The frame on my 4runner is rusting along the rear axle control arm mount (the piece welded to the frame that you can see when crouched down looking under the rear doors). This separates and causes the rear axle to float around which may cause a very serious accident. I have seen countless other incidents where people have had this separate completely while on the highway and they were barely able to maintain control of the vehicle.
1997 Toyota 4RUNNER: ball joint or control arm failure
19 of the 261 complaints about the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 180,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
Frame is rusting from the inside out control arms fell off the car. Frame busted in half.
Re: 1997 toyota 4runner - I am original owner of this defective vehicle.the frame rail on the passenger side has severe rust perforation in the back where the rear control arm bracket is welded to the frame rail. An independent certified mechanic has stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and should have been recalled as this is a manufacturer design/material defect and a common issue although previously unknown to me. Upon further research I have learned that many other owners of this generation of thetoyota 4runner have reported this issue. Please note there a great many of these vehicles still in service whose owners are unaware of this issue and are in serious danger of harming themselves and other innocent people. Must the federal safety agency wait for someone to die before toyota is held accountable by the federal safety agency for this defect?
I was driving down the road at approximately 50 MPH and my 4runner started to sway and rock violently. I felt it veer in the opposite direction of the way I was driving and braked fearing that I was going to flip my vehicle. I was driving down a smooth straight road in great weather. I braked to slow down tapping them about five times. This is the second time that this incident occurred. It happened one time a couple days before I parked the car thinking that the tire was falling off and called my mechanic who happily fixed a front driver side tie rod end and ball joint. They stated that the control arm was rusting out... That it should be safe to drive and then this. I was terrified. It is not safe the driver side control arm is completely rusted out and hanging and the passenger side is rusting and beginning to fall. I am at a loss I love this vehicle hate the repairs that I have had to do in the six months I have had it and now I owe for repairs and a small loan. I cant drive it or sell it and sending it back will ruin my already failed credit. It is incredibly a huge safety problem and research that I have done has showed that this year and make is known for this problem and it is frustrating and sad that nothing can be done except let it sit.
My son jarred was driving our 1997 toyota 4-runner on the highway when suddenly the vehicle started to shake violently, he was also losing control of his steering, he was able to make it home safely. When I did an actual inspection of the vehicle frame I noticed that the driver side rear control arm had rusted off the frame body, thus the reason that my son almost lost control of the vehicle. This has been an ongoing problem with toyota and frame rotting out. Toyota has recalled the tundras and sequoias not the 4-runners. I'm hoping that toyota does the right thing and recalls the 4-runners. I have pic's if somebody would like to see the damage.
Left rear control arm mount rotted/separated from frame. Control arm mount is welded to frame from factory. Mount is serviced with frame. Vehicle frame has other rotted areas. Vehicle is not safe to drive. Contacted toyota dealer and they stated this vehicle is not covered under the frame recall.
The body on the 4runner is clean with very little rust. The frame however is rusting badly and the mounts for the rear control arms are almost rusted off.
Tl-the contact owns a 1997 toyota 4runner. The contact stated as he replaced the front tie rod he noticed the rear subframe area and the rear lower control arm were severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage were 144,216. Rk
Having complained about a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite some time to the toyota dealer, I was sold a number of repairs over the last 15,000 miles, including rear stabilizer links and rear shocks. However, the noise persisted. After spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on repairs, I have now discovered the rear drivers side portion of the frame in the area under the rear seat has totally rotted away and the lower rear control arm weldment is no longer attached to the frame, leaving the vehicle unstable (swaying side to side) and unsafe. The dealership never advised me of any problem, leading me to spend the money on these other repairs. This frame design has been recognized as a problem by toyota a few years back. Toyota provided relief for the same issue on the tacoma. Obviously the 4runner suffers the same problem and should be evaluated as this is a very serious safety issue.
Extensive rust on frame around weld of the control arm of the rear driver's side wheel. This caused the control arm to detach making the vehicle unsafe to drive. It appears there are quite a few complaints about frame rusting for toyota 4runners.
Rear lower control arm mounts are severely rusted and broke away from frame while driving interstate causing near loss of control of vehicle due to bounce/sway of rear end.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle started to sway back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear lower control arms were detached from the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 258,625.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Special service campaign (SSC) - 20A renotification rear suspension modification for owners whose vehicles...
- Special service campaign 20A regarding renotification of rear suspension modification
- Information regarding rear suspension modification
- Subject regarding special service campaign to modify the rear suspension
- Information on 4RUNNER rear suspension
Related recalls
Suspension
- What is wrong
- On certain 2-wheel-drive (2wd) and 4-wheel-drive (4wd) 4runner sport utility vehicles, a combination of heavy loading (simultaneous loading to rear gross axle weight rating and gross vehicle weight rating) and severe steering maneuvers could cause the 2wd 4runner to lose directional stability.
- Risk
- This may result in a loss of control and could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. Although the 4wd 4runners do not exhibit the handling condition, toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the replacement parts. Owner notification began february 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 02V021000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER?
19 of 261 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER (7%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER?
There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
VIN decoder
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