Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured near the passenger side air bag. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 10 of 11: complaints 251 to 280 of 310, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Have seen extreme rust on my frame, so bad I can pick off chunks with my hand. I know toyota is in denial but what is really being done over this issue.
The frame of the vehicle is completely rusted to the point where it will not pass inspection.
Rust eat my frame into
Bought 4th generation 4runner in 1-15 from dealer after owning 4 prior 3rd generation ones and this one is plagued with excessive rust beyond normal wear in frame (some holes), suspension, steering rack and shaft, brake components, virtually everything steel under the body has rusted excessively while body remains rust free. I know 95-03 tacomas and tundras were under frame and brake line recall due to same issue but from the huge number of postings on internet of problem being just as bad if not worse in 3rd and 4th generation 4runner. Yes the frames were a different style but the frames in these 4runners are even worse as problems with rust due to design are eating their way from inside out making it more of a silent killer as it goes unnoticed until rust breaches all the way thru frame and by that point it is not only unsafe to drive, it has been unsafe to drive for a long time before getting to that point. This is major problem as noted in 1000's if not more noted cases on internet forums and toyota refuses to take responsibility leaving all these people stuck with them and their families and kids that they put in these potential death traps at risk of frame, brake, steering, suspension failures that could result in loss of vehicle control, accidents, and deaths. I've cleaned, sprayed rust preventative oils and paints on areas of concern and rust makes its way back thru in weeks time. The many of owners with this issue are stuck without resources to buy another daily driver and have no choice but to take chance with the uncertainty of potential failure at anytime. Toyota is aware and obviously knew they had rust issue with other model years but they know they have same issues with newer models not included on original frame rust recall and its time they are forced to step up and take responsibility for the faulty frames and underbody steel components.
These vehicles are plagued by rust on the frame and components attached to the frames. There is the potential that this can cause a hazard due to failure of critical components of the vehicle. This issue effects multiple vehicles and is not an isolated incident. Frames degrade just like the ones on the tacoma yet no action is being taken to ensure the safety of 4runner owners.
There is excessive rust/corrosion on the frame of the truck. The skid plates completely rusted off the truck in 2010. The transmission lines have corroded to the point they have to be replaced. The engine oil cooler and radiator supports have rusted through. The exhaust rusted off the truck in 2010 as well. Currently there is extensive corrosion on the frame of the truck and the suspension components. These issues appeared in 2010 and I have been fighting them ever since. Mechanically the truck runs great, never a problem, however the vehicle's frame is disintegrating due to corrosion.
Frame has rust holes in front cross member that runs under radiator. Tow hook is unusable. Professional inspection of entire frame indicated that frame has numerous rust spots that are unsafe. All frame attached undercarriage components are so rusted that removal of parts is is impossible. Cannot find any welding shops that are willing to weld the frame to keep it from total failure in the future. The body panels are rust free. I believe the vehicle's frame should have lasted a lot longer than 11 years . Dealership will not replace or warranty the excessive rust problem. I believe this problem is a safety issue that should be addressed by toyota.
Excessive rust and corrosion to the point where my skid plate came off and transmission fluid lines broke apart, leading to major leak and fix - luckily it came off in driveway and not on highway where someone could have been significantly injured. Shocks have holes in them from rust and corrosion, as do support bars and frame. Can break off pieces of the frame in my hand without effort. Concerned that frame could crack, support components could fail while driving because of corrosion. Other toyota models have been recalled for rust, using the same components but assembled in different factories than the 4runner and land cruiser models, to my understanding. This is a safety issue that toyota must address before anyone is seriously injured.
Suv is unsafe to drive due to excessive rusting of frame and all other undercarriage metal parts. Frame integrity is seriously compromised. Rust is exponentiating over time. Rust leaching to other majors parts like the exhaust. Transmission, radiator, AC, wheels, brakes, exhaust, steering, etc all are compromised and failing due to rust. This has been going on for years. Radiator replaced. Ac leaking. Oct 2011 heat shield rust noted by toyota. Feb. 2014 heat shields were removed by toyota. They claimed that the truck doesn't need the heat shields. They did not mention the frame rusting or the lifetime exhaust rusting. They did not mention that this is a common issue with 4runners. I have always had issues with that service dept. But the only other toyota is worse. This issue needs serious recall asap. I think these trucks will start failing and causing deaths soon. Numerous issues with this truck over the years all may be due to rust. Brakes don't seem to last and the truck is hardly used. I believe rust is interfering with the brakes.
My 2004 4runner with $144k miles was recently discovered to have a six inch hole in the frame due to rust, and based on md safety inspection requirements, this vehicle presents a significant safety hazard and can not be registered. The dealership informed me the repair would be a complete frame replaced at a cost of $18-20k. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously throughout it's life with mostly dealership maintenance and at no time did any mechanic or service department mention excessive rust or holes in the frame. I spoke to toyota customer service and although they have recall programs for tacoma and sequoia vehicles due to similar frame rusting problems, they are unwilling to acknowledge that any flaw exists with excessive corrosion in the 4runner models. It appears to me that toyota has a serious safety problem related to this generation of 4runners, and since they are unwilling to even acknowledge the problem exists, it appears this is an issue that requires governmental/the federal safety agency intervention. I can't imagine how many other 4runners are on the road with similar compromised frames, and I would hate to see an accident due to frame failure at high speed or during tight cornering. Please look into this issue to prevent any inadvertent injury or death.
The frame of my 2004 toyota 4runner has considerable rust that exceeds normal wear and age. Considering the recall associated with the tacoma of the same year it seems prudent and responsible for toyota to stand by their reliability slogan and remedy this situation, as there are many others in the same condition as mine.
Frame has started rusting near welds and holes. Very poor prevention of rust by toyota. Skid plates totally rusted out and fuzed bolts. Rear diff housing is also rusty. Car will probably fall apart in a year or two.
Took my 2004 toyota 4runner sr5 to local toyota dealer for inpsection and maintenance. Left dealer thinking truck was in great shape. When changing brakes, noticed an cv joint boot was torn so took the truck to a mechanic to have the axle replaced (since they don't just replace the boot anymore). The mechanic called me as soon as he put the truck up on a lift and informed me that there was serious rust issues down the passenger side of the frame that could be a safety issue. The weld along the whole passenger side of the frame seems to have rusted out and there is a hole the whole length of the frame. There are also additional holes toward the front that are rather large in size. Called toyota, not the toyota dealer, and they gave me a case number and suggested I take the vehicle to my local dealer for an inspection and diagnosis. When I asked what would happen upon a bad diagnosis, they stated nothing because there are currently no recalls or campaigns for the toyota 4runners only the tacomas, tundras and sequoia's. I believe that this is a serious safety issue and toyota should be responsible for correcting this isssue before causing people serious injury or even death. I am terrified with my daughter driving this vehicle and would think toyota should step up to ensure the safety of their vehicle owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame support member was corroded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,540. Ma 10/2 updated 10/18/2017
Extensive frame rust. Unsafe body structure. Multiple holes in the frame due to rust issue.
We have a melting dash in our 4 runner. It can burn to the touch and has progressively gotten worse over past year. It is sticky to touch also and has a bad odor also. We made complaint to toyota but no offer to repair. I called dealerships and they said they have been notified of the problem but toyota corp has not given them approval for parts to replace. I am concerned about summer months getting hotter and it making our airbags go off or dash could catch on fire.
Took my 2004 toyota 4runner for a oil change and free 28 point vehicle inspection. Was told by the authorized toyota dealer that the frame was rusted broken and had holes similar to the tacoma recall. Called toyota california and all the would do is offer a $500 service allowance to one of my other toyota's (camry) the car is in great shape and now will not even pass inspection. I have gone to other web sites and found many other 2004 4runners with the same problem.
Dashboard cover developed hairline surface cracks. Dashboard cover was still soft to touch and retained a sponge type feel. The thin skin of over the sponge-like core is what cracked. Other complaints for this same issue are reported on toyota owners forum web pages. The dashboard cover is defective.
The dash board of the vehicle has cracked from one side to the other with multiple cracks in the cover over the passenger air bag. I am concerned whether this will affect the performance of the passenger air bag if it should need to deploy.
Went in for a oil change and was offered a 28 point inspection. At dealership, ira toyota, milford, ma 28 point inspection tells us there is holes and rust in the frame and the vehicle would not pass inspection. This 4runner has been kept in mint condition with receipts to prove. Did some research on line to learn many 4runners and tundra's have been recalled for just this reason. Updated 7/23/15*cn *tr updated 9/20/2017
Severe cracks on dash panel on passenger airbag and whole dash.
Front support frame under radiator rusted through. The local toyota dealer told me this is a common problem and there is no fix. The vehicle is unsafe to drive and the question is how would this hold up in a frontal crash. The vehicle has a little over 85,000 miles and this happens. It is in a area where salt is used. Many of these vehicles are on the road, many like me would not have known of a broken frame unless the skid plate was removed.there was also an issue with the transmission lines running along the frame listed in another complaint.
The dashboard on my toyota is cracking real bad. It gets worse each year. I have talked to several people with 4 runners and they are having the same problem as well. I am very concerned about the safety of my airbags.
Vehicle has abnormal amount of rust on frame metal parts with excessive chipping an corrosion. Also, of almost more concern is that the airbag sensors are completely rotted through, as if they were sacrificial anodes. Frame failure due to abnormal rust could cause a catastrophic accident. Sensor failure of the airbag sensors (behind front bumper) while driving could cause serious injury or death to driver or other cars on the road. I have never seen anything like this amount of corrosion.
Dashboard has started cracking on passenger side. Now it has spread all across the dash to the driver side. I'm worried the airbags may deploy. This truck is in pristine condition and kept in a garage when home and under covered parking at work. I also have a 2003 tundra with more miles and dashboard is fine. The tundra is not parked covered. My mother has a 1997 toyota corolla. Parked in the sun all day in texas. Dashboard is fine. This has to be a toyota quality issue on 2003 and 2004 4-runners. Online these are the year models that seem to have this issue.
I have a toyota tacoma 4 door 4 cly pick up..I was on the internet and just notice a recall about brakes,,is my truck included in this recall? And another I have never got any letter or anything telling me about any recalls on my truck and I see here there has been recall for front ball joints and crack frames ,,,seat belt problems..I was in shock..so what do I do can they still fix any problems if any and check my truck..thank you
Vehicle frame is rotted and unsafe had it looked at , my auto shop said it is unsafe cannot sell the car in the condition of the frame I have owned it for 4 years and it has always been in a heated garage through the winters, have taken good care of the vehicle the only way I found out the frame was rusted was I had new brakes installed and they told me the frame on the vehicle was rotted out. Very unsafe to drive but it is my only vehicle so I have no choice but to drive it , have tried to sell it to dealers and no one will buy it with the condition of the frame toyota needs to do something about this matter.
The frame has rusted thru making holes and if not repaired will be unsafe to drive. Toyota has not offered a recall which is criminal because there are so many that have this problem. All of their other similar vehicles of all ages have "recalls" but they refuse to do so as "yet" on the 04. Dealers and body shops and internet searches site thousands of these 4runners are affected.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4 runner. The contact stated the entire frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and stated that it could not be repaired. The manufacturer was unaware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
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