2003 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

DURING A VISIT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE MY FUEL DOOR FIXED, I FOUND OUT THAT THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DETERIORATED DUE TO RUST. THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FRAME, WELDS THAT HAVE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, AND ONE OF THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS IS GONE. I WAS TOLD BY THE BODY SHOP WHO REVIEWED THE FRAME, A SECOND BODY SHOP THAT I CONSULTED FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. ONE BODY SHOP SAID THAT THEY NORMALLY SEES THIS TYPE OF RUST ON VEHICLES THAT ARE 30-40 YEARS OLD! THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND ALL RUSTED PARTS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST BETWEEN $12,000 AND $15,000 DEPENDING ON THE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS ABOUT 122,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE BODY, PAINT, AND INTERIOR ARE IMMACULATE! FORTUNATELY, HAVING MY 4RUNNER LOOKED AT PREVENTED A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS CONCERNING FRAMES THAT HAVE RUSTED OUT ON THE TUNDRA, TACOMA, AND THE SEQUOIA VEHICLES FOR WHICH TOYOTA IS PERFORMING REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS. THE 4RUNNER SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.

FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED. WE LIVE IN THE MIDWEST (CINCINNATI AREA) SO NOWHERE NEAR THE OCEAN. THE 4RUNNER HAS BEEN MATICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THESE MODELS' FRAMES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED BEFORE SOLD...HENCE THE RUST. OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIDEO SPEAKS FOR ITSELF....WE ARE HOPING THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VIDEO LINK TAKEN BY TOYOTA: HTTP://ISRE.US/6QTRKD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

THE FRAME IS RUSTED WITH AREAS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR FRAME REPLACED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK AND FORTH AFTER HITTING A BUMP. IT IS LIKE THE FRONT END IS LOSE. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED, SO IT IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

FRAME ROTTING. 4 RUNNER GARAGED AND SHORT COMMUTE. VERY WELL MAINTAINED AT LOCAL DEALER. VEHICLE LOW MAINTENANCE. ROTTING REPORTED BY TOYOTA TECHNICIAN.

WE BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN SEPTEMBER 2017 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. THE VEHICLE LOOKED GREAT AND DROVE AMAZING BUT AFTER HAVING IT SERVICED WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTY ON THE FRAME AND TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. OVER TIME THE VEHICLE GOT WORSE AND WE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WERE TOLD IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE A FRAME OR BE REPAIRED. ESSIMATE AROUND $5000 SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FINANCED WE DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AS WE WERE TOLD IT IS UNSAFE. WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE IS THIS COVERED UDER THE LEMON LAW. TOYOTA WIL NOT DO ANYTHING REGARDING THIS. BUT IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECITIVE PROUDUCT. THEY WERE RECALLS DONE ON TOYOTA TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE 4 RUNNER. PLEASE ADD ME TO ANY PENDING LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED WITH HOLES AND THE CORROSION PENETRATED THE RADIATOR SUPPORT, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM, AND THE INTERIOR FRAME OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,232.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

FRAME RUSTING EXCESSIVLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE TOYOTA OWINGS MILLS (9801 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD) WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PRIORITY TOYOTA CHESAPEAKE (1800 GREENBRIER PKWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 213-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,596.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNRISE TOYOTA (3984 SUNRISE HWY, OAKDALE, NY 11769, (631) 589-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE FRAME HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.*JB

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GREAT CARE OF THIS TRUCK. REGULAR WASHING, CLEANING, MAINTENANCE ETC... I HAVE TRIED TO GRIND OFF THE RUST, USE RUST INHIBITING PRODUCTS, AND UNDERCOATING WITHOUT ANY LUCK. THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES. I'M AFRAID THIS $37000 TRUCK WILL NOT MAKE IT TO 75000 MILES. I KNOW TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS ON THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA TRUCK FRAMES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 4RUNNERS FOR SOME REASON. THE 4RUNNER TRUCK FRAMES ARE TOTAL JUNK AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND RE-INSTALLED IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG O TIRES (2245 STATE ST, NEW ALBANY, IN 47150, 812-949-0736) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MCCORMICK MOTOR SPORTS (1041 S 6TH ST, LOUISVILLE, KY 40203, (502) 584-1981) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CAUSING CYLINDER THREE TO MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,500.

The main rust issues are claims arising out of a pending class action lawsuit pleadings’ that the Toyota Manufacturer perform at no cost inspections, in addition to dire emergency needed replacement of including my 2003 Toyota 4Runner frame because of premature rusting of the undercarriage-my vehicle’s frame due to improper treatment against rust corrosion during manufacturing-inadequate rust protection, which has lead to severe excessive rust corrosion significant enough to affect structural integrity, compromising the vehicle’s safety, stability & crash-worthiness, & poses a dangerous risk.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, HE FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED WITH HOLES. THE CORROSION EXTENDED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT CONNECTED TO THE MUFFLER. THE FUEL TANK COVER WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT 4.7 WITH SEVERE FRAME RUST ISSUES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME WILL FAIL SOON. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECALLING THESE VEHICLES LIKE THE TACOMA'S AND TUNDRAS THAT USED THE SAME FRAMES! WHAT GIVES TOYOTA? *TR

STRUCTURE COMPLAINT. FRAME , FRAME MOUNTING POINTS, AND SUSPENSION MOUNTING POINTS. HEAVY RUST. UPON MAINTENANCE DIAGNOSTICS FOR EVAP SYSTEM THE MECHANICS INDICATED SIGNIFICANT SERIOUS CORROSION PROBLEMS WITH THE FORWARD AND REARWARD SECTIONS OF THE FRAME. SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS DETERIORATION TO MOUNTING POINTS FOR TRACK BARS, BRAKE LINE BRACKETS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. STRUCTURALLY THE FRAME IS QUESTIONABLE IN PLACES AND LIKELY HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING, RECOMMENDED THAT VEHICLE BE RETIRED AS IS.

WENT TO INSPECT MY 4 RUNNER, WAS TOLD I HAVE MAJOR ROT AND RUST ON THE FRAME THEY ARE UNABLE TO INSPECT, VEHICAL IS UNSAFE TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. MY SUV IS MINT WITH LOW MILES HOW CAN THIS BE. I ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICALS.

MY FRAME IS SERIOUSLY RUSTED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT MAKING MY VEHICLE UNSAFE. THERE IS RUST IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS. I JUST VISITED A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO REINFORCE OR REPLACE THE FRAME. THE COST FOR REINFORCING THE FRAME IS OVER 5000 DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE FRAME AND I WAS HOPING TO DRIVE IT FOR AT LEAST A FEW MORE YEARS. YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER TOYOTAS THAT HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE BUILT UPON SIMILAR FRAMES MADE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. THESE MODELS INCLUDE THE TACOMA, SEQUOIA, AND TUNDRA. IT IS MY OPINION THAT TOYOTA FAILED TO TREAT THEIR FRAMES PROPERLY AND THE DEALER FAILED TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO INFORM ME OF THE ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA WALLINGFORD (859 N COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,363.

REAR AXLE BADLY ROTTED. CAR HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT WHICH IS APPARENTLY AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND SENSITIVE PROCESS. THE CORROSION SEEMS TO BE EXTRAORDINARILY PREMATURE AND DUE TO SUBSTANDARD FRAME MATERIALS AND TREATMENT OF SAME. ACTON TOYOTA HAD ALREADY WELDED IN A FRAME BAR 2-3 YEARS AGO. CALLED (800)331-4331 (TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING)SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP (ANGIE) AND HER SUPERVISOR (MARIA) WHO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE FRAME EXPIRED IN 2006, THEY WERE CLEAR ABOUT TOYOTA'S POSITION THAT THEY WILL DO NOTHING W/O A FACTORY RECALL. THIS IS, APPARENTLY, NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/INV/2018/INBC-DP18002-73038.PDF HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2018/TOYOTA-4RUNNER-FRAME-RUST.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/TOYOTA-RUSTED-FRAME-SETTLEMENT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2016/TOYOTA-TACOMA-RUSTED-FRAMES-LAWSUIT.SHTML

REAR AXLE BADLY ROTTED. CAR HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT WHICH IS APPARENTLY AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND SENSITIVE PROCESS. THE CORROSION SEEMS TO BE EXTRAORDINARILY PREMATURE AND DUE TO SUBSTANDARD FRAME MATERIALS AND TREATMENT OF SAME. ACTON TOYOTA HAD ALREADY WELDED IN A FRAME BAR 2-3 YEARS AGO. CALLED (800)331-4331 (TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING)SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP (ANGIE) AND HER SUPERVISOR (MARIA) WHO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE FRAME EXPIRED IN 2006, THEY WERE CLEAR ABOUT TOYOTA'S POSITION THAT THEY WILL DO NOTHING W/O A FACTORY RECALL. THIS IS, APPARENTLY, NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/INV/2018/INBC-DP18002-73038.PDF HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2018/TOYOTA-4RUNNER-FRAME-RUST.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/TOYOTA-RUSTED-FRAME-SETTLEMENT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2016/TOYOTA-TACOMA-RUSTED-FRAMES-LAWSUIT.SHTML

EXTREME FRAME RUST. CAR IS LOW MILEAGE, WELL-KEPT, AND OUTWARDLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. RECENTLY SUFFERED NEAR-TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. TOWED IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. SHOP REFUSED TO REPAIR BRAKES. THEY SAID FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST HAD EATEN AWAY THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE LINES ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, AND BRAKE FUID WAS LEAKING FROM THAT JUNCTURE. THEY SAID IF THEY REMOVED THE BRAKE LINES TO REPLACE THEM, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REATTACH THEM BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH GOOD FRAME METAL TO WORK WITH. THEY SAID THE FRAME RUST WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY FEARED IT COULD BREAK CLEAN THROUGH, OR STEERING OR SUSPENSION PARTS COULD BREAK LOOSE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD. THEY ONLY REASON I DISCOVERED THIS WAS THAT THE RUST CAUSED MY BRAKES TO NEARLY FAIL. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS AND LAWSUITS ON IDENTICAL ISSUES INVOLVING TACOMAS AND OTHER TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLES. THE 4-RUNNER IS A TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE PHOTOS THAT THE REPAIR SHOP SENT ME, BUT I CAN'T SEND THEM FFROM THIS COMPUTER.

OUR 4RUNNER'S FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE. THE FRAME IS SIMILAR TO THE TACOMA THAT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED, SO I CONTACTED THEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO FIX OUR 4RUNNER THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUES. I WAS LESS THAN PLEASED WITH THEIR RESPONSE. THIS COULD'VE QUITE EASILY CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. LUCKILY MY MECHANIC CAUGHT IT IN TIME BEFORE THAT HAPPENED

FRAME ON 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. GAS TANK STRAPS ARE ROTTED AND RUSTED ALONG WITH THE PLATE UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. TRIED TO GET THEM REPLACED AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR DAMAGED HIS TOOLS TRYING TO GET THE BOLTS OUT. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE SKID PLATE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND JUST HANGING OFF THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. NOW THE FRAME IS COMPLETED RUSTED AND OUR SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO A AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN WORKED FOR TOYOTA FOR 30 YEARS AND TOLD US TO CALL THEM BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD BE REPLACED. TOYOTA DOES NOT AGREE.

EXCESSIVE AND PREMATURE CORROSION HAS DEVELOPED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE VEHICLE FRAME SUCH THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME AND IT'S IMPACT ON THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY WHEN I'M DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CORROSION HAS ORIGINATED ON BOTH THE EXTERNAL FRAME SURFACE WELDED SEAMS AND ALSO FROM INTERNAL FRAME SURFACES. I TOOK PROACTIVE MEASURES TO HAVE MY FRAME TREATED FOR CORROSION RESISTANCE BY AN AFTER MARKET VENDOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO ABATE EARLY SIGNS OF CORROSION BUT THE CORROSION FROM INTERNAL SURFACES HAS NOW WORKED IT'S WAY THRU SHOWING CLEAR HOLES/GAPS/SEPARATION IN THE FRAME STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS. RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT ADDS TO MY CONCERN ABOUT THE VEHICLE OPERATIONAL SAFETY. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REGULAR, SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA DEALER WHOM HAS ALSO POINTED OUT THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM CORROSION. I LEARNED ABOUT AND WAS SHOWN THE CORROSION PROBLEMS DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ELEVATED ON A LIFT IN A SERVICE BAY. ATTACHED ARE PICTURES TAKEN RECENTLY (5/17/19) WHILE AT THE DEALER OF THE MORE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE FRAME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE REAR BEARING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS ROTTED AND HAD HOLES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

FRAME HAS EXTREME AND RUSTING AND HAS BEEN REINFORCED BY WELDING NEW STEEL SUPPORT FRAMES

THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE ROTTED RUSTED FRAME WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST DIED!

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS.

ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT:ROTORS, CALIPERS, PADS,WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED DOWNHILL ON GOOD HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING STRONGLY. STOPPED AT MECHANICS TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WAS EXTREMELY HOT, DIAGNOSED AS WARPED ROTOR. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,CALIPER AND ROTOR AGAIN. NOW ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE VIBRATION IS BACK AGAIN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST 15000 MILES. SOMETHING MORE IS WRONG THAT IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION BUT I DON'T SEE WHAT IT IS.

HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. LOW OWNER COUNT, AND 160K MILES WITH GOOD MAINTENANCE HISTORY. NOTICED A SLIGHT SWAY AT TIMES ON THE ROAD, SUSPECTED TIRES AND/OR ALIGNMENT. AFTER REPLACING AND SERVICING IT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT EXTREMELY BAD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IS COMPLETELY OPEN ON THE BOTTOM FROM CORROSION, CAUSING STABILITY ISSUES AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST CAUSING VEHICLE TO FAIL SAFETY INSPECTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHITE RIVER TOYOTA (802-299-2800, LOCATED AT 303 SYKES MOUNTAIN AVE, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT 05001) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED. THE FRONT SECTION HAS ROTTED THRU AND THE RIGHT SECTION HAS ROT THRU MORE THAN HALF WAY PASS THE MUFFLER AREA. ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE CARRAGE IS ROTTED AND THE TIRE CARRAGE IS SIEZED. I FOUND THIS WHILE JACKING UP THE TRUCK FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HEAR THE FRAME CRUMBLE.

EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT. 4RUNNER SHOULD OF BEEN PART OF THE TACOMA RECALL AND IS ABSURD IT WAS NOT IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IS GONE. I HAVE HAD TO CONSTANTLY FIX WELD NEW METAL TO IT.

THE REAR AXLE ASSY MOUNT BRACKET RUSTED STRAIGHT THROUGH AND IT DOES A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE WHILE DRIVING. BROUGHT IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE ASSY, IT CANT BE FIXED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM DOWN SOUTH, THERES LITERALLY NO BODY RUST, BUT THE FRAME IS ALMOST ALL CHEWED AWAY. I ALSO CANT PASS NY INSPECTION UNTIL I GET IT FIXED, WHICH WILL COST MORE THAN I PAID FOR THE CAR.

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT I PURCHASED NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS ~129K MILES AND WAS GARAGED KEPT TO 11/2015. IT RECENTLY FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A RUST HOLE IN A FRAME RAIL. SINCE 11/2015, THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 5K MILES A YEAR. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCED A RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT FRAME RUST IN 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNERS IS AN ISSUE. AFTER LOOKING AT THE HOLE AND THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT MORE RUST HOLES WILL OCCUR. TOYOTA CREATED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A MORAL AND ETHICAL OBLIGATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS TO MAKE IT RIGHT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO OWN THE PROBLEM, NOT THEIR CUSTOMER! I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AFFECTING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.

THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MY 4RUNNER WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN BABIED AND USED FOR SHORT COMMUTE I HAVE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RUSTED CAR FRAME IS UNSAFE FOR DRIVING . I'M TOLD THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN BABIED AND IS IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. THE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY OR OTHER PLACES... JUST THE FRAME THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE A LOT OF LIFE LEFT IN IT AS THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SELL IT FOR PARTS. I'M TOLD THAT TOYOTA HAS REPLACED SOME FRAMES AND THEY DO THIS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. APPARENTLY THE 4RUNNER IS ON THE SAME FRAME AS A COUPLE OF THEIR TRCKS (TUNDRA, ETC.) THE TRUCK FRAMES ARE ALSO RUSTING AND GOING BAD. TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE BAD FRAMES. I LIVE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF VIRGINIA. I DO NOT LIVE IN THE RUST BELT. WE GET VERY LITTLE SNOW AND ICE. THE FRAMES HAVE A FACTORY DEFECT. ANY FRAME, WHEN USED IN THE CAPACITY AS WE HAVE USED OUR 4RUNNER SHOULD NEVER GO BAD AS THIS ONE HAS. THE FRAME IS A SERIOUS CAR SAFETY ISSUE. FROM READING THE INTERNET, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR TOYOTAS AS THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE (BAD RUSTED FRAMES THAT MAKE THEIR VEHICLES UNDRIVEABLE). PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE THE FRAMES. IF THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO THIS, THEN AT LEAST GIVE A GENERAL TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA VEHICLE. . I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT MY 4$UNNER IF I NEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM.

SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST HAS COMPROMISED THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL HOLES HAVE PERFORATED THROUGH THE FRAME AND IT HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO FRAME RUST. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THESE 4RUNNER FRAMES.

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FAILED STATE INSPECTION TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER DUE TO EXTREME FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF RUSTED OUT HOLES IN THE METAL FRAME . YES, IF I DROVE OVER LARGE POTHOLE OR INVOLVE IN A COLLISION, THIS VEHICLE WOULD SEPARATE IN PIECES AND NOT TO MENTION WHAT LEVEL OF BODILY HARM YOU WOULD SUSTAIN . EVEN THOUGH MY ODOMETER READS 255,000+ MILES, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO RUN ANOTHER 200,000 PLUS MILES WITH NO ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL ISSUES AND BODY LOOKS FANTASTIC FOR THE YEAR. ON-THE-HAND VEHICLE FRAME BELOW IS IN HORRIBLE CONDITION, WITH HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE METAL AND NO SIGNS OF ANY UNDER COAT PAINT PROTECTION (HATE TO LOSE SUCH A WONDERFUL VEHICLE). PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE AND SAFETY CONCERNS TO THE LIST OF OTHER 4TH GENERATION TOYOTA 4RUNNERS OWNERS FACING THE SAME FRAME RUST ISSUE.

THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY RUSTED FOR IT'S AGE. EVERY COMPONENT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME IS OVERLY RUSTED AS WELL. IT IS SPREADING LIKE A VIRUS THROUGHOUT THE UNDER BODY. I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HAULING, TOWING, OR EVEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS RUST. WITH ONLY 172,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING IT IN A GARAGE FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS BUT AS THE 2ND OWNER IT'S PROBABLY TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AS THEY DID SOME OTHER MODELS.

FRAME ROT AND UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION NEW EVEN THOUGH I HAVE KEPT THIS TRUCK IN PRISTINE CONDITION. IT IS A REAL SHAME THE DON'T USE BETTER STEEL.

OUR 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS AN UNSAFE FRAME FROM COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT COMPLETELY COLLAPSED IN ON ITSELF, BENDING THE 1/4 INCH STEEL SUPPORT BRACKET. THE FRAME SHOWS THE SAME TYPE OF RUST THROUGHOUT.

EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON FRAME

STRUCTURAL RUST TO FRAME. CRACKS AND HOLES AT WELDS AND ATTACHMENT POINTS OF SUSPENSION AND STEERING. FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING UNDER THE TRUCK, COMPLETE STRUCTURAL FAILURE IS IMMINENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOWER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AS THE GLASS BECAME STUCK MIDWAY AND DID NOT MOVE UP. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION AND IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE FRAME IS ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE NEW TIRES PUT ON AND AM INSPECTION DONE WE NOTICED THE SEVERE RUST/ HOLES AND ALSO A CRACK IN THE WELD. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS PRETTY UGLY AS WELL, I DID NOT LOOK OVER THE ENTIRE FRAME BUT I'M SURE THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHER AREAS THAT ARE VERY BAD. I'VE READ ABOUT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO FRAME ROT IN THESE MODELS. TOYOTA HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I'M SUPPOSED TO GET A PHONE CALL FROM TOYOTA TOMORROW AND IF THEY CONTINUE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT THEN I'LL START CALLING ALL THE NEWS STATIONS AND START SPREADING THE WORD. I HAVE 45 THOUSAND DOLLARS INVESTED IN THE COMPANY THUS FAR AND WILL NEVER SPEND ANOTHER CENT ON THEM IF THIS ISSUE ISN'T RESOLVED.

I TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT IS WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT NEEDS A NEW FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST/ROT. I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT IS BEYOND REPAIR AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE AT THIS POINT.