1997 Toyota 4RUNNER suspension problems

Filed May 25, 2023 · Suspension · WI

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

Filed Sep 20, 2020 · Suspension, Transmission · 260,000 miles · NJ

Purchased a used 1997 4-runner with ca. 258000 miles early in 2020. Engine and whole body was good. However, 6 month later the car started to shake violently in the rear at highway speeds swinging like a boat, which I though was due to a broken shock, springs were newly installed in 2020. I noticed that rear stabilizer arm on passenger side had broken off due to rust. When driving to repair shop the car rear axle broke loose, shifted, and the rear drive shaft fell out - I could pull over in 4 wheel drive mode. Please know that the rust an extensive frame rot on the the rear frame on both sides was not very visible from outside. Repairs for frame weld were 2500 -3000 usd. The 1997 4-runner, v6 is a very unsafe vehicle to drive!

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Suspension · 198,000 miles · MD

Rear fram stabilizer brace rusted out and broke away from frame, so axle to frame stalizer does not stabilize rear axle

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 350,000 miles · IL

Very rusted out undercarriage. My other is only 3 years newer and has nothing like this on it. I was advised to sell it by a suspension shop that noted my broken, rusted out undercarriage, bad shock and the condition of the rear of the truck's frame in general. There is nothing wrong with the truck other than this rust.

Filed May 20, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 350,000 miles · KS

Frame rust makes vehicle dangerous while driving.

Filed Feb 1, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 271,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 toyota 4runner. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted and there was nothing supporting the stabilizer arm. Fox toyota (228 fox family ln, clinton, tn 37716, (865)-494-0228) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 271,000.

Filed Nov 7, 2018 · Suspension · CA

The frame is rotting from the inside out. The frame rot is located in the rear on the drivers side where the rear suspension bracket is welded to the frame.

Filed Oct 22, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 201,021 miles · VA

The frame was poorly designed and not enough rust protection was applied by toyota. We rarely get snow and still the vehicle has rusted through. Toyota did not make a drain hole so that the water in the frame would evaporate. There are a lot of these vehicles which otherwise last a long time. A lot of owners have 4runenrs with excellent engine/transmission but with rusted frames. This is a disaster waiting to happen on unsuspecting owners.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Suspension · 232,000 miles · MI

The bracket that attaches the rear trailing arm to the frame broke off from the frame causing it to swerve and loose stability while driving. The vehicle was in motion

Filed Oct 9, 2018 · Body, Fuel system · KY

My toyota 4runner frame is rusting to the point that it's a huge safety issue! I've already had the right rear shockmount and bar replaced, and the left is on its way to rusting completely through. On the left side, however, the fuel tank is mounted up, and when the shock mount rusts through and breaks, it will very likely cause something to puncture the fuel tank. That could be extremely hazardous because, since I have no other means of transportation, I must continue to drive the vehicle. So, it is likely that it will be on the road when that happens. Why in the world has this vehicle not been recalled when you recalled the toyota tacomas for the same issue of rusty frames? This is a very serious matter because it could cause a huge accident involving many people if these vehicles are not recalled and taken off the streets!