NHTSA Complaint #11422372 — 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

On April 14, 2019, I was informed by an auto repair shop that my 2004 Toyota 4Runner showed signs of excessive rusting on the front end of the frame at the bumper and radiator support. The repair shop owner/mechanic indicated the bumper may eventually fall off. At the time, the odometer reading was only 117,834 miles. On June 22, 2021, I took the truck in to the Toyota dealer where I purchased it to have the regular oil change done and requested that they inspect the frame during the routine "Multi-Point Inspection." On this visit to the Toyota dealer, the truck's odometer reading was 141,595. The mechanic pointed out the more severe areas of rusting, which included the "Front right bumper support crumple zone area, also right side top under pass front seat area very thin." He indicated that the left side of the frame, although not as advanced as the right side, was also rusting, because water from wet roadways accumulates within the frame and does not drain. I was not able to take photos of the top under pass due to lack of access. However, the mechanic had me run my fingers along the top of the frame. The frame was so corroded that it was crumbling, and my fingers went right through the frame. Some areas already had holes from the corrosion. I have included both the repair shop and Toyota dealer's observation reports as well as the photos of the front end of the frame and the right side under pass. It was not possible to take photos of the top of the right side under pass, which the mechanic pointed out was the most affected. The vehicle is available for inspection if necessary.