I had an issue with the 4WD so I brought the car in the my local shop. While investigating the issue, the auto shop discovered some major frame rot towards the back right wheel that extended into the arm that holds up the back wheels. I was told that the car is unsafe to drive and there is no telling what would happen in an accident or if I simply went over a bad pot hole. I was also told by a separate auto person that the 4WD issues I had been experiencing may also be the result of the frame rust which most likely warped the frame and messed with the gears involved in 4WD. I brought my car to the local Toyota dealer for a second opinion on the safety of the vehicle. The dealer refused to take a look and instructed me to call customer service. I called customer service and they offered no assistance. This issue is very similar to the Toyota Tacoma recall and should be addressed in a similar fashion. I was told by customer service that they do not consider them similar because the Tacoma frames were made in America while the 4runner frames were made in Japan. I don't know why that takes away their liability for a poorly made vehicle with clear manufacturing issues. I have read about this problem with other 4runner owners and know that it's not just my problem, this is an owner-wide issue and clearly something that can be traced back to Toyota's manufacturing process of this vehicle. Now I am stuck with an unsafe vehicle that I cannot drive with a clean conscience nor sell with a clean conscience. Toyota's poor manufacturing has left me liability issue that I think should be addressed. I would at least like to trade in the vehicle for a new one with a sound frame!

- Chicago, IL, USA

Exstensive frame rust.

- Guilford, CT, USA

Brought vehicle into dealership for general maintenance. Service tech indicated that the frame was rusted through so bad that the vehicle might not be safe to drive. Service tech was concerned even lowering it from the lift. He indicated that he has seen this issue on a fair number of other Toyota vehicles that share the same frame design. I'm now left with a car that would be very drivable if it wasn't for the defective frame.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame exhibited a large amount of rust. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 108,000.

- Greenfield, MA, USA

While driving on the nys thruway in the vicinity of harriman, NY, the steering began to wander, and the vehicle felt unsafe to drive. I was able to drive a short distance to an auto repair shop, which inspected the 4runner and found extreme rust damage to the undercarriage frame such that it should not be driven again, and could only be scrapped. They observed that the right rear wheel was close to breaking off, which would have resulted in a serious accident where we could possibly have been killed. We were shocked that such a dangerous rust condition could develop in a Toyota 4runner that was only 12 years old, was built and intended for heavy duty use, and had been maintained in strict accordance with the owner's manual. This vehicle had never been driven off-road. We notified Toyota by telephone and letter of this occurrence, and were informed that there had been no recall of this model, and that there was nothing that they would do. A search of the internet showed many reports of similar occurrences for this year and model. We strongly believe that a safety recall needs to be considered.

- New York, NY, USA

Frame rust-through - vehicle's frame has prematurely rusted through from the inside-out along passenger side in area of muffler assembly.

- Dauphin, PA, USA

I hit a pot hole traveling at 25 mph and broke the frame of my 2000 4runner. I brought the car to my mechanic and he said the frame has rusted from the inside out and is non-repairable and was very dangerous to be driving. The truck is in otherwise good condition mechanically and the body has no rust.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure and current mileages were 121,000.

- Middletown , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the entire frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the mechanic advised that there was excessive rust on the frame. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the rust and the manufacturer suggested to the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer took pictures of the rust failure and sent the pictures for the manufacturer to review. The dealer deemed the vehicle non-repairable and un-drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- North Conway, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine inspection when she was informed that the frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that they were unable to provide any assistance. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 167,200.

- South Kingstown, RI, USA

Passenger side frame rail is rusted through on the inside of the rail.

- Mclean, VA, USA

I am writing to report a defect in the frame of my 2000 Toyota 4runner. The frame exhibits extensive rusting. The frame has holes and has separated along the bottom weld. Toyota has declared the vehicle to be unsafe to operate, yet will do nothing to compensate for or correct the problem.

- Rollinsford, NH, USA

My 2000 4runner went in for Pennsylvania state inspection and failed due to the frame being rusted out. As this is my only means of transportation I was forced to pay for the spot where the hole was to be cut out and welded with new metal. The whole underneath of my 4runner is rusty and I believe there are other parts of the frame that are to the point of possibly needing to be replaced. My rear differential is also almost rusted through. I believe this is a major safety issue especially in light of being in a crash and having a brittle frame that could break in half easily. I realize that in cold weather states there is the threat of salt and calcium chloride causing oxidation but my wife has a 2000 Nissan that has seen the same exact winters and roads and is in 10 times better shape underneath than my 4runner. I have tried calling Toyota corporate to no avail. I feel like logging a complaint is all I can do. Toyota says they didn't have problems with 4runner frames because they were made in Japan but when I see domestic vehicles and other import vehicles like my wife's not looking like or having the rust issues mine does I'm inclined to say that Toyota is either lying or doesn't know the full extent of the problem. I would like to see some action on their part before somebody gets injured due to frame failure.

- Roaring Spring, PA, USA

I own a 2000 Toyota 4runner. I have noticed my frame near the rear suspension is so severely rotted that the frame will need to be cut and re-welded or replaced all together.there are multiple holes in the box frame of the vehicle due to the construction of the frame. Water seeps in through the frame, causing it to rust from the inside out. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance recently and they informed me as well of the extensive rusting. I was told that this is and will be a major safety issue. The vehicle was later taken to two repair shops and they both confirmed that the failure was due to the design of frame. The rest of the 4runner is in perfect condition with no surface rust, rot or other blemishes. However, below the vehicle the frame is rusted extensively.

- Fall River, MA, USA

I have a 2000 4runner which has always been maintained. There is excessive rust underneath the carriage/frame to the point where tire tech would not try to remove the spare. The power steering wheel fluid is now leaking from the line due to the rust. Toyota has recalled 2000 Tacoma and Tundra for rust problems in their frames but not 4runners of same year. I have called the dealership and was told since there is no recall on these vehicles they will gladly inspect my frame for a charge. My rusted spare tire mount is a safety hazard itself let alone the other problems developing.

- So. Weymouth, MA, USA

2000 4runner limited rusting on body with 66,000 miles. Frame and underside also rusting. Live in Utah, they use salt on the roads.

- Taylorsville, UT, USA