NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
FRAME TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH, DEALER WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND ADVISED TO SCRAP VEHICLE! LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A CORRODED FRAME! ODOMETER READING IS 41,822MILES, THIS HAPPENED AFTER REPLACING 2 RUSTED BRAKE LINES. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE.
THE BRACKET HOLDING THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE INTO THE FRAME CAUSING THE MOTOR TO HIT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND BREAK THE UPPER ENGINE OIL PAN. ATTACHED ARE TWO PICTURES, ONE SHOWING A NORMAL CONNECTION AT THE FRAME AND THE OTHER SHOWN BROKEN INTO THE FRAME. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY RUST/CORROSION AND/OR A WEAK CONNECTION WHICH WAS REINFORCED AT THIS POINT FOR 2007 AND LATER MODELS.DATE OF INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE
I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROST IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE, I STARTED TO SMELL A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL. AS SOON AS I SMELLED IT, THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY 70 FROM BRIDGEWAY DRIVE IN COOKEVILLE, TN. THE WINDOW SHATTERED COMPLETELY ON HIGHWAY 70 IN FRONT OF MIKE'S MARKET AT ABOUT 7:20 AM ON MY WAY TO WORK. TOYOTA PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT ONLY THROUGH APRIL 2018. I CALLED TOYOTA TO LET THEM KNOW BUT THEY DO NOT EXTEND COVERAGE EVEN ONE DAY PAST THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DEFECT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA. THE PROGRAM IS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZG7
THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11175888. THE PURPOSE FOR THE ADDENDUM IS TO ADD BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE VEHICLE FRAME AS WELL AS OTHER STEEL COMPONENTS INCLUDING IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE, PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION DUE TO RUSTING. THE FRAME RUST IS THE MOST PROBLEMATIC AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS OCCURRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME AND, THEREFORE, CAN NEITHER BE SEEN NOR REMEDIATED. THE ONLY INDICATION I HAD OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FRAME DETERIORATION IS FROM ISOLATED LOCATIONS WHERE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED ENTIRELY THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FRONT DOOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE LONGITUDINAL FRAME RAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES IS SIGNIFICANTLY DETERIORATED ON THE INSIDE. THE CORROSION APPEARS TO START ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RAIL AND THEN PROGRESS UPWARD ON THE SIDE WALLS OF THE RAIL OVER TIME. THE BOTTOM OF THE TWO FRAME RAILS ARE LITTERED WITH RUST CHIPS RANGING IN SIZE FOR FINGERNAIL-SIZED FLAKES TO CHIPS AS LARGE AS 10 SQ. CM. WITH THE THICKNESS OF THESE RANGING UP TO SEVERAL (3) MM. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT TIRE JACK FOR THE VEHICLE PUNCTURED THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WHEN IT WAS USED, THUS GIVING THE MOST GRAPHIC DEMONSTRATION THAT THE FRAME HAD DETERIORATED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE INSIDE. WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER STEEL COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS WIDESPREAD RUST AND DETERIORATION, PARTICULAR FOR COMPONENTS OF THE SUSPENSION, BUT ALSO ON THE TUBING FOR STEERING AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLING. ALSO, FASTENERS (NUTS, BOLTS, AND BRACKETS) WHICH ATTACH THE MANY COMPONENTS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THESE FASTENERS HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED. THE VEH
FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY, AND IT IS STARTING TO CAUSE CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE FRAME AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, WHO DOCUMENTED THE FRAME IS STARTING TO GET WEAK/SOFT AND JEOPARDIZING THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.
MY 4-RUNNER IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITHOUT ANY BODY RUST, NICE INTERIOR , MOTOR DOESN'T USE OIL ETC. I TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR PA ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT , THE REAR STABILIZERS ARE UNATTACHED, THE FROM LEFT WHEEL IS READY TO FALL OFF. THE HITCH ON THE BACK FOR PULLING TRAILERS IS READY TO FALL OFF. I NOTICED IN THE PAST WEEK THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT( NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE ) AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY STARTING AT 50 M.P.H. AND BRAKING.
EXCESSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO FRAME, GOT FIXED FOR LAST YEAR INSPECTION AND MORE PROBLEMS OCCURED THIS YEAR. VEHICLE OTHER WISE IN GOOD SHAPE, DISAPPOINTING TO GET RID OF IT. COULD CASE HAZARD DUE TO WELD OF CROSS MEMBER DEVELOPING HOLE.
I PURCHASED MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4X4 SPORT ON 10-4-2018 FOR 9,000.00 WITH 130,000 MILES ON IT A FEW DAYS LATER I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A LOOK OVER AT MY FAVORITE SHOP AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRAME WAS RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THERE WERE A FEW HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GO TO A TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THEY HEARD OF THE FRAME RECALLS SO I WENT TO A NEARBY TOYOTA REPAIR FACILITY AND TOLD THEM WHAT I JUST FOUND OUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS THE IDENTICAL FRAME THAT THEY USE ON THE TACOMA AND THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST 100 PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR 4RUNNNERS IN BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD THE SAME THING BY OTHER SHOPS... I WAS TOLD THAT AT THIS TIME THAT THERE IS NO FRAME REPLACEMENT FOR THE 4RUNNER BUT THEY FEEL THAT THE 4RUNNER WILL SOON BE RECALLED AND THAT I SHOULD UNDERCOAT MY FRAME ASAP TO TRY AND SAVE WHAT IS LEFT PENDING ON A RECALL. PLEASE HELP US AND GET TOYOTA TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
RUSTED FRAME - WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM THE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME. THANK GOD THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE REPAIR WILL REQUIRE WELDING TO THE FRAME TO SUPPORT A NEW CONTROL ARM. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED A HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. UNACCEPTABLE! I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER BUT WILL NOT BE CONDUCTING ANY REPAIRS UNTIL TOYOTA'S SERVICE MANAGER RESPONDS TO MY QUESTIONS REGARDING RECALLS ON FRAMES. THE NTSB HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO REVIEW AND IF NECESSARY, BASED ON MY ANALYSIS, EXTEND THE RECALL TO THESE VEHICLES AS WELL. SAME FRAME AS TACOMA WHICH IS ALREADY RECALLED.
I JUST PURCHASED MY 2006 4RUNNER AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP WHERE I WORK TO HAVE THEM DO AN OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECK, THE MECHANICS BROUGHT ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THEY THINK THAT IN A MATTER OF 2 YRS TOPS THE FRAME WILL BE ROTTED AND COLLAPSE . I WAS TERRIFIED AND IN A PANIC MY HUSBAND HAD TAKEN MY 4RUNNER IT TO HIS FRIENDS GARAGE AND HAD THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH UNDERCOATED. I CALLED A TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT TOYOTA CAN DO AND HE TOLD ME THAT A LOT OF 4RUNNER OWNERS HAVE BEEN CALLING ABOUT THEIR ROTTED FRAMES AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT'S OMLY A MATTER OF TIME WHEN THE 4RUNNERS WILL BE RECALLED BECAUSE THEY SHARE THE SAME FRAME AS THE TACOMA'S I AM SO SICK WITH FEAR AND I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD DELAY THIS RECALL WHEN IT IS A RISK OF HUMAN LIVES I DRIVE MY KIDS IN THIS 4RUNNER AND EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP I AM SCARED PLEASE HELP US MAKE TOYOTA DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES I AM NOT RICH I SAVED UP ALL MY PAYCHECKS TO BUY THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I'M STUCK
I HAD THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST AT THE RIGHT REAR FRAME RAIL AT AND AROUND THE TRAILING ARM BRACE. IT IS A CONCERN KNOWING THE TOYOTA RECOGNIZED A NEED TO REPLACE/REPAIR THE FRAME USED IN THEIR TACOMA MODELS DUE TO RUST PROBLEMS WHICH IS THE SAME FRAME USED IN THIS 4RUNNER. THEY NEVER INCLUDED THE 4RUNNERS IN THE GROUP TO BE REPAIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS FROM OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS ABOUT THE RUST ISSUE AND WANTED TO INCLUDE COMMENTS ON MY VEHICLE'S CONDITION.
THE VEHICLES FRAME IS SUFFERING FROM SEVER RUSTING WITH HOLES AND SECTIONS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.
THE FRAME ON MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROT. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP AND/OR PARTS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION MAY POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY AT SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO A SHOP THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY THAT IT CRACKED CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO NO FUNCTION AS ENGINEERED.
RUSTY FRAME, RUSTED BRAKE, TRANSMISSION LINES
WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING AND FEELING VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THERE IS EXTENSIVE AND PERVASIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE FRAME AND FRAME MOUNTING POINTS, THAT IS DANGEROUS AS IT IS AFFECTING OTHER WORKING PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I WAS SHOWN THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION ON THE LADDER FRAME AND FRAME ASSEMBLY. THE FRAME IN ITS ENTIRETY IS EXTENSIVELY CORRODED AND AREAS WHERE BOLTS MOUNT PARTS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED AND CAUSED PARTS TO FAIL AND LITERALLY HANG OFF CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT REQUIRES THE FRAME ITSELF TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THESE OTHER PARTS TO BE REMOVED OR REPLACED. THIS IS ABNORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE AND IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS THE FRAME IS THE MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. CONTINUING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRAME IN THE CONDITION IT IS IN IS HAZARDOUS. TOYOTA RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS FRAME TYPE I.E., SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS FROM THE SAME YEARS OF PRODUCTION AS THIS 4RUNNER FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM OF EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION THAT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THESE VEHICLES USE THE SAME FRAME AND SAME ASSEMBLY PROCESSES FOR PREVENTING RUST AND CORROSION AND AFTER YOUR INVESTIGATION THE FRAME AND FRAME COMPONENTS OF THESE VEHICLES WERE FOUND BY YOUR ORGANIZATION TO BE WORTHY OF A COMPLETE RECALL.
I HAVE OWNED MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. ALWAYS WANTED ONE THROUGH THE YEARS OF MY DRIVING. I BOUGHT IT AT 85K MILES AND NOW IT SITS AT 96K MILES. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, I DIDN'T CHECK THE FRAME FOR ANY ISSUES.I CHECKED COSMETIC AND PERFORMANCE ISSUE. EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTH. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER MY OWNERSHIP, I STARTED TO REALIZED THE FRAME OF HOW RUSTED IT WAS. I DID MORE INVESTIGATION ON IT AND IT IS ALL OVER THE WHOLE FRAME. LITERALLY, ROTTING. DISAPPOINTED AT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WHO DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE UNDER BODY AND AT THE QUALITY OF THE FRAME. AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES OF CONSUMERS, I MIGHT HAVE TO JUMP SHIPS. AS MUCH AS I LOVE THIS RUNNER AND WANT TO RUN IT TILL IT DIES, I MIGHT HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. AFTER SEEING THE ISSUE OF THE FRAME ROTTING CAUSING STEERING ISSUE FROM THE SUSPENSION, I DON'T THINK I WANT TO RUN INTO THAT SINCE I TRAVEL A LOT ON THE WEEKENDS. ANY OTHER SMALL RECALL I AM OKAY WITH, BUT DEALING WITH FRAME ISSUES IS A BIG NO IN MY BOOK. IF TOYOTA COULD MAKE THIS INTO A RECALL, I WOULD RECONSIDER ON KEEP THE RIG. BUT, AS OF NOW, IT'S NOT CONVINCING. IT'S JUST SAD TO SEE A 4RUNNER AT 96K MILES, THE FRAMES ALREADY ROTTING AWAY.
THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF, YET THE FRAME CONTINUES TO RUST LIKE CRAZY. I'VE EXPERIENCED BROKEN BOLTS, LOSE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ETC. THE CAR HANDLES EXTREMELY POOR NOW, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT ISN'T WORTH IT TO REPLACE ANY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SINCE THE MOUNTING POINTS ARE SO RUSTY.
MY FRAME ON A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROT. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP AND/OR PARTS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION MAY POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
FRAME RUST RECALL- THE VEHICLES FRAME HAS MAJOR RUST AND CRACKS. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE THE AMOUNT OF RUST THAT HAS ACCUMULATED.
WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45MPH, THE LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT BROKE OFF THE FRAME AND ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF, MY WIFE, MY 2 YEAR OLD, AND MY 11 MONTH OLD SON TO CRASH. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTION, THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT IM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE. IM NOW PAYING A CAR PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS USELESS. I LIKE TOYOTA'S BUT WILL NOT LIKELY PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS TYPE OF AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE TOYOTA, DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE WILL BE STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND A VEHICLE THAT IS VIRTUALLY UNUSABLE.
VEHICLES FRAME RUST FROM INSIDE OUT. FRAME RAILS RUSTING AFTER 5 YEARS. HUGE SAFTY ISSUE FRAMES CRACKING IN HALF. TOYOTA KNOWS THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE 4RUNNERS.
THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. IT IS FLAKING OFF IN BIG PIECES FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME. IN A COUPLE OF LOCATIONS, IT HAS CORRODED SO MUCH THAT THERE IS A 1.5" DIAMETER HOLE IN THE FRAME. OTHER AREAS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT STRUCTURALLY AND FOR SUSPENSION, HAS SEVERE RUST AND I'M WORRIED THAT THOSE AREAS WILL CRACK AND CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING.
FRAME IS VERY ROTTED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLE WERE RUSTED AND LOOSE, CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
06 4RUNNER SAME FRAME AS RECALLED TACOMA. SAFETY ISSUE HEAVY RUST ON FRAME . MECHANIC SAID TO GET RID OF IT, ROTTING WHERE IT CONNECTS TO CONTROL ARMS. MAY NOT PASS NEXT INSPECTION
THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY COVERED IN RUST CAUSING CONSTANT REPAIRS TO BE MADE. MULTIPLE MECHANICS THINK I SHOULD GET RID OF IT AND BELIEVE PROBLEMS WILL KEEP COMING UP. UNSURE IF VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE FOR MUCH LONGER.
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON IN TOWN HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 25-55 MILES PER HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES WHILE TOWING A 14 FOOT TRAILER. AS I APPROACHED AN INTERSTATE ON RAMP IN WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY, I SMELLED SMOKE AND PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE/FLAME WAS COMING FROM THE REAR MUFFLER PIPE FIBERGLASS HEAT INSULATOR (TOYOTA PART NUMBER 58155-60100). THE FIBERGLASS HEAT INSULATOR HAD DRY ROTTED AND WAS RESTING ON THE REAR MUFFLER PIPE AS IT BENDS OVER THE REAR AXLE. I WAS ABLE TO CRAWL UNDER THE TRUCK AND PULL THE INSULATOR OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND EXTINGUISH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH TOYOTA DEALER, NO PRODUCT RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT THE PART HAS NOW BEEN REMANUFACTURERED OUT OF TIN/ALUMINUM TO REDUCE THIS RISK. DUE TO THE HIGH RISK FOR FIRE / INJURY THAT IS VERY NEAR THE GAS TANK, SHOULD THIS BE ISSUED AS A MANUFACTURER RECALL?
AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS STARTED RUSTING PRETTY BADLY ON FRAME, CROSSMEMBERS AND FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIALS. ALSO STABILIZERS SKID PLATES AND BASICALLY ANYTHING UNDER THE TRUCK. THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY SURFACE RUST UNTIL PARTS WERE CRACKING AND STABILIZERS FELL OFF TRUCK. REAR END WAS READY TO DROP OFF TRUCK! TRUCK ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND LOOKS BRAND NEW. WANTED TO KEEP ANOTHER 10 YEARS! MY WIFE AND KID USED THIS AND COULD HAVE CRASHED THEM BOTH! FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT AND DEALER DEEMED UNDRIVEABLE THIS WEEK! TRUCK VALUED AT $13-15,000! DEALER WONT WARRANTY AND NOT UNDER TACOMA AND SEQUOIA RECALLS! SAME FRAME ISSUES TOYOTA! RECALL THE 4 RUNNER TOYOTA! MAJOR DANGER OF FRAME LOOKING OK FROM OUTSIDE BUT CRUMBLING AND FALLING APART WHILE DRIVING. HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC AND BODY PERSON ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER SEEN RUSTING AND CRUMBLING OF A FRAME IN CHUNKS FALLING OFF! WAKE UP TOYOTA, RECALL THE 4RUNNER OR FIX MY FRAME! CANNOT DRIVE TRUCK!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IRA TOYOTA OF TEWKSBURY (468 MAIN ST, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876, (978) 863-9009), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED RUST ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I OWN A 200Y TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 4X4 4.0 V6 TRUCK, AND DURING THE SPRING TIME I BEGAN TO NOTICE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RUST SCALE FALLING FROM MY TRUCK OVER NIGHT. I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS SURFACE RUST/PAINT FALLING OFF, CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK AND BEGAN TO HEAR CREAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I TOO A LOOK UNDERNEATH AND SAW THAT THE RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT BACK TO BEHIND THE CENTER OF THE AXLE IS RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NONE FOR MY MODEL BUT DID FOR SIMILAR YEAR TUNDRA, SEQUOIA, AND THE TACOMA WHICH IS A SHARED DESIGN WITH MY 4RUNNER. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A FRAME REPAIR AT A AFTERMARKET BODY SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE AND RECEIVED NO HELP. I RECENTLY SEARCHED HOPING TO FIND NEW INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT THE NHTSA HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION ON THE FRAME RUST ISSUE. I AM WRITING THIS TO LET YOU KNOW THIS IS A REAL ISSUE AND NEEDS A FRAME REPLACEMENT RECALL. A 2006 MODEL YEAR TRUCK SHOULD NOT NEED A FRAME REPAIR FROM RUST AFTER 12 YEARS OF EXISTENCE AND I BELIEVE TOYOTA IS NEGLIGENT IN RECALLING ALL OTHER TRUCK BASED VEHICLES FOR FRAME RUST WHILE TRYING TO CHEAP OUT AND EXCLUDE THE 4RUNNER. DUE TO VEHICLE BEING IN SHOP I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES, BUT I CAN GET THEM IF NEEDED AND ALSO TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE SHOULD HAVE THE RECORD OF ME CONTACTING THEM AND SENDING IN PICTURES EARLIER THIS YEAR. THANK YOU! 1804271716 IS THE TOYOTA CARE CASE NUMBER.
FRAME RUSTED AND GONE. TERMINAL. CAUSE US TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.
THE FRAME OF MY 2006 4RUNNER HAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND RUST. THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THE METAL HAS BECOME VERY THIN, AND MORE AND MORE METAL KEEPS FLAKING OFF ALL THE TIME. I HAVE ALREADY NOTICED A COUPLE OF HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME RAILS. I'M ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE AREAS WHERE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BOLT UP TO THE FRAME, THOSE AREAS SHOW SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION.
TURNING OUT OF PARKING LOT. REAR DEFROST WAS ON. STARTED SMELLING A "BURNING SMELL" AND SECONDS LATER MY REAR GLASS SHATTERED.
TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HAD REAR DEFROSTER ON. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES SMELLED A "BURNING SMELL" AND SECONDS LATER MY BACK GLASS SHATTERED.
DURING RECENT MAINTENANCE OF MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 115K MILES, A MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER IN FRONT WHICH ATTACHES TO THE CONTROL ARMS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO ASSESS CONDITION OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THE FRAME WAS IRREPARABLE AND WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECENT TOYOTA FRAME RECALL FOR TACOMAS, TUNDRAS, AND SEQUOIAS. THE PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE FRAME POSES SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO DRIVERS AND COULD RESULT IN DANGEROUS FAILURES.
I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE USED WITH 86,000 MILES ON IT. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER MY POWER STEERING RETURN LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND WOULD NOT HOLD ANY POWER STEERING FLUID AT ALL. I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINES WITH AFTER MARKET RUBBER LINE. I FIGURED THIS OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN A SITUATION WHERE IT WASN'T AN IMMEDIATE DANGER. NEXT ON THE LIST WAS THE MUFFLER FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BACK. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD WHILE DRIVING . I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE ONLY TO REALIZE THE THE PART OF THE MUFFLER THAT CONNECTS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH JUST HANGING THERE! I JUST BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE UNDERSIDE COMPLETELY COATED WITH FLUID FILM AND MY MECHANIC KEPT MAKING REFERENCE TO THE 'RUSTY TOYOTA 4RUNNER ', DIDN'T GIVE ME A WARM FEELING ABOUT THE REST OF THE LIFESPAN OF THE FRAME. IT HAS 100,000 OR SO MILES ON IT AND I'D LIME TO HAVE IT FOR MANY MORE!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION LINE FAILURE. UPDATED 11/26/18*JB
VEHICLE FRAME IS RUSTING FASTER THAN NORMAL. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY SUSPENSION PARTS, WELDED FRONT ALIGNMENT TABS TO KEEP VEHICLE IN LINE, REPLACED VEHICLE SUSPENSION BUT UNSURE HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST DUE TO FRAME STILL FLAKING. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT THE RUST IS SEVERE AND WHEN I HAD MY REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED, STATED THAT THE MOUNT BRACKET WAS VERY THIN AND CAUSING MOVEMENT IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE.
THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS ROTTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. IT HAS 117000 MILES ON IT AND RUNS WELL OTHER THAN THE RUSTED OUT FRAME.
MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED HAS EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FRAME, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, WHEELS, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BOLTS/BRACING. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AXLES DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND A THIRD PARTY MECHANIC. WHILE DRIVING, THE SKID PLATE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGING BENEATH THE CAR AFTER THE METAL ON THE PLATE RUSTED OUT AROUND THE BOLTS. SIMILARLY, THE HEAT SHIELD DETACHED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE BOLTS RUSTED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES (PADS & DISCS), I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE BRAND NEW CALIPERS BECAUSE THE CURRENT CALIPERS WERE SO RUSTED AND SEIZED AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REATTACH THEM. I HAVE CONTINUED TO USE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND THE CONSENSUS HAS BEEN AS FOLLOWS: SELL THE 4RUNNER BECAUSE IT IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED WOULD BE A MONEY PIT TO REPAIR. CURRENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP HAS RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION DUE TO LEAKS CAUSED BY RUST. MOREOVER, THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL EXHAUST LEAKS IN BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE WORK BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RUST. IT HAS COST ME THOUSANDS TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN, ALL OF WHICH IS A RESULT OF EXTENSIVE RUST. THE SUSPENSION AND FRAME, INCLUDING THE SHOCKS, STRUTS, AND BOLTS ARE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND I HAVE BEEN URGED TO REPAIR OR SELL THE VEHICLE BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS, THOUGH THE COST TO DO SO WOULD FAR EXCEED THE COST OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED IS DETAILED IN PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND SUPPLEMENTED BY PAPERWORK FROM THIRD PARTY MECHANICS HERE IN SAN DIEGO. THE VEHICLE HAS 90K MILES ON IT AND HAS FOLLOWED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE METICULOUSLY.
TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS RUSTING HEAVILY IN ONE SPOT ONLY, IN FRONT OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE TRAILING ARM MOUNT IS READY TO BREAK OFF FROM THE FRAME.. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLEANED WEEKLY IT'S ENTIRE LIFE, AND IS STORED IN A GARAGE EVERY NIGHT. THE FRAME ON THIS TRUCK IS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FRAME ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING FAILED AND TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (CLASSIC TOYOTA LOCATED AT 8510 TYLER BLVD MENTOR, OH, 44060) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE FRAME BE REPAIRED. CASE NUMBER: 1706140790 WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
SERIOUS FRAME RUSTING AND/OR ROT NOTED ON MY 2006 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION. IN MY OPINION THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS FRAME CAN BECOME UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
I,ALONG WITH 48 OTHER PEOPLE, HAVE POSTED TO THIS FORUM THAT THE FRAME ON THEIR 4RUNNER HAD RUSTED AND/OR CRACKED. ADD MINE TO THE LIST. MY MECHANIC USED THE WORD "TERMINAL" IN RESPONSE TO THE CONDITION OF MY FRAME. IT'S NOT FULLY ON ITS DEATH BED, BUT IT LIKELY WON'T BE DRIVEABLE AFTER 6 MONTHS.
THE FRAME, HEAT SHIELDS, SKID PLATE AND REAR AXEL ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2008 AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED AND KEPT CLEAN. THE RUST IS REACHING A POINT WHERE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. WE'VE NOTICED IT COMING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR - NOW IT'S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY. APPARENTLY THE TOYOTA TACOMAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS. WHY!?
WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE CONTROL JOINT TO COME LOOSE, AND GIVING ME VERY LITTLE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE RUST IS AN ISSUES...AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESS WAY I CANNOT IMAGINE THE END RESULT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE RUST ISSUES. THEY HAVE GREAT VEHICLES THAT WILL RUN FOREVER IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM, BUT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A CARE ISSUE - IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY DREAM CAR A 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN COLORADO BUT IT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM NEW YORK. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILES AND RUST DAMAGE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP AT NO SURPRISE WAS NOT LOOKING OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST AND DID NOT INFORM ME HOW BAD THE RUST DAMAGE IS AND IT MAY COST MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT AT ALL. CURRENTLY I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I DON'T KNOW HOW SEVERE THE RUST DAMAGE IS. PUEBLO COLORADO REPAIR SHOPS ARE NOT EXPERTS IN THIS AREA BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SEE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE VERY OFTEN.,I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HELP PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I DO BUT IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY SINCE YOU ARE ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR DREAM CARS I THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT HURT TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY TO FIX OR ADVISE ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO. A RESPONSE EITHER WAY WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026