2003 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

THERE IS EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR FRAME. IT'S OF GREATLY SAFETY CONCERN AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER 4RUNNER TYPE OF FRAMES. OUR MECHANIC SEEN A FEW RELATED ISSUES IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S BOTTOMING OUT GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST LITTLE BUMP WHEN IN MOTION AND THE ROTORS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED. SPENT $400+ ON NEW BRAKES & ROTORS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE IT AT ALL. IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND WOULD CAUSE A BAD WRECK WHEN IT FINALLY DID DROP OUT.

VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED/PERFORATED,UNSAFE AS PER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.

THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST, COVERING 100% OF LOWER FRAME, BUMPER TO BUMPER. IT HAS AT LEAST 2 HOLES, AND IS WEAK IN SEVERAL AREAS OF FRAME. IT FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THIS. ONLY 133K MILES ON VEHICLE. WELL MAINTAINED. FINALLY, TAILGATE DOOR IS SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED ABOVE WINDOW, BUT AT LEAST THIS ISN'T A SAFETY PROBLEM.

WE HAVE OWNED OUR 2003 4RUNNER IN OUR FAMILY SINCE NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INCREDIBLY WELL TAKEN CARE OF, WEEKLY WASHES ETC.. NOW AT 106,000 MILES OUR FRAME HAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RUST THAN EXPECTED OF A CAR OF THIS AGE AND CONDITION. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA HAS ADDRESSED MANY CORROSION INCIDENTS WITHIN TACOMA FRAMES AND NOT ADDRESSED THE FRAMES IN THE 4RUNNER ESPECIALLY BASED ON THE CONDITION OF OUR FRAME AND MANY OTHERS I SEE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS I BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF 4RUNNER FRAMES FROM THIS GENERATION VEHICLE.

FRAME HAS HOLES AND CRACKS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST. ONE CROSS MEMBER IS NON FUNCTIONAL. HAS RUSTED THROUGH ENTIRELY. I CALLED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER CARE 800 NUMBER. WAS TOLD THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. THE BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. IT HAS ONLY 104,000 MILES. COLLISION REPAIR SHOP LOOKED AT THE FRAME YESTERDAY AND I WAS TOLD IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDER STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE FOR A 2003 4RUNNER LIMITED. NOTICED DURING INSPECTION 10/19/17 AND PRIOR YEARS.

EXCESSIVE AND HEAVY RUST/FLAKING OF THE FRAME COMPONENTS POINTED OUT BY MY MECHANIC WHILE PERFORMING A MINOR REPAIR TO A HEAT SHIELD UNDER THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW AND THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER 1710131927, BUT THEY ADVISE THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO ACTIVE CAMPAIGNS WHICH COVER MY VEHICLE. OTHERS HAD SUGGESTED I NOTIFY THE NHTSA.

FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY AND NEEDS REPLACED.

WHILE PULLING INTO A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, ALOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO STOP OK SO WE DID OUR SHOPPING, WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR IT STILL HAD THE LIGHTS LIT UP AND BRAKED OK. WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO I DROVE SLOWLY TRYING TO GET THERE ABOUT HALF WAY HOME I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS HARD AS A ROCK AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE CAR APPLYING EMERGENCY BREAK AND USING SHIFTER IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING WE GOT IT HOME ACCIDENT FREE. TODAY A TALKED TO A TOYOTA SPECIALTY SHOP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND HIS FIRST RESPONSE WAS THE ABS PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 105000 MILES AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE BRAKES FAIL WITHOUT A BACK UP SYSTEM FOR SAFETY.I HAVE READ 1000S OF POSTS AND THREADS IN BLOGS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND SOME THAT CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST MINUTES EARLIER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT NO RECALL. THIS SITUATION MERITS AN INVESTIGATION BY TOYOTA AND A RECALL SHOULD BE AWARDED BEFORE HUMAN LIFE IS LOST IN AN ACCIDENT.

RUSTED FRAME , LOOKING VERY DANGEROUS AND NOT SAFE

FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED. AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT, THE BODY SHOP STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO WELD IN A REPLACEMENT CROSSMEMBER DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS RECALLED FRAMES OF SIMILAR VEHICLES BUT NOT 4RUNNERS.

WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-85 IN NORTH CAROLINA AT MILE MARKER 51.4 , AT 65 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL EXPLODED CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT. THE TIRES HAD BEEN ON THE VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AS THEY WERE REPLACED AS A FOUR TIRE SET, THEY WERE ALL NEW TIRES. APPARENTLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDEWALLS WITH THESE TIRES. I GOOGLED THIS SIDEWALL BLOWOUT AND THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 198 CASES OF COOPER TIRES WITH SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. THE TIRE BRAND IS COPPER TIRES, MODEL- COOPER DISCOVERER A/T 3 265/70 R 16 DOT- UTC2 1A6 4716 DATE CODE- 2013

MY 2003 4RUNNER SR5 LOOKS GREAT AND ITS V8 ENGINE HUMS LIKE IT IS NEW BUT THE FRAME RAILS ARE TOTALLY ROTTEN AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT AT ALL AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SO ITS VALUE SHOULD BE ABOUT 5-,6000 AND NOW IT IS TOTALLY JUNK AND HAS ONLY SCRAP VALUE. TOYOTA USA RECALLED THE SEQUOIA, THE TUNDRA AND THE TACOMA FROM THE TIME PERIOD, APPROXIMATELY 2003-2007 MAYBE MORE YEAR MODELS, BUT DID NOT RECALL THE 4RUNNER BECAUSE THERE WERE TOO MANY SOLD AND IT WOULD HAVE COST TOO MUCH MONEY. THE FRAME AND FRAME RAIL ROT ON THE 4RUNNER FROM THAT TIME PERIOD IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE NHTA YET TOYOTA HAS SEEN FIT NOT TO RECALL THE 4RUNNER!! . WHAT A DISGRACE!! THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IS THE 4RUNNERS, PAST AND PRESENT, SIT ON THE EXACT SAME FRAME AS THE TACOMA. THE TACOMA WAS RECALLED FOR THE FRAME ROT BUT THE 4RUNNER WERE NOT. COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE THE REASONING FOR NOT RECALLING THE 4RUNNER FOR FRAME ROT WHILE THE TACOMA WITH THE EXACT SAME FRAME FROM THE EXACT SAME FACTORY WAS NOT/HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TRAILING ARM BRACKETS WAS ROTTED WITH HOLES AND SLIGHT CORROSION. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

FRAME RUST, SEVERE EXTENSIVE RUST TO FRAME, VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, TOYOTA HAS RECALLS FOR TUNDRA AND TACOMA, NEED TO ADD 4RUNNER TO RECALL LIST. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, FRAME ROT WAS POINTED OUT WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED. THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

VEHICLE HAS 100 000 MILES. HEAVY RUST IS OBSERVED SINCE 2018 ON THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE FRONT END. HOLES AND OPENINGS ON THE FRAME ARE RUSTED OUT AND LARGE AMOUNT OF METAL IS FALLING. SAME PROBLEMS AS REPORTED ON TACOMA. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND STRUCTURAL STRENGTH OF THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF IMPACT. *TR

THE FRAME IT'S RUSTED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ATLANTIC TOYOTA DEALER LOCATED AT 145 ALBANY AVE, AMITYVILLE, NEW YORK, 11701, FOR A CHECK UP WHEN THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AS A RESULT OF SALT ON THE ROAD, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NOT OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,660.

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE BOTTOM OF FRAME SECTION HAS LARGE RUSTED THROUGH HOLE AND I HAVE REMOVED A LARGE FREEZER BAG FULL OF RUST FROM INSIDE THIS HOLE. I BELIEVE THE ROOT CAUSE WAS THAT THE AIR CONDITION CONDENSATE DRAIN HOSE EXITED DOWN DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE FRAME IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CONDENSATE(WATER) THEN RAN DOWN THE FRAME TO THE RUSTED LOCATION AS THIS IS HOW I DISCOVERED THE RUST PROBLEM, IT DRIPPED FROM THAT LOCATION LEAVING A RUST SPOT ON GARAGE FLOOR. THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME IN SAME AREA IS FINE. I HAVE SINCE RE-ROUTED THE CONDENSATE DRAIN TO KEEP PROBLEM FROM ACCELERATING.

FRAME RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF VEHICLE. HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE WHEN THE AUTO WAS INSPECTED IN 5/2016 THE RUST WAS NOT THERE.

TODAY, I DROVE MY 2003 4RUNNER LIMITED THAT HAS 135409 MILES WITH THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS DEEMED "UNSAFE" BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY. THIS WAS AFTER I TOOK MY 4RUNNER FOR FRONT BRAKES AND THE MECHANIC TOLD REMOVE MY KIDS CAR SEATS FROM THE BACK SEAT AND TOLD ME TO BRING TO THIS TOYOTA ATTENTION. THE 2003 4RUNNER FRAME IS UNSAFE AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE UNTIL THEY REPAIR / REPLACE FRAME.

FRAME IS RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY IN TWO WHERE BACK AXLE TIES TO THE FRAME. ALSO VARIOUS OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME ARE RUSTING AS WELL. TOOK TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND EACH SAID IT IS A MFG ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES. PUTTING A YOUNG DRIVER, OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER, INTO A CAR TO DRIVE THAT HAS SERIOUS FRAME RUST ISSUES WHICH COULD LEAD TO A WRECK AND SERIOUS INJURY IS INEXCUSABLE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY WITH A RECALL. WE BOUGHT VEHICLE IN 2016, HOWEVER IT WAS RUSTED FAR BEFORE THEN BASED ON RUST EVIDENCE PRESENT.

I AM DEEPLY DISTURBED BY THE THOUGHT ITSELF THAT MY SON AND I COULD HAVE DIED OR SEVERELY INJURED WHILE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK LAST WEEKEND. ALL OF A SUDDEN, BUNCH OF LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND CONTINUED LOUD SOUND STARTED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD WHEN I WAS REACHING MY SON'S SCHOOL TO DROP HIM OFF FOR A TENNIS MATCH. WHILE I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR A TREE, I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY FACE THE SAME ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED AND/OR ON A BUSY ROAD. I WOULD LIKE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST YOU TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WITH TOYOTA. THERE ARE FEW OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA DISMISSES THE CASE BY SAYING ITS 'WEAR AND TEAR'. HOW CAN WEAR AND TEAR CAN BE A JUSTIFICATION WHEN IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND PEOPLE CAN LOSE LIVES? PLEASE DON'T WAIT TO WARN AND INVESTIGATE UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES A LOVED ONE'S LIFE.

I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VECHICLE FOR MANIFLOD/EXHAUST/CATILITIC CONVERTER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION WAS DISCOVERED ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS SEIZED UP CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. SEE ENCLOSED VIDEO. PLEASE REVIEW ALL THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING TOYOTA 4RUNNER CALIPER PISTONS SEIZING UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. I called Toyota on 4/12/22 and was told that there is not a recall for this issue and that any repairs would have to be paid by me. I then proceeded to call the number given to me by the representative to call 800-331-4331 for the Toyota Corporate office. I spoke to Blake who gave me the same answer, there was not a recall on this vehicle for rust/corrosion on the frame of vehicle. At this time, Toyota charges $150 just to check car and unfortunately, I don't have those funds to pay such a fee. I asked Blake if there was a way, Toyota can check without charging a fee and his answer was no. Currently, there is not any warning lights on, but with increased time and pressure of exhaust pipe and muffler will create more problems. I cannot have the exhaust system fixed until the frame of truck is replaced. My car was checked by an independent shop.

There is major corrosion on the chassis, brake-power steering-transmission lines, and all metal brackets on the frame and engine. The corrosion is so bad there is holes on the chassis. Known issue, many complaints, Toyota Corp. says to keep calling back maybe something will be done in the future. Unable to upload photos!

FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY

WHILE HAVING AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE PERFORMED BY MIDAS AUTO SERVICE EXPERTS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, THE OWNER OF THE SHOP FOUND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROTTED WITH RUST TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE HOLES WHERE THE FRAME IS WELDED. HE WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIS FINGER THROUGH THE RUSTED FRAME OF THE CAR. HE STATED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO STRUCTURAL ROT OF THE FRAME.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN THE VEHICLE, BREAKS FAILED AND LOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO WE GOT IT THERE INTO THE GARAGE APPLYING EMERGENCY BREAK AND USING SHIFTER IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AS THEY SAID THE FIXED IT AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 30 MINUTES AND SAID THE ACCUMULATOR PUMP WAS BLOCKED UP. CAME HOME, DROVE IT TWICE AND THE ONE WEEK LATER ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES GO OFF AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED ONCE AGAIN AND NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WILL COST US $4000 TO FIX. VERY ODD TOYOTA GOES FROM A THIRTY-MINUTE CHARGE AND FIX TO A THREE-DAY PROCESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO ORDER PART AND COST US $4000. SUPPOSEDLY THE ABS PUMP BREAK MASTER CYLINDER IS BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READ 1000S OF POSTS AND THREADS IN BLOGS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND SOME THAT CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST MINUTES EARLIER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT NO RECALL. THIS SITUATION MERITS AN INVESTIGATION BY TOYOTA AND A RECALL SHOULD BE AWARDED BEFORE HUMAN LIFE IS LOST IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY SHOULD ALSO FIND A BETTER LESS EXPENSIVE FIX. GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY HAVE PUT OUR FAITH INTO TOYOTA VEHICLES AND TO BE SCREWED LIKE THIS IS JUST NOT FAIR. THE ECONOMY BAILED CAR DEALERSHIPS OUT WHEN THEY WERE GOING UNDER AND THEY CAN'T DO THE RIGHT THING TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. WILL ANALYSIS MY OPTIONS WHEN BUYING ANOTHER TOYOTA.

EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST FOR A CAR THAT HAS BEEN GARAGE STORED IN MILD VANCOUVER BC CLIMATE. FRAME IS EXACT SAME AS TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAVE KNOWN FRAME RUST AND FRAME ROT, BUT NOT COVERED UNDER THE FRAME RECALL FROM TOYOTA

RUST COVERING ALL CHASSIS COMPONENTS DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE NEEDS TO BE SCRAPED PRIMED AND PAINTED TO PROTECT AGAINST FURTHER DAMAGE

2003 4RUNNER FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO ROTTING FRAME. RECALL WAS AVAILABLE ON THE TUNDRA'S TACOMA'S AND SEQUOIA'S. WHY NOT THE 4RUNNERS?

WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES AND ROTERS, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE GAS TANK STRAPS ATTACH, IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ROTTED THROUGH. SEVERAL AREAS ON THE FRAME ARE ROTTED THROUGH. THE MECHANIC STUCK HIS FINGER RIGHT THROUGH MY FRAME. ALSO, THERE IS BODY RUST ALL AROUND THE BACK WINDOW, CAUSING WATER TO GET INTO THE BACK DOOR, CAUSING THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT TO NOT WORK, AND CAUSING THE LATCH TO LOCK AND KEEP THE HATCH CLOSED IS SEIZED DUE TO RUST.

MY 4RUNNER WAS CLASSIFIED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY A SAFETY INSPECTOR BECAUSE OF ADVANCED DEGRADATION OF THE FRAME DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST. IT IS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED.

TAKATA RECALL. CAR IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE. RUST HAS CONSUMED THE FRAME TO THE POINT THAT MAJOR PARTS ARE AT RISK OF SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME AND FALLING FROM IT.

VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. FROM THE INSIDE. VERY EVIDENT WHEN THE TOYOTA SPECIALIST WHO WORKS ON THE 4RUNNER HAS TO SERVICE IT AND WORK ON IT. THEY HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND ARE SUPPLYING US WITH THEM. THEY ARE A NORTH CAROLINA SAFETY INSPECTOR AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING IS AFFECTED AND OVERALL ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE FRAME HOLDING THE VEHICLE PARTS IN PLACE. WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT DOESN'T HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS ONE. IT HAS SOME RUST BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS. STARTED NOTICING IT IN 2016 AFTER IT HAD REPAIRS DONE WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE INSIDE OF THE BOTTOM AND FRAME PARTS. *THIS 4RUNNER WAS BUILT ON THE TACOMA CHASSIS THAT WAS RECALLED. THIS 4 RUNNER NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR IT TO BE SAFE. MY SON DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. WELL, HE DID. I CAN'T LET HIM NOW. HE HAS NO VEHICLE. THE PICTURES ARE DISTURBING! ALL OF OUR CARS ARE OLDER AND NEVER HAVE WE HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. THE 2003 4RUNNERS ARE AFFECTED.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) ONGOING A SERVICE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A HUGE ROT HOLE GOING ALONG THE PASSENGER FRAME AND ANOTHER RUST HOLE ON THE BOTTOM RADIATOR SUPPORT.

I WAS DOING SOME MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE ON MY 2003 4 RUNNER AND NOTICED A HUGE ROT HOLE IN THE FRAMED JUST AHEAD OF THE RIGHT REAR TRACK BAR.

FRAME RUSTED THROUGHOUT TO THE POINT THAT MECHANICS AND BODY SHOP EMPLOYEES HAVE ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE OR SELL IT. WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW FRAME AND IS BEYOND REPAIR. WE PURCHASED 11/29/16. PREVIOUS OWNER SPRAY UNDERCARRIAGE BLACK TO HIDE RUST. ONLY 151K MILES!

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I LUCKILY NOTICED AND PULLED OVER BEFORE INCURRING MORE DAMAGE AND WARPING THE ENGINE HEAD. I HAVE HEARD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THESE 4.0 V6'S TOYOTA MADE HAVE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC ON THANKSGIVING, I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN/LEAKING HEADGASKET. I HAVE NEVER DROVE THIS VEHICLE OVER 3K RPMS AND FIND IT RIDICULOUS IT WOULD FAIL UNDER SUCH GOOD CONDITION. *TR

VEHICLE HAD FRAME PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION AND COMPLETELY CORRODED GAS TANK STRAPS (BOTH STRAPS). BOTH OF THESE REPRESENT SAFETY HAZARDS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE FRAME CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 4RUNNER AND SIMILAR VEHICLES IS WELL KNOWN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. SINCE TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME AND NOT ACTED ON IT THERE NEEDS TO BE INTERVENTION FROM THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

FRAME RUSTING OUT

THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF MY 2003 4RUNNER. IT HAS JUST 165,000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED. BEING ONLY 15 YEARS OLD I FIND THIS TO BE VERY SAD AND UNREASONABLE. THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO LAST 20-30 YEARS AND 300,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, OHIO, NEW YORK. IF THERE WAS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REQUIRED FOR THE FRAME IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COATED, OR AT THE VERY LEAST NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO IT. THESE CAR SHOULD LAST MUCH MUCH LONGER AND AS EXPENSIVE AS THE 4RUNNERS ARE THEY SHOULD LAST.

TOOK THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION IT WON'T PASS FRAME IS ROTTED BEYOND FIXING!!

THE FRAME IS VERY BADLY RUSTED ALSO TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE

ON 10/03/16 I TOOK MY 4-RUNNER TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR FRONT END BRAKE REPLACEMENT. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, I CONTACTED THE REPAIR SHOP AN ASKED THEM TO ALSO REPLACE ALL SHOCK ABSORBERS, WHICH THEY AGREED TO DO. LATER, I WENT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME WERE SEVERLY CORRODED AND DID NOT INSTALL THE SHOCK ABSORBERS DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION. THE MECHANIC WROTE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON MY INVOICE. "FRAME OF CAR IS ROTTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. DO MINUIUM REPAIRS TO KEEP ON ROAD. SHOULD NOT BE USED ON HIGHWAY!!!

FRAME AND SUSPENSION ATTACHED TO THE FRAME CORRODED EARLY. THE ATTACHMENTS FOR THE REAR SHOCKS ARE ALMOST CORRODED THROUGH.