Rear suspension mount separated from frame at weld, vehicle was rustproofed when new.
1999 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 112, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The mount for the rear lower control arm has rusted off. This is causing the car to violently rock back and fourth after hitting a pot hole and continue for a few seconds after. It is very unnerving and obviously a mater safety issue. I have also seen similar complaints on websites such as t4r.org. Please give me a call [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear frame was cracked and rotted. The stability of the frame was tarnishing and weakened the support for the rear of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a welding shop to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 281,000. The VIN was unknown.
The frame on driver side rear axle area has completed rotted from rust, the rear suspension and sway bar broke away from the vehicle. We were almost in a very serious accident as there was loss of control of the rear end and we ended up in a ditch with loss of control.we were driving in a straight line at the time. We could have had a serious roll over accident resulting in serious injury or death. Very scary incident. I did some online research and found a number of other complaints. I would be happy to send photos of this issue if you want to call e-mail me at (xxxxxx). The exterior body engine and interior of this vehicle are in good condition and it seems the frame should last the life of the vehicle. Thank you for registering my complaint. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My complaint is with severe rust damage to the frame of the car. There are other models with the same issue as mine and they have been recalled. Mine needs to be taken care of as well. There is no way that the entire frame should rust. I would expect over time to some small patches of rust but not the entire frame. There is so much rust that I could never fix it completely myself. Toyota should be held responsible for their poor plating process in the late 90's to early 00's.
Was driving vehicle at highway speeds and lost control temporarily because a rear trailing arm mount became detached from frame and broke both shocks. Upon inspection rear section of frame severely rusted causing mount to detach. Front section of frame does not have same level of rust. A manufactures defect almost cost me and my children serious injury or even death. Vehicle has been meticously maintained with all service records. I've been in automotive industry for my entire life and I've never seen anything like it. If they recalled the frames for the tacoma and tundras, why weren't 4runners included?
Bad frame rot. Not safe to drive anymore.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the metal frame was inferior and contained premature rust, holes, and corrosion. The contact felt that the frame could fracture at any point in time. The rear driver's side shock fractured into the frame due to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the frame had extensive premature rust, could fracture, and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a warranty and there was no recall. The failure mileage was not available.
Rusty frame making the truck unsafe
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame rusted out and fractured on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, opened a case, and informed the contact to call the federal safety agency. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Frame has extensive rust inside and out . Suspension and rocker panels are affected also. I was wondering about a frame recall since they have done so with other toyota frames
Vehicle has about 150,000 miles and the frame is rusted through and unsafe to drive. The truck runs great, but because of the frame I can no longer dive this on the roads.
Frame rusted through with large holes mechanic said there's not much they can do with it because it's so bad!
I purchased this vehicle from a neighbor who bought it new. He took impeccable care of his vehicles so I was very confident in the purchase. Less than 2 years after we bought it from him, one of the rear stabilizers tore loose from the frame rail. After going underneath to inspect the damage, there was a lot of holes and major corrosion that appeared to have started from the inside of the frame. I thought to myself that with this solid box style frame, why is there no means for any water or condensation that builds up inside the frame to get out. I was going to have it repaired until I inspected it further and whacked a few places with a hammer and sent it right through the frame! It was a shame because it ran excellent and I'm confident it would have went another 100,000 miles. Instead I was forced to sell it for a parts vehicle and lost over $3000 on the deal. If this can happen to a vehicle that was taken care of like a collector car, I can't imagine how fast they can fall apart if they're actually neglected. It's too bad this happens because they are a fantastic vehicle other than this issue.
Frame rusted
Takata recall frame riot and busy rust
Frame rusting out inside rails near rear spring perch 12 inches long
Under body has rusted and repair cost is $10000
The frames on these toyota 4runners (1996-2002) are cheaply made and rot from the inside out even in states with little salt, they use thin cheap steel, the differential housings also leak due to proous thin cheaply made 'steel'. Toyota needs to step up to the plate on this one. My vehicles frame is rotting from the inside out aswell as the differential housing. They did a frame recall on the tacomas, sequoias, etc, this is no different!
I have a 1999 toyota 4runner. I am the original owner, and this vehicle has been garage keep and well maintained since I have owned it. While driving on the highway at about 55mph on 10/18/16, without warning - the 4runner began to shake violently from side to side... I almost lost control of the 4runner and could have been involved in a serious accident. The reason I lost control of the 4runner is because of a serious rusting issue in the frame (this issue has been well documented on the federal safety agency, and also many other websites). The reason this rusting issue is so dangerous is where the rusting has occurred. The frame is rusting right at the section that the lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame. The lower control arm bracket is attached to the link/bar that holds the rear axle in place. The rust on my 4runner frame caused the lower control arm bracket on the drivers side to completely separate from the frame, causing a loss of control of the vehicle (see attached photos). I check the control arm bracket on the passenger side, and it also shows the same severe rusting at the frame where the control arm bracket is attached. There are still many 3rd generation 4runners on the road, and I feel this rusting situation is putting many lives in danger. There is no warning, you just lose control. I understand that my 4runner is 17 years old... But as I mentioned earlier, the rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape. A frame should not rust this badly, especially in a critical section. Please hold toyota accountable for a vehicle defect that is putting live in danger. Thank you.
Auto repair shop tells me I have significant frame rust/rot. It's actually begun to fail in passenger side rear. This was discovered during unrelated service. Feels action required to make safe.
Frame is rusting despite only 72,680 miles.
1999 toyota 4runner rear frame rusted driver side
Frame severely rusted deemed unsafe.
Frame has rusted where engine support is compromised,
Frame on 1999 toyota 4runner was inspected by mechanic at local toyota dealership. Informed us that frame was rusted through, with hole being big enough to put your hand through. Advised us not to drive the vehicle as it was unsafe and could cause an accident. Vehicle is now parked and worth nothing to us. Please take the time to move forward with an investigation regarding this issue before people are seriously injured or killed in accidents resulting from this problem that they may not even know they have.
Frame rusting though on passenger side on section next to muffler and control arm. Mechanic inspected and instructed frame needs to be repaired or replaced. Mileage of vehicle was 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear passenger side frame exhibited excessive rust corroision near the control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the frame was severely damaged beyond repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.
I brought my recently purchased 1999 toyota 4runner into my local toyota dealership to bring my services up to date and was later informed there's an approximately 3 foot section of the right rear frame that is rotted through. In addition, they told me that the left rear section of the frame by the spring mount is also rusted through in multiple places. The previous owner had made a repair attempt on the passenger side that needs to be repaired aging. There are also a few more spots that are rusted all the way through and I was advised to not drive the vehicle.
Driving on the expressway and the rear end started to sway back and forth. Had to exit and took the car to the mechanic who said the bracket was rotted as well as the frame where it was attached to. Said he has never seen anything like this before.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history