Frame Rust problems of the 1996 Toyota 4Runner

Frame rust, a fair amount of rust is causing concern and makes me question how trustworthy vehicle is. The date listed isnt the date of the incident its roughly around the time the extent of the rust had been noticed.

Frame is rusting from inside out. Holes in frame big enough to push your whole arm through. Areas of frame connected to suspension prematurely rusting out. This rest of this vehicle is in excellent condition, body panels included. Welder told me entire frame is rusting away and repair to the frame is very difficult anf expensive even if possible. Vehicle has under 185,000 miles and runs great. I hear creaking developing and am afraid car may split in half. Why is Toyota not stepping up after admitting to badly manufactured frames.

The frame has prematurely rusted through in front of the right, rear trailing arm. My shop tells me the frame is too rusted to repair it.

Second owner of this SUV that I have owned for 12 years. Frame rust issues have proceeded to the point where one month ago, the left rear lateral axle link bracket broke free from the frame. The car is now unsafe to drive because the rear axle is not tied to the frame on the driver's side. Mechanic told me it might be able to be fixed/welded, but the rest of the frame is so bad there isn't much to weld to. I have found numerous other complaints online about this generation 4runner and its frame rust issues. I also found many cases where the exact same issue with the axle link bracket has occurred. This really seems to be a broader issue that Toyota has not remedied for 4runner owners. Disappointed that I'm not able to keep this longer like I'd planned.

I own a 1996 Toyota 4runner that has frame is rusted with large holes. It has not caused an accident yet but I believe the manufacturer should be held accountable. Especially when the same company has replaced frames and bought back other models for the exact same issue. How am I (as a 4runner owner) just overlooked and brushed aside.

1996 Toyota 4runner will not pass pennsylvania safety inspection due to frame rust and deterioration. Extent of damage may inhibit repair without total frame replacement. Vehicle is not operable without inspection.

I have owned my 4runner for 26 years and I have meticulously cared for it. One of my shocks gave way and I brought it in for my technician to inspect it. Upon my his inspection I was notified about the extensive rust on the frame and other parts under the truck such as the gas line. I was informed that my engine runs strong with 209k on it. My technician would not do any repairs to this frame because of how coors ice it was. He showed me several fingers going through a stress point near the rear axel. The truck looks beautiful and is now useless with the rusty frame. I live in salty CT and believe the frame was not properly conditioned from the frame factory. VIN number: jt3hn86r2t0008490.

Frame broke due to rust by the lower control arm going straight down the road doing about 30mph almost causing me to go off the road. Had it towed to a local garage to find out it was rusted through in several places and the mechanic told me it was a common problem with this year of 4runner. If this had happened going down the highway it could of costed me my life or someone else's and being as common of a problem as it is I feel it should be addressed there's no reason a frame should rust as bad and as quick as this considering it has been undercoated every year of its life.

I recently bought my 1996 4runner at the beginning of 2015. There was some rust on the frame but no noticeable damage from the outside. Now, six months later I had it looked at because the exhaust system became increasingly loud. The mechanic looked at the frame while looking at the exhaust system and he found that the frame had rotted from the inside out. He recommended I do not drive it anymore as it is unsafe. He said he would never attempt to repair damage such as my 4runner has. My vehicle only has 166,000 miles on it. There is no reason the frame should be as damaged as it is or to have it rusted from the inside out.

I have extreme frame rust.

Tl-the contact owns a 1996 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the frame was rusted and detached off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000. The VIN was unavailable. Pam.

Hi, the frame is extremely rusted. It had a small tear on a weld. Now it has a large tear in the frame. It appears that it is rusting at all the weld points at a accelerated rate and or the frame itself is not thick enough. I have read of hundreds of others that own this car and the frame has rusted through. I know that the tacoma has been recalled and it has the exact same frame-------please advise as this car is not even 20 years old. . . . . . The car is in great condition otherwise and in no way should be ready for the junk yard. . . . . . . .

While drive down the high way at about 65 mph I was driving and all of a sudden I heard a loud clunk under my truck. I didn't hit anything in the road I just heard a loud clunk and after that my truck would sway and drift to the left dramatically to the point I almost couldn't control what direction my truck was going I had to slow down to 20 mph and pull over. After taking it in to the mechanic they told me that frame as completely rusted through and snapped entirely. The truck is amazing truck engine runs like its brand new but the entire frame rusts way to easy. And something needs to be done on the 96-99 4runner frame. Before some one gets in a accident. Or is that what Toyotas waiting for before they do anything about this major issue that happens to all 3rd generation 4runner.

Rust on frame. Advised that it may not be safe.

Frame is rusting vary badly, in two years the frame that is the drive train will be all gone rust! and auto will not be drivable then.

I contacted Toyota about a recall on my 1996 limited 4runner. There was a rear coil spring recall. I took my 4runner to the local Toyota dealership to have the springs replaced and was informed by their mechanic that the frame was so rusty with holes that they would not work on it and it was unsafe to drive. They stated that they needed to have a service rep look at this issue. I was told to bring the 4runner back at a later date. I was not given a loaner car even after I was told it was unsafe to drive. A few weeks later I drove the 4runner back to the dealership for inspection by a Toyota service rep and was told the same thing. He stated that the 4runner was unsafe to drive and Toyota was not going to do anything about it. They then performed the coil spring recall after they stated it was unsafe to drive. Over the next few weeks I made many calls to Toyota with no help. To stop me from calling they stated they would give me $1000 towards a new or used Toyota purchased from a Toyota dealer. Much documentation was done on this problem and no one from Toyota has ever contacted me about my unsafe 4runner being removed from service because of the rust holes in the frame.

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame on the vehicle was rusting from the inside out. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the vehicle inspected who stated that the frame was rusting just like the Toyota tacoma recall. The contact is concerned that his year, make and model vehicle was not a recall since both vehicles share the same structure. The failure mileage was 188,000.