The vehicle has excessive frame rust, covering 100% of lower frame, bumper to bumper. It has at least 2 holes, and is weak in several areas of frame. It failed inspection due to this. Only 133k miles on vehicle. Well maintained. Finally, tailgate door is significantly rusted above window, but at least this isn't a safety problem.
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 8 of 11: complaints 191 to 220 of 284, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Excessive and heavy rust/flaking of the frame components pointed out by my mechanic while performing a minor repair to a heat shield under the vehicle. Vehicle has been garage kept since new and there is no rust on the body. I reported this to toyota customer experience and received a case number 1710131927, but they advise there are currently no active campaigns which cover my vehicle. Others had suggested I notify the federal safety agency.
Vehicle has a cracked dashboard from one side to the other, could spread and affect air bags, toyota dealership in north miami beach stated there is a recall but have not corrected in three years, I have checked with them three times
Frame is rotting away and needs replaced.
Frame is rusted almost completely in two where back axle ties to the frame. Also various other areas of the frame are rusting as well. Took to several mechanics and each said it is a mfg issue and should have been recalled due to severe safety issues. Putting a young driver, or anyone for that matter, into a car to drive that has serious frame rust issues which could lead to a wreck and serious injury is inexcusable and toyota needs to get this taken care of immediately with a recall. We bought vehicle in 2016, however it was rusted far before then based on rust evidence present.
While changing the brakes and roters, it was noticed that the frame where the gas tank straps attach, is completely rusted and rotted through. Several areas on the frame are rotted through. The mechanic stuck his finger right through my frame. Also, there is body rust all around the back window, causing water to get into the back door, causing the 3rd brake light to not work, and causing the latch to lock and keep the hatch closed is seized due to rust.
My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and I have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. So its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value. Toyota USA recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not recall the 4runner because there were too many sold and it would have cost too much money. The frame and frame rail rot on the 4runner from that time period is well documented and many complaints have been filed with the nhta yet toyota has seen fit not to recall the 4runner!! . What a disgrace!! The most important fact is the 4runners, past and present, sit on the exact same frame as the tacoma. The tacoma was recalled for the frame rot but the 4runner were not. Could you please provide the reasoning for not recalling the 4runner for frame rot while the tacoma with the exact same frame from the exact same factory was not/has not been recalled?
Excess frame rusting, holes in frame
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed that the frame of the vehicle near the trailing arm brackets was rotted with holes and slight corrosion. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 196,000.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has significant frame rust that the toyota dealer identified during routine service and noted that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. They refused to fix the problem, saying it could not be fixed (beyond repair), but that I should no longer drive the vehicle as it is now unsafe to be on the road.
Chassis/frame on 4th generation 4runners have a severe rust problem. Many are documented & discussed at http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs. Similar trucks in toyota's product line qualified for frame replacement but the 4runner was ignored. The rest of the truck is 100% rust free except for the frame. Recently had a body shop look at the frame - was described as "too rusty to weld onto" when discussing patches. Below I am asked for a date when this event happened. I am putting todays date, 2003 because logically the truck has been rusting since it was built.
Frame rust, severe extensive rust to frame, vehicle is unsafe to drive, toyota has recalls for tundra and tacoma, need to add 4runner to recall list. Vehicle has not been involved in accident, frame rot was pointed out while having vehicle serviced. The frame needs to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The vehicle was taken to the atlantic toyota dealer located at 145 albany ave, amityville, new york, 11701, for a check up when the dealer diagnosed that the front frame was rusted. The dealer stated that the failure was as a result of salt on the road, and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty, but did not offer additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,660.
I bought the 2003 toyota 4 runner in august 2015. At the time of purchase, there had already been a repair to the exhaust system. In january of 2016, a brake caliper malfunctioned and I took it in for repair. At that time, I was informed there were rot holes in the frame that needed to be repaired. They showed me pictures of the rust holes and I about fell over. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had the holes repaired. When I took the car for inspection in august 2016, there were more rot holes and it couldn't be inspected. I had those holes repaired, and the repair guy said it was dangerous to keep driving this vehicle. He said it is rusting from the inside out. I was so mad because I just bought it less than a year ago, and am now facing losing thousands of dollars due to this faulty frame. I got the oil changed recently and the comment on the multipoint inspection is that the frame is rusting. When I parked the car today, I had the wheel turned, and I saw another rot hole in the frame by the wheel that I will have to get repaired. This is a terrible safety hazard, the frame could rust through while I'm diving it. I can't just go out and get another car while losing thousands on this one which is what will happen if I have to trade it in. Something needs to be done here.yes it is a 2003, and I would expect some rust on an older vehicle, but this is ridiculous. I do have repair bills, but I can't scan them in.
Frame rusted throughout to the point that mechanics and body shop employees have advised us not to drive vehicle or sell it. We were told it needs a new frame and is beyond repair. We purchased 11/29/16. Previous owner spray undercarriage black to hide rust. Only 151k miles!
Today, I drove my 2003 4runner limited that has 135409 miles with the entire frame was deemed "unsafe" by toyota dealership today. This was after I took my 4runner for front brakes and the mechanic told remove my kids car seats from the back seat and told me to bring to this toyota attention. The 2003 4runner frame is unsafe and I should not drive until they repair / replace frame.
Rust covering all chassis components discovered during routine maintenance needs to be scraped primed and painted to protect against further damage
Frame is rusted out and should be replaced for safety
While having an oil and filter change performed by midas auto service experts on my 2003 toyota 4 runner, the owner of the shop found the entire frame is rotted with rust to the point where there are holes where the frame is welded. He was able to push his finger through the rusted frame of the car. He stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to structural rot of the frame.
My 4runner was classified unsafe to drive by a safety inspector because of advanced degradation of the frame due to extensive rust. It is not able to be repaired.
Frame and under parts are rusted
Takata recall. Car is a hazard to drive. Rust has consumed the frame to the point that major parts are at risk of separating from the frame and falling from it.
Badly rusted frame
Vehicle had frame perforations from corrosion and completely corroded gas tank straps (both straps). Both of these represent safety hazards and had to be repaired to pass state inspection. The frame corrosion problem with the 2003 4runner and similar vehicles is well known and needs to be addressed by toyota. Since toyota has known about this for some time and not acted on it there needs to be intervention from the federal safety agency to address the issue.
While vehicle was at the repair shop (vehicle was stationary) ongoing a service maintenance, the technician noticed a huge rot hole going along the passenger frame and another rust hole on the bottom radiator support.
I was doing some maintenance and service on my 2003 4 runner and noticed a huge rot hole in the framed just ahead of the right rear track bar.
Frame rust - car is basically not safe to drive
Extreme frame corrosion. Frame condition is making vehicle unsafe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the subframe underneath the front part of the vehicle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,834.
This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame I.e. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and I believe that this issue needs to be addressed by toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you
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