2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Structurebody Problems

I TOOK MY VEHILE TO ISPECTION THE FRAME HAS RUST PERFORETION THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THAT THE DEALERS MAKERS INFECTION ALSO DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTED BADLY/SCALING.

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL HAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT HAS SPLIT AND CRACKED. ABSOLUTELY CRAZY THAT THE 4RUNNERS WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE PERVIOUS FRAME RECALL WITH THE TACOMA'S.

HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND POINTED OUT A FEW HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.

MY 2003 4RUNNER HAS A TON OF RUST AND THE FRAME IS RUSTING BADLY. I DO NOT FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

THE FRAME OF MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8 DEMONSTRATES EXCESSIVE AND CONCERNING RUST DAMAGE. THE BODY IS IN EXTREMELY GOOD CONDITION AND HAS ALMOST ZERO RUST, A STARK CONTRAST AGAINST THE FRAME. THE FRAME HAS RUST DAMAGE HEAVILY ON THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT, A 8" LONG SPOT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME DIRECTLY BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LOWER TRAILING ARM MOUNT. THESE AREAS OF RUST DAMAGE CAUSE ME TO BE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN THE LONG TERM. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 180K MILES, WHICH SHOULD LEAVE MANY YEARS OF ENJOYABLE TOYOTA OWNERSHIP FOR ME, IF ONLY THE FRAME WAS STILL IN HALF AS GOOD OF SHAPE AS THE BODY. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY DONE FRAME REPLACEMENTS FOR OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES, AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD NOT DO AT LEAST SOMETHING...

RECALL: STRUCTURE OF TRUCK. I HAVE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER THAT IS RUSTING REAL BAD. THE STRUCTURE FRAME IS LOOSING A LOT OF RUST . I HAVE EVEN HAVE AT LEAST 3 WHOLES IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRAME UNDER MY TRUCK. I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE LOOK INTO TO SEE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND TAKE ACTION BECAUSE I FEEL THIS WILL BECOME A SEROUS SAFETY ISSUE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THE STRUCTURE RUSTING OF THE TRUCK. I JUST HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY WORK AND NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE FINAL CHECKOUT PAPER WORK ABOUT THE SEROUS ISSUE WITH THE RUST. MY VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR DAILY USE NO OFF TOSSING OR CRAZY ACTIVITIES WITH MY VEHICLE. WE EVEN WASH OUR VEHICLE REGULARLY DOING THE WINTER MONTHS.... I SEE THEY HAVE DID...

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOUNT AIRY TOYOTA (508 N ANDY GRIFFITH PKWY, MOUNT AIRY, NC 27030, (336) 786-2118), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED ON MAY 31, 2017 AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1808210330. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY 4RUNNER HAS PARTS OF THE STRUCTURE WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RUST. THAT FRAME ELEMENT INTENDED TO HOLD THE SKID PLATE ON IS COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH. FOR FEAR OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE ISSUES IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION I REFUSE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. IN ONE INSTANCE A STEEL PIECE DESIGNED TO STABILIZE THE MUFFLER POPPED OFF IT'S WELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO THE CARS AROUND ME. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL TO MY NEAR MY HOME AT THE TIME.

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON AUGUST 22, 2018 MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GAVE OUT WHILE TURNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. LUCKILY, I WAS ON CITY STREETS AND ONLY DOING 30 MPH. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE THAT FIXED ALONG WITH AN OIL CHANGE AND OTHER NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT HE FOUND THAT MY FRAME HAS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION TO THE POINT THAT THE FRAME WOULD MOST LIKELY FAIL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, AND SINCE THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE POWER STEERING WERE SO RUSTED THE LABOR NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER. THIS INCREASED COST PUT THE REPAIR ABOVE THE SALVAGE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. MY OTHERWISE WONDERFUL VEHICLE HAS BEEN RENDERED...

THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS SUFFERING FROM EXTREME AND PREMATURE CORROSION AND RUSTING. THERE IS SIGNIFIANT ROTTING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION ON PARTS OF THE FRAME. ALTHOUGH NO INCIDENT HAS YET TO OCCUR, I FEAR AN UNSAFE INCIDENT COULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE CORROSION AND RUST OF THE VEHICLE'S FRAME.

I TOOK MY 2003 4RUNNER IN FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DO TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. MY VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT VISUAL CONDITION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRAME BECAME SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED OVER THE PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE A SERIES OF REPAIRS FOR THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS RUSTED, THE TOW HOOKS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE MUFFLER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE FRAME FRACTURED INTO PIECES UPON THE CONTACT'S INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERIES OF FAILURES OCCURED DUE TO THE SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

THE FRAME ON THE 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS BELIEVED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW BY TOYOTA. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST, THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IN PERFECT VISUAL CONDITION HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS. THE CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH NO RUST ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR ASIDE FROM THE FRAME FLAKING AWAY

03 4RUNNER HAS EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST NEAR REAR WHEEL AREA AND FRONT RADIATOR MOUNT.

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT HAS EXPERIENCED EXTREME, AND DANGEROUS, LEVELS OF RUST ON THE FRAME CROSS BARS, DESPITE BEING WASHED REGULARLY. THE RUST APPEARS TO BE ORIGINATING FROM INSIDE THE SUPPORTS, AND I WAS ADVISED BY A TOYOTA DEALER MECHANIC THAT THE RUST COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO COMPLETE FRAME FAILURE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. AT THIS POINT, SIZABLE AREAS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ENTIRELY. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA, AND THEY HAVE REGULARLY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME.

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.

2003 4RUNNER WITH EXCESSIVE RUST OF THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE. POTENTIAL FAILURE OF FRAME AND FRAME COMPONENTS DUE TO RUST COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. DEALER SUBMITTED PHOTOS TO TOYOTA.

MY 4 RUNNER FAILED VA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO "FRAME RUSTED THROUGH" SEE ATTACHED PHOTO

THE FRAMES ON 2003-2008 4RUNNERS RUST VERY BADLY AND HAVE DEEMED HUNDREDS OF OTHERWISE GOOD VEHICLES UNUSABLE. NOTE THAT JUST THE FRAME COMPONENTS ARE RUSTING THROUGH WHILE THE BODYWORK REMAINS INTACT.. TOYOTA RECALLED AND REPLACED FRAMES ON SEVERAL SIMILAR VEHICLES IN THEIR LINEUP BUT DID NOT OFFER THE SAME TO 4RUNNER OWNERS. HOPEFULLY THIS CHANGES.

VEHICLE FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST, BROKE APART AT FRAME JOINT. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE 156K.

I TOOK MY CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE ON 5/29/18 AND THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT AND THE FRAME IS ABOUT TO CRACK IN HALF FROM THE AMOUNT OF RUST. MY CAR IS GARAGED AND BARELY DRIVEN DURING THE SNOW. I REALIZE IT IS 15 YEARS OLD, BUT THE TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT LOOKED AT IT STATED THAT THE HOLES AND RUST FOUND ON THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE THAT BAD. TOYOTA HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I AM EXTREMELY MAD, AS I FEEL THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME SOONER THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING. IT IS BEYOND PATCH REPAIR WORK AND PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN PATCHED EARLIER, HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. MY CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR ALL ROUTINE...

EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON BOTH SIDES RIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS OK WITH "NORMAL" SURFACE RUST. TRIED TO TREAT RUST BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN

RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 4RUNNER, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPROMISED DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO REPLACE FRAMES ON TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S, BUT NOT 4RUNNERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ALL THE SAME FRAMES.

EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME WHILE REST OF VEHICLE REMAINS INTACT.

VEHICLE FRAME HAS MULTIPLE HOLES DUE TO RUST, UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NOT REPAIRABLE

FRONT CROSS MEMBER RUSTED INTO ON ONE SIDE AND RUSTED BAD ON THE OTHER. PLUS, FRAME HAS SEVERAL HOLES IN IT.

RUST HOLES IN FRAME AT 140,000 MILES.

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.

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.

FRAME IS RUSTING AND DEFORMING UNIFORMLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS AND ENGINE, IN FRONT OF THE TRANSFER CASE.

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.

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.

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.

VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED DASHBOARD FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, COULD SPREAD AND AFFECT AIR BAGS, TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN NORTH MIAMI BEACH STATED THERE IS A RECALL BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED IN THREE YEARS, I HAVE CHECKED WITH THEM THREE TIMES

FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY AND NEEDS REPLACED.

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.

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 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...

EXCESS FRAME RUSTING, HOLES IN FRAME

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.

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER IDENTIFIED DURING ROUTINE SERVICE AND NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SAYING IT COULD NOT BE FIXED (BEYOND REPAIR), BUT THAT I SHOULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD.

CHASSIS/FRAME ON 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNERS HAVE A SEVERE RUST PROBLEM. MANY ARE DOCUMENTED & DISCUSSED AT HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG/4TH-GEN-T4RS. SIMILAR TRUCKS IN TOYOTA'S PRODUCT LINE QUALIFIED FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT BUT THE 4RUNNER WAS IGNORED. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS 100% RUST FREE EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. RECENTLY HAD A BODY SHOP LOOK AT THE FRAME - WAS DESCRIBED AS "TOO RUSTY TO WELD ONTO" WHEN DISCUSSING PATCHES. BELOW I AM ASKED FOR A DATE WHEN THIS EVENT HAPPENED. I AM PUTTING TODAYS DATE, 2003 BECAUSE LOGICALLY THE TRUCK HAS BEEN RUSTING SINCE IT WAS BUILT.

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.

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.

I BOUGHT THE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN AUGUST 2015. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THERE HAD ALREADY BEEN A REPAIR TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IN JANUARY OF 2016, A BRAKE CALIPER MALFUNCTIONED AND I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. AT THAT TIME, I WAS INFORMED THERE WERE ROT HOLES IN THE FRAME THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THEY SHOWED ME PICTURES OF THE RUST HOLES AND I ABOUT FELL OVER. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. I HAD THE HOLES REPAIRED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION IN AUGUST 2016, THERE WERE MORE ROT HOLES AND IT COULDN'T BE INSPECTED. I HAD THOSE HOLES REPAIRED, AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID IT WAS DANGEROUS TO KEEP DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. HE SAID IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I WAS SO MAD BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT IT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND AM NOW FACING LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS...

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!

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.