2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Structurebody Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. SUBURBAN TOYOTA OF FARMINGTON HILLS (35200 GRAND RIVER AVE, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335, (248) 699-7100) WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT NEEDED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH, LEAVING SEVERAL HOLES, SOME VERY LARGE, PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.

THERE IS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON 4TH GENERATION 4 RUNNER. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BELLINGHAM (360-676-0600, LOCATED AT 1100 IOWA ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98229) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

TAKATA RECALL, THE RADIATOR MOUNT AND FRAME SUPPORTS ARE RUSTED OUT, ALSO THE REAR SHOCK AND AIR SUSPENSION MOUNTS ARE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SHOCK MOUNT BROKE.

LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INSPECTED FRAME FOUND MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE FRAME , ESTIMATE GIVEN OF $17,793.54 FOR NEW FRAME ALL PARTS NEEDED WITH THE FRAME PARTS AND LABOR. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAULTY FRAME ISSUE

FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. FRAME SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN THIS. AFRAID TO PUT FRAME UP ON LIFT TO ROTATE TIRES BECAUSE THOUGHT IT WOULD BREAK IN HALF. FRAME IS ROTTING BEFORE OUR EYES. VEHICLE STILL RUNS GOOD. IT IS A SHAME THE FRAME IS WEARING OUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE DOES. VEHICLE IS DROVE EVERYDAY. HOPEFULLY FRAME WILL NOT GIVE WAY WHILE DRIVE ON THE ROAD.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 08-01-20.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING A STATE INSPECTION, THE INSPECTOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, JUST BEFORE THE REAR WHEEL, WAS RUSTED AND HAD HOLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE NEEDED TO BE REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 333,000. *TT THE IMMEDIATE RUSTED FRAME AREA WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL NYS INSPECTION WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 18,2019. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RE-INSPECTED YET TO SEE IF THE REPAIR WILL MEET NYS INPECTION REQUIREMENTS. OTHER AREAS OF FRAME ARE ALSO STARTING TO RUST THROUGH.*JB

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME THAT HAS NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH IN SOME AREAS. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I DETERMINED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES CLOSE TO THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. APPARENTLY THE FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED AND RUST HAS GROWN ON MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN IS TYPICALLY EXPECTED. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AS A RESULT.

THE BODY/FRAME OF THE CAR IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE CORROSION/RUST. THE RUST HAS STARTED EATING THROUGH THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS FROM 2003-2007 MODEL YEAR. IN MY CASE MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK AND HAZARD.

MY FRAME HAS 10 PLUS HOLES IN IT ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, IT'S SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AS IT WILL SPLIT IN TWO ANY SECOND BY THE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER, TOYOTA IT'S TIME TO START RECALLING THESE FRAMES AS THERE ARE MILLIONS OF COMPLAINTS

TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN MOTION, DRIVING THE HIGHWAY AND LOCAL WHEN NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MOVING UNSTABLE LIKE WIGGLING AND SLOWED DOWN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR. HE FOUND OUT THE CHASSIS WAS BROKEN.

THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS ROTTING. IT HAS A FEW HOLES IN IT AND THE RUST IS EVERYWHERE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE SO ROTTEN SO QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY WHERE I LIVE. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER 4RUNNERS CLOSE IN AGE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THE FRAMES ON THE 4RUNNERS LIKE THEY DID ON THE TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S. I DRIVE MY 4RUNNER EVERYDAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND AM STARTING TO FEEL UNSAFE USING IT ANYMORE.

EXCESSIVE RUST HAS APPEARED IN A NUMBER OF STRUCTURAL AREAS IN THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER. COMPLETE RUST THROUGH HAS OCCURRED IN MANY AREAS OF THE FRAME AND IN KEY STRESS POINTS. THE RUST APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT SO IT IS TOUGH TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL AREAS THAT RUST IS AFFECTING AND FURTHER DEGRADING THE SAFETY AND STRENGTH OF THE FRAME. THE RUST WAS IDENTIFIED DURING A NORMAL VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES.

PREMATURE RUSTING IF THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVING COULD BE OR TURN INTO A SAFETY HAZARD.

UPON BRINGING MY CAR TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE, THEY HAVE BEEN NOTICING MORE AND MORE RUST PERFORATION ON MY CHASSIS, LAST YEAR TRYING TO FIX A FLAT THE JACK WENT RIGHT THRU THE CHASSIE RAIL DUE TO BEING ALL RUSTED OUT AND FLAKY. TODAY I WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTI POINT INSPECTION FOUND REAR SHOCK BROKEN ON PASS SIDE AND MORE RUST AT ALL SEAMS OF WELDING AS WELL AS HOLES AND WEAK THIN SPOTS OF METAL. MECHANICS ADVISED ME OF NUMEROUS OTHER MODELS FROM TOYOTA WITH SAME ISSUE, UPON CALLING THEIR HEADQUARTERS THEY DENY ANY ISSUE WITH 4 RUNNERS WHEN I TOLD THEM THE ARE ALL SAME PERIOD AND OBVIOUSLY SAME MANUFACTURER MAKING YOUR CHASSIE PARTS WHICH ARE DEFECTIVE.

THE TAILGATE OF THE SUV OPENS IT WHILE DRIVING. THE TAILGATE CLOTHING LATCH SOUNDS AS IF IT HAS CLOSED, BUT HAS NOT. THIS RESULTS IN THE TAIL GATE OPENING UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS BEGAN AFTER HAVING A REPAIR ON THE BACK WINDOW SYSTEM, THAT WAS A RECALL FROM TOYOTA. ALSO, THERE'S NO PROTECTION FROM THE EDGE OF THE TAILGATE RUSTING. I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS IS IN EVERY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FROM 2004. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS FOR ME, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A WAY TO REPORT IT.

I STARTED HEARING A NOISE LIKE FRICTION COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND FEELING IT THROUGH THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD COME AND GO AND WITHIN A WEEK THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. JUST AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SIDE ROAD, MY BRAKES WENT OUT AND THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD METAL ON METAL GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAD THE CAR TAKEN ON A ROLLBACK TO MY MECHANIC. WHEN HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT HE SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT WAS UNDRIVEABLE. MOST EVERYTHING THAT WAS ATTECHED TO THE FRAME WAS COMING LOOSE, LIKE THE BRAKE CALIPERS, COVER OVER THE GAS TANK, AXLES, ETC. THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT HE COULD LITERALLY PUT HIS HAND THROUGH IT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD OUTCOME IF I HAD STILL BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT ALL BROKE LOOSE.

I HAVE A 2004 4RUNNER WHICH IS METICULOUSLY KEPT. THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WHICH SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE CUT OUT AND REPLACED. THERE WHERE ALSO MULTIPLE SPOTS ON THE FRAME RAIL WHERE STEEL PLATES HAD TO BE WELDED ON FOR IT TO PASS INSPECTION. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE FRAME. HOWEVER, ANYONE I TALK TO, PERSONAL OR AT SHOPS, IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE!

TOYOTA FRAME RUSTING. THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE REAR CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. WHEN LOOKING AT THE FRAME RAIL YOU CAN SEE DAYLIGHT THROUGH THE WELDS. THERE ARE OTHER SPOTS ON THE FRAME RAILS THAT ARE RUSTED JUST AS BADLY I'M NOT ABLE TO GET PICTURES OFF

FRAME AND UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE EXCESSIVELY RUSTING WITH HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH ENTIRE FRAME LIKE SWISS CHEESE. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. DEEMED UNSAFE TO USE VEHICLE ANY MORE.

VEHICLE DID NOT PASS VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO A CORRODED HOLE IN THE FRAME. SIMILAR TO RECALL IN PLACE FOR TOYOTA TACOMA

I BROUGHT MY 4RUNNER IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT IT UP ON A LIFT BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON MY VEHICLE, THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT IT WOULDN'T HOLD. I NEED THIS VEHICLE TO GET AROUND FOR WORK AND MY COMPANY, AND I AM NOW TERRIFIED IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING.

FRAME LEFT SIDE - DRIVERS FRONT CLOSE TO WHEEL WELL AREA IS RUSTED THROUGH APPROX SIZE OF 8" X 5" DURING INSPECTION NOTIFIED THIS WILL BE A HAZARD TO DRIVING IF NOT ADDRESSED SINCE THIS IS PART OF THE FRAME AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE IF NOT ADDRESSED. VEHICLE IS INSPECTED YEARLY AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE SAW THE RUST OF THIS MAGNITUDE. ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC DATABASE THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION ON THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT AND SAFETY CLAIM - I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS CLAIM. VEHICLE WAS IN POSSESSION OF DEALER SERVICE DEPT WHEN THE ISSUE WAS NOTED.

FRAME RUST

THE FRAME IS ROTTING ..AND I CAN NOT STOP OR PREVENT IT ..EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE FRAME WILL FALL APART..CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY ..I BOUGHT A TOYOTA FOR ITS DEPENDABILITY..NOT HOW FAST IT WOULD KILL ME

THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT SINCE 2017

I HAVE 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 4.0 SR5. MILAGE 130.000. THE FRAME HAS A LOT OF RUST. ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE THRU WHOLE THAT SIDE. THE FRONT RADIATOR MOUNTS ARE ALSO CORRODED. BACK SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME IS ALSO CORRODED. BASICALLY WHOLE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY. IF I TOUCH THE FRAME THE PIECES START TO FALL DOWN. EVERYTHING IS OK WITH VEHICLE ONLY THE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG I CAN DRIVE LIKE THIS. HOPEFULLY MORE PEOPLE WILL GET INVOLVED AND TOYOTA WILL SOLVE THAT ISSUE. 4RUNNER IS A GREAT VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE IT AT LEAST 5 MORE YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY I THINK I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF RUSTY FRAME. DRIVING WILL NO LONGER BE SAFE. I HOPE MORE 4RUNNERS 4TH GENERATION OWNERS WILL COMPLAIN AND TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRAMES.

TRUCK FRAME RUSTED THROUGH

FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED WITH LARGE HOLES THROUGHOUT. THESE VEHICLES ARE NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH RUSTED FRAMES WITH MANY TRUCKS AND APPARENTLY THE 4RUNNERS IS NO EXCEPTION.

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WILL NOT PASS IT'S NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO A HOLE FROM CORROSION IN THE FRAME. THE HOLE IS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. THE CAR IS ALWAYS KEPT IN THE GARAGE, IS WASHED REGULARLY AND ALL MAINTENANCE WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY A TOYOTA DEALER

FRAME IS RUSTING ,TOYOTA DEALER SAID DANGERASE TO DRIVE,DEALER SAID THEY ARE THUOSANDS OF THESE OUT THERE BUT NO RECALLS!!!! WHEY DO PEOPLE NEED TO DIE BEFORE TOYOTA DOES SOMETHING? I ,M LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THERE MISTAKES,THIS SUV HAS LESS THAN 100,000 ON IT!!! SAD!!!!

WRITING A COMPLAINT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRAME OF TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. GOT VEHICLE INSPECTED LAST YEAR, NO RECOMMENDATION OF THE FRAME NEEDING REPAIRED. NOW, WONT PASS INSPECTION THIS YEAR DUE TO A CRACK IN THE WELDING PLATE ABOVE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AND SEVERE CORROSION. DRIVERS SIDE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY STARTED TO ERODE AND CANT FIND A MECHANIC WILLING TO WELD TO PASS INSPECTION. MECHANIC STATED THAT BODY IS IN GREAT CONDITION, JUST ONLY THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY SHOT. HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE PAST YEAR. HAD THERE BEEN ANYONE TO SUGGEST FRAME NEEDED WORK A YEAR AGO, WOULD HAVE HAPPILY DONE SO, THAT'S JUST HOW MUCH HAS CORRODED SINCE LAST INSPECTION.

EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CORROSION AND RUST ON THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. FRAME WELDS ARE RUSTING THROUGH IN VARIOUS SPOTS. I ONLY HAVE 112K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION IS UNACCEPTABLE.

TAKATA RECALL, PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY 04 4RUNNER, THERE IS SO MUCH FRAME RUST THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO ANY WORK WITHOUT EVERY BOLT/SCREW/NUT BREAKING OFF. THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT FAR IF ANYWHERE. I'VE TAKEN IT FOR SERVICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BEFORE THAT IT'S A ROAD HAZARD AND THEY WERE SURPRISED NOTHING HAD FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED A WRECK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TACOMA FRAME RECALL.

TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. CAUSING ALL THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND MAKE THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. EVEN THE BODY IS STARTING TO RUST AWAY. ONLY HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT WHICH IS CRAZY.

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WILL NOT PASS IT'S NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO HOLES FROM CORROSION IN THE FRAME.

UPON PRE-INSPECTION OF MY PERSONAL VEHICLE FOR PURCHASE I FOUND THAT BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE FRAME WERE TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, AFTER REMOVAL OF THE REAR BUMPER, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE RUST EXTENDED ALMOST ENTIRELY THROUGH THE CORNERS OF THE FRAME. THERE WAS ALSO A MAJOR HOLE IN THE FRAME WHERE THE FACTORY WELDS WERE CONJOINING PIECES OF THE FRAME RIGHT WHERE THE EXHAUST BRACKET MOUNTS TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE INTERIOR FACING OF THE FRAME. ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A MASSIVE RUST HOLE EXTENDING ALONG THE RIGHT FRONT FACTORY WELDS CONNECTING THE RIGHT FRONT BODY MOUNT TO THE FRAME. THE REAR ROTTED CORNERS OF THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE BUMPER AND RIGHT FRONT BODY MOUNT WERE REPAIRED AT MY FATHER'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE STATION BY MY DAD WHO HAS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. WITH A VERMONT STATE INSPECTION...

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME HAS HOLES AND HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME OR WORSE FRAMES. I WORK AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND ALL THE TRUCE THAT HAVE FRAMES EXCEPT THE 4RUNNERS HAVE RECALLS FOR THE FRAMES. WHEN I ASKED TOYOTA WHY THAT IS THE CASE THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE TRUCKS WERE BUILT IN JAPAN. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF THE 4RUNNER WERE BUILT IN JAPAN AND HAVE WORSE FRAMES THAN THE TACOMAS TUNDRAS OR SEQUOIAS, WHY AREN'T THE 4RUNNERS COVERED. ITS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND WHEN I ASKED TOYOTA IF THEY WOULD HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAT ITS NOT THERE ISSUE AND MIGHT START A CASE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS RESULT AND BELIEVE THAT IF ALL THE TRUCK FRAMES ARE ROTTING, SOME WORSE THAN OTHERS, WHY AREN'T ALL THE FRAMES BEING COVERED. PLEASE HELP ME.

FRAME HAS MULTIBLE HOLES IN FRAME AND MANY AREAS FRAME WEEK GAS TANK STRAPS RUSTED OUT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION

FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME EXTENSION BRACKETS RUSTED OUT AND ROTTING. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

RUST CRACK IN FRAME RIGHT FRONT AT CORE SUPPORT. CRACKS IN DASHBOARD.

SINCE BUYING MY FORERUNNER USED IN 2015 I HAVE ONLY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE BED INSPECTIONS WITH TOYOTA PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS. UPON BRINGING MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS SHOCKED AND UPSET AS I'VE ONLY USED A TRUSTED TOYOTA PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AND SOMEHOW THEY SEEM TO HAVE OVERLOOKED A FRAME THAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AND THEREFORE PUTTING MY LIFE AND MY CHILDREN'S LIVES IN HARMS WAY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS TO NO AVAIL, THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS. HOWEVER I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS OVERLOOKING SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE BUT YET HAVING NO PROBLEM WITH ME CONTINUING TO PUT MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE AS I PLANNED ON OWNING IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AFTER THE FRAME RUST...

THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON 12/5/2018. AFTER A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE'S FRAME, TOYOTA WESTBOROUGH (MA), HAS IDENTIFIED AN AREA THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED. THE SIZE OF THIS HOLE EXCEEDS THE THRESHOLD USED IN THE RELATED TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I BELIEVE THIS IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT 4RUNNERS OF THE SAME VINTAGE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A SIMILAR RECALL.

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A REPAIR RECENTLY AT A TOYOTA DEALER UPON TEAR DOWN THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 2004 4RUNNER'S FRAME AND MANY OTHER STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS FOR THE ENGINE AND MOUNTS ARE NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THEY FOUND HOLES IN THE FRAME AT ENGINE CROSS MEMBER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO FOUND BOTH REAR BODY MOUNTS AND LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT EXCESSIVELY RUSTY. THEY DECLINED THE REPAIR WORK AND TOLD ME THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF THE VEHICLE AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO THE ORIGINAL PAINT IS STILL GLOSSY NO RUST ON THE OUTER BODY BUT EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY. I AM GREATLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE RUNS WELL BUT OF COURSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER.

FRAME RUST

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS DRIVING AND A PIECE HOLDING THE SUSPENSION TOGETHER RUSTED OFF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TIP OVER. IT ALSO FELT LIKE THE FRONT AND BACK WHEELS WERE GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON ISSUE.

THE FRAME ON MY 2004 4RUNNER IS BADLY RUSTED. THERE ARE RUST HOLES WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER IS WELDED TO THE FRAME THEREFORE WEAKENING THE STRUCTURE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THAT CRITICAL JUNCTION WILL BREAK. ANOTHER AREA OF RUST THAT CAUSES GREAT CONCERN IS ON THE FRONT OF THE FRAME. THE PASSENGER SIDE TOW LOOP THAT WAS WIELDED TO THE FRAME HAS BROKEN OFF WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE. NOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE 4RUNNER IS HIT HEAD-ON. WILL THE FRAME CRUMBLE LIKE THE FRAME IS DOING WHERE THE TOW HOOK WAS LOCATED? THE SEAMS ON THE FRAME HAVE SOME MUCH RUST THAT IT IS NO LONGER SAFE FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS TO DRIVE.

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...