Ten problems related to front suspension control arm have been reported for the 1997 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Frame is rusting from the inside out control arms fell off the car. Frame busted in half.
I was driving down the road at approximately 50 mph and my 4runner started to sway and rock violently. I felt it veer in the opposite direction of the way I was driving and braked fearing that I was going to flip my vehicle. I was driving down a smooth straight road in great weather. I braked to slow down tapping them about five times. This is the second time that this incident occurred. It happened one time a couple days before I parked the car thinking that the tire was falling off and called my mechanic who happily fixed a front driver side tie rod end and ball joint. They stated that the control arm was rusting out. . . That it should be safe to drive and then this. I was terrified. It is not safe the driver side control arm is completely rusted out and hanging and the passenger side is rusting and beginning to fall. I am at a loss I love this vehicle hate the repairs that I have had to do in the six months I have had it and now I owe for repairs and a small loan. I cant drive it or sell it and sending it back will ruin my already failed credit. It is incredibly a huge safety problem and research that I have done has showed that this year and make is known for this problem and it is frustrating and sad that nothing can be done except let it sit.
My son jared was driving our 1997 Toyota 4-runner on the highway when suddenly the vehicle started to shake violently, he was also losing control of his steering, he was able to make it home safely. When I did an actual inspection of the vehicle frame I noticed that the driver side rear control arm had rusted off the frame body, thus the reason that my son almost lost control of the vehicle. This has been an ongoing problem with Toyota and frame rotting out. Toyota has recalled the tundra¿s and sequoias not the 4-runners. I'm hoping that Toyota does the right thing and recalls the 4-runners. I have pic's if somebody would like to see the damage.
Left rear control arm mount rotted/separated from frame. Control arm mount is welded to frame from factory. Mount is serviced with frame. Vehicle frame has other rotted areas. Vehicle is not safe to drive. Contacted Toyota dealer and they stated this vehicle is not covered under the frame recall.
Extensive rust on frame around weld of the control arm of the rear driver's side wheel. This caused the control arm to detach making the vehicle unsafe to drive. It appears there are quite a few complaints about frame rusting for Toyota 4runners.
Having complained about a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite some time to the Toyota dealer, I was sold a number of repairs over the last 15,000 miles, including rear stabilizer links and rear shocks. However, the noise persisted. After spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on repairs, I have now discovered the rear drivers side portion of the frame in the area under the rear seat has totally rotted away and the lower rear control arm weldment is no longer attached to the frame, leaving the vehicle unstable (swaying side to side) and unsafe. The dealership never advised me of any problem, leading me to spend the money on these other repairs. This frame design has been recognized as a problem by Toyota a few years back. Toyota provided relief for the same issue on the tacoma. Obviously the 4runner suffers the same problem and should be evaluated as this is a very serious safety issue.
The body on the 4runner is clean with very little rust. The frame however is rusting badly and the mounts for the rear control arms are almost rusted off.
Rear lower control arm mounts are severely rusted and broke away from frame while driving interstate causing near loss of control of vehicle due to bounce/sway of rear end.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the rear end of the vehicle started to sway back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear lower control arms were detached from the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 258,625.
My wife was driving the vehicle when she heard a sound and the vehicle swerved, and then continued to be difficult to control the remainder of the ride home. While I was trying to take her description and begin troubleshooting what could be wrong, I noticed the vehicle felt like it was on ice. It felt like the rear was trying to come around, a very weird feeling in the summer. Trying to figure why, and several minutes of laying under this vehicle in my driveway I finally figured it out. The drivers side rear control arm attaching point is rotted and broken from the frame. I could not believe it. This is so dangerous. I have owned one of the recalled Toyota tacomas, it was bought back from me by Toyota motor corp. I own a 2000 Toyota tundra and it is being recalled for rotting frames, and rotting spare tire brackets. I find it hard to believe that Toyota is not doing anything about the 4-runners. This 4 runner is the same year as the Toyota tacoma, and two years older that my Toyota tundra. There are thousands of these on the road, and thank god this did not have a disastrous outcome. And by the way, both of my small children were in the vehicle when this happened. Serious defect that Toyota needs to take responsibility for. I cant sell this as a used vehicle and I can't trade it in to a dealer. Help!.