Excessive frame rust, including holes, and general rust all around the frame. Specifically in the front and rear.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER body complaints
Page 8 of 11: complaints 191 to 220 of 310, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We purchased a 2004 toyota 4 runner in may of 2017. The dealer informed us that his mechanic had checked the vehicle over and was in good shape and should last us a long time. On august 14, 2018 I drive the vehicle to a toyota dealership approximately 70 miles away to have diagnostics run on it for an issue with the 4-wheel drive. After placing the vehicle on a lift and checking it out, he had us step into the shop with the vehicle still on the lift to show us what he found. The frame had multiple rust hole through the frame and one running vertically along the transmission frame bracket. It was so bad he made us sign a waiver releasing the dealership from liability before he would let us leave with it. This is a limited edition, 2004 toyota 4 runner with a little over 156,000 miles on it. I feel that toyota should stand behind their products as apparently this is a well-known issue with these vehicles. We have had our grandchildren in this vehicle and the frame could have collapsed at anytime causing death or injury to any or all of us. We bought it because of toyota's reputation which at this point is not worthy of anything when they don't stand behind it. This issue should have been addressed before the frames reach this point of being beyond repair.
The outside of my 4runner is rust free. The frame however has extensive rust issues. I have had to have sections cut out and rewelded because it would not pass inspection. The steering column rusted out and had to be replaced because the steering stopped responding.
Rust on the frame including the rear bumper, crack in the dashboard from drivers side over to the center of car. Drivers seat excessive movement at attachment between seat back and base on external portion of seat. The vehicle was parked at various times when inspected. Repainted rims that paint had flaked and peeled.
The frame is rusted really bad. The bracket that holds the rear passenger side lower control are has rusted off making me tie it up and making it useless. The frame has several places that the rust has ate large holes in it. If you need me to I can mail pictures to you. I bought this 4runner brand new. I contacted toyota about this problem and they told me that the warranty has expired but that if I bought a new toyota then they would give me a 1000 dollar rebate as a goodwill gesture. I do not want the 1000 dollar goodwill rebate, I want my 4runner fixed.
My frame for my 2004 4runner are rotting and rusting away making it unsafe for me to drive.
My name is [xxx], I am here because of rusted frames I was just told today by aaa mechanic center in skoki illinois that I can not drive my 4runner home because isn't safe for drive, and they show me the frames both sides are rusted and I took the car to 6042 n western ave chicago il 60659 (773‑728‑5000) chicago nothside toyota at western ave and peterson in chicago illinois immediately and I was told isn't on recall. I contacted consumer affairs already and I will go to secretary of state on monday with the pictures to alert other owners. I will draft a letter to send with the pictures to the state representative as soon as possible because this need immediately attention. This SUV is beautiful in and out but when they lifted the car up I was screaming because both frames was rusted. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Severe frame rusting, with holes, some as long as 6", and would not pass pennsylvania inspection. Had to have welded in 6 different sections.center front toe, left and right front harness, left and right frame center, and left rear frame end. The garage and autobody shop said toyota should be recalling the 4 runners for frame rust, not just the tacoma, tundra and sequoias. They have seen the severe rusting of the frame in the 4 runners. I have read numerous complaints of the 4 runner frame rusting. This is a dangerous situation!!! It needs to be addressed.
I just discovered that the frame on my 4runner is severely rusted due to low quality steel. Several mechanics have observed the frame and all of them have told me it is unsafe to drive. I have a 2003 toyota land cruiser and its frame is in great condition. Both cars have been garaged and operated in the same conditions. The frame rust is so bad, it is difficult to get the car up on a lift to perform oil changes, etc. The main concern is safety. If the car is in an accident, I was told that it would not provide any protection from a side or front impact.
My 2004 toyota 4runner was not able to get a brake job because the frame was rusted, rear trailing arm brackets broken off, differential housing on both sides broken, holes in frame right side. Totally rusted and unsafe to drive.
The frame and structure have rusted from the inside out to an alarming degree. Specifically at the frame weld points in midsection and the rear attachments to axle. It is a safety hazard and it has rusted far more quickly and dramatically than any of the other components. None of my other vehicles have deteriorated in this way.
Flaking rusty frame. Any undercarriage scratch immediately rusts
2004 toyota 4runner with significant rust on the underbody including frame. The vehicle is stationary but was deemed unsafe to drive due to frame damage. It has been well maintained and there are no other issues aside from significant rust damage.
The 4runner was well cared for and the frame has rotted to nothing in under 15 years. It is extremely unsafe and is the same issue present in the tacoma's and other toyota full frame vehicles. The rust develops early and in the same spots on all models. It spreads rapidly and compromises the entire frame making he vehicle unsafe to drive. I believe toyota has shown a pattern of neglect reguarding the manufacture of their vehicle frames and the 4runner is no exception.
I am the original owner of 04 v8 4runner sport and it just passed the 200,000 mile mark. The SUV runs great still, but the frame is rusting out so bad that it is becoming dangerous to drive. We had to weld a patch for the radiator support and the front tow/tie down hook broke off, the entire frame is rotting out from the inside out. There are holes in the frame.this is an known issue for toyota and don't know why they didn't recall the 4runner when they recalled the other toyotas of the same year. I would like to be part of a class action lawsuit. I have 2 other trucks 1988 f250 and 2004 f550 that have no rusted out holes in the frames only surface rust. So it isn't just because I live in ny.
The frame has rusted on the passenger side where the frame is welded together. The chicago northside toyota dealer found it while doing work on my vehicle. It is about a 3 inch hole on the outside of the frame and there is also a rusted hole on the opposite side near the brackets. Please see pictures attached. They told me it is unsafe to drive. They tried to get toyota to fix it because the sequoia and tundra have similar problems and were recalled. However toyota declined.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was parked, cracks were seen in the dashboard. The dealer (zt motors of fort walton beach, 1000 n beal pkwy nw, fort walton beach, fl 32547, (850) 863-2167) was contacted, but the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 22,000. *tt updated 9/26/18
2004 v8 4 runner with only 62,000 mi.,frame fracture right rear @ lower control arm attachment point. Left rear of frame missing two sides @ wheel well and large hole at lower control arm attachment. Advised by mechanic not to drive the truck. This is the same issue toyota had with the tacoma and tundra trucks of the same years. The frame is rusted to the point that the suspension that attaches to it will fall off. The rest of the vehicle has no rust and runs perfectly.. It was never in any accident and the paint and body are like new, but the frame members are completely rusted out. I would have never known about this dangerous condition if wasn't for my mechanic finding this during a routine maintenance.visit.
Total vehicle frame is rusted through. Not safe to drive
Frame is rusting out creating a driving hazard which could result in injury to driver and or passengers
Toyota dashboard cracking / melting after toyota extended warranty ze6 closed out. This needs to be a recall I have seen dashboards that have melted and cause window glare. Which affects drives ability to see.
My 2004 well-maintained toyota 4runner's, with 170,000 miles, frame rusted so badly that it wouldn't pass the nys inspection. The frame on this SUV is the same frame as the recalled 2004 toyota tacoma's, which were able to have there frames replaced due to rusting issues.
I have a 2004 toyota 4runner that I believe is too dangerous to drive due to the severely rusted frame. I have attached some photos to see for yourself. I contacted toyota twice to see if there's anything they could do and there was nothing. They told me to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. Also I have had cars longer than this truck that have no frame rust and I live in the same area. Therefore it can't be caused by the area I live in.
Vehicle frame has holes around high stress areas from severe rust and corrosion.
Upon visual inspection frame found rusted through on right side just forward of rear axle and appears to have rusted from inside. Suspect low quality steel was used. Excessive rust on entire frame. Body and mechanical systems are in excellent shape with 120,000 miles. Toyota should be responsible for repairs as frame should last for 20 years.
Frame rusting badly. Front cross member already completely rusted through.
2004 4runner. Frame is extremely rusted and truck will become dangerous to operate in the very near future. Truck is garage kept and well maintained. No body rust or other issues. 100,500 miles.
The frame of the 4runner is rusting through and has cracks, and holes. It is becoming unsafe. This is not surface rust, but the frames are literally rusting away. Toyota needs to replace these frames as they did the tacoma's from the same year that were a similar, if not identical frame.
Frame and rear axle housing rust - caused the upper control arms, which prevent rotation of the rear axel, to disconnect from the housing/frame. Also, steering has become stiff and bumpy as you turn the wheel. This may be due to front crossmember rust or rust on the steering universal joint.
Frame recall needed. I have bad rust in my frame despite regular washings and care taken. Is it a widespread problem and it is unsafe to drive. Please help!
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