2001 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passenger’s side of the vehicle unintendedly lowered. The vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the ball joint was touching the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.

Rusted Frame Cracked by back driver side tire

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND IS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

I bought my 4Runner in 2021 and am just now getting ready to sell it. Did a carfax report and it shows a possible odometer rollback that the previous owner did in 2020. When I bought the vehicle it was my understanding that the vehicle had only 160,000 miles on it but it apparently had 236,900 miles. Because of this I’ve had to make countless repairs as I was under the impression that the vehicle had much less wear. Was researching what to do in this scenario and learned that this was the best place to report the incident.

THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS UNABLE TO BE INSPECTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.

THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN BREAK SOME OF IT OFF IN OUR HAND. RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THIS REQUIRED WELDING TO SOME SECTIONS IN ORDER TO KEEP DRIVING. THE WELDING WILL ONLY KEEP ME ON THE ROAD FOR NOW BUT THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME IS VERY DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 205,000 MILES ON IT BUT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND MAINTAINED TO ALL OTHER STANDARDS. THE AUTO SHOP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST THIS MUCH. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THE YEAR AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. I NEED THIS CAR SO I HAD THE GARAGE REPAIR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTING THE OIL CHANGE. THE IMAGES ATTACHED WERE AFTER THE WORK AS THEY HAD TO GRIND OUT THE RUSTED SECTIONS AND REPLACE WITH WELDED STEEL. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE TOOK FOR MASS INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO ROTTED FRAME WAS TOLD NOT ROAD WORTHY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE CALLED TOYOTA THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ON REPAIR VEHICLE HAS 145K MILES ON NOW VEHICLE DOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY OLDER GENTLEMAN I PURCHASED FROM WILL NOT ASSIST EITHER SPENT $4K NEED ASSISTANCE IF POSSIBLE PLEASE AND THANKS

I JUST PURCHASED A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ALL SEEMED FINE .BUT WHEN I WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS STARTING IT HAD FRAME RUST THROUGH. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO SAID AND I ALSO READ ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA TRUCKS HAVE A FRAME RECALL BUT MINE DOES NOT. AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. OTHERS HAD THE FRAME REPLACED, REPAIRED OR BOUGHT BACK. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP ME.

ENTERED HIGHWAY FROM ON RAMP AS PICKED UP SPEED STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND BEGAN TO LOOSE CONTROL OF SUV. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO SHOP TO FIND EXCESSIVE RUST ON BACK FRAME N SHOCK CAUSING WHEEL TO 'BASICALLY BE FREE FLOATING AND UNATTACHED' THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN SHOP AT MOMENT AND I CAN GET PICTURES AND A STATEMENT UPON REQUEST

FIRST THERE WERE 3 RECALLS 1. 135468 2. 135469 AND 3. 135469 DATING BACK TO 2005 THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF AND I HAVE A VERY BAD CORRUGATED METAL BUMPERS AND WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I HIT A BUMP OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED AND IT HASN'T HELPED

DEALER DECLINE TO DO A TRANSFER CASE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE TRAILING ARM MOUNT IS ALMOST GONE. DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE FRAME WILL BREAK THROUGH. I WILL NEED TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE

I NOTICED A PRETTY DISTINCT WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 $RUNNER ON THE HIGHWAY RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMAED MY THE FRAME HAS A 1 INCH WIDE 18 INCH LONG HOLE FROM RUST. THE MECHANIC SAYS THEY CAN WELD IT TO POSSIBLY GIVE IT SOME MORE TIME TO LIVE BUT THAT IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB. THERE VERY WELL COULD BE RUST ON THE FRAME HIDDEN BEHIND THE GAS TANK, BUT I AM UNABLE TO LOOK BEHIND IT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKE WHEN NOT PROPERLY COATING THESE FRAMES. THEY RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE 4RUNNER.

MY 2001 TACOMA HAD FRAME RUST ISSUES LAST YEAR. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE REPAIR TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED. THEY WOULD HAVE GLADLY SOLD ME A NEW TRUCK. SORRY, NO CAN DO. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A WELD SHOP AND HAD THE FRAME PATCHED WITH NEW STEEL. PROBLEM FIXED. I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE MECHANIC'S AFTER LEARNING THAT HE CAN'T INSPECT IT BECAUSE OF THE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME! IT JUST RUSTED AROUND THE PATCHES. JUNK PRICE IS WAY LOW BUT WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE?

FRAME RUST ON MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. SUSPENSION SHOT RIGHT THROUGH ROTTED FRAME. FRAME HAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF RUST. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE SUSPENSION PENETRATED RIGHT THROUGH THE ROTTED RUSTED FRAME.

EXTREME FRAME RUST. HUSBAND SAYS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE BODY LOOKS GREAT, THE FRAME, WHERE WE CAN SEE IT, IS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION, WITH HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE METAL. NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT IT'S OMINOUS TO KNOW IN A COLLISION THIS VEHICLE WOULD CRUMPLE LIKE PAPER. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SERIOUS FRAME RUST FOR OTHER YEARS OF TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE AND SAFETY CONCERN TO THE GROWING LIST OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS FACING THE SAME FRAME DISINTEGRATION.

TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED AND SHOULD TAKE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA INDICATED THAT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR MODEL VEHICLE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SO I HAVE A MECHANICALLY GOOD VEHICLE THAT I CAN NOT USE DUE TO RUSTED FRAME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHWAY TOYOTA (727 NEW LOUDON RD, LATHAM, NY 12110, (888) 885-1583) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO COVER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ECHOED THE DEALER'S STATEMENT AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: 1809211044. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE .THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE FRAME RUST ON THE 4 RUNNERS AND TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP WITH THE PROBLEM

EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO FRAME AND RELATED CHASSIS COMPONENTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN 2001 AND SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE ALL THESE YEARS AND NEVER MENTIONED FRAME RUST,UNTIL WE HAD IT SERVICED AT A LOCAL MUFFLER REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE TRUCK IS OFF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR US, THIS IS WHY WE ARE CONTACTING NHTSA ,TO INFORM THE AGENCY OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE CASE CURRENTLY WITH THE TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND THE TUNDRA TUCKS MANUFACTURED BY TOYOTA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH OUR TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SWAY VIOLENTLY AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING APPARENT. WE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME IS CORRODED COMPLETELY THRU AND THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR SINCE THE FRAME WAS SO BADLY RUSTED. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOLLOWED RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. THERE IS NO APPARENT RUST ON ANY OF THE BODY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT OPERATING CONDITION OTHERWISE. WE HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS BUT NOW LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT APPARENTLY BEING ABLE TO SELL FOR SALVAGE.

WENT FOR INSPECTION FOR 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. FRAME IS RUSTED AND TOO BAD. MECHANIC SAID UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. WHAT A SHAME EVERYTHING RUNS GOOD. NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED JUST LIKE THE TACOMA'S AND SEQUOIAS.

THE FRAME ON MY 2001 ROTTED VERY QUICKLY FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT IS THE SAME EXACT FRAME USED ON THE TACOMA (WHICH WAS RECALLED) AND ON THE 2002 4RUNNER, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. IF I DIDN'T GET THE NECESSARY FRAME REPAIRS IT EASILY COULD HAVE CRACKED IN HALF WHEN ON THE ROAD. THE MAIN AREAS OF ROT ARE LOCATED AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM (WHICH I HAD PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED), AND UP FRONT NEAR THE SUSPENSION AND AXLE. MY BROTHERS 1997 4RUNNER AXLE AND SUSPENSION COMPLETELY FELL APART WHEN HE WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HE WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMEONE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SOUTH FOUR YEARS AGO (2014) WITH A SPOTLESS ROCK HARD FRAME. FOUR YEARS LATER THE REAR CONTROL ARM AREAS MENTIONED ABOVE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! I LOVE MY 4RUNNER, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW THESE TRUCK FRAMES WEREN'T RECALLED ALONG WITH THE TACOMA FRAMES. IT IS THE SAME EXACT FRAME...

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT VERY BADLY, THUS LEAVING VEHICLE UNABLE TO OPERATE IT SOON.

FRAME OF VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE THROUGHOUT, TOLD BY STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR THAT IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED SLOWLY OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,518.

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION.

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A CITY STREET IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ( FLATBUSH AVE) WHEN I SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE FOLLOWED BY FIRE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I DID NOT HIT ANY BUMP AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE ENTIRE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.

I WAS AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAVING MY BRAKELINE ON THE FRONT LEFTSIDE REPAIRED, AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE; AND I WAS TOLD BY PHONE, MY FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRAME FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE IT WAS PIECED BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. UPDATED 11/13/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME RUSTED. UPDATED 11/16/2017*JS

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED SEVERE RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PIECES OF METAL FALLING OUT BY CHUNKS, INCLUDING THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

MY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE KEPT IT VERY CLEAN AND PROTECTED BUT STILL IS RUSTING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,063.

BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REAR END REPAIR AND HAD 2 REPUTABLE MECHANICS REFUSE TO REPAIR THE TRUCK BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT IT WOULD BE A HAZARD TO EVEN DRIVE THE TRUCK IRREGARDLESS OF ANY REPAIR THAT THEY COULD PERFORM

FRAME RUST ON LEFT REAR FRAME AT ATTACHMENT POINT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM WHICH LOCATES AXLE TO FRAME. RUST HOLES IN FRAME AROUND THIS SAME AREA.

FRAME RUSTING OUT. EXTERIOR OF TRUCK HAS NO RUST 170K MILES ON 4RUNNER

FRAME RUSTING.

THE FRAME IS ROTTING AND THE 4RUNNER IS UNSAFE.

THE ISSUE WITH MY TOYOTA IS A RUSTED FRAME...RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT I WAS ADVISED TO PARK IT AND NEVER DRIVE IT AGAIN WITHOUT A NEW FRAME. ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2001 WITH 193,000 MILES, IT MECHANICALLY IS IN GREAT CONDITION. EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR IN GOOD CONDITION, AS WELL. I FIRST NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD A FLOATING SENSATION ON THE HIGHWAY, AT TIMES FEELING LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER ANOTHER 1-2 HRS OF DRIVING, I NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR DIPS IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK WOULD ROCK SLIGHTLY SIDE TO SIDE. IT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT ITEMS IN MY BACK SEAT ROCKED, AS WELL. AFTER SEVERAL MORE DAYS AND HOURS OF DRIVE-TIME THEREAFTER, THE ROCK ADVANCED TO THE POINT WHERE MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ROCKING SO VIOLENTLY WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE @40MPH, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. EVEN BRAKING DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ROCKING. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I HAD IT SCHEDULED TO TAKE IN TO THE MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM WITH THE RUSTED FRAME WAS IDENTIFIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HOLES AND RUST WERE SO EXTENSIVE, THAT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE THE FRAME WOULD NOT ONLY BREAK APART, BUT BREAK INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS A FRAME REPLACEMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THEIR TAUCOMA FRAMES FOR THAT SAME YEAR, BUT WILL NOT CORRECT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 4RUNNER FRAME. I HAVE AN OTHERWISE WONDERFUL VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S KNOWN, FAULTY, UNSAFE FRAME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE REPLACING THE SHOCKS ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 3 AND 1/2 INCHES WIDE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

TAKATA RECALL THE FRAME IS ROTTEN INSIDE THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE RIGHT HAND FRONT SEAT NOT ABLE TO GET A INSPECTION STICKER THE BODY IS GREAT NO RUST JUST LIKE MY 04 TUNDRA NOW IT HAS A NEW FRAME

WE WERE TOLD TODAY THAT OUR 2001` TOYOTA 4-RUNNER HAS FRAME ROT THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONDITION OF ALL THE OTHER PARTS ON IT. FRAME ROT THAT CONSTITUTES A DANGER TO OUR SAFETY WHEN DRIVING IT. THE REPAIR TECHNICIANS ADVISED US TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS PART OF TOYOTA'S FRAME ROT RECALL WITH THE TACOMAS AND OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE THE FRAME ROT RUST WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE PATTERN OF DAMAGE THEY HAD SEEN ON OTHER RECALLED VEHICLES. WHEN WE LOOKED UP OUR 4-RUNNER IN THE RECALL INFORMATION, SUPPOSEDLY TOYOTA HASN'T INCLUDED OUR TRUCK IN THE RECALL. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR AUTO REPAIR SPECIALIST THAT THE RECALL COVERED DAMAGE IN TRUCKS THAT WERE THE SAME AGE AND OVERALL CONDITION, SO IT'S NOT AS THOUGH THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS EATEN UP BY RUST AND WE JUST HAPPENED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FRAME ROT. THE FRAME ROT PATTERN FOUND ON OUR 4-RUNNER IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FRAME ROT FOUND ON RECALLED TOYOTA TRUCKS AND INCONSISTENT WITH THE REST OF THE VEHICLE'S STABILITY. BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND BECAUSE THE FRAME ROT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OTHER CONSUMERS TO KNOW THAT REGARDLESS OF THEIR CARE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME MAY ROT AT A RATE THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE REST OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COSTS LOTS OF MONEY TO REPAIR. 4-RUNNER OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLES CHECKED FOR PREMATURE FRAME ROT, AND TOYOTA SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THE FRAME ROT IN THE 4-RUNNERS. JUST THOUGHT THAT AFTER WE WERE MADE AWARE, SO SHOULD OTHER CONSUMERS AND SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS.

WHILE CHANGING MY OIL, I NOTICED A FEW NICE SIZE HOLES IN THE FRAME, IN FRONT AND BESIDES THE MUFFLER. I WONDERING IS IT SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO DRIVE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

MASSIVE RUST AND DETERIORATION ALONG INSIDE PANEL OF FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE REVEALED ONCE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REMOVED FOR REPLACEMENT. DETERIORATED SECTION WAS ABOUT 24" LONG FROM REAR AXLE MOUNT TO CENTER STABILIZER BAR. UNKNOWN DETERIORATION ON DRIVER SIDE DUE TO LOCATION OF FUEL TANK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD TO EITHER BE RE-WELDED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

THE GRAM HAS RUST PERFORATION IN WHICH THE LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM HAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. WHILE I WAS DRIVING A HEARD A POP AND STARTED TO LOSE PROPER CONTROL IN STEERING VEHICLE.

MASSIVE RUST CORROSION AND PIECES BREAKING AWAY LOCATED UNDERNEATH ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE RUST WITH BREAKAGE HAS INTENSIFIED GREATLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND REQUIRED WELDING THIS YEAR TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. THE WELDING CONSISTED OF WELDING THE FRAME RAIL WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS AND A NEW BRACKET HAD TO BE WELDED ON THE AXLE HOUSING THAT HOLDS AN UPPER REAR STRUT ROD BECAUSE IT RUSTED OFF. BOTH WERE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 101,000 MILES AND IS WASHED AND WAXED ON A REGULAR BASIS.

VEHICLE FRAME CORROSION/ROT.. BAD FRAME (JUST LIKE THE TACOMA I HAD RECALLED DUE TO BAD FRAME)

MY 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WAS UP ON THE LIFT FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE. A SERVICE TECH BROUGHT ME TO THE SERVICE BAY AND INFORMED ME OF A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST FAILURE OF THE FRAME. NOT SURFACE RUST, BUT RUST THAT IS CAUSING THE FRAME TO SEPARATE CAUSING VISIBLE CRACKS TO APPEAR. HE ADVISED ME OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER. HE ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE ON TUNDRA'S, TACOMA'S AND SEQUOIA'S BUT OFFERS NO RELIEF FOR 4RUNNER OWNERS. THE VEHICLE HAS 137,000 MILES ON IT. MY GUESS WAS THAT I HAD ANOTHER 20-30,000 MORE TO GO AS IT DOESN'T TRAVEL MANY MILES ON A DAILY BASIS. SEEMS HARD TO REASON THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD REPLACEMENT PLANS IN PLACE FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER.