1.3
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 132,075 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Badly rusted frame, by mechanic unsafe to drive it. Started making noises under the car reason why I took to the mechanic.
- Naples, FL, USA
After multi-point inspection, dealer informed me that the "frame is very rusted and is rotting out where rear suspension meets frame. Do not recommend to drive."
- Wallingford, CT, USA
Extensive under body frames scaly rust and with specific serious damage to rear struts base. Whole piece supporting strut base broken completely broken around and sunk in creating loud noise with the list impact. I have several pictures as proof.
- Bowie, MD, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
- Wichita, KS, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle veered to the left and right before wobbling violently. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side of the frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
- Lanesboro, IA, USA
The frame or the chassis and all around it are heavily corroded that I was advised by the inspector and the tire place (costco) where I brought the car for tire replacement not to drive it as it is unsafe. I understand that the Toyota Tacoma of the same year with the same kind oh chassis was recalled by Toyota. My question is why not do the same for the 4runner?
- Wesley Hills, NY, USA
I own a wonderful 1998 Toyota 4runner ltd sport vehicle. The frame is disappearing due to severe rust. The heat shield has worn away, and now my feet get very hot after just 20 minutes of local driving. Have had it checked by a garage, nothing functionally wrong with my SUV.
- Glen Cove, NY, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the radiator replaced however, while the vehicle was being hoisted on the lift, the sub frame fractured. The contact stated that there was severe frame rust to the sub frame. The contact was informed that the sub frame was compromised and the vehicle was unsafe to repair while on a lift. The radiator was repaired, however the frame rust failure was not repaired. The contact also stated that the passenger's side rear torsion bar also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.
- Naperville, IL, USA
The vehicle in question has serious signs of frame decay that should not be present on a vehicle of this age and use. There are three areas of frame perforation that suggest a defect in the material and/or design of the frame. This issue seems to be prevalent on 1998 models of this same vehicle as I have found numerous complaints of the same nature within the NHTSA site as well as other sites around the internet. I have contacted Toyota corporate and was met with an unwillingness to properly address this issue. I will follow up with photos of the frame perforation to show the extent of the deterioration.
- Alton, IL, USA
Like the overwhelming majority of Toyota complaints, frame rust. Took the 1998 4runner for new tires and alignment. Alignment could not be done because of massive erosion due to rust on the frame connecting rear control arms. 4runner essentially undriveable at this at this point. Contacted Toyota hq and, as everyone else on the NHTSA complaints site says, they would do nothing although they did take care of the Tacoma problem.
- Brookfield, IL, USA
Rusted frame on drivers side rear, holes in frame, which holds the sway bar. Mechanic noticed during oil change. Took to dealer and was told nothing they could do. Very dangerous condition.
- Canton, CT, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while changing the oil and fuel filter, it was discovered that the vehicle had severe corrosion to the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
- Berwyn, IL, USA
Frame is rotting out by control brackets. I've been told by a mechanic that it will not make it through the winter. Its not safe and will crumple on impact.
- Marquette, MI, USA
Rear frame rusted out where sway bars attach, frame mounts broke while towing a trailer on sr 22 in southern Ohio. Lost control of vehicle crossed two lanes of traffic before gaining control and stopping the 4runner.
- Sugar Grove, OH, USA
Frame rusted through prematurely on my truck. Truck is unsafe to drive and a huge disappointment.
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
Recently bought this 1998 4runner thinking it was in great condition. After the purchase we brought it to a mechanic to have it checked out and have the back brakes fixed. While he was doing the maintenance he saw that the whole underbody frame of the truck is rusted out and isn't even drivable due to the fact at any moment the whole back of the truck could fall out. I understand that this stuff happens but through my research this is fairly common in the older 4runner models along with the very similar framed Tacoma which has the frame recall.
- Grayling , MI, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was structural failure of the rear passenger side frame due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 213,000.
- Catonsville, MD, USA
The frame of the body is rusting from the inside to outside, its a safety issue since it might take a while before one can realize what is going on since the outer part of the vehicle frame somewhat seem to be ok.
- Aurora, IL, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the rear of the vehicle began shaking violently. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated there was corrosion on the left rear axle trailing arm attachment point. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
- Ansted, WV, USA
- Auburn, ME, USA