXTENSIVE RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. IT HAS HOLES AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE BOTTOM WELD. THE MECHANIC WARNED THAT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. *TR

SAFETY ISSUE DO TO FRAME ROT.. COMMON ISSUE WITH 3RD GEN TOYOTA RUNNERS. BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW, AND NOW MY INVESTMENT IS AT RISK BECAUSE TOYOTA MAKES VEHICLES WITH POOR STEAL AND THE US DOT WILL NOT STEP UP AND FORCE THEM TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *JS

UPON A RECENT MECHANICAL INSPECTION MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE FOR DRIVING DUE TO FRAME DEGRADATION DUE TO RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS SEVERAL LOCATIONS WITH HOLES AND DETERIORATION THAT SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE MECHANICAL RIGIDITY OF THE FRAME AND TRUCK. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS IN GREAT CONDITION WITH THE FRAME AS THE ONLY EXCEPTION. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND HAVE DRIVEN AND STORED THEM IN THE SAME LOCATION BUT HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. FRAME RUST AND DETERIORATION TO THE EXTENT THAT MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED IS NOT TOLERABLE FROM ANY MANUFACTURER AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED DURING THE DESIGN, TESTING, AND MANUFACTURING STAGES OF PRODUCTION. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS, ALONG WITH PREVIOUS YEARS WITH IDENTICAL FRAME BUILDS, SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO THE TOYOTA TACOMAS OF THE SAME GENERATION THAT WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS MARKETED AS A FAMILY VEHICLE WITH A HISTORY OF SAFE OPERATION AND SHOULD BE HELD TO THIS STANDARD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED DRIVING ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR

WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE DONE MY MECHANIC NOTICED SEVER FRAM RUST, SOME SPOTS GO RIGHT THROUGH FRAM. I KNOW TOYOTA RECALLED MANY VECHILES FOR THIS SO I CALL TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING FOR ME, THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IF I WANTED IT LOOKED AT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY! SOUNDS LIKE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE MORE PROBLEMS BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JS

FRAME IS SHOWING SIGNS OF SERIOUS RUST. *JS

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. AS THIS WAS HAPPENING MY HEAD WAS SMASHED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW MULTIPLE TIMES, CAUSING A CONCUSSION AND CUTS TO MY HEAD AND BODY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT BY ON COMING CARS I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WHILE HITTING THE GUARD RAIL AS I CAME TO A STOP. AFTER I GATHERED MY THOUGHTS AND WHEN IT WAS SAFE, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THE REAR CONTROL ARM BECAME COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND THAT THE TOYOTA TUNDRA, TOYOTA SEQUOIA, AND VARIOUS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME YEAR THAT SHARE THE SAME FRAME AS MY CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED BY TOYOTA DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I CALLED TOYOTA EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. SINCE MY CAR SHARES THE SAME FRAME AS THE OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED WIT THE SAME FRAME AS MINE AND IT'S FAILURE HAS CAUSED MYSELF PHYSICAL HARM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR OTHERS TO OCCUR. FURTHERMORE,SINCE THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AND UNSAFE WITHOUT THE FRAME REPLACEMENT THAT IT NEEDS FROM TOYOTA, I FEEL THAT THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL BECAUSE THE SAME THREATS HUMAN LIFE ARE CURRENTLY PRESENT TO OTHERS AND THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN IS KNOWN BY TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *JS

WHILE DRIVING TODAY THE STEERING BECAME UNSTABLE, ERRATIC, AND THE CAR LURCHED OUT OF MY LANE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A NEW NOISE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM REAR LEFT TIRE. WHEN I SAFELY PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED VEHICLE I NOTED THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THAT THE FORWARD WELDED MOUNT FOR THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAD FRACTURED ALONG THE FACTORY WELD AND WAS DANGLING DOWN. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND PASSED PA STATE INSPECTIONS YEARLY SINCE 2002. *TR

MY 2000 4RUNNER ENGINE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WE PULLED OVER AND IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN , WE HAD TO GAVE IT TOWED HOME AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED US AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER , ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS SO THIS WAS A SHOOK TO US. WE WILL BE CONTACTING TOYOTA TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE 2000 4RUNNERS SINCE I HAVE READ THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

SEVERE RUST ON PASSENGER SIDE OF FRAME UNSAFE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR

FRAME CRACKED AND BROKE. *TR

RUSTED OUT FRAME. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SOME MINOR REPAIRS. THE SHOP CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE.. THE SUPPORT HOLDING UP THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO BREAK. THIS COULD'VE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.. NOT TO MENTION I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO JUST BUY A NEW CAR ON A WHIM.. UNFORTUNATELY I WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS DEATH TRAP UNTIL EITHER THE FRAME BREAKS OR I HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW CAR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE.. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL THE 4RUNNERS LIKE THEY DID THE TACOMAS.. RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! RUSTED OUT FRAME!!!! *TR

UPON TRYING TO SELL MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER WHO WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF GREENTREE TOYOTA, IN CT, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FORWARD OF THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE INSIDE FOR ABOUT 18 INCHES. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I HAD IT SERVICED AT TOYOTA IN SEPTEMBER 2013, NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN AT RISK SINCE THEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON TACOMA FRAMES WHICH USES THE SAME FRAME AS THE 4RUNNER. *TR

ON WORKING UNDER VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUCTURAL RAIL LEADING TO THE REAR OF VEHICLE WAS RUSTY SO I POKED IT AND MY SCREWDRIVER WENT RIGHT THROUGH, IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH, IT WILL NEED WELDING, AS I TOW A WORK TRAILER (AND FOR SAFETY REASONS OF COURSE). THEN THE THIN REAR WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH AND STARTED LEAKING OIL, THE PART IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY AND I WAS QUOTED 1500.- FOR THE PART AND AT LEAST 500 LABOR, BY FALMOUTH TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOYOTA WASN'T STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE. IF I HADN'T BEEN UNDER THE CAR FOR OTHER REASONS THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTED VERY BADLY LEAKING GEAR OIL. RUST IS EXTREMELY THICK. HUGE FLAKES MORE LIKE CHUNKS. LEAKING FROM REAR OF HOUSING WHERE RUST HAS PENETRATED FAR ENOUGH TO CAUSE A SLOW LEAK. REST OF 4RUNNER IS IN GOOD SHAPE. *TR

FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING INSTABILITY CONCERNS. *TR

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME RUSTED THREW AT AREA THAT HOLDS REAR AXEL IN PLACE REAR DRIVERS FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH WHERE IT MOUNTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. WHEN FRAME FAILED VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL AND SWAYING TO THE POINT OF IMMEDIATE DANGER TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON HIGHWAY THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. FRAME FAILURE ON THIS AGE VEHICLE SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, IT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

THIS IS A 13 YEAR OLD SUV, THAT DESPITE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND A DEPENDABLE ENGINE HAD TO BE JUNKED DUE TO AN ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH FRAME. AFTER NOTICING SOME INCREASED RATTLING UNDER THE CAR, MY HUSBAND FOUND NOT ONLY HAD THE MUFFLER BRACKETS RUSTED AWAY (SOME PIECES FELL OUT), BUT IT WAS ONE POTHOLE AWAY FROM SEPARATING FROM THE SWING ARM. VERY DANGEROUS (ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN) AND APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOT READILY NOTICEABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE TOOK IT OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA DOES'T SEEM TO BOTHER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM LET ALONE DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST-THROUGH AND FAILURE. LEFT AND RIGHT REAR HALVES OF FRAME CRACKED. REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS CRACKED AT WELDS.

REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING GEAR OIL FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL INTO REAR BRAKE DRUM HOUSING COVERING BRAKE SHOES, DRUMS, AND BRAKING COMPONENTS IN GEAR OIL. LOSS OF GEAR OIL IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL CAN CAUSE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AS WELL AS FAILURE IN REAR BRAKING. A NOTORIOUS ISSUE WITH 3RD GENERATION TOYOTA 4RUNNERS DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING OF REAR AXLE SEALS AND RETAINERS, THEREFORE FAILING TO PROPERLY SEAL COMPONENTS. SEALS BEGIN TO LEAK AGAIN SOON AFTER; EVEN WHEN REPAIRED, DUE TO POOR MATING OF SEAL AND RETAINER ON AXLE WITHIN THE AXLE HOUSING. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME SUFFERED FROM MASSIVE CORROSION AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS MAJOR FRAME ISSUES THAT COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! THESE FRAMES RUST OUT WITHOUT THE OWNERS KNOWING. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES THAT ARE DRIVEN FOR MANY YEARS AND TOYOTA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH OTHER FRAMES ON DIFFERENT MODELS BUT SAME YEAR VEHICLES. TOYOTA HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THESE FRAMES AND HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE MODELS. FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER! *TR

I WAS DRIVING WITH 2 YOUNG KIDS AND TURNING AROUND AT A DEAD END WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAW NOTHING. THE CAR STARTED SWAYING WHEN WE DROVE HOME. I LOOKED UNDER AGAIN AT HOME AND SAW MY REAR SWAY BAR HANGING DOWN BROKE/RUSTED OFF FROM THE FRAME. THE WHOLE FRAME BEHIND WERE IT BROKE WAS ROTTED RIGHT NEXT TO THE GAS TANK. THE 4RUNNER ONLY HAS 79,000 MILES AND HAS NO RUST ON THE BODY. I HAVE WASHED THE UNDERCARRIAGE REALLY GOOD OVER THE YEARS JUST TO KEEP IT CLEAN. THERE IS NO POINT IN HAVING A MOTOR THAT GOES 200,000 MILES IF THE FRAMES CANT MAKE IT TO 80,000. I SEE MANY MUCH OLDER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AS A FRAME SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO RUST. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THAT HAPPENED I EASILY COULD HAVE CRASHED BECAUSE THE 4RUNNER STARTED SWAYING BADLY. I WAS A HUGE TOYOTA FAN BEFORE BUT NOW I SEE ALL THEIR FRAMES ARE THIN CHEAP STEEL. *JS

FRAME RUSTED IN FRONT OF BOTH REAR TIRES LOAD BEARING AREA. TOYOTA REFUSES ANY WARRANTY OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM ON TRUCK FRAMES USED ON SUV'S. TACOMA FRAMES ALL RECALLED FOR SAME REASON. TOYOTA STILL STATES NOT TO UNDERCOAT WHEN PURCHASE IS NEW OR TO RUST PREVENT AT ANY WARRANTY/PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. CONSUMER PUT AT RISK TO A PROBLEM ONLY OBSERVABLE FROM A LIFT,AND TOLD TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS OR TOTAL LOSS,AND WILL NOT SELL THE FRAME EVEN AT FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. UPON READING BLOGS OF 4RUNNER OWNERS THIS IS A COMMON FREQUENT INCREASING SAFETY PROBLEM WITH ALL 4RUNNERS. *TR