Recently bought this 1998 4runner thinking it was in great condition. After the purchase we brought it to a mechanic to have it checked out and have the back brakes fixed. While he was doing the maintenance he saw that the whole underbody frame of the truck is rusted out and isn't even drivable due to the fact at any moment the whole back of the truck could fall out. I understand that this stuff happens but through my research this is fairly common in the older 4runner models along with the very similar framed tacoma which has the frame recall.
1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was structural failure of the rear passenger side frame due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 213,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was parked, the contact observed corroded pieces of metal that dropped from the undercarriage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
Purchased this toyota 4 runner from a dealership only to find out last week the frame is rusted with holes. I believe the dealership knew this and should not have sold the vehicle under such dangerous conditions that it's in.
Frame rust. Lots of areas of frame beginning to fall. Car swaying. Afraid of getting into accident.
I was informed of and shown excessive frame rotting/rusting through from a mechanic. The frame looked relatively normal roughly 6 months ago. I am aware that some of their other trucks have recalls due to the same issue, and I am seeing instances of this on the internet for this vehicle.
The frame was poorly designed from the factory. With the hollow style frame as thin as it is, does not have proper drainage. This design from toyota causes premature oxidization of the frame/under carriage, because moisture from normal driving conditions is failed to be evacuated from the frame even after being kept in a dry warm place for storage. This problem is widely documented online in forums dedicated specifically to these vehicles. The frame rust is so bad on mine, I can no longer drive it. I am recently unemployed, and have not nearly enough savings for a new vehicle. This will become a national safety hazard soon as higher mileage 4runners of this frame design are commonly coming down in price on the used market and are often sought after as good "starter car" for new drivers and teens. Toyota should do the honorable thing , which they demonstrated and saved lives with the recall of tacoma model frames. I am now car-less in a rural area, which makes me pretty much unemployable. Thanks toyota, if the frame I bought was half as well built as the body and engine of the auto I purchased, I would not be in the situation, and the highways would not be at risk, which they are now.
The frame of the body is rusting from the inside to outside, its a safety issue since it might take a while before one can realize what is going on since the outer part of the vehicle frame somewhat seem to be ok.
The frame on my 1998 4runner has been destroyed by rust beyond what should be acceptable. There are some holes in the frame and the rust is severe. The frame should be a lifetime part, not something that fails in this manner, and the state of the frame is completely unacceptable by any standards. I brought it to a toyota dealership to have them look at it, and they told me to my face that it was not safe, but they would not make a report or put that in writing. Their report said something along the lines of 'customer said frame was rusty, technician confirmed that frame is rusty.' toyota should have a recall on these vehicles and replace the frames and any associated items that have been ruined by the rust. Toyota recalled all the bad tacoma frames that were rusty through the same time period, so they should definitely do the same for all the 4runner owners out there with this trouble.
Frame has rust perforation where the rear control arm bracket mounts to frame.....apparently this is a known issue with 1996-2002 4 runners and toyota has refused to do anything about it.
Vehicle started a clunking sound and began to sway from side to side. Mechanic inspected and found frame had rusted on drivers side near rear sway bar.
During normal service and inspection, my toyota dealer service rep. Reported frame rust, including perforation of the frame. Service rep recommended that vehicle not be driven, and taken out of service. I have owned this vehicle for 13 years. Toyota dealerships have done the service and repairs on this vehicle, and never reported this problem previously. This was the first time I have even heard of frame rust. Now, I have a vehicle that is almost worthless. I reported this problem to toyota, but they did not offer any suggestions or help.
While driving on a busy road the rear lower control arm frame mount broke due to frame rot. The vehicle started to sway back and forth violently and I was able limp it to the repair shop. The frame and mount for the control arm are rotted through and the vehicle is not safe to drive, this is my main daily driver vehicle. There is no fix for this besides replacing the frame. I know there is alot of miles on this truck but mechanically there is nothing wrong with it and it runs great.
I was driving and suddenly it felt like the rear driver side tire fell off. Further inspection showed that the driver side rear control arm bracket was rotted out of the frame. There is no way I can drive my truck anymore. I had someone look at the frame and was told its completely rotted and the truck is a total loss. I do not understand why there is not a recall for the 4runners when the frame is similar to the tacomas. The tacomas did have a recall for rotting of the frame. There should be a recall for the frame on the 4runners since this is a serious safety hazard. The axle of the 4runner could fall out and could cause a fatal accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the rear of the vehicle began shaking violently. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated there was corrosion on the left rear axle trailing arm attachment point. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
I was driving on a back road, hit a pothole and the rear drivers side control arm ripped away from the frame. Found out frame was rusted from the inside out, and should not have been inspected. I had just recently bought the vehicle, and it had gone through pa inspection two months before I bought it. Its a shame, the rest of the truck, motor, interior, body panels, was in perfect condition.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame and trailing arm bracket exhibited severe rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair but the contact was informed that due to liability issues, they could not service the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified but they offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 250,000.
Toyota advises that frame is rusted through. Car is unsafe to drive. Car will not pass inspection. Should not happen to a 14 year old car with 87,000 miles.
I got the 4runner in like 2006 or 2007 at a used dealership in great condition. Didn't look good at the underneath at the time. Around 6-7 years later, the vehicle started swaying when I would drive on the main road. Got it checked out and the frame was rusted so bad that I was lucky to not have the entire bottom fall out when driving down the road. Got some welded to last awhile longer and a year later, the other side broke from rust. It is a shame because the body and interior, exterior, engine, etc. Is in great condition! Even the back bumper and hitch is rusted out bad now. I think since the tacoma has a recall for the rust on frame, the 4runner should as well because I am losing money from my 4runner & just letting it go to scraps. It would cost more to find an entire newer frame than to just find another vehicle. Something needs to change because it is very dangerous for people to drive these models when the rust is soo bad!
Vehicle started shaking and clunking. I was near home and able to get it back to my driveway. Upon towing to the mechanic, it was discovered that the rear control arm had rusted out and detached from the frame. Frame rot was discovered on the side rails. Car is considered undriveable and should be totaled.
1998 toyota 4-runner. Consumer writes in regards to frame rust. *smd the consumer stated the rear support bracket snapped off the main frame of the vehicle.
Frame is rusted out around rear control arm brackets. Numerous rust holes in frame. This vehicle is unsafe to drive in this condition and toyota does not want to do anything about it. I have seen hundreds of the same model vehicle online with this same issue. This needs to be a recall, just like the tacoma frames. Vehicle is in excellent condition and has been well maintained. It is a shame this 4runner is unsafe to drive. Beautiful truck, unsafe frame.
I found a 10" long x1" wide section of frame perforated on the passenger side at the cross member. There are several other places on the passenger side that are perforated as well. The drivers side seems ok. I am now worried about the safety of this vehicle.
I own a 1998 toyota 4 runner with a safety issue. The frame is rusted out where the front portion of the rear leaf spring bracket is welded to the frame. This was pointed out to me by an auto body repair person who's father had a tacoma that rusted out in the same spot. His vehicle was granted 1.5 times over kelly blue book value and the vehicle was seized from him at the time due to safety. My 4 runner is only 13 years old with a kelly blue book value of 6500.00. It looks and runs great. But obviously this vehicle is not worth that now and cannot be sold due to the seriousness of the frame. It also cannot be repaired. Eventually this will result in a failure and depending on what speed the vehicle is traveling at the time will tell how serious the accident will be. It appears that toyota has very little to do with my concerns. I sent three certified letters to toyota expressing my concerns with safety. The letter sent to the president yoshimi inaba that was not forwarded to him, was returned due to an erroneous address so it appears he is being sheltered. I was offered $500.00 reimbursement on service, parts or accessories or a 1500.00 'gift' based on toyota's 'goodwill offer' towards a new toyota. This "gift" was offered by an executive analyst with toyota customer experience whom apparently doesn't want the top executives to receive customer complaints. Based on comparisons that the tacoma and tundra owners received, I don't feel the so-called "goodwill" of being a toyota customer. It seems there must be litigation to get toyota's well-bragged-about customer care. Safety is #1 at toyota if they are going to make a new sale! Safety for old customers is out the window if the sale is from the past. Looks like toyota does not really back their products unless there is a death.
I was driving if you would go the speed limit it would start to shake real bad. Could drive if you drove 25 to 30 miles a hour. Parked it and got to looking and the frame on drivers side broke in front of rear wheel by the lower strait to rear end. ## VIN passed ## 1998 4 runner ##
The frame on my 1998 toyota 4runner sr5 has completely rusted through on the rear and has broken in half. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. The toyota tacoma pickup (same model year time-frame) has the same issue and has been recalled, but the 4runner has not. The 4runner should also be recalled and a 15 year extended frame rust though warranty applied.
The frame of the vehicle is rusting out I have one or two holes in my frame and I see that is a safety problem. I work for a toyota dealership and we replacing alot of tacoma frames due to rust. The 4runner frame is the same as the tacoma so I don't see why 4runner frames are not involved in the recall. Thanks.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was rusted near the driver side rear tire. The rust caused the frame to fracture completely. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the vehicle was unable to be repaired. The contact believed the failure was a manufacturing defect because both the toyota tacoma and tundra were recalled for the same issue. The failure mileage was 98,000.
1998 toyota 4runner sr5. The read differential housing has rusted out so bad that it has to be replaced. Multiple mechanics have stated they've never seen such a thing. No accidents or anything that could have added to the deterioration of this. This 4runner has never gone off road and 90% of is highway miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota 4runner. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for routine maintenance when he was informed that the frame was severely rusted on the vehicle. The manufacturer advised there was not a recall and the contact would be responsible for any repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history