I recently had my vehicle in for service and to get new tires. While on the lift, the mechanic pointed out to me that the frame on the passenger's side is beginning to rust through. This is an obvious potential safety issue and as I have researched possible repairs, it appears that this is a very common problem for this year and model. This should be recalled.
2002 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 88, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The frame is rusted out and is making the vehicle unsafe to be on the road. This is a known problem with this frame, it's already been recalled on the toyota tacoma and it's the same identical frame. It should have been recalled years ago. Just making a normal turn on a bend in the road makes it difficult to keep the vehicle under control.
Excessive rust on the frame. Have heard of other toyotas from the same time that were recalled but not the 4runner even though it suffers the same issues.
2002 toyota 4runner, original owner with only 110,900 original miles on it! Vehicle has severe rust/rot damage to passenger and driver side frame. Extends from middle cross member to rear cross member. The rest of the car is in excellent condition and well maintained. Safety issue for my family. Repair will be necessary soon, as I'm starting to not feel safe driving long distances or at highway speeds (70+ MPH). Thank you!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota 4runner. The contact became aware that the subframe underneath the vehicle was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The repair was still pending. Toyota of lincoln park (1561 n fremont st, chicago, il 60642) was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was not available.
Rust/rot damage to passenger side frame. Extends from middle cross member to rear cross member. Also significant rust damage to rear shock mounts. Failed inspection as a result. The rest of the car is in excellent condition and well maintained. Safety issue for my family.
Vehicle has 188,400 miles, runs flawlessly. Bought 2005, 45k miles,toyota dealer certified used SUV. Rotted thru rear transfer case 3 yrs ago, replaced from a wreck. Severe progressive entire frame rust/rot noted in yearly pa inspections, now cant pass inspection & pillars almost rotted thru..unsafe to drive. Extremely disappointed cant pull trailer sailboat & m'cycles, now sits in driveway useless.
I purchased the 2002 4runner in 2014. At that time, the 4runner only had 79,000 miles and had been cared for meticulously. I have taken the car in for routine service over the past 5 years. Upon taking the 4runner in due to a vibration and check of the differential, the mechanic called me in to look at the frame while it was up on the lift. Below in the attached photos, there is extensive rusting of the rear differential, axle and frame. The vehicle was stationary and the issue was found during routine maintenance. The rusted frame and differential have rendered this vehicle practically valueless and unsafe.
Very excessive rusting and corrosion on the frame near where the leading arm attaches on the passenger side. Hole has developed very quickly, only in the span of a couple years. When going around left corner >15mph, a clunking noise can be heard from the problem area. Very occasionally a similar noise can be heard when going through right turns. Vehicle has spent most of its life in southern minnesota, although some time has been spent in south florida. Repair will be necessary soon, as I'm starting to not feel safe driving long distances or at highway speeds (70+ MPH). Thank you, have a nice day.
Right frame rail is very rusted to the point of non repair. Unable to repair suspension due to unable to remove bolts that hold suspension to frame.
We purchased a 4runner for our 18 year old daughter to drive thinking it would be safe, esp in mn. She was driving home from college (130 miles) and noticed it had a bad vibration, especially over 40 MPH. It was very difficult to drive. We were out of town and when we got back, brought it to the shop, only to be told the frame was responded beyond repair (see photos). Not only does that scare me for my daughter, but she has been driving it a few years and had friends and other family members in the vehicle. The vehicle has relatively low miles for it's age and based on toyotas reputation of longevity, we never expected this sort of issue. We're thankful she wasn't hurt, but are concerned about others driving a vehicle and not knowing it could literally break in half while driving down the road!
The frame of this 4runner has been experiencing excessive rust since the time I got it used from a dealer. Once their undercoating wore off, my mechanic replaced rusted up brake lines back about 9 years ago. He said it was because the frame was very rusty and they did a new rust treatment. For the past few years I have been battling issues related to the frame. A plate was put in to strengthen an area. It only has 164k on it, I rebuilt the transmission at 125k, and the body is in good shape. Just that the rust is spreading everywhere underneath. We tried to get it addressed in the previous toyota frame recall but it was not for this age for whatever reason. Every repair has been more difficult due to rusting bolts, mufflers rusting early, brake lines busting due to rust, the tow hitch rusted through. Now there is a gaping hole in the rear side of the frame supporting the cab. After being under the car trying to scrape rust off, and to put some rust restore/protection, I saw the new hole and got fed up. So I see you are now investigating this year 4runner to add to their recall. Please...do! Something serious could happen while driving it and it will just stay mostly parked until this is resolved. Brake failure when my son was driving was already scary enough. Thank you.
Vehicle frame has corroded, fractured especially on passenger rear of vehicle. Many holes along frame. Was hearing loud thunking in rear of vehicle took it in for a visual inspection and found the issue.
I was doing an oil change and noticed that the frame was rusted very badly . I think that there should be a recall on this model 3rd gen 4runner (1999-2002)this is the same frame as the truck that was recalled ,so this should be included .if this frame breaks it will hurt or kill some one .
First, the motor blew for no reason at 152,000 miles. I rebuilt the car and had a new motor put in. I was not aware of the rusting frame issue, however, after driving the vehicle with a lovely new rebuilt motor for about one year, the frame rotted beyond repair causing the power steering to go out. I don't drive much, so there was no excessive exposure to salt. The car was parked in my driveway. It was an exceptionally cold day. I started the vehicle and found the power steering fluid had frozen and lost all the fluid as a result of the steering rack being rusted and weakened. The repair shop told me that the frame and rocker panels are severely compromised too badly to bother fixing the steering rack. The car is not safe to drive.
I have seen classi. Cars from the 60s with frames in better shape than my 4runner. The rear control arms brackets are close to detaching from the frame. Rust is eating the back half of my frame. The frame rails are completely rusted through and will soon need replacing. There are numerous bolts and hardware that can no longer be used due to rust. The fill plug on the rear differential has rusted away as well. The quality of this steel is absolutely horrible. Toyota should be ashamed of a vehicle that has problems like this. I have never seen rust this bad on a frame before.
Excessive rust on frame since 2008. Toyota refused to address after filing formal complaint. I believe like trucks of same year that had frames replaced, 4 runners should be included
At a stop light, went to drive heard load pop clank. Vehicle started shaking and driving funny. Looked under car and my control arm ( that stabilizes my axel ) mount rusted off. My entire under carriage is rusted out. The control arm shifted
Excessive rust on frame. Rusting from the inside out, on passenger side near muffler, by rear suspension mounts. Rusted all the way through on the inside of the frame. Likely rusted in other parts that are not visible.
My 2002 toyota 4runner has excessive rust on the frame to the point that it has been deemed by my local toyota dealership as "unsafe to drive." it only has 180,000 miles on it, the rust should not be this extensive.
My 2002 toyota 4 runner failed mass state inspection due to emergency brake not engaging. I immediately brought the vehicle to a local auto shop for repair. I was then notified by the shop that the entire frame was completely rotted & unsafe to drive. They refused to do any repair to the e-brake until the frame was repaired. I'm devastated that my well cared for vehicle , with only 130,000 miles is now unsafe to drive due to frame rot.
This is yet another costumer of the 4runner 3rd generation complaining about the frame rusting out. There needs to be responsability for the bad frames on this year 4runner. My frame has holes in the rear control arm attachment area and more rust all throughout entire frame. I'm doing all I can to keep my frame from getting any more rust on it and keeping it safe to be on the road. I strongly believe toyota should also have a frame recall for the 4runner like it did for the tundra tacoma and sequoia frames.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service at an independent mechanic shop, the technician noticed that the frame was corroded through and caused the tailpipe to detach. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000. ..*bf
I have a 2002 4 runner and put almost $2,800.00 in it last year for a new rear end, new tires, because I felt it still had a tremendous amount of life left in it, only to find out that the frame has 2 holes in it from excessive rust. The dealership I took it to informed me that they were currently in the process of replacing frames for 2003 - 2009 models. When I asked about the 2002 models, they stated that toyota does not assume responsibility for the 4 runners. My question is "how do I find out if the 2002 frames were manufactured with the same materials that the 2003 models were made of?" I really wanted to hand this car down to my daughter. She needs a car and with the current situation of the frame, there is no way I can let her drive this in its current condition. Please help!!!
Check engine light comes on so I take my 2002 4 runner to get it checked. I noticed it sounds like it might be a exhaust problem. Then I get the bad news . The frame experience excessive corrosion. My understanding is that there was some kind of recall on this matter a few years ago but I never received a notice .I purchased it used in 2003 so maybe the notice went to the first owner. I have been living at the same address since I owned it.
Rear axel is rusted off the frame, and rotting, mechanic says it's unsafe to drive
Leaving work friday of labor day weekend 2018 I noticed the smell of gas. My co-worker also looked, and observed a puddle of gasoline under the car. Since the dealer was close, I took the risk to drive it the dealer. The dealer is heritage toyota in baltimore maryland. The car has only 91000 miles on it. The entire bottom of the car is rusted out. This is what caused the fuel leak. The frame is also rusted out to the point of not being safe anymore. My complaints are these: 1. The underside of the car completely rusted out. 2. Other toyota trucks of the same year are having their frames replaced by toyota. 3. My toyota was serviced with me letting the dealer do "anything it needs". I estimate spending about $15,000 at this dealer. Never once was I told there was a rust problem. With mounting repaired costs, I took it to another mechanic who immediately recommended that I take the car to the dealer for assessment. Never did the toyota dealer warn me about the rust. 4. Toyota was completely uninterested in helping. I did file a complaint #1808271490
My frame is suffering from premature and excessive rusting, as is commonly reported among other early to mid 2000's 4runner owners. The most severe area is the radiator supports. I am filing this complaint so it is registered among the many complaints received about this issue. I'd be happy to provide documentation if needed, but I'm pretty sure there have already been a lot of reports of this since there's now an investigation into the issue.
Frame rust on the inside portion for the frame. 33" hole rusted through completely on passenger side. Rust continues about 80% of the way through the rear lower control arm mount. Driver's side has a similar amount of severe rust that has weakened the structural integrity of the frame to the point where it is no longer safe to drive. Should the co troll arm mount finish rusting through, the axle will no longer be attached to the frame on that side. There is noticble flex and sound associated with the frame rot. It is only a matter of time before the control arm mount disconnects completely, or the frame buckles.
Rusted through frame on the rear passenger side where axle support connects to frame. Measures approx 2.5 feet. Rear end feels loose when navigating turns.
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