To whom it may concern: Thank you for your immediate attention to this concern. I just purchased a 1997 Toyota 4runner with 173,000 miles on it. I was made aware before buying the vehicle that there is some rust underneath and so I examined the problem and determined that it is not major and is repairable. After purchasing the vehicle, I found that the problem is quite larger than I initially assessed. I realize that this makes me responsible for a bad decision but I also think that it is important for the safety of the general public to bring these rust issues to the attention of the NHTSA with the hope that enough complaints will affect a response that will hold the manufacturer responsible. I realize that this vehicle is 15 years old and has high mileage but at the same time, I don't believe that the rotting frame is an acceptable defect in an 18 year old vehicle that was clearly very well maintained by it's original owner, and by the number of submitted and unsubmitted complaints, this is a common problem with this particular vehicle which points to a defect in manufacturing. In addition, this rotting frame problem must have started when the vehicle was much younger because the frame is rotted through in two places and it doesn't take a scientist to know that this kind of damage takes time. The main frame on my 4runner is rotted completely through in front of and behind the left rear wheel. I cannot drive the vehicle that I just bought because of the safety concerns and I'm concerned that there are less mechanically inclined persons out there who are unaware of this issue and unknowingly putting themselves and the general public at risk. Please take immediate action to hold the manufacturer accountable for this defect. Thank you.

- Hamden, CT, USA

Purchased with 165,000 miles. Almost new for a modern vehicle. Took it to the mechanic and was notified the frame was rusted out, the rear end was ready to collapse, and it was unsafe to drive. Took it to a body shop for a second opinion and notified the same thing. Toyota manufacturer customer support line contacted and notified me there is no recall on this vehicle for this. This vehicle was registered its entire life in Kentucky, not Michigan. Rusting out at 165K is unheard of for a modern vehicle in these conditions. Deeply disappointed in Toyota for not standing behind their product. I will probably have to sell it to the junkyard. What a waste of money I don't have.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4 runner. The contact stated that the rear frame fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 261,909. The VIN was not available.

- Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA

The rear end part that connects to frame broke free from weld on frame caused serious swearving on road at 65 mph my kids were scared to death could of caused a roll over but kept it on road

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

Drive down the road and the part from rear end that connects to frame rusted and broke off. Violent shaking occurred and forced me off the road. Frame looks good everywhere else but the same location on both side.

- South Charleston , WV, USA

Cars real end started to sway when driving, took it to the mechanics and was told the frame was rusted through, that it was unsafe to drive. Contacted Toyota and was told no recall issued, nothing they could do!!!!. this Toyota only has 121,000 miles on it!! it should be going for another 100,000, that's why people buy Toyota!! my son bought this car 3 years ago, took all his money now he has no car to drive or money to buy a new one. Toyota should issue a recall. Since this happened I found that many other Toyota 4runner owners have this same issue. They recalled the Tacoma for the same reason.. same years. Need a recall on the 4runner!!!

- Batavia, OH, USA

I have a 1997 4runner that is catastrophically rusted through the frame and has been a danger since purchasing. The amount of rust has completely evaporated my investment.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

TL-the contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated as he replaced the front tie rod he noticed the rear subframe area and the rear lower control arm were severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage were 144,216.

- Lincoln , ME, USA

Original owner, bought new. Kept vehicle very well maintained with regular inspections on a lift and no evidence of frame rust or other problems. Then on above date an inspection showed many spots of rust on the frame - it had been rotting from the inside out. Multiple body experts said it was too far gone to repair and not safe to drive. Fortunately it did not fail when my family and I were on the highway, potentially killing us and anyone around us. Toyota customer "experience" reps refused even to acknowledge a problem - and I escalated this as far as I could. They had no answer for why they bought back Tacoma, Tundra and sequoias (which have the same frame) but did not even issue a maintenance advisory for the 4runners. If they won't pay attention to this, the government should force a recall. The rest of these vehicles are built well and the frame may well fail first, which no one expects.

- Arlington, MA, USA

Having complained about a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite some time to the Toyota dealer, I was sold a number of repairs over the last 15,000 miles, including rear stabilizer links and rear shocks. However, the noise persisted. After spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on repairs, I have now discovered the rear drivers side portion of the frame in the area under the rear seat has totally rotted away and the lower rear control arm weldment is no longer attached to the frame, leaving the vehicle unstable (swaying side to side) and unsafe. The dealership never advised me of any problem, leading me to spend the money on these other repairs. This frame design has been recognized as a problem by Toyota a few years back. Toyota provided relief for the same issue on the Tacoma. Obviously the 4runner suffers the same problem and should be evaluated as this is a very serious safety issue.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

Rust. The frame has almost completely rusted through, as has the rear fender. 1997 Toyota 4runner with major rust issues.

- Mountain Lakes, NJ, USA

The contact owns 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician confirmed the failure and stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 175,000.

- Concord, NH, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated while routine maintenance was being performed, he was notified that the frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who verified the defect and stated that the condition of the frame was so severe that it was unable to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, he heard a crack. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the frame had fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- North Canton, OH, USA

Frame is rusting out along full length. The outside looks fine in most places but the inside is flaking off. If you hit it with a hammer it will go right through and make a hole. I have seen many similar complaints on Toyota 4runner frames on internet sites.

- Duxbury, MA, USA

Vehicle has been swaying and then recently the steering got bad so I took it to a Toyota dealership where they told me that the frame was completely rusted through was told it was not safe to drive.

- Athol , MA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while attempting to decelerate, stopping power decreased and the ABS erroneously engaged. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the rear under body frame had fractured in half due to corrosion. The contact also stated that the fuel tank was also corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure and current mileages were 159,000..... updated 03/08/13 the consumer stated on several occasions, they brakes wouldn't perform as designed. The braking system was random, because of the rear -end swaying from being detached. Updated 03/11/13

- Eau Claire , WI, USA

Frame on vehicle completely cracked. There is numerous holes and rust perforation on the frame. Local dealer deemed vehicle unsafe. Toyota has a major problem with their older frames and they need to take care of 4runner owners like they did with Tacoma and Tundra owners. This is a serious issue and my life was in danger every day that I drove this vehicle. Please, somebody do something about this before someone gets killed. I am left with a vehicle that is totally useless.

- North Canton, OH, USA

I took my 1997 4runner in for routine maintenance and the mechanic discovered that my frame has completely rusted out and that my car is extremely unsafe to drive. I got the opinion of two other auto body shops and they all agreed that the car is unsafe and is beyond being repaired. Toyota offered a buy back program for their Tacoma's for the same reason however they will not buy back the 4 runners. I've found so many people having the same rust issue with the frames on their 4runners. I think Toyota should step up and do the right thing.

- Andover, NJ, USA

This 1997 Toyota 4runner has premature structural frame failure. The frame is rotting from the inside out. The frame rot is located in the rear on the drivers side where the rear suspension bracket is welded to the frame. This is an epidemic among older Toyota trucks and SUV's. Toyota has already recalled the Tacoma's of this model year due to the frames rotting. I have read countless numbers of complaints on the internet from other 4runner owners. It is time to push Toyota to help all of the owners of these Toyota's out.

- Middletown, OH, USA