Frame rust

- New City, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing a state inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 186,000. The VIN was invalid.

- St Albans, VT, USA

The frame on my 2004 4runner is badly rusted. There are rust holes where the cross member is welded to the frame therefore weakening the structure. This is a safety issue since there is no telling when that critical junction will break. Another area of rust that causes great concern is on the front of the frame. The passenger side tow loop that was wielded to the frame has broken off with very little force. Now what will happen if the 4runner is hit head-on. Will the frame crumble like the frame is doing where the tow hook was located? the seams on the frame have some much rust that it is no longer safe for my wife and kids to drive.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

Rear frame rusted through. I was driving and a piece holding the suspension together rusted off the frame. The vehicle was in motion and it felt like it was going to tip over. It also felt like the front and back wheels were going in different directions. Apparently a very common issue.

- St Paul, MN, USA

Excessive frame rust I have a 2004 4runner that has so much life left except for the frame. The vehicle runs impeccably, but the frame, the very foundatiln on which it sits, is crumbling. The frame of my 4runner has rusted to the point where my mechanic recommended I replace the frame before towing anything with the vehicle. The driver side rear corner of the frame was completely gone (no 90 degree angle to the frame there - the whole corner had rusted away). My mechanic fabricated a new corner, but then told me he wouldn't tow even the smallest of trailers because he would expect the frame to be ripped off the car under any load. He showed me the rear-most section of frame extending from the left to right that the hitch sits against and it's falling apart as well, and then from the rear corners of the bumper, the first 18 inches of frame going towards the front of the vehicle are rusted through and separating. The cross-member near the rear of the vehicle is so fragile from rusting, I could tear if off with my bare hands. 1/3 of the way from the front of the vehicle heading toward the rear is another part of the frame that's rusted all the way through. The mechanic said if the frame isn't reinforced, it needs to be replaced in its entirety. No incident occurred because the vehicle was inspected before use, but if I hadn't inspected it and went through with my plans to give the car to a friend for him to tow a trailer with furniture from pa to ky, who knows what tragedy may have occurred.

- Jenkins, KY, USA

Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

- Robbins, TN, USA

My 16 year old daughter was driving on a city street and was turning into a driveway and the lower control arm on passenger side broke and I was told it was because the frame is rotted. Not sure if I am able to fix due to the frame. I am new to the northeast and was not aware of rotted frames out here.

- Ashaway, RI, USA

I took vehicle in for brake repair, the mechanic noted excessive frame rust and cautioned that it may be unsafe to continue to operate the vehicle with out remedy. Recommended thousands of dollars worth of repair work. I am the second owner of the 4runner, but the SUV spent most of its life in Arizona, away from harsh winters and salted roads. Loyal Toyota customer, but very disappointing because I planned to keep this SUV until it was vintage, but now I am afraid to drive it or sell it to someone else.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The frame is extremely rusted resulting in near separation of different parts of the frame. The car has been to the Toyota dealer many times but this was not pointed out. A local car repair shop pointed it out.

- Scarsdale, NY, USA

The frame has so much rust on it and other areas of the undercargo that it has caused my speed and ABS sensors to work improperly. Speedometer will just quit working and ABS lights will come on with the vcs trac, vcs off, and ABS lights all coming on, then the engine light will also come on from time to time. There is already a hole rusted through the frame and mechanic said it was just a matter of time before it rusted through and broke.

- Robbinsville, NC, USA

The rust on the frame of my 2004 4runner is excessive and very concerning to me as I've had the local Toyota dealership and my personal mechanic tell me not to drive it at all and if so keep it to a minimum. Not sure what to do because that basically means the SUV is no good... I was told there is a recall for that but after typing in my VIN there was no frame recall... why is the rust so bad is my question and why are there other people dealing with the same thing, is also something I'm finding out. The SUV's overall condition is great and it has fairly low miles (126,600) so the rust being so excessive is confusing. Just looking for some help on what to do and what my options are because it's definitely a safety hazard.

- Greenville, SC, USA

Frame is rotting in several spots. Toyota has issued recalls on Tacoma, but not the 4runner which has the same frame.

- Holly Ridge, NC, USA

Frame rust - vehicle failed inspection due to excessive rust on frame which rendered unsafe to operate by the inspection station. This was previously reported however the VIN was not correct.

- Reading, PA, USA

Excess rust on frame. It was concluded by repair shop not able to pass inspection due to safety.

- Reading, PA, USA

Excessive rust and corrosion on frame and suspension components. My mechanic, who sees plenty of late model vehicles across numerous makes, was aghast when he saw how much rust and corrosion there was here during a recent transmission repair job. He said it's to the point that he'd recommend taking it to a body shop for a full inspection. I purchased this vehicle new and have taken good care of it. The truck spent most of its early life down South and in Colorado where salted roads are rare. It was also garaged during two year-long deployments. The latter half of its life has been here in new england, but I see lots of previous generation 4runners around that presumably haven't rusted out...

- Hopkinton, MA, USA

My vehicle has excessive frame rust on the passenger side middle of frame and has a hole. I'm concerned the frame may split in half while driving.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

Frame is rusting in key areas making the vehicle unsafe to drive untill repairs are made to the frame. There are rust holes near the cross arm and above the rear control arm and the spare tire detached while driving due to rust.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

Significant rust throughout frame, as well as many components around the engine.

- Auburn, AL, USA

Excessive rust on frame. Deteriorated structure near radiator and skid plate.

- Crownsville, MD, USA

Frame rust prevalent. There appears to be a few poorly designed areas on the frame that accumulate water and rust at an accelerated rate compared to other sections, namely: Front radiator auxillary bracket that supports the front skid plate and trans cooler lines, and the sections of frame directly above the rear trailing arms, just after the transmission crossmember, and right before you get to the rear shock mounts. The front auxillary crossmember was poorly designed as there are 2 low points on either end with insufficient drain holes, thus water is trapped and causes corrosion over time. The rear trailing arm secitons are the same story, as water appears to pool in here and cause accelerated corrosion, where the passenger side is greatly affected as compared to the driver side which gets protection from the gas tank being in the way apparently. Multiple forum searches and pictures from other individuals reinforces my thoughts. These areas of the frame needed better drain capabilities seeing as this is a boxed frame that on its own is apt to accumulate debris, road salt, and water.

- Bethesda, MD, USA