Took the vehicle in for regular service (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) and was informed that the frame had rusted through in several areas. They recommended taking the vehicle to a toyota dealer since extreme rust problems have been a recurring problem with toyota trucks & suvs. Looking online, I saw recalls for the rust problems with trucks, but no recall for 4runners??? I think there should be the same responsibility shown by toyota for the same problem in similar vehicles.
2000 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 7 of 10: complaints 161 to 190 of 256, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Hi, I have a 2000 toyota 4 runner. It has a little over 200k miles and I took it in for service to have the timing belt and water pump replaced. I drive the vehicle daily. The mechanic did not perform the work because he noticed the frame had rusted through and recommended to not drive the vehicle for safety reasons. He stated that if the frame did bend or separate the vehicle would buckle and there would not be any control, especially on the expressway. The mechanic recommend that I check to see if there has been any recalls. I did check to see if there were any recalls and there was not. I was informed that the toyota tundra and toyota tacoma had similar issues with the frame's rusting through and toyota did a recall/buy back for those vehicles. I was on the toyota forum and it sounds like there are a lot of toyota 4 runners in this same circumstance. I feel if there are other similar vehicles from toyota having the same issue, then they should be included in the recall/buyback process. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the frame was entirely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 113,231. Djr updated 10/24/2014*lj updated 4/20/2015
2000 toyota 4runner sr5 with 145,000 miles. At a regular maintenance, I was shown a picture of a hole in my frame. Right hand rear of frame where lower trailing arm bracket is welded was rusted through with substantial instability concerns and potential loss of use due to inability to pass state inspection. . Otherwise frame fine and no rust/rot on left hand side front or rear. My 4runner has been an excellent and reliable vehicle with regular maintenance. It had only a rust spots on the front bumper, and that's all! This is our family vehicle, and is not abused. I only have 145,000 miles and feel strongly that a frame on a vehicle should last much longer, as in past vehicles I've owned. I have had no problems with my 4runner, I don't want to junk yard it over a bad quality frame from toyota, but it may come to this if I can't have it welded. Toyota need to own up to this issue with a recall on the 4runners like they did with their trucks. Safety should be first. This is a pressing issue and need to addressed .
I took my 4runner to my mechanic for an oil change today. When on the lift he noticed that the passenger side frame is rusted out. He felt it was unsafe and needed fixed or scrapped asap. This vehicle runs great and I have had no other issues. This is my daily driver and I always have my five year old with me. This is a major safety concern. I am not in the position to buy a new vehicle right now. It is crazy that toyota recalled the frames for tacoma and tundra but have done nothing for 4runner owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame was completely corroded. The contact was concerned that the frame would possibly fracture. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 127,000. Updated 10/22/2014*lj the consumer stated the manufacturer and the dealer were contacted. The dealer advised that the vehicle was not safe to drive due to extensive rust on the frame. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. Updated 04/2/2015
The vehicle frame is deteriorating from rust on the passenger side of the vehicle. This severe rust is prevalent at suspension attachment points; significantly where the right-side rear "track bar" is attached. If this were to fail, the rear axle of the vehicle would become disconnnected from the vehicle undoubtedly causing a crash. Found out tonight the frame rail forward of the track bar has also deteriorated on the bottomside and is exhibiting numerous holes. This condition makes the vehicle unservicable from a safety aspect. It cannot be safety inspected in nys any longer. This vehicle was puchased new in ithaca, n.y. The framework deterioration is indicative of other toyota vehicles with frames rusting and causing major structural integrity issues. Toyota has done due diligence in supporting their customers on their tacoma and tundra vehicles. They performed frame replacements and a buyback program on these. I believe they ought to do the same for the 4runners seeing they are a virtual duplicate of the tacoma trucks' frame. The fact that the tundra and tacoma frames were produced in USA and the 4runner's frames were produced in japan does not have a bearing on this rust problem..it does show an engineering deficiency on tundra, tacoma and 4runner's frame design. This issue is causing my family an undue financial burden. I most emphatically believe toyota should address this issue. There should be a recall !!.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the under carriage was severely corroded and fractured. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current was 128,000. Updated 9/2/14*cn the consumer stated the vehicle was sold to a service that buys junk cars for a total of $600.00. Updated 12/17/2014
I am writing to report a defect in the frame of my 2000 toyota 4runner. I just purchased this vehicle used for my 16 year old daughter to drive. Inspection by a certified mechanic revealed that the frame exhibits extensive rusting. The frame has rusted through on the passenger side between the front and rear wheels. It has holes and has separated along the bottom weld. The mechanic warned that catastrophic failure is likely to occur.
Brought veh in for nhsi, was told that veh would not pass again due to frame perforation. The rust is coming from the inside out on passenger side inner frame rail along where the muffler is located. Spoke to toyota on many levels and was told by them that there are no frames available for purchase and that the "chucks" to build the frames with had been lost so toyota will not be making anymore. So I cannot fix this problem properly if I was to pay out of pocket. Paid a body shop $650 to weld in a patch to get me by as I still owe on it. Too bad toyota will not recognize this as the same issue tacoma, sequoia, and tundra have. If the frame was to separate @ the corrosion sight @ highway speeds it would result in injury and possibly death!!
Upon a recent mechanical inspection my 2000 toyota 4runner has been deemed unsafe for driving due to frame degradation due to rusting. The frame has several locations with holes and deterioration that seriously undermine the mechanical rigidity of the frame and truck. This vehicle has been well maintained and is in great condition with the frame as the only exception. I have owned several vehicles from different manufacturers and have driven and stored them in the same location but have not experienced the same issues. Frame rust and deterioration to the extent that my vehicle has experienced is not tolerable from any manufacturer and should have been addressed during the design, testing, and manufacturing stages of production. I believe that the 2000 toyota 4runners, along with previous years with identical frame builds, should be investigated and recalled in a similar manner to the toyota tacomas of the same generation that were recalled for the same issue. The 2000 toyota 4runner was marketed as a family vehicle with a history of safe operation and should be held to this standard. Someone is going to get injured driving one of these vehicles.
Frame is showing signs of serious rust.
Tl* the contact 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while having regular maintenance performed, it was notified that the frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 220,000.
On working under vehicle I noticed that the passenger side structural rail leading to the rear of vehicle was rusty so I poked it and my screwdriver went right through, it was rusted through, it will need welding, as I tow a work trailer (and for safety reasons of course). Then the thin rear wall of the differential rusted through and started leaking oil, the part is not sold separately and I was quoted 1500.- for the part and at least 500 labor, by falmouth toyota. I was told it was a common problem, but that toyota wasn't standing behind their vehicle. If I hadn't been under the car for other reasons this could have turned into a catastrophic failure. I urge you to contact your representative if you have had similar problems.
Severe rust on passenger side of frame unsafe will not pass inspection.
Frame cracked and broke.
Rusted out frame. I took my truck in for some minor repairs. The shop called me back and said the frame is so rusted that the car is no longer safe to drive.. The support holding up the transmission is about to break. This could've caused a serious accident or worse if it happened while I was driving.. Not to mention I don't have the money to just buy a new car on a whim.. Unfortunately I will have to continue driving this death trap until either the frame breaks or I have the money to buy a new car. Toyota needs to do something about this before someone gets hurt or worse.. I know I'm not the only one with this problem. They need to recall the 4runners like they did the tacomas.. Rusted out frame!!!! Rusted out frame!!!! Rusted out frame!!!!
Upon trying to sell my 2000 toyota 4runner to a prospective buyer who was an employee of greentree toyota, in ct, he pointed out that the frame on the passenger side forward of the rear axle was rusted through on the inside for about 18 inches. It is unsafe to drive. When I had it serviced at toyota in september 2013, no one told me about this severe safety issue. I have been at risk since then while driving the vehicle. Upon searching the internet, I see that this is a common problem with this make and model, yet toyota refuses to issue a recall. They issued a recall on tacoma frames which uses the same frame as the 4runner.
Right hand rear of frame where lower trailing arm bracket is welded was rusted through.
Rear differential housing is rusted very badly leaking gear oil. Rust is extremely thick. Huge flakes more like chunks. Leaking from rear of housing where rust has penetrated far enough to cause a slow leak. Rest of 4runner is in good shape.
I was driving the truck to a body shop to fix the frame and body of the truck, as directed from toyota. Which I was told from toyota in portsmouth nh, to take it to a body shop to get it fixed. When driving the vehicle they car began to accelerate out of control, I had to pass several vehicles, the car was shaking as I had the breaks on the whole time. It was upwards of 80 miles an hour with out any control. My sister was following me, I also have proof from the body shop, as I barely made it there, I had to put on the emergency break to stop the car. Toyota customer service told me, probably driver error, not the case. When I left the truck with the body shop, they told me the frame and body of the truck were not repairable. I paid toyota for tire rotation, oil change, and filters, to hear that I have to scrap the car. I still feel unsafe driving due to the truck accelerating out of control, and got no support from toyota.
Frame is rusting through causing instability concerns.
2000 toyota 4runner frame rusted threw at area that holds rear axel in place rear drivers frame rail had rusted through where it mounts the lower control arm. When frame failed vehicle was hard to control and swaying to the point of immediate danger to passengers and other vehicles on highway this vehicle is well maintained and is in excellent condition. Frame failure on this age vehicle should be unacceptable and should be addressed.
Frame rusted in front of both rear tires load bearing area. Toyota refuses any warranty or acknowledgement of this safety problem on truck frames used on SUV's. Tacoma frames all recalled for same reason. Toyota still states not to undercoat when purchase is new or to rust prevent at any warranty/preventive maintenance inspection. Consumer put at risk to a problem only observable from a lift,and told to spend thousands of dollars in repairs or total loss,and will not sell the frame even at five thousand dollars. Upon reading blogs of 4runner owners this is a common frequent increasing safety problem with all 4runners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 132000. The VIN was unavailable.
This is a 13 year old SUV, that despite proper maintenance and a dependable engine had to be junked due to an almost completely rusted through frame. After noticing some increased rattling under the car, my husband found not only had the muffler brackets rusted away (some pieces fell out), but it was one pothole away from separating from the swing arm. Very dangerous (accident waiting to happen) and appeared to have rusted from the inside out. Not readily noticeable from the outside. We took it off the road immediately. Toyota does't seem to bother to acknowledge this problem let alone do anything about it.
I was driving with 2 young kids and turning around at a dead end when I heard a loud noise. I looked under the car and saw nothing. The car started swaying when we drove home. I looked under again at home and saw my rear sway bar hanging down broke/rusted off from the frame. The whole frame behind were it broke was rotted right next to the gas tank. The 4runner only has 79,000 miles and has no rust on the body. I have washed the undercarriage really good over the years just to keep it clean. There is no point in having a motor that goes 200,000 miles if the frames cant make it to 80,000. I see many much older vehicles on the road as a frame should be the last thing to rust. If I was on the highway and that happened I easily could have crashed because the 4runner started swaying badly. I was a huge toyota fan before but now I see all their frames are thin cheap steel.
2000 toyota 4runner has major frame issues that could break at anytime and cause an accident! These frames rust out without the owners knowing. These are family vehicles that are driven for many years and toyota has had issues with other frames on different models but same year vehicles. Toyota has had numerous complaints on these frames and has never recalled these models. For the safety of my family and others please look into this matter!
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed at the dealer, he was informed that the frame suffered from massive corrosion and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 133,000.
The frame is rusted out. I can only see one side. Toyota took pictures, but never heard back from them. I took some photos myself.
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