Frame Rust problems of the 1997 Toyota 4Runner

Frame rust makes vehicle dangerous while driving.

Hey I have a 1997 4 runner I have a problem of the frame getting rusted out. It is on the 4 link where it hooks to the axle it could have killed me my rear axle about came off and it almost got me into a reck. All I done is hit the brakes then hurt pop and rear end went crazy. I was on a busy city steet when it happened.

Tl the contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted and there was nothing supporting the stabilizer arm. Fox Toyota (228 fox family ln, clinton, TN 37716, (865)-494-0228) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 271,000.

The frame snapped from rust as I was driving.

The frame was poorly designed and not enough rust protection was applied by Toyota. We rarely get snow and still the vehicle has rusted through. Toyota did not make a drain hole so that the water in the frame would evaporate. There are a lot of these vehicles which otherwise last a long time. A lot of owners have 4runenrs with excellent engine/transmission but with rusted frames. This is a disaster waiting to happen on unsuspecting owners.

My Toyota 4runner frame is rusting to the point that it's a huge safety issue! I've already had the right rear shockmount and bar replaced, and the left is on its way to rusting completely through. On the left side, however, the fuel tank is mounted up, and when the shock mount rusts through and breaks, it will very likely cause something to puncture the fuel tank. That could be extremely hazardous because, since I have no other means of transportation, I must continue to drive the vehicle. So, it is likely that it will be on the road when that happens. Why in the world has this vehicle not been recalled when you recalled the Toyota tacomas for the same issue of rusty frames? this is a very serious matter because it could cause a huge accident involving many people if these vehicles are not recalled and taken off the streets!.

1997 Toyota 4runner "rear frame rust and holes" my Toyota 1997 4runner (current mileage 139,035) has the rust and holes on the rear passenger side & driver side frames. Toyota service center mechanic said " do not drive because it is very dangerous. " I bought this car at $34,500 on June 1997. It was very expensive one. It's very ridiculous that this expensive car has this kinds of problem. Let me have recall service. I will appreciate for your comments. Thank you.

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 mph, the rear of the vehicle started swaying left and right. The contact was able to drive home. Upon parking the vehicle, the contact inspected underneath and found rust on the rear driver side frame. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found recalls for other Toyota vehicles for frame rust, but not for the 4runner. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Frame rusted out where the rear axle arm attaches. Arm mount broken loose from frame. Vehichle is undriveable and virtually not repairable. (frame replacement) ridiculous Toyota!!! you know about this problem, make it right to your customers!. Myself and fmaily own 7 Toyotas. Might reconsider ever buying another!.

I came to a stop light and heard a pop like something had broken. Proceeded to get on interstate on ramp and within a mile the vehicle was very hard to control, the rear of the vehicle was swerving back and forth. Luckily I only had to go about a mile to my exit. Once home I had discovered that part of the frame had rusted into at a very critical area of the frame. It was on the drivers side in front of the rear axle and was a part where a rod mounted to it that keeps the rear axle aligned. This should not have happened to a vehicles frame regardless of it being 19 years old. The vehicle is not driveable and Toyota somehow doesn't feel the need to recall what is a huge issue for lots of owners of these vehicles.

Tl-the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while parked, the contact noticed something hanging from the vehicle. Upon further investigation, the contact stated that the right rear bracket that holds the stabilizer bar to the frame was broken. Also the contact noticed that the whole rear frame was rusted out. The contact stated that they noticed the vehicle swaying left and right and the vehicle was hard to control. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 263,514. Ed.

Purchased with 165,000 miles. Almost new for a modern vehicle. Took it to the mechanic and was notified the frame was rusted out, the rear end was ready to collapse, and it was unsafe to drive. Took it to a body shop for a second opinion and notified the same thing. Toyota manufacturer customer support line contacted and notified me there is no recall on this vehicle for this. This vehicle was registered its entire life in kentucky, not michigan. Rusting out at 165k is unheard of for a modern vehicle in these conditions. Deeply disappointed in Toyota for not standing behind their product. I will probably have to sell it to the junkyard. What a waste of money I don't have.

I have a 1997 4runner that is catastrophically rusted through the frame and has been a danger since purchasing. The amount of rust has completely evaporated my investment.

Original owner, bought new. Kept vehicle very well maintained with regular inspections on a lift and no evidence of frame rust or other problems. Then on above date an inspection showed many spots of rust on the frame - it had been rotting from the inside out. Multiple body experts said it was too far gone to repair and not safe to drive. Fortunately it did not fail when my family and I were on the highway, potentially killing us and anyone around us. Toyota customer "experience" reps refused even to acknowledge a problem - and I escalated this as far as I could. They had no answer for why they bought back tacomas, tundras and sequoias (which have the same frame) but did not even issue a maintenance advisory for the 4runners. If they won't pay attention to this, the government should force a recall. The rest of these vehicles are built well and the frame may well fail first, which no one expects.

Cars real end started to sway when driving, took it to the mechanics and was told the frame was rusted through, that it was unsafe to drive. Contacted Toyota and was told no recall issued,nothing they could do!!!!. This Toyota only has 121,000 miles on it!! it should be going for another 100,000, that's why people buy Toyotas!! my son bought this car 3 years ago, took all his money now he has no car to drive or money to buy a new one. Toyota should issue a recall. Since this happened I found that many other Toyota 4runner owners have this same issue. They recalled the tacoma for the same reason. . Same years. Need a recall on the 4runner!!!.

Frame is rusting out along full length. The outside looks fine in most places but the inside is flaking off. If you hit it with a hammer it will go right through and make a hole. I have seen many similar complaints on Toyota 4runner frames on internet sites.

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4 runner. While traveling 45 mph the contact noticed a clicking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was told that the driver's side rear quarter part of the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was 243,000.

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would sway from left to right. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they advised him that the frame was rusted and the suspension components were fractured from the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000. Updated 09/27/11.

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was being serviced for unrelated maintenance when he was advised by the dealer that the front driver side frame was rusted. The dealer stated that in the event of a crash, the front driver side of the vehicle would crumble. The dealer also advised that the failure was unrepairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Drive down the road and the part from rear end that connects to frame rusted and broke off. Violent shaking occurred and forced me off the road. Frame looks good everywhere else but the same location on both side.

1997 Toyota 4runner frame rusting. I have worked from home since 2001, yet the frame is badly rusted. The vehicle has been garaged its entire life. A mechanic told me it is no longer safe to drive and is structurally unsound. This seems similar to the problem of rusted frames in Toyota tacoma vehicles.

I recently found out that there is excessive rust damage to the frame of my vehicle, which resulted in hole and a 7 inch crack to the frame. Toyota has a frame safety recall on 1995-2000 tacoma. I contacted Toyota with the problem and they say there is nothing they can do. I have a 1997 4runner which sits on the same frame. Nothing has been done to fix the problem.