The frame on my 2003 4runner has "perforations" in it's frame rails and the front cross-member is totally rotted away...this has been and issue with these suvs for years..the toyota tacoma shares the same frame/platform as the 4runner and has had similar issues, with 1 difference toyota has repaired many of them free of charge ,but has not extended these repairs to the 4runner...a $30,000 dollar 12 year old SUV shouldn't have a rotted frame. I brought the truck to a toyota dealership and they said "front crossmember is rotted off. Only be held by frotn skid plate. Found a hole in frame rail drivers side by fuel tank." I was then told I would be informed when a toyota USA engineer would be able to look at it to see if they would do anything about it. I was called about a week later and told the engineer refused to look at it and would not be helping me with this matter..I then called toyota USA and explained what was going on (I have a case # they gave me) , they told me to expect a call from the dealership (where the SUV was purchased & where the frame was inspected) in 2 days..that call never came....
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER suspension complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 114 of 114, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My private mechanic informed me that my vehicle's frame was rusting and was a safety concern. He notified toyota customer care who stated that toyota was not responsible. Toyota has taken responsibility in the past for other vehicles with the same problem. My case # with toyota is [xxx]. Please investigate and advise. Thank you! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Took my 2003 toyota 4runner in for service and to have it inspected. The service guys say they cannot inspect my truck because it has a hole in the frame of the truck. The front of my frame is severely corroded after only 160k miles and completely unsafe for the road. This truck has always been well taken care of and kept clean in the winter months. This is entirely unacceptable for a vehicle of this era and highly unsafe to drive. I am sure there are many others out there driving around not knowing their trucks are rusting away to the point the frame they are riding on is falling apart under them.
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody. I took it to a local toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion. The amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models. The amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and potentially during normal vehicle use as well. The problem was discussed with dealership service manager who referred me to the toyota national hotline. Toyota representative at that department stated that toyota has not provided any extended warranty or repair programs for this condition, nor do they offer any financial reconciliation for the costs of correcting this problem. The information was documented in toyota case number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have had this vehicle since new, and only travel back and forth to work approx 30 miles a day..(now has 59,000 miles).vehicle has been regularly serviced at a local toyota dealer...vehicle never used for towing or never been off-road, and maintained like a baby...all of a sudden dealer told me my front axle cv joints are leaking and needs replacing including the rear shocks? This is fully loaded 2003 toyota limited edition v8...seems very unusual at 59k miles? Will contact toyota to see if they can help out in any way...
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter. I have reported the following issue to toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer. On snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds. It has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times. Both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs. I live in nc and we do not get a lot of snow. It happen a week ago when we got some snow. It can just happen so fast. My daughter is scared to drive it. Our 2000 4 runner would not come close of acting this way. Bottomline, it is unsafe. You must be extremely cautious or you will spin the car around.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel shook very badly. The contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case. The vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection. The shaking only occurs while driving over 30 MPH. The contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle. The dealer checked the recall database, but found no recalls. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for inspection. There is a recall for the 2001-2002 toyota 4runner regarding the suspension and the contact believes that the same failure is occurring on his vehicle. The failure mileage was 71,100 and the current mileage was unknown.
I presently have my 2003 4 runner v8 limited in for the second time in less then a year for air suspension problems. In both cases the air suspension stays in the fully inflated position. They replaced the compressor the first time in (21 days to get parts), and this time they tell me it?s the air release portion of the compressor. Which means their replacing the compressor again (7 days and counting waiting for parts). I also had the vehicle in for a wobbling sound, the problem was a driveshaft that was installed backwards on the assembly line. Toyota indicated that this occurs once in a while during assembly.
The driver was traveling 35mph,the vehicle started swaying from left to right. The rear shocks blew the seals. The vehicle was unable to be moved and was towed to the residence. Nitrousentertrises after market product.
After reaching 55 MPH vehicle vibrated violently.
Have had the vehicle for a month now. I went back to the dealer after the first week with noticeable vibration in the steering wheel and the vehicle in general from approx. 45 MPH and above. Dealer balanced wheels. Returned again another week later with same symptoms. Dealer again attemped to balance tires and analyzed rims, speed balance, etc. And determined it was the tires. After the song and dance about the dealer being unable to replace the tires without a long drawn out process, I was directed to the local bridgestone dealer for tire replacement. Had tires replaced the following tuesday. Same symptoms re-occurred after a few days. Back to the dealer a third time this past friday. Re-balanced the new tires again, service manager drove it afterwords and said everything was fine. Left that afternoon on a trip, and the symptoms re-occured again. Have had enough ! I am filing a lemon law notice to toyota this week with one last chance to repair. If unsuccesful, will be filing for arbitration to receive a refund.
Suspension is rough while driving at 65 MPH or greater, causing the passengers to become nauseated by the motion of the vehicle. Dealer says there is no remedy for this problem.
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