general problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner - part 1

While my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle was heavily corroded. He told me that he believe it was no longer safe to drive and that I contact Toyota. I had a local Toyota service center also look at it and they confirmed that the chassis/frame was heavily corroded and unsafe to drive.

Frame is rotted from front to back.

There is severe rust on the frame, the rear is listing by 3/4 of an inch due to suspension rust, parts of the frame are perforated and lots of rust can fall out of drain holes when tapped. I am unable to steer the truck due to the intermediate steering column rust. The tacoma was recalled for the same reason, I am assuming the 4runner has not been recalled because it was manufactured in greater numbers, and therefore more costly to repair, the danger of the severe rust is the same in both vehicles.

Rusted frame.

The frame has rusted out. It has many large holes throughout and will not pass state inspection and is deemed unsafe.

I have not actually had an incident yet, but have been advised by the Toyota service team that I should no longer tow trailers and should consider not driving it at all due to frame rust/perforation in front of the rear control arms. This has been a well cared for vehicle that is in otherwise great shape (it has had every repair the dealership has ever recommended) the vehicle was bought per the dealerships claim that it could be driven "forever" as long as the dealership takes care of it. And now I'm faced with a massive expense to repair or replace the vehicle.

Really bad frame rust, holes in frame, engine mounts. . . . Cracked dash board. All problems shared by many 2003 4runner owners too. I'll take more photos. . Thanks for your attention.

The frame is rusted beyond repair and is dangerous to drive. The frame cross members are rusted through. One cross member that supports the transfer case is about to fail and would cause the transfer case to drop out of the bottom of the truck causing a catastrophic failure and possible accident. The vehicle cannot be driven. The problem is unrepairable. The truck has to be junked. The problem was brought to my attention by the Toyota service rep during a routine service appointment. The rust appeared several years ago but not to this extent.

I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highway this was a very dangerous and scary incident pulled over and my fiancé checked under the engine a very large metal piece was dragging the road I did not hit a bump or anything. A body shop mechanic informed me that the chasis of the 4 runner was in extremely bad condition the 4runner will not pass inspection because of this condition I respectfully request help in this matter.

Three mechanics said the frame was rusted with holes and is unsafe to drive. The vehicle is not inspectable, so had to have mechanic weld steele on frame to be able to pass inspection.

Adding my name to the list of people who have experienced excessive and premature frame rust on their 4runner, potentially causing unsafe conditions which could lead to a collision. Toyota addressed this problem for the tacoma, sequoia, and tundra of the same years, and they should do the same for the 4runner.

Loud noise while driving. Upon inspection, excessive rust and corrosion to frame of vehicle found. Holes in frame larger than 2 inches.

Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.

The frame on my vehicle is rusting prematurely. It's doing this on many other 4runners and other Toyota trucks.

Frame is rusted out, excessive rust throughout the entire frame and suspension components. Sway bar mounts for rear axle have rusted out vehicle is unsafe to drive.

The auto has 130,000 but the frame has rusted through in several places and is considered unsafe to drive.

My 2003 Toyota 4 runner sr5 was swaying back and forth at speeds up to 35 mph something is wrong thinking maybe the sway bars so took it to a mechanic and after he drove it and put it up on a lift he was frightened on how much rust and separation on the frame especially the rear passenger side right next to the muffler complete separation and then you walk to the middle any day now that would have separated . I was told to to have a tow truck take it back to my house which is about two-three miles away which I did but now it sits in my garage - and with only 139,000 mile on it not able to drive or sell unless its for junk.

The frame of my 4runner is so so rusted that my mechanic put his finger through a piece of the frame it is so unsafe for mr and my grand children and everyone else on the road that it literally makes me sick. It'd the only vehicle I have so I have no choice but to drive it. It terrifying. It is available to inspect at anytime. I just bought this vehicle less than a year ago from a dealership and it so sad that they wld sell it to anyone knowing the frame was rusted its criminal in my opinion. It is for sure a safety hazard to everyone. I hope that this investigation proves to help get all of these 4runners off the road. So that a preventable tragedy doesn't happen.

I was at a complete stop. Right after I let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently. It was a traumatic experience. I don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common? also, shortly after I took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles. Toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler. I just noticed two rust spots above the rear window. It appears water is seeping in from above the black strip and ponding on thr bottom of it (above the window), resulting in rust. I am wondering if this is common or a problem because the black strip was removed to repaint, or wasn't sealed as well by the factory?.

I purchased this 2003 Toyota 4runner in 2018 under what I assumed was prime condition, for a vehicle that spent the majority of its life in nebraska/kansas before I moved to texas in 2021. At 87,400 miles at the time of purchase, the vehicle had no visible damage to the exterior besides a few paint chips, some minor hail damage and scratches, and some easily fixed surface rust in the paint on the tailgate. The previous owner had driven it leisurely and had kept the miles low after 15 years. The car has had some mechanical issues, but nothing out of the ordinary outside of some regular maintenance over the first few years. Being close to 100,000 miles, the timing belt and pump was replaced around 98,000 miles. Other issues have been fixed periodically, please reference the attached files. After joining a Toyota 4runner 4th generation facebook group and seeing a post about another's issues with rust damage in October 2020, I decided to take a look at my own frame. I then inspected my own vehicle, and found significant frame rot damage. It is extensive, with significant rust to the frame, with large holes and soft patches that question the integrity of the frame and the safety of the vehicle on the road. Every time I hit a small bump or pothole, I fear the frame will crack and I will lose control as others have. I have not sought out professional repairs due to the extensive cost, and am awaiting the outcome of a current class action lawsuit by the bell legal group. The 4th generation Toyota 4runner (2003-2009) is built on the exact same frame as the Toyota tacoma of that era, yet while the tacoma was recalled for frame rot, the 4runner was not included, which I believe to be a gross oversight in previous legal proceedings. The 2003-2009 Toyota 4runner is a reliable vehicle, but poses significant frame rot issues much earlier than should be expected.

This 2003 4runner has 85k miles on it and has severe rust on the front corners of the frame. The safety of driving this vehicle is questionable. There's also significant rust on other metal components as well. I previously owned a 2006 tundra that was recalled for severe frame rust and I know several other people that had tundras and tacomas with severe rust problems on the frame. The 4runner has a truck frame under it like the other Toyota trucks and has the same frame rust issues. Why is there no recall for the 4runner?.

The trailing arm mount on the frame broke off. The stabilizer bar end link mount broke free of the frame.

Took 2003 4runner to dealer for alignment. Was informed that frame has rusted to point of making car unsafe to drive. No other original components have rust.

I own a 2003 Toyota 4runner. I was aware that Toyota had issues with the tacoma, tundra, and sequoia vehicles with rusting frames, but I was unaware that the 4runners were plagued with the same frame rot issues. I have owned the 4runner for over a year and have had to repair the frame due to rust through issues now on three seperate occasions. The frame is vertually a total loss. The engine, transmission, and other components are great, but the frame rust has made the vehicle too unsafe to continue to own.

Rusty frame.

I've come to find out that these models and years . . . . . Are riddled with excessive rust. Unsafe rust to the point that my vehicle will no longer pass inspection. The rust has compromised the frame where it is unsafe for my family to travel in!!! my problem was detected by my mechanic after routine service.

The frame is rusted with areas that need to be repaired or frame replaced. When the vehicle is in motion the steering wheel moves back and forth after hitting a bump. It is like the front end is lose. I have had it aligned, so it is not out of alignment.

Frame rotting. 4 runner garaged and short commute. Very well maintained at local dealer. Vehicle low maintenance. Rotting reported by Toyota technician.

We bought a used Toyota 4 runner in September 2017 from a used car dealer. The vehicle looked great and drove amazing but after having it serviced we were informed that the vehicle was rusty on the frame and to keep an eye on it. Over time the vehicle got worse and we had it looked at and were told it would need to have a frame or be repaired. Essimate around $5000 since the vehicle was financed we dont feel safe driving it as we were told it is unsafe. We dont have the money to buy another vehicle is this covered uder the lemon law. Toyota wil not do anything regarding this. But it is clearly a defecitive prouduct. They were recalls done on Toyota trucks with the same issue but not the 4 runner. Please add me to any pending lawsuits regarding this issue. Tyler wright tylervwright@yahoo. Com.

Frame rusting excessivly.

The frame on my 2003 Toyota 4runner has severe rust damage. I have always taken great care of this truck. Regular washing, cleaning, maintenance etc. . . I have tried to grind off the rust, use rust inhibiting products, and undercoating without any luck. The truck is in excellent condition, but the frame is rotting away right before my eyes. I'm afraid this $37000 truck will not make it to 75000 miles. I know Toyota has had recalls on the tacoma and tundra truck frames, but did not include the 4runners for some reason. The 4runner truck frames are total junk and should also be recalled. Thank you for your help in this matter.

The main rust issues are claims arising out of a pending class action lawsuit pleadings’ that the Toyota manufacturer perform at no cost inspections, in addition to dire emergency needed replacement of including my 2003 Toyota 4runner frame because of premature rusting of the undercarriage-my vehicle’s frame due to improper treatment against rust corrosion during manufacturing-inadequate rust protection, which has lead to severe excessive rust corrosion significant enough to affect structural integrity, compromising the vehicle’s safety, stability & crash-worthiness, & poses a dangerous risk.

Extreme frame rust. Car is low mileage, well-kept, and outwardly in excellent condition. Recently suffered near-total brake failure. Towed it to shop for repair. Shop refused to repair brakes. They said frame was severely rusted. The rust had eaten away the point where the brake lines attached to the frame, and brake fuid was leaking from that juncture. They said if they removed the brake lines to replace them, they wouldn't be able to reattach them because there wasn't enough good frame metal to work with. They said the frame rust was so severe that they feared it could break clean through, or steering or suspension parts could break loose. They did not want to take responsibility for putting what they believed to be an unsafe vehicle back on the road. They only reason I discovered this was that the rust caused my brakes to nearly fail. Toyota has had recalls and lawsuits on identical issues involving tacomas and other truck-framed vehicles. The 4-runner is a truck-framed vehicle and should be recalled. I have photos that the repair shop sent me, but I can't send them ffrom this computer.

Frame on 2003 Toyota 4runner is completely rusted. Gas tank straps are rotted and rusted along with the plate underneath the gas tank is completely rusted. Tried to get them replaced and the service advisor damaged his tools trying to get the bolts out. Also had to replace the skid plate in the front of the vehicle. It was completely rusted through and just hanging off the front of the truck. Now the frame is completed rusted and our service technician told us that it needs to be replaced. Took it to a auto body repair shop, technician worked for Toyota for 30 years and told us to call them because the frame should be replaced. Toyota does not agree.

Excessive frame rust. Multiple reports of this.