Frame is rusting through causing instability concerns.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

2000 Toyota 4runner frame rusted threw at area that holds rear axel in place rear drivers frame rail had rusted through where it mounts the lower control arm. When frame failed vehicle was hard to control and swaying to the point of immediate danger to passengers and other vehicles on highway this vehicle is well maintained and is in excellent condition. Frame failure on this age vehicle should be unacceptable and should be addressed.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

Frame rusted in front of both rear tires load bearing area. Toyota refuses any warranty or acknowledgement of this safety problem on truck frames used on SUV's. Tacoma frames all recalled for same reason. Toyota still states not to undercoat when purchase is new or to rust prevent at any warranty/preventive maintenance inspection. Consumer put at risk to a problem only observable from a lift, and told to spend thousands of dollars in repairs or total loss, and will not sell the frame even at five thousand dollars. Upon reading blogs of 4runner owners this is a common frequent increasing safety problem with all 4runners.

- Danbury, CT, USA

The frame is rusted out. I can only see one side. Toyota took pictures, but never heard back from them. I took some photos myself.

- Grove City, OH, USA

2000 Toyota 4runner was in for scheduled routine maintenance. At this time, it was reported that the vehicle's frame is cracked and not safe to drive. The vehicle was then looked at by a local welder who confirmed the cracked frame and reported excessive frame corrosion.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

Frame rusted through. Will not pass state inspection.

- Portland, ME, USA

While having my 2000 4runner serviced recently, my mechanic advised me that my carriage frame was cracked and rotting. I took it to Toyota dealer in bristol ct, who put vehicle on hoist and confirmed the problem. I was advised there was no recall or tsb on my SUV, and probably nothing they could do. They said they would send info & pictures to district office for review and advise when they heard back. I asked them about fixing it in the meantime, but they said they couldn't accept the liability? I can email pictures if you want to review these as well. I am having it welded in the meantime, as the crack was rather severe. My mechanic and Toyota both advised that if the crack broke thru while driving, the rear axle would come loose from the frame. The estimate to fix my SUV is apx. $1,500, which includes replacing the gas tank under-shield, which looks like a chunk of swiss cheese as well. Please advise of any recourse I may have.

- Unionville, CT, USA

Frame rot. Right side along rear wheel. Crack in the frame. Otherwise frame fine and no rust/rot on left hand side.

- New London, CT, USA

Went to change my oil at my local Toyota dealership and was alerted to come and see the frame. It was rusted and had holes in the frame. This should not happen to a car this old. Shame on Toyota to not recall the vehicle! this is an embraceable to a company built by safety, quality and loyalty. Called Toyota customer service and was informed that they could not do anything about it and that a recall was not issued so they would not fix the problem.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Replacing the muffler and was informed by the mechanic that the frame is rusted through. Should not have happened. Needs recalled.

- Cabot, PA, USA

My mechanic informed me that my well maintained 4runner has holes in the frame from rot and is junk. The rest of this vehicle is in beautiful shape. I am really upset.

- Machias, ME, USA

At a regular oil change, at a Toyota dealer, I was shown a picture of a hole in my frame. My 4runner has been an excellent and reliable vehicle with regular maintenance. It has a rust spot on a bumper, and that's all! this is our family vehicle, and is not abused. I only have 154,000 miles and feel strongly that a frame on a vehicle should last much longer, as in past vehicles I've owned. I have had no problems with my 4runner, and don't want to junk yard it over a bad quality frame from Toyota, but it may come to this if I can't have it welded. The vehicle is not safe, the hole is in a weight bearing area. Shame on Toyota for not doing a recall on the 4runners like they did with their trucks. Safety should be first. Yes, I do Transport children in my vehicle on a daily basis, so again, shame on them. I strongly feel that others are not safe, and someone should address this pressing issue.

- Colebrook, CT, USA

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

Severe frame rot on otherwise very well cared for vehicle. Will certainly result in catastrophic failure.

- Waltham, MA, USA

I have a 2000 4runner SR5 sport that has lived its life in new england. The car is in good shape and the frame of the car appears to have some surface rust. I had the exhaust replaced last week and they found that the inside of the frame had totally rotted out from the inside, so that the there are only three sides to the four of the tube frame left. I heard that Toyota has had issues with frames rusting. I have two children I drive around in this car and I feel this is a serious safety issue Toyota should address before someone gets killed.

- Grantham, NH, 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 own a 2000 Toyota 4runner. I took my car for state inspection. My mechanic told me that the frame is rusted out an is a major safety problem. The 2000 $runner has the same frame as the 2000 Toyota Tacoma in which Toyota bought back the Tacoma from the owners for 150% of the kelly blue book value. If Toyota knows that there is a problem with one model (Tacoma) and fixes then they should also fix the 4runner.

- Shillington, PA, USA

Frame rails between front and rear wheels rusted through. Not little holes but sections 1 to 2 feet long and big enough to put your hand into. Updated 05/09/12 the consumer stated the passenger side frame rail, inside, outside, and bottom, had rusted. From the front wheel back to the rear tire. Updated 05/12/2012

- Ashtabula , OH, USA

We took our Toyota 4runner 2000 SUV to a local Toyota dealer for an estimate on a repair. My husband was told that frame perforation on the right side frame rail was found. The vehicle was looked at by a fts and deemed unsafe to drive. The problem can not be fixed by the dealer and we were told to call Toyota hq and they referred us back to the dealer.we escalated the issue to the division sales manager and we told that there nothing that can be done as the vehicle is out of warranty and Toyota no longer makes the frame used in our vehicle. I have read several similar complaints for the same make and model and we find it disturbing that a recall has not been issued for this vehicle like the Tacoma & Tundra of the same year.

- Brockton, MA, USA

Frame is rusting. Perforation. I was having rear shocks replaced and when mechanic pulled himself under the vehicle on his roller cart his fingers went thru the frame.

- West Branch, IA, USA