Toyota truck frame corrosion upon installation of failed suspension components on my 2004 toyota 4runner, my independent mechanic informed me of substantial frame corrosion. I contacted lynch toyota with my concerns, lynch toyota inspected my 4runner and found substantial frame corrosion, vehicle deemed unsafe, and should not be driven in any capacity, frame replacement recommended by lynch toyota in manchester connecticut. The steering shaft is frozen and binding due to corrosion. The suspension components are in jeopardy of breaking away from corroding frame. Toyota refuses to include vehicle in frame replacement program offered to all other body on frame constructed trucks. 4runner frames are failing in the same way as tacoma, sequoia and tundra, yet toyota claims that no program is in place to assist you, sorry for your troubles was toyota's response when contacted by phone on two occasions post inspection of my 4runner by lynch toyota.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 32 of 32, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving on the highway my car went out of alignment due to a rotten torsion bar mount. The entire frame also has lots of rot
My 2004 toyota 4 runner is in the dealer for routine maintenance. Most of the car maintenance have been at this local toyota dealership. I just had the cv boots and sway bar bushings replaced this past spring and summer. I have the records for these particular maintenance and repair. My service mechanic mentioned there is significant amount of rust on the frame/ chassis. On september 7, the mechanic at the same dealership showed me again the excessive rust on the frame. It is so severe, one of the loops for towing the truck in the front of the frame just broke off. I attached the picture of the broken hook/loop in this document. The truck has 102,000 miles on it. It is mostly in the garage if not being used. I understand that other models in the same years like the toyota tacoma & toyota seqoiua have the same excessive rust but there is an already recall program for these models. Do the 4 runner from the same years have the same frames. Why is there no recall for the 4 runner for the excessive rust isssue which can be a safety problem for the driver and the passengers? The mechanic does not reccomend me driving this car due to the excessive rust. The mechanic warned me that rust is so excessive that my radiator can just fall off because the part of the frame holding it in place is so corroded from rust. I am hoping toyota can address this issue sooner than later. It is a safety issue.
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.
Power steering is hard when you are making turns
The u-joint in my year, and many other years close to the same period, rusts out in the bearings and requires replacement. This makes the steering significantly difficult. Here is just one, of many, websites dedicated to this problem. I am having mine fixed next week but the general consensus is that this is a major fault of toyota and it should be recalled, here is the website: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/87941-common-steering-problem.html thanks, dan
When vehicle is driven over a rough road there is a rattle sound coming from steering column..no rattle on smooth roads like highways.......its been doing this for a long time,yrs....seems like something is loose in steering column
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.
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.
2004 toyota 4runner limited, has excessive chassis rust and rotted out at some point on the sub frame, contacted the dealer and there is no recall available also called toyota and recall is not available.I am afraid that the chassis will break and cause an accident.
Front caliper seize up l/f and r/f 3 incidents 11/2012 02/2015 06/2015
Major rust on frame and other mechanical parts. Not exposed to salt does not occur with my other vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4 runner. The contact was driving 20 MPH when the steering wheel failed and became stiff without warning. The contact mentioned that the driver was able to regain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the linkage to the steering knuckle was fractured and as a result, the steering knuckle, stabilizer bar, steering linkage, upper and lower control arms, wheel and bearings, and the rotors would need replacing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 66,000.
2004 toyota 4runner. Consumer states there was a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel while turning right or left *tgw the noise was a faint clicking, increasing only slightly in volume over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an inspection revealed the inner shaft showed grooves where the bearing race had cut into the steering shaft to the extent where it could have caused complete steering lock-up at any time. The consumer was informed that the entire steering column needed to be replaced.
I have a 2004 4 runner I recently have had a steering vibration that is making me crazy it flutters around 55 to 65 I have gone to different dealers and independent shops plus I have done lots of testing with no luck on a permanent fix I have researched the internet for 6 months since the problem really started the only thing I can find is this tsb st001r-05 050908 steering that relates to my problem I have had 9 new sets of tires and a set of new wheels and all new suspension no matter what I do I can not get rid of the flutter it some times perfectly smooth even over bumps sometimes it is wobbling all over I have already encountered a collision due to this issue it was just a fender bender no major damage but the only thing left for me to do is find out more on this tsb I discovered I really like my 4 runner but I cant have this death trap putting people in jeopardy please help with any info thanks.
Vibration is felt in steering wheel at highway speeds (55 MPH or higher). This is especially present when steering wheel is turned slightly to the right. Have had tires rebalanced with no change in vibration. Problem has been with vehicle since purchase. Tire replacement and rotation does not correct vibration.
While turning the vehicle the power strerring became unstable (hard to turn - then lose) causing the SUV to hit a pole, damaging the corner right bumber.
While turning the vehicle the power strerring became unstable (hard to turn - then lose) causing the SUV to hit a pole, damaging the corner right bumber.
Vibration through steering wheel at rpms b/w 1600-2300, increased with speed.
This is an e-mail I sent toyota headquarters: I have had my new 2004 4runner limited back to the dealership (ron carter, alvin, tx.) 4 times before I even had 500 miles on the vehicle. The reason is because of steering wheel oscillation/vehicle vibrations between 55 and 70 MPH. The dealership re-balanced the wheels and tires that came with the vehicle (dunlap grandtrek at20) twice without any luck. I then had them upgrade the tires (for and additional $420) to michelin tires. This didn't solve the problem either. I then brought vehicle back in one more time the following monday for another attempt to fix the problem. No luck again. All of this took place within 7 days of me taking ownership of the vehicle. Every time I took it in for this investigation, the service department told me that the problem was fixed (all 4 times). It was not fixed! I had the technician who balanced the tires (his name was tracy) drive the vehicle and he too noticed the steering wheel oscillation/shimmy. One of the service advisors (her name was kim) also drove the vehicle after a different attempt to solve the problem and noticed the same concern. 9/8/04 I'm still waiting on the toyota regional office to contact me back like they promised to get this problem resolved. I really like this vehicle and would like to get this problem fixed. I'm not sure what to do next (lemon law?). I am writing toyota to see what else can be done to solve this issue that the dealership could not. Fyi - the more I drive the vehicle in this condition, the more damage it's doing to my "new" tires as well as premature wear to the steering/suspension components. Fyi-still waiting for them to contact me back for resolution.
Steering wheel vibrates around 45-60 MPH. It is a pronounced vibration that is uncomfortable to drive with.
Complaint involves toyota , 2004 4runner. Noticed slight vibration in steering wheel at 62-64 MPH. Had wheels and tires rotated and balanced at 6000 miles. Problem continued. Had tires balanced again but no success. New set of michelin tires ordered but have not been put on. Also, am radio stations experiencing extreme static when driving over blacktop roads. Does not occur while driving on concrete roads. Is not affected on fm stations. Service manager will explore when tires are replaced.
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