NHTSA Complaint #11092644 — 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 IN VIRGINIA. IT HAS SPENT THE LAST 13 YEARS IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE SALT IS RARELY USED ON THE ROADS. I OCCASIONALLY TAKE IT ON THE BEACH BUT ALWAYS FULLY SPRAY THE UNDERBODY WITH FRESH WATER AFTERWARDS. ABOUT 2 YRS AGO I STARTED NOTICING SEVERE RUST NEAR CRITICAL WELDS ON THE FRAME. I CLEANED, PRIMED AND PAINTED THESE AREAS THE BEST I COULD COULD TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN THE RUST. YESTERDAY WHEN GETTING TIRES MOUNTED MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE RUST IS GETTING TO THE POINT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M GETTING READY TO DRIVE CROSS COUNTRY THE END OF THE MONTH SO THIS WAS NOT GOOD NEWS. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE TRUCK METICULOUSLY AND ONLY HAVE 130K MILES ON IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW TRUCK AND SELLING THIS ONE, THOUGH IT LOOKS AND DRIVES MINT, WILL BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE ONCE THE FRAME IS INSPECTED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE RUST OUT LIKE THIS THOUGH I OWNED MANY WHEN I LIVED IN THE HEAVY SALT USING STATE OF NY YEARS AGO. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THESE 4RUNNERS THAT TOYOTA IS FAILING TO ADDRESS, I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T DECIDE TO FAIL WHEN I'M 2000 MILES FROM HOME AND DRIVING 70 MPH.