NHTSA Complaint #10548561 — 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

NEAR THE END OF AUGUST FOUR WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME IN MY 2003 4RUNNER. THEY WERE THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SIGNIFICANT RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME, REAR AXLE AND ATTACHED PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO AS THERE IS SO MUCH RUST, CORROSION, AND LACK OF MATERIAL TO WORK WITH. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OWNER, A FRIEND OF MINE, HAD THE VEHICLE UNDERCOATED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE, KEPT THE CAR IN A GARAGE, AND WASHED THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY INCLUDING THE UNDERSIDE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 13,750 MILES. IT HAS ALSO LIVED IN A GARAGE HERE. AS OF AUGUST 29, 2013, THE DATE OF THE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE HAD 24,005 MILES. THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, AND THE INTERIOR IS THE SAME. HOWEVER, THE UNDERSIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE. "THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES OR CURRENT RECALLS RELATING TO BODY AND FRAME RUST ISSUED FOR YOUR VEHICLE...YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WE WOULD BE UNWILLING TO OFFER YOU ANY COMPENSATION FOR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS DECISION, IT DOES REPRESENT TOYOTA'S FINAL POSITION IN THIS MATTER." *TR