general problems of the 1999 Toyota 4Runner - part 1

The frame above the rt rear tire has rusted completely through. It's where the rear end bolts to the frame, at a wedge welded to the frame with bolt holes in it. It's like it wants to flip over and darts left or right every time there's a dip or rough spot in the road. I chained it and put a tow strap around everything I could to keep the rear end from coming out & killing me or someone behind me.

The contact's wife owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at a slow speed, the back end of the vehicle began to wobble. The contact stated that his daughter pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was inspected and severe corrosion was discovered on the driver's side rear lower control arm mount. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there are no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Over the years of ownership, my vehicle has been overwhelmed with rust issues. All four axles are rusted to include the brake components. I didn't realize how bad the rusting was until I heard "popping" noise when making turns the rear suspension sway bar link was rusted so bad, it broke free. I had the rack and pinion replaced in August of 2020 because rust ate through the lines. The frame appears to have separations due to rust as well.

Right rear chassis rusted out.

My vehicle is very clean and well maintained and had no indication of trouble or handling issues. A repair shop was taking it back to fix an exhaust problem when he nearly lost control. I couldn't believe it when he notified me it was unsafe to drive, but found out that one section of the frame had totally rusted through where the axle link mounts to the frame. It could have torn the axle out from under the vehicle with no previous warning. I had been driving on 4 lane interstate at 70 just days before with no handling issues at all. I personally have changed the oil and greased the drive train all but once over the past five years and not noticed this small area of severe rust through. I have also spent over $3000 on exhaust, tires, and maintenance repair over the past year because I thought it was worthy of 5-10 more years and 100,000 more miles. My 2001 camry is driven by my son now and has approximately 390,000 miles on it. I just sold my 1994 Jeep cherokee with over 300,000 miles on it and this 4runner body is in much better condition than those and that was why I expected this would too. This is definitely a weak spot hard to detect because myself and 3 other mechanic places had not seen it when servicing it but yet it is also a very critical function that can cause complete loss of control when the left side of the axle is torn loose and out from the vehicle. Head-on collisions, rollovers, etc are very likely. Therefore, I believe that this warning must be made known to other drivers of these 4runners and a recall to replace the frame as needed just like Toyota has done for other trucks of theirs, I. E. Tundra, sequoia, tacoma with full frame like this. Thank you for your consideration of this for protection of our public. I have plenty more photos of the vehicle that I can share to substantiate the soundness of the rest of the vehicle or bad spot rusting.

I heard rubbing noises from my left front wheel. I thought brakes but when I inspected the underside of my vehicle I noticed that the rubbing was coming from a rusted and broken off brake shield. I am older with back issues so getting under the car for a good look m is tough at best. What I could see using a rigid seesnake boroscope was extensive rust . Rust all over key structural frame components from motor mounts to steering linkage the chassis in some areas has completely disappeared. Looking at the body you would think the car was in really good shape but not underneath. Toyota didn't have 4runners as part of their recall but they should have as the 4runner uses the same truck chassis as the tacomas . I need this truck and I need it to be safe. Thanks for listening.

Rear suspension mount separated from frame at weld, vehicle was rustproofed when new.

Frame is all rusted and corroded.

1999 Toyota 4runner ltd 4x4 frame is rotted /rusted out will need major repairs or new frame apparently this is all 4runners and tacomas built from the mid 90s to mid 2000s both sides of the frame rot on the inside and bottom of the frame so much so they started selling kits to fix this on ebay what a shame I never though Toyota would be such junk sad they wont fix / recall the 3rd gen 4 runner in there current frame recall even tho they have the exact same issue . Safety issues . . . .

Vehicle frame is rotted.

Frame rusted falling apart. So soft I can stick my fingers through it.

Frame rot has led to abnormal tire wear, vehicle changing lanes unexpectedly, and death wobble. Tires and shocks replaced September, needed new tires after 90 days also tie rods and bushings. Vehicle is unsafe to drive.

While driving in the right lane on a 3 lane highway at approx. 65mph, while feeling the vehicle jerk to the right, thrusting the vehicle onto the right shoulder. While trying to compensate to the left, the vehicle, immediately rolled 3-4 times across the 3 lanes of traffic, onto the left shoulder. The left rear axle and wheel was no where to be found.

Like everyone else the frame is just rotten through and through in the back, I have a tundra, 2 sequoia's, a highlander and a rav4. Ranging from 2001 to 2015, and the frame on the 01 sequoia looks new, this is a bad frame and gabe at keith pierson Toyota in jacksonville said there is nothing I can do about it. Toyota needs to fess up to this one.

Rear part of frame badly rusted out completely broken while driving towed to repair shop cost $1200 to weld frame to make drivable again.

Frame has extensive rust inside and out . Suspension and rocker panels are affected also. I was wondering about a frame recall since they have done so with other Toyota frames.

As I was driving down the interstate I crossed a bridge and rear end of vehicle was going all over the road. The passenger side sway arm and ripped away from the frame. The frame to me seems to made out of too thin of metal. Never had a vehicle frame do that ever.

1- the seatbelt threads become loose and broke. 2- at 50 m/h the car is bouncing left to right.

The driver's side lower rear link fell off the frame due to severe rusting. Passenger side about to. Mechanic won't even attempt a repair. The frame is too rusted. The vehicle is not safe to drive. I bought it used and have had it for 2. 5 years. Toyota has no recall on it and can not assist me, even though this is the same issue that the tacoma and other models were recalled for.

The 3rd generation 4runner frame is falling apart due to rust issues and is making vehicle unsafe to drive. Drivers side trailing arm mount rusted through and was disconnected from vehicle. I had to have the frame patch welded at great expense to myself.

Original owner, not located in the "rust belt" took 4runner to exhaust shop to have a new exhaust put on and once underneath the vehicle you could see that the frame has completely rusted through near where the trailing arm brackets are and on the inside/underneath of the frame. The rest of the frame is in great condition because the 4runner has been take care of and maintained. There will be about a 2 foot section of frame that will need to be cut out as well as new trailing arm brackets to be cut and welded in. This vehicle is no longer safe to drive and worth scrap value, when it should be worth about $5000. The interior is perfect, it runs great, and everything works as it should but the most important part of the vehicle, the frame is crumbling. I will never buy another Toyota. I have domestic vehicles that are 10 years older with more miles that look nothing like this. They recall tundras, tacomas, and seqouis, but not the 4runner? give me a break.

The frame metal and bracket that connects the frame to the rear axle has rotted off completly making the car undrivable and unsafe to drive. The whole rear axle can move forward and backward.

Perpetual rear brake failure due to leaking rear axle grease seals which throw grease onto rear brake shoes. Soaking them and rendering them useless and innefective. Causing unsafe braking. According to Toyota dealer, and sears auto service in dover, delaware. , repairs similar to this are being performed on similar vintage Toyota four runner models on a weekly basis. The average repair cost is over $1000,. This appears to be a vehicle manufacturers defect not a standard maintenance issue and could result in injuries or death. I had no brake power in a number of emergency situations, in others my braking distance increased dramatically, in a few cases, I've had the repairs done but the problem has returned,.

The frame has serious internal rust rot. The exterior of the frame appears relatively rust free, but the interior is filled with rust and crumbles when pushed with a finger.

Frame rust is more severe than it should be for a car of this age.

Went to do preventive maintenance and noticed my frame is rusted trough on passenger rear close to axle. There is a hole about 10-12 inches long. Very very unsafe and probably won't pass inspection. Makes me sick to my stomach. Why won't Toyota fix this issue. From what I've seen it's common on this year of 4runner.

The frame on the passenger side rear rite under the rear door frame is rusted all the way through very bad don't feel safe driving it !!! I just bought it less than a month ago from an individual that is a car sales man for Toyota west in columbus OH !! wanting to know what I can do I haven't even put a 1000 miles on it !!.

While operating the vehicle on a public road, the rear end of said vehicle began to "swap" back and forth at most any speed, acting as if a suspension component had malfunctioned. When making a left turn from a dead stop, a loud thump was heard un the vehicle. The handling issue had become much worse. We were a short distance from home, and were able to make our way slowly until reaching home. Upon inspection, I discovered that the frame had rusted out in from of the rear axle where the trailing arm mounts to the frame, causing the bracket for the trailing arm to disconnect from the frame almost completely. There are many other areas on the frame which are severely rusted and appear will fail as well. This is the second Toyota we've owned with this problem. The first was a 1998 tacoma that Toyota bought back from me. Why isn't frame an option on the list of affected parts above? why is it that this make and model is not being handled the same way or with a frame replacement? this is not something I can afford to replace. I bought Toyota because of their reputation for quality. Just what I need after the sudden death of my mother just 2 days prior. Thanks for nothing Toyota. Dodge is looking pretty good right about now.

I own a 1999 Toyota 4runner, the inside frame rail is almost completely rusted through near the rear trailing arm bracket . Upon investigation I've came across multiple images, websites, and forums that show the exact same problem! how is it that a manufacturer can have this much of a wide spread problem and nothing be done about it! they fixed the problem on their trucks around the same year and replaced the frames or bought back the vehicles, I understand the frames where made in different places but there is obviously still a problem! Toyota cannot expect people to believe that these frames were not defective when the exact same problem is prevailing in a majority of these vehicles! how can a manufacturer like Toyota fix such small issues such as blinkers, interior lighting, reflectors etc and totally ignore such a major safety concern as this! I guess it's going to take a 4runner with a family of 4 to crash injuring or killing all of them to make someone step up and say we have a problem! something must be done!.

Recently had new tires put on car. I then had a muffle repaired, was not happy and took to Toyota dealer to have done properly. I was told that my car was unsafe to drive and it could not be repaired. The frame is completely rusted and could cause a major accident. The car looks great and there is little issues with the body and engine. I was planning on getting another 100,000 miles on the car. I took it to a garage for a second opinion and was told that you could push your finger through the frame. I now have a pretty good looking car parked in a driveway which is unsafe to drive. I cannot believe that there is no recall or warning on this safety issue! I volunteer for a dog rescue and drive on the highway to pick up and drop off these beautiful dogs never knowing that I could have ended their life as well as mine and others! unbelievable! Toyota did have a frame recall on the tacoma, why are they risking innocent lives with no warning!!.

Well maintained 99 4runner. . . Original-excellent condition paint and no rust on body panels. Noticed after examining the underside that frame has rusted through in multiple sections. Some sections near rear suspension mounts. If mounts break loose could result in serious accident.

My 1999 Toyota 4 runner has a severe issue with a rotted out frame. I was simply backing out of my driveway and came to a halt when I heard a thump. As I preceded to drive the vehicle it became apparent the backend was not responding well. I could feel the back end swaying and it felt as if there was an issue with the suspension. I took it in for inspection and was told the frame had rotted out right where the springs attach to the frame on the left hand side of the frame. The right side is rotted as well but the frame is still attached.

Upon inspection of vehicle, the inside of the frame on both sides had rusted completely away. After investigation this seems to be a common problem on this vehicle. I have always kept the vehicle clean and the body has zero rust on it.

Driving down road and car started swaying badly even when shifting gears heard a noise when got home I had vehicle looked at and the bracket that holds the rear was broke it is rusted right from frame on passenger side and further inspection shows severe frame rust just like the trucks that were recalled stated the same issue is taking place and these should have been recalled. I notified Toyota and they don't want to be bothered. I have contacted a lawyer and the attorney general office. Please open an investigation for a recall before someone gets killed.

The frame has rotted out of this vehicle due to excessive rust. Most notably on the passenger's side towards the rear axle. Apparently this is a major problem with Toyota vehicles and the manufacturer is refusing to do anything about it.