The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while at a local mechanic he was informed that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The contact noticed that the main frame underneath the vehicle was rusted and had holes. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Berea, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the passenger side frame was rusted on both sides and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,600. Updated 6/24/15

- Skowhegan, ME, USA

Upon removing and replacing my exhaust and muffler on our 2000 4runner limited I spotted a hole in my frame on the rear passenger side just before my right passenger wheel and suspension. I finished installing the new exhaust an began inspecting the frame along the length of the vehicle. While the truck is not new...it only had what appears to be limited surface rust to most of the framework. However, the portion that was detected was clearly rusted through and now threatens the frame integrity. I expected to keep this car for a long time and am disappointed that this might shorten my expected ownership of this vehicle.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

Submission from constituent re 2000 Toyota 4-runner safety & environmental issues concerns [Toyota motor sales]. the consumer stated the frame on his vehicle is rusted, to the point where the vehicle is not safe to drive. The frame rail is exhibiting corrosion to the point where sections of the frame have completely disintegrated leaving him with major holes and welded suspension mounting components completely separated from the actual frame rail.

- Washington, DC, USA

The frame on out 2000 Toyota collapsed because of rust. The collapse was on the side frame rail, just before the drivers side rear wheel. The vehicle is not able to be driven.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Severe corrosion of the frame and suspension components of my vehicle. Rust has completely perforated and separated structural suspension components (rear passenger side front control arm mount). Vehicle is unsafe to drive until major repairs or complete frame replacement is performed.

- Waltham, MA, USA

Frame rot along topside of rail with hole present, just behind passenger wheel. Concerned that frame will fail while driving. Vehicle is in great shape otherwise.

- Cedar Lake , IN, USA

Went to my mechanic for an full exhaust repair and was told that the vehicle had frame rot so extensive that the repair should not be done, and that in fact the car was unsafe to drive. There was a recall on this frame for the Tacoma and the Tundra as well, and there should be one on this generation of 4runner. I have a 1989 4runner with 250K miles and no such issues with frame rot. Now I'm out thousands of dollars since I'll have to junk the car and buy a new one. Toyota should take responsibility for this.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Frame is rusted through. Toyota has recalled frames for Tacoma and Tundra but not 4runners 4runner is built on same frame as Tacoma. Why no recall?

- Cumberland, RI, USA

I brought my vehicle to a repair shop for inspection because the vehicle was not riding safely. They found extensive rust and corrosion on the back under carriage of the frame of the car posing a potential safety and road hazard. It was not normal wear and tear. I don't have the VIN number yet to post because the vehicle is in the shop to be repaired.

- Dedham, MA, USA

Took 2000 Toyota 4runner SR5 in for inspection. My independent mechanic said frame is bad. Frame is severely rusted and has multiple holes on passenger side rear wheel area in both the front and back of this area. It also has severe rust and holes in the frame on the driver side in the same rear area and above the gas tank on the driver side. Vehicle is considered unsafe because of the damage to the frame. Spoke to the local Toyota dealer customer service repair center rep and inquired about any recalls for rusted frame such as the buy back program that Toyota had for the Tacoma. I was informed there were no recalls or buy backs for the 2000 Toyota 4runner SR5. I called Toyota corporation customer support and filed a complaint with them. I was also told that there were no recalls or buy backs at this time. I asked if there was anyone else I could speak to in regards to this matter and was told that there was not. Rep said they would notify me if Toyota issued a recall. I told the rep what good would that do since I would have to scrap the vehicle and unless Toyota issued a recall within the next few days a recall would not help me if I no longer owned the vehicle. I also told the rep that this placed an undue economic hardship on me because I would have to purchase a replacement vehicle since the 4runner was no longer safe because of the frame damage. He sympathized with me but said the only thing he could do for me was file my complaint and issue me a case number. Searching the internet it seems that there are a lot of Toyota 4runner owners that have the same issue. I think the NHTSA needs to step in and make Toyota issue a recall for these faulty frames. It is obvious that Toyota used inferior metal to manufacturer these frames and that is why they are rusting out prematurely.

- Kingston, PA, USA

I took my 2000 Toyota 4runner limited to my local mechanic for the annual NY state inspection. This is a one owner (me) vehicle with only 126,777 miles. What he found was extensive rust and perforations on the passenger side frame from front to rear. He told me that it was not repairable and that it is a safety concern. He said we were lucky not to have experienced a complete collapse and failure in that section while driving. I was shocked at the amount of rust and deterioration I saw in the frame. I called Toyota Corp the same day and explained the issue. I was told that an authorized Toyota dealership would need to look at the vehicle and document it. I tool it to the dealership the next day and the service manager completed a report and took photos. He informed me that the vehicle has frame perforations beyond repair and that the rear end housing is porous. He also found an exhaust leak. He stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. He told me that this has been an issue with the 4runner for several years. He also told me that the Tundra and Tacoma had a similar rust issue and that there was a safety recall campaign for those vehicles whereby new frames were installed, but not for the 4runner. He did not know why the 4runner was not included in the recall campaign. This is a serious safety issue that could result in serious injuries and fatalities. This is also an economic concern to me. My 4runner's interior and exterior is in very good to excellent condition. It's value is around $7 thousand. I expected to drive this vehicle for a long time. Now it sits in my garage waiting for Toyota or the dot to rectify the issue. I urge Toyota and the dot to issue a recall for this frame problem in order to avoid needless customer injuries and fatalities.

- Wallkill, NY, USA

I purchased my 2000 Toyota 4 runner one year ago at dry ridge Toyota used cars. While driving the vehicle, the vehicle began shaking in the rear end from side to side on the highway at any speed. It was difficult to control the vehicle with the side to side rear end wobbling which was visible from vehicles following behind. Upon having the vehicle checked out at a garage and put up on a lift, the frame underneath has rusted through and is ready to break. The garage said they wouldn't repair it because of liability issues. They said it is unsafe to drive. So now I have a vehicle that I cant drive, cant be fixed and a loan to pay on it. Toyota said there is no recall on it and it is out of warranty so they will do nothing. I think this needs to be recalled, it has rusted through in a years time and its only a 2000.

- Aurora, IN, USA

Took the vehicle in for regular service (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) and was informed that the frame had rusted through in several areas. They recommended taking the vehicle to a Toyota dealer since extreme rust problems have been a recurring problem with Toyota trucks & SUVS. Looking online, I saw recalls for the rust problems with trucks, but no recall for 4runners"?" I think there should be the same responsibility shown by Toyota for the same problem in similar vehicles.

- Lewisberry, PA, USA

The vehicle frame is deteriorating from rust on the passenger side of the vehicle. This severe rust is prevalent at suspension attachment points; significantly where the right-side rear "track bar" is attached. If this were to fail, the rear axle of the vehicle would become disconnnected from the vehicle undoubtedly causing a crash. Found out tonight the frame rail forward of the track bar has also deteriorated on the bottomside and is exhibiting numerous holes. This condition makes the vehicle unservicable from a safety aspect. It cannot be safety inspected in nys any longer. This vehicle was puchased new in ithaca, N.Y. the framework deterioration is indicative of other Toyota vehicles with frames rusting and causing major structural integrity issues. Toyota has done due diligence in supporting their customers on their Tacoma and Tundra vehicles. They performed frame replacements and a buyback program on these. I believe they ought to do the same for the 4runners seeing they are a virtual duplicate of the Tacoma trucks' frame. The fact that the Tundra and Tacoma frames were produced in usa and the 4runner's frames were produced in Japan does not have a bearing on this rust problem..it does show an engineering deficiency on Tundra, Tacoma and 4runner's frame design. This issue is causing my family an undue financial burden. I most emphatically believe Toyota should address this issue. There should be a recall !!.

- Barton, NY, USA

I am writing to report a defect in the frame of my 2000 Toyota 4runner. I just purchased this vehicle used for my 16 year old daughter to drive. Inspection by a certified mechanic revealed that the frame exhibits extensive rusting. The frame has rusted through on the passenger side between the front and rear wheels. It has holes and has separated along the bottom weld. The mechanic warned that catastrophic failure is likely to occur.

- Walker, MI, USA

Severe rust on passenger side of frame unsafe will not pass inspection.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

Rusted out frame. I took my truck in for some minor repairs. The shop called me back and said the frame is so rusted that the car is no longer safe to drive.. the support holding up the transmission is about to break. This could've caused a serious accident or worse if it happened while I was driving.. not to mention I don't have the money to just buy a new car on a whim.. unfortunately I will have to continue driving this death trap until either the frame breaks or I have the money to buy a new car. Toyota needs to do something about this before someone gets hurt or worse.. I know I'm not the only one with this problem. They need to recall the 4runners like they did the Tacoma.. rusted out frame!!!! rusted out frame!!!! rusted out frame!!!!

- Kent, OH, USA

Right hand rear of frame where lower trailing arm bracket is welded was rusted through.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA