Severe frame rust on 2004 4runner sr5 sport. Suspension rust, steering components rust. Holes in vehicle frame due to rust. I went to two mechanics that told me that this rust was beyond reasonable for normal rust on frame, they both stated it may become dangerous and to contact toyota directly. The vehicle is becoming dangerous to drive due to possibly of failing components and or frame.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER suspension complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 113, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Frame rust to an unsafe level at low miles and far before any other oxidation formed. By 120,000 miles, frame had severe rust, corroded completely through front and rear tow hook sections, lower radiator support, and large sections of main frame rails (worse towards rear near suspension mounting). Body doesn't even have the beginning of any rust/oxidation on underside or exterior, but all frame and suspension components are corroding severely at an accelerated rate. Attached images are after removing loose rust with wire wheel to see true structural damage.
Toyota 4 runner has developed severe corrosion of the frame and has been deemed unsafe to operate. Vehicle has been regularly washed and maintained by single owner. Vehicle has not been used for off-road driving. Vehicle has not been in a collision. State safety inspector advised owner that there have been a large number of complaints about frame corrosion of 2004 toyotas and that this vehicle may be subject to a recall notice. Safety inspector stated that frame corrosion of this nature is highly unusual and should be reported to the federal safety agency. Vehicle is not used along coast nor been subjected to immersion in salt water.
Vehicle frame is severely corroded and is unsafe to drive.
This well maintained vehicle had been functioning flawlessly up to this point. Our son was on his way home and vehicle felt unstable and started to veer in both directions. He maintained control of the vehicle and was able to get home. I personally drove the vehicle upon his description and sure enough it seemed very unstable. After close examination, it was determined that the frame had separated at a location which left a drivers side rear stabilizer bar detached from the frame. The frame of the vehicle is completely deteriorating and flaking apart. The vehicle is unsafe to drive. We purchased this one owner vehicle for our son. We owned a toyota sequoia that gave us safe reliable transportation for our family for many years and thought this 4runner would be a safe and reliable vehicle for our son to go off to college. The body and mechanics of the vehicle were very sound. Now, to find out, because of the inferior frame, the vehicle is worthless. We are out the money we paid for the vehicle and disheartened by toyota's response that our vehicle was not part of the frame recall that was a known problem and safety issue for so many owners. This could have turned out to be a life threatening situation if he had not been able to bring the vehicle under control. We understand rust & corrosion, but this is extreme. I have owned many different brands of vehicles and have never seen anything like this. This frame is literally crumbling away leaving a beautiful vehicle to waste.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely corroded which caused the tow bar to fracture and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the severity of the corrosion. The contact was informed of the potential for the rear wheels to detach from the vehicle due to the corrosion. The contact reached out to a-1 toyota (50 amity rd, new haven, ct 06515, (877) 734-6467) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Truck has been well cared for and has 330k miles on it. Always clean and maintained properly by myself and previous owners. Frame is showing signs of excessive rust in the front between the wheels and at almost all of the welded areas. Some areas of frame are coming off in chunks as it appears to be rotting from the inside out. This is also affecting fuel/brake likes as well as suspension components. Pictures can be sent upon request. Family has the car at the moment.
My frame is rotted out from the inside out. Front radiator support is completely rusted out. Vehicle only has 105,000 miles. Toyota should be responsible for replacing the frame. According to the petition to investigate, 4runner owners claim the frames experience excessive corrosion and the same type of frames were cited in a previous $3.4 billion class-action lawsuit. Included in the lawsuit were about 1.5 million tacoma, tundra and sequoia trucks, but the petitioner says the 4runner should have been included but the attorneys didn't think there were enough customer complaints. The federal safety agency says it couldn't identify any crashes or injuries related to rusted frames or suspensions, but owners have complained about almost losing control of the suvs due to rusted axles and frames. Please do something about this as this is my only vehicle.
Severe rust on frame and suspension attachment points. Rust is not superficial but rusting from inside of frame tubes.
Takata recall, the radiator mount and frame supports are rusted out, also the rear shock and air suspension mounts are rusted out. Vehicle was in motion when shock mount broke.
I own a 2004 toyota 4runner with significant rust on the frame that has nearly rusted through in some areas. Through my research I determined that this has been an ongoing issue for many toyota vehicles close to the 2004 model year. Apparently the frame was not properly coated and rust has grown on my vehicle as well as many others at a much faster rate than is typically expected. I am worried about the safety of my vehicle as a result.
Frame rust in 2 areas; mechanic deemed unsafe to drive
'frame rust' frame rusted in 2 areas and mechanic deemed unsafe to drive.
Frame has rotted and has been declared unsafe to drive.
Premature rusting if the frame and other components of the vehicle. Driving could be or turn into a safety hazard.
The frame on my 2004 toyota is very rusty. It is completely cracked through near the front passenger suspension. My mechanic has warned me not to drive the vehicle anymore. See pics
Excessive frame rust. Replaced complete rear end in 2013. Told by hyannis toyota that it was unsafe to drive because of excessive rust. The rear end is now rusted out again in 2019 and needs replacing. In april 2019 could not have suspension replaced until frame welding was completed. Additional work of cutting out rear upper trailing arm brackets and weld in place and fabricate fuel tank strap mount and weld in place. Complete frame and underside of this vehicle is completely rusted out. We had this work down because the gas tank was falling out and we could not drive this vehicle.
Frame and suspension rust has weakened the parts to the point of failure. Rear upper control arm mounting bracket on rear axle broke while driving on highway while going around a turn. Vehicle's rear wobbled back and forth violently. I almost lost control of the vehicle. There are other pieces that look close to failure.
The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4runner as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know I'm driving home & I loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! Everything rotten! Why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?
Excessive frame rot/rust
Was driving to work going 50 MPH braked to come to a stop and the back end started to turn almost had an accident. Frame is completely rusted out. Too dangerous to drive.
Takata recall frame is completely rusted. Causing all the undercarriage to rust out and make the vehicle very dangerous to drive. Even the body is starting to rust away. Only has 116,000 miles on it which is crazy.
Rust crack in frame right front at core support. Cracks in dashboard.
Since buying my forerunner used in 2015 I have only brought it to the dealership for maintenance bed inspections with toyota professional mechanics. Upon bringing my vehicle in for a routine oil change and inspection I was told that the frame is rusted out and unsafe to drive. I was shocked and upset as I've only used a trusted toyota professional mechanics and somehow they seem to have overlooked a frame that was completely rusting out and therefore putting my life and my children's lives in harms way. I contacted toyota headquarters to no avail, they claimed there's nothing they can do as there are no recalls. However I feel they are responsible for their professional mechanics overlooking such a serious issue but yet having no problem with me continuing to put money into this vehicle as I planned on owning it for quite some time. After the frame rust was pointed out my steering then separated from the suspension while driving home being a single mother and having only one vehicle I had no choice but to try to drive it I am extremely upset and this is completely unacceptable
Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.
Rear frame rusted through. I was driving and a piece holding the suspension together rusted off the frame. The vehicle was in motion and it felt like it was going to tip over. It also felt like the front and back wheels were going in different directions. Apparently a very common issue.
I just took the car for annual state safety inspection. It failed and the inspector said it is unsafe to drive. The part of the frame that connects the right front and right rear suspension is so rusted that the car is unsafe to drive. We have been driving this vehicle with no knowledge of this hazard.
Excessive rust is compromising steering control.
My 16 year old daughter was driving on a city street and was turning into a driveway and the lower control arm on passenger side broke and I was told it was because the frame is rotted. Not sure if I am able to fix due to the frame. I am new to the northeast and was not aware of rotted frames out here.
I took vehicle in for brake repair, the mechanic noted excessive frame rust and cautioned that it may be unsafe to continue to operate the vehicle with out remedy. Recommended thousands of dollars worth of repair work. I am the second owner of the 4runner, but the SUV spent most of its life in arizona, away from harsh winters and salted roads. Loyal toyota customer, but very disappointing because I planned to keep this SUV until it was vintage, but now I am afraid to drive it or sell it to someone else.
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