The frame of the vehicle is rusted, the rust integrity may result in a steering failure.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner and the frame is rusting away. The front tow hook already fell off the front frame.

- Pleasant Hill, OH, USA

The frame is rusting excessively.

- Plant City, FL, USA

Frame is so badly rusted it is undriveable. You can push a screwdriver through the frame in most places. Toyota recalled the frames of their other vehicles in the same year, but left out the 4runner. These 4runners are dangerous.

- Warwick, RI, USA

Severe frame rust to the point of holes. The frame integrity will soon be compromised; if not already. Two rear body mounts are rusting away, the bottom of both mounts is non existent. One mid mount, the sheet metal side is nearly rusted through. One front mount area is rusted away on the sheet metal side. The gas tank is currently only held in place by what is left of the protection shield under the tank.

- Portland, ME, USA

Under body rust took to costco to replace tires - they say significant rust on left side. Tool to jiffy lube for oil change one week later - they say significant rust and cannot remove rear differential to replace fluid due to rusted bolt.

- Centennial, CO, USA

Excessive frame rusting and rotting. Toyota has done decal on other vehicles such as the Tacoma and others but frequently neglects the 4runner models. For example the recall for the secondary air pump for the V8's included the Tundra and sequoia but neglected the 4runner which all three vehicles share the same identical motor. I believe Toyota neglect the 4runner line due to the high volume of sales compared to other models.

- Newark, DE, USA

I have Toyota 4runner 2005 and when I went to the dealer to change my oil I was told that the car has frame damage and it is dangerous to drive. The car is in excellent condition, but this problem was unexpected. I never been told by my dealer or Toyota company that this is a common issue for this make and that there was a recall few years ago for this problem. I am not able to afford new car and this is putting a hardship on my family and our safety. I call Toyota but I was told that they are not able to help me in any way. Who can assist in this situation?

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Right front subframe has rust that has steadily gotten worse despite a 2nd attempt to grind rust off repaint and undercoat. This should not be happening on vehicle that has been meticulously maintained top to bottom including salt and grime removal consistently since purchased brand new. This us soon going to break resulting in vehicle not passing inspection. This should be rectified like the Tacoma one picture us the side with holes and undercoating I have been fixing the other sife has no issue

- Prospect Park, PA, USA

I purchased this vehicle new in 2005 in Virginia. It has spent the last 13 years in North Carolina where salt is rarely used on the roads. I occasionally take it on the beach but always fully spray the underbody with fresh water afterwards. About 2 yrs ago I started noticing severe rust near critical welds on the frame. I cleaned, primed and painted these areas the best I could could to try and slow down the rust. Yesterday when getting tires mounted my mechanic told me the rust is getting to the point it is a safety issue. I'm getting ready to drive cross country the end of the month so this was not good news. I have maintained the truck meticulously and only have 130K miles on it. I find it hard to believe Toyota has not addressed this problem. I can't afford a new truck and selling this one, though it looks and drives mint, will be difficult or impossible once the frame is inspected. I have never had a vehicle rust out like this though I owned many when I lived in the heavy salt using state of NY years ago. There is definitely a problem with these 4runners that Toyota is failing to address, I just hope it doesn't decide to fail when I'm 2000 miles from home and driving 70 mph.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

Frame on 4runner rusted in numerous locations and the a arm rusted off while my wife and 2 year old daughter were driving in it. Luckily they were uninjured.

- Brunswick, ME, USA

I purchased this beautiful used black 2005 4runner in October of 2016 and the body still looks beautiful - no visible rust anywhere on doors etc - but I took it in to auto craftsmen in montpelier, vt to check my brakes and replace a couple of bulbs to get the vehicle ready for Vermont state inspection as the car is due for inspection in Feb 2018 and I wanted to head up any maintenance needed. Was shocked when I went back and craftsmen told me not to put any money into the vehicle - that the frame was broken, had major hole in it and that the frame was too rusty to patch the hole - holy unexpected batman. Partial notes from craftsmen auto on 12/28/2017 are as follows: "under body is very rusty & the frame is broken...muffler is broken off and every flange is rusted and leaking...brakes are shaking when applied...rotors have a significant rust ridge...the brake lines are very rusty...because of the broken frame and the amount of rust on the underbody, it won't pass vt state inspection the end of Feb." I bought this vehicle in a private sale in October of 2016 for $7,200 but had to pay sales tax to the Vermont dmv for a vehicle purchased for $8,000 because it was in great shape, looked terrific and was supposedly worth that extra money. I ad spent that money expecting to get a three or four years out of the vehicle and have maintained it well with synthetic oil changes and using expensive gas when it's cold out and spent $850 on new tires just this fall. I love Toyota. My disabled husband and my two daughters all drive (used) Toyota (two priuses and a corolla). Am wondering if Toyota can do anything to stand behind their product here? the engine feels strong (it's a Toyota!) and the 4runner power and all-wheel drive has been great here in rural Vermont. Thank you for your consideration. Best, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Calais, VT, USA

I just wanted to add my 2005 Toyota 4runner to the complaint list with highly compromised structural integrity due to extreme rust. The vehicle has 118,000 miles with only one owner and the vehicle was garaged the entire time. There are cracks and holes in my rear frame that has led our mechanic to deem the vehicle unsafe. He has suggested we replace this vehicle as soon as we can. Prior to coming on this complaint site, I was under the impression the we had the unfortunate luck of purchasing a lemon; instead it appears this is a known issue that is being ignored and swept under the rug. I am appalled at the inaction of Toyota and the NHTSA regarding this structural issue.

- North Granby, CT, USA

2005 Toyota 4runner structural frame rapid oxidation to structure causing left front control arm to frame (as well as frame itself) to break while in motion at slow speed leaving driveway. I have contacted Toyota case# 1712112893 to ask why there is no buyback program on frames that they produced in 2004 that were found defective in Tacoma's/4runners that were also used for their 2005 model production 4runners. Toyota rep told myself that no campaigns would exist unless otherwise told so (or perhaps investigated for their prior acknowledged defective frames used in previous model years). Though I am lucky that this occurred at slow speed I don't know how many other americans may face my situation while at 60-70mph on the highway with their families whom trust Toyota for their safety and product reliability that end in ultimate tragedy. I've included photos as well as a clean carfax report to show no prior incidents. Thank you.

- Long Beach Township, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was extensive rust on the frame of the vehicle, which had completely rotted due to the failure. The frame was coated, but the failure continued. Both dealers (sansone Toyota, 90-100 us-1, avenel, NJ 07001, (732) 815-0500 and bay ridge Toyota, 6401 6th ave, brooklyn, NY 11220, (888) 995-2299) provided no solution and the vehicle was excluded from a manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was excluded from a manufacturer recall. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

The local Toyota dealership informed me that my vehicle has a hole in the vehicle frame of the same nature as the same year Toyota Tacoma trucks which have been the subject of a recall.

- Bluff City, TN, USA

My 2005 is severely rusted to the point that it is probably unsafe to drive. It has only 106K miles. I've taken it to two frame repair/swap shops. Both confirmed that the rust has eaten holes through the frame and that the structural integrity of the vehicle is likely very compromised. They'd said the extent of the rust was the worst they'd ever seen, and that a collision could crumple the weakened frame, putting the passengers and greater risk of injury/death. I even had one of those shops start a frame swap, but they said that every bolt and part would snap and break when they tried to remove it and told me that the labor could exceed the value of the vehicle, if they were even able to finish the job. Even without collision I'm worried an axle or tie rod or something will break at high speed and cause a terrible accident. I've submitted a claim to Toyota customer service to ask if there was anything they would do (fix, or buy back the vehicle). They said they could not do anything because there is no recall for Toyota 4runner frames, but there is an active recall for frame rust on the Tacoma, which I believe is the same frame. After looking around online at 4runner forums, I've seen the rust complaint again and again, and in the wake of the kobe metals scandal, I thought it was important to raise my concern with the NHTSA. I'm attaching pictures of the rust and a carfax report showing there has never been an accident on the vehicle.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

Frame has rusted similar to Tacoma and seqouiya recalls and do not see why they have not been recalled.

- Albany, NY, USA

The frame is rusting to the point where there are holes in many places also the tow hook rusted off, I am concerned the steering will be affected soon.

- Dedham, MA, USA

My wife took the vehicle to get a state inspection and was informed it would not pass due to corrosion of the frame. We contacted the manufacturer, nationally and locally, to see what could be done. We were told Toyota would not replace the frame and they could not recommend a repair. Essentially, too bad. We contacted several body shops and were told Toyota repair instructions advise against welding on the frame and their insurance would not cover the repair. So there is no fix. The rust has not been apparent until this years inspection and I guess we were fortunate that is was found. But the car runs great and nobody that didn't look under the car would know about an impending catastrophic failure. Toyota did replace frames on similar year Tacoma's, Tundra's and sequoia's but that was due to a class action law suit. Apparently they will not make these vehicles safe without outside influence. At a minimum a notice should be sent to owners advising them their frames should be thoroughly inspected before its too late.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA