general problems of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner

I was on my way to the store with my wife and all of a sudden the truck started to sway wildly , good thing there was no oncoming traffic at the time since the truck swerved into the opposing lane , I pulled over and thought at first the lug nuts came lose but when I crawled under the truck I had found that the frame is rotted away, apparently Toyota has an issues with there frames and I was asked by people online if I got a recall notice which I did not , I had bought the truck used from a used car dealer so im not sure if it was in the system , in any event I would like to know what are my options on this , the rest of the truck is in great shape and runs fine , I should not have to ensue a financial lose if this was a known issue , thank you.

The frame is rusting terribly despite all efforts to curb it.

My 1998 Toyota 4runner frame is comprised and deemed unsafe and undrivable due to severe frame rust. I had to remove it from the road since the body rocks on the frame and is unsafe to drive.

When to get inspection sticker and fail because frame had holes on undercarriage and also on the chassis.

Hello, was driving 4runner under normal conditions. Ran over a slight bump in road and back end of vehicle got loose. Was able to get vechicle back home and inspected. Found one major rust out of frame under drivers side of unit. But major problem was that the left rear axle drag link broke from frame. The frame material is very thin and cannot be repaired. Please advise if possible.

The frame on my Toyota 4runner has severe rusting. Right now the car cannot be driven. The mount on the chassis that holds the rear lower control arm has completely broken off the frame. Looks just like many others who have had this same problem. Now I don't know what to do. I'm without a car and was lucky that I was not in a serious accident. I understand a new frame could cost $10,000 and a new car could cost $47,000. My Toyota has 240,000 miles and otherwise runs great. I do live in the northeast and have lived in vermont during the winters. I try to wash my car and chassis often due to the salt. Many people ask if my car is for sale because I keep it in such good shape but I have no control over the rusting chassis problem. I have no idea what to do next, help.

I own a wonderful 1998 Toyota 4runner ltd sport vehicle. The frame is disappearing due to severe rust. The heat shield has worn away, and now my feet get very hot after just 20 minutes of local driving. Have had it checked by a garage, nothing functionally wrong with my SUV.

While having repairs made to differential housing for a rust hole, mechanic pointed out rust holes though frame on both sides of vehicle about mid vehicle. Mechanic cautioned that vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive. Vehicle is otherwise in good condition and well maintained.

Frame is rotting away on right side of vehicle. I have noticed this on multiple Toyota 4runners of this era. This makes it impossible to service the vehicle as well since it is no longer safe to raise with a vehicle lift that lifts at the frame. When accelerating to 20-25 mph and letting off the rear of the vehicle sways tremendously and is greatly amplified when trying to accelerate back up to speed.

Frame rot/rust and mechanic won't work on it to remove, rebalance tires. Under frame is rusted out. Not safe.

Rusted frame multiple areas. Rear stabilizer bar rusted off while pulling out into traffic leaving my place of employment. I heard a noise, pulled over and looked but didnt see the problem. While home I looked again and found the stabilizer bar hanging rusted off of the frame. I had someone look further and they found multiple areas with rust including the opposite side looks ready to do exact thing and lose the stablizer bar to rust.

Purchased this Toyota 4 runner from a dealership only to find out last week the frame is rusted with holes. I believe the dealership knew this and should not have sold the vehicle under such dangerous conditions that it's in.

The drivers side rear control arm broke free from frame due to rusted frame.

While driving on a busy road the rear lower control arm frame mount broke due to frame rot. The vehicle started to sway back and forth violently and I was able limp it to the repair shop. The frame and mount for the control arm are rotted through and the vehilce is not safe to drive, this is my main daily driver vehicle. There is no fix for this besides replacing the frame. I know there is alot of miles on this truck but mechanically there is nothing wrong with it and it runs great.

I was driving down the road and I hit a bump didn't think anything of it until I went on the highway, the rear end started jumping as the car increased speed. I started to lose control so I slow down and eventually pulled over. I exited the car and proceeded to inspect the car's under body, I didm;t see anything so I proceeded to drive home doing under 20miles per hour as to not make the rear end jump. When I arrived at home I lifted the car up and further inspected the under side,I then notice that the rear lower control arm on the drivers side was completely dislocated from the frame upon further investigation I noticed the factory wield disengaged from the frame.

I was driving on a back road, hit a pothole and the rear drivers side control arm ripped away from the frame. Found out frame was rusted from the inside out, and should not have been inspected. I had just recently bought the vehicle, and it had gone through PA inspection two months before I bought it. Its a shame, the rest of the truck, motor, interior, body panels, was in perfect condition.

The frame on my 1998 4runner has been destroyed by rust beyond what should be acceptable. There are some holes in the frame and the rust is severe. The frame should be a lifetime part, not something that fails in this manner, and the state of the frame is completely unacceptable by any standards. I brought it to a Toyota dealership to have them look at it, and they told me to my face that it was not safe, but they would not make a report or put that in writing. Their report said something along the lines of 'customer said frame was rusty, technician confirmed that frame is rusty. ' Toyota should have a recall on these vehicles and replace the frames and any associated items that have been ruined by the rust. Toyota recalled all the bad tacoma frames that were rusty through the same time period, so they should definitely do the same for all the 4runner owners out there with this troubel.

The frame was poorly designed from the factory. With the hollow style frame as thin as it is, does not have proper drainage. This design from Toyota causes premature oxidization of the frame/under carriage, because moisture from normal driving conditions is failed to be evacuated from the frame even after being kept in a dry warm place for storage. This problem is widely documented online in forums dedicated specifically to these vehicles. The frame rust is so bad on mine, I can no longer drive it. I am recently unemployed, and have not nearly enough savings for a new vehicle. This will become a national safety hazard soon as higher mileage 4runners of this frame design are commonly coming down in price on the used market and are often sought after as good "starter car" for new drivers and teens. Toyota should do the honorable thing , which they demonstrated and saved lives with the recall of tacoma model frames. I am now car-less in a rual area, which makes me pretty much unemployable. Thanks Toyota, if the frame I bought was half as well built as the body and engine of the auto I purchased, I would not be in the situation, and the highways would not be at risk, which they are now.

The frame has become severely rusted and has become unsafe to operate.

Frame rust. Lots of areas of frame beginning to fall. Car swaying. Afraid of getting into accident.

The frame of the body is rusting from the inside to outside, its a saftey issue since it might take a while before one can realise what is going on since the outer part of the vehicle frame somwhat seem to be ok.

Engine failed while driving on the highway at normal speed. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Truck continued to fail and not start for another week until it was towed to dealer again. Second dealer claims ecu is rusted caused by a leak somewhere. Truck purchased 4 months ago and was a certified used veh. Toyota will not pay for the fix. Nlm.

Severe frame rust prematurely. Frame integrity rapidly dissolving. Pieces of frame falling off. Unsafe to drive.