The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected it failed inspection due to excessive frame rust. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the frame rust and the manufacturer stated that there was nothing they could do because there was no warranty or a recall. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic but they would not weld the frame due to excessive rust. The contact stated that this was a major safety issue that could cause a crash. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Greensburg, PA, 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. The source of the worst rusting appears to be condensation from the ac unit dripping onto the frame and running along it. Toyota has declared the vehicle to be unsafe to operate, yet will do nothing to compensate for or correct the problem.

- Amherst, MA, USA

We own a 2000 Toyota 4 runner whose frame has corroded to the point that a Toyota dealer and an independent (second opinion) vehicle repair shop advised that it was and had been completely unsafe to drive. My son, who drove it 600 miles to college, was put in serious danger. We took a total loss on the car after having had it dealer serviced since buying it new in 2000. This is a safety issue according to the Toyota dealer. It is precisely the issue Toyota faced with the Tacoma and Tundra models, which they recalled and stood behind through repairs/replacement/dollar credits. We and the dealer contacted Toyota directly several times and the company refuses to stand behind the 4runner with the same frame corrosion problem as those models.

- Slingerlands, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated the vehicle was taken for routine inspection when he was informed by the technician that the vehicle exhibited rust and holes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Middlesex, VT, USA

2000 Toyota 4 runner sr 5 with 143,000 miles per Toyota dealer the frame is rusted through and unsafe to drive. Unlike Toyota Tacoma, no 4 runner recall.

- Sullivan, WI, USA

Heard a noise in back of car..got my tires rotated, while up on the rack I noticed the back passenger bracket that holds my axel on was rotted in half, called Toyota, made an appointment with local Toyota garage. They told me it was not safe to drive! axel could fall off, could lose breaks, drive shaft could fall out plus there is a hole in my frame. Frame rot again! would not do anything about it, told me there is no recall on this yet! they deemed it unsafe to drive...what the[xxx]?? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Maynard, OH, 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

2000 sport edition 4 runner, all working components and frame are badly rusted. Nothing can be worked on without breakage of parts and bolts. There has been a recall on Tacoma and Tundra from the East coast where salt is used on the roads. Customers have been given replacement frames or their vehicles have been purchased back from Toyota. Our car is from Vermont and New York where I am sure they used road salt and this is why the untreated frames of these vehicles corroded so badly like our 4 runner. I believe Toyota should give the same offer for the 2000 4 runner. My son worked for two years and at 18 years old purchased this vehicle for $9000. We were crushed when we realized the extent of rust damage on the underside of this vehicle. Nothing can be repaired without huge expense, and every thing on the underside of this car needs replaced. Where is Toyota's customer care and satisfaction now?

- Truckee, CA, USA

My wife and I own a 2000 Toyota 4runner and we recently discovered that the frame has rusted through. Toyota had a recall on Tacoma and Tundra models from the same year with similar issues and was able to help consumers. Because there have not been enough complaints on the 4runner, they have neglected my concerns. The frame is not safe and further damage to the frame could result in severe injury to my family or others. I ask that Toyota be forced to expand the recall to other vehicles. In addition, it has come to my attention that the frames all came from the same manufacturer. The metals used to make the frames were not of the highest quality, which is resulting in this deterioration of the frame.

- Woolwich, ME, USA

I'm the original owner of a 2000 Toyota 4 runner SUV which is the non-truck version of the Tacoma which is currently being investigated by NHTSA for rust and corrosion problems. Since the 4 runner and Tacoma are built the same, except one is a truck and the other a SUV, isn't there the same problem of rust and corrosion? one example is that the spare tire is located in the same place on both types of vehicles!

- Pueblo, CO, USA

We have a 2000 Toyota 4runner, purchased brand new from a Maine dealer. This vehicle recently failed state inspection due to rust holes in the frame. The mileage read 88,600 and it was declared unsafe for the road by our local garage and the local Toyota dealership, shepard Toyota, rockland, Maine. We called Toyota and inquired about a buy back program for 4runners, as it has the same frame as a Tacoma. Tacoma have been recalled for frame rust. Toyota informed us that the 4 runner was not part of the recall program, and that they would not help us resolve this safety problem. We scheduled it for repair at shepard Toyota. The repair consisted of a tack welding of a steel plate over the rust holes to conceal them, and then something black was sprayed over it. The steel repair plate does not have a continuous weld completely around it. This oversight might allow accelerated corrosion by trapping moisture and road salt behind it. Shepard Toyota deemed the vehicle safe and it passed the Maine safety inspection. We charged $166.50 for this safety defect repair. We chose the 4 runner was for its ability to tow. We have explained to Toyota that this vehicle is not safe and that we tow heavy trailers on a regular basis. The trigger to allow a Tacoma owner to participate in the buy back program is when rust holes appear in the frame. Even though our 4 runner has 2 (now hidden) rust holes through the frame, and possible holes concealed behind other components such as the fuel tank, Toyota is not concerned with this safety issue. We are also wondering if Toyota uses less corrosion protection on vehicles with California emissions. Our 4runner was retrieved from another Toyota dealer in another state as our original dealer did not have one in stock. Is it legal for a Maine Toyota dealership to sell a vehicle with California emissions? we would like NHTSA to investigate our issues and have Toyota take our safety concerns seriously and take action. Updaed 04/01/10.

- Owls Head, ME, USA