NHTSA Complaint #11163383 — 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST I HAVE A 2004 4RUNNER THAT HAS SO MUCH LIFE LEFT EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE RUNS IMPECCABLY, BUT THE FRAME, THE VERY FOUNDATILN ON WHICH IT SITS, IS CRUMBLING. THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE FRAME BEFORE TOWING ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CORNER OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY GONE (NO 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE FRAME THERE - THE WHOLE CORNER HAD RUSTED AWAY). MY MECHANIC FABRICATED A NEW CORNER, BUT THEN TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T TOW EVEN THE SMALLEST OF TRAILERS BECAUSE HE WOULD EXPECT THE FRAME TO BE RIPPED OFF THE CAR UNDER ANY LOAD. HE SHOWED ME THE REAR-MOST SECTION OF FRAME EXTENDING FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT THAT THE HITCH SITS AGAINST AND IT'S FALLING APART AS WELL, AND THEN FROM THE REAR CORNERS OF THE BUMPER, THE FIRST 18 INCHES OF FRAME GOING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATING. THE CROSS-MEMBER NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS SO FRAGILE FROM RUSTING, I COULD TEAR IF OFF WITH MY BARE HANDS. 1/3 OF THE WAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HEADING TOWARD THE REAR IS ANOTHER PART OF THE FRAME THAT'S RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE MECHANIC SAID IF THE FRAME ISN'T REINFORCED, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BEFORE USE, BUT IF I HADN'T INSPECTED IT AND WENT THROUGH WITH MY PLANS TO GIVE THE CAR TO A FRIEND FOR HIM TO TOW A TRAILER WITH FURNITURE FROM PA TO KY, WHO KNOWS WHAT TRAGEDY MAY HAVE OCCURRED.