general problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

Had this vehicle for 4 months. Low owner count, and 160k miles with good maintenance history. Noticed a slight sway at times on the road, suspected tires and/or alignment. After replacing and servicing it, it was discovered the frame is rotted out extremely bad from front to back. The passenger side frame rail is completely open on the bottom from corrosion, causing stability issues and now the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

The frame of my vehicle is extremely rusted for it's age. Every component attached to the frame is overly rusted as well. It is spreading like a virus throughout the under body. I am becoming increasingly concerned about hauling, towing, or even driving my vehicle due to this rust. With only 172,000 miles, this should not be occurring. I have been keeping it in a garage for the past 5 years but as the 2nd owner it's probably too little, too late. Toyota should recall these vehicles as they did some other models.

I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.

"takata recall". So I'm not understanding a problem with my Toyota 4runner. As of yesterday there was a great amount of smoke coming from the area of the oil stick from my assumption the oil was getting on the Cadillac converter. Or something that would hit something hot on the engine to cause it to smoke I'm trying to find out if there is a recall for that.

Frame is rusting through where "front clip" joins side rails. Found during normal vehicle service. Vehicle deemed "safe" to use at present, but the frame will fail in the future. Vehicle was purchased new, one owner, garaged, approximately 125,000 miles, all street miles, never off-roaded.

Vehicle was maintained at a Toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the Toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the Toyota tundras and tacoma�s.

Frame is very rusted and I feel it may becoming unsafe to drive. I recently had a recall on my 2006 Toyota tacoma due to rust and the frame was replaced. My 2003 Toyota 4runner has more rust than the tacoma did and would expect that it should also be recalled as was the tacoma for the extensive rust.

Car was running perfectly. Brakes were services 6 months ago. Traveled from nc to FL for holiday. Started car maintenance light went on showed air bag indicator light with ear piercing buzzer. Went to drive car to Toyota service department and had no brakes. They would work slightly but to dangerous to drive. Did not have brakes.

I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by Toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems.

I have had this vehicle for many years and I "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise I could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame! I am afraid this vehicle will kill me! what if it decides to completely break at an axle or part of the undercarriage. Do I drive it and take the chance of getting hurt or killed before someone will order a recall. We can send photos if necessary as this will most certainly add validity to the concern.

Frame rusting out.

Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame. The body, interior, powertrain are 8. 5 out of 10 the frame is a 0 I live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m. P. H. . Without any warning the 4runner sent the front of the truck hard left and the rear of the truck to the right. The tires were screeching and I was sent sideways into oncoming traffic narrowing missing cars and pedestrians in the area. I got the truck to "crab walk" back across the road into a parking out and called a tow truck. When we got the truck home the tow truck driver and I took a look under the truck to see what went wrong. The right rear control arm mount had completely separated from the frame. With the truck on ththe ground I was able to roll the rear right wheel forward and backwards about 5 inches without the vehicle moving at all. I then got under the truck and saw that the cross member under the transmission had rusted away and and what not in contact with the driver side of the truck. Also I could push holes in the the frame with my fingers around the driver/ front passenger doors. I have not driven the 4runner since and I dont have 8k+ to pay a shop to replace a frame. Toyota needs to step up and take care of its customers before someone gets killed.

Excessive rust on the chassis. Abnormal noise noise. The metal could detach and cause accident. See pictures for details.

Everything about my Toyota 4runner is in great condition except when I brought it in for an inspection I was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since I purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, I've always taken my car to Toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. For the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for tundra and sequoia recall.

Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle. Body mounts disintegrating at rear. Other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely. Rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.

Upon driving our 4runner, we noticed that the brakes were completely gone. We immediately turned around and parked the vehicle. We got it to the service facility and upon inspection the entire undercarriage has excessive rust causing the rear caliper o leak which destroyed the rear brakes. The technician advised us that the brake lines will need replaced and the motor mounts and frame are severely corroded. His opinion is close to be unsafe to drive.

The frame on my 2003 4runner is completely rusted beyond what is reasonable and safe. I purchased the 4runner new and now I have been told by several auto repair shops the frame is not safe to drive. Some shops refuse to put the 4runner on a lift in fear the frame will break. This is a serious issue and I fear for the safety of my family. I feel this rust issue is the fault of Toyota to not prep the frame to resist corrosion.

Excessive frame rust preventing it from passing inspection.

My 2003 4runner has been suffering from extremely bad frame corrosion. During a recent inspection it became clear that the frame is at failure point. Large holes have developed on the passenger side main box rail (bottom and sides). Additionally, holes have developed on front frame rails, just inside fender wells (both sides). Vehicle is no longer safe to operate. Body is in excellent condition, absolutely no corrosion at all on the body. Engine/transmission/drivetrain are all in perfect working order. This frame issue needs attention from Toyota.

Frame rusted recall : I am the original owner of this 4runner and I am told that I cannot pass inspection because the frame is rusted out. There are a number of areas of the frame that has holes rusted out and I feel the saftey of the vehicle is very much jeopardised now and Toyota should recall the frame or give a credit towards a new Toyota 4 runner. I would be interested in that. I can upload pictures of my frame if necessary. I created a Toyota customer compliant record a few years ago and was told that Toyota rejected being responsible. Seems very unfair that Toyota is replacing frames from tacomas, tundras and sequioas around the same year as my 4runner and they say they are not responsible for my 4runner and anyone else's as well. . I can provide this Toyota compliant # if needed.

My 2003 Toyota 4runner is suffering from widespread underside rust. Including but not limited to the frame, radiator support, suspension components, brake lines and tow hitch.

Frame is getting large rust holes throughout entire frame.

Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. This appears to be a very common problem, but Toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem.

Substantial corrosion of the frame, technician advised owner not to drive the vehicle.

Rust all over the frame. There are many parts where it has ate through the frame in welds.

Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.

Frame is badly rusted. After a minor accident, the body shop stated they were unable to weld in a replacement crossmember due to excessive rust. I understand Toyota has recalled frames of similar vehicles but not 4runners.

The frame it's rusted.

Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. Frame is exact same as Toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from Toyota.

Took the truck for inspection it won't pass frame is rotted beyond fixing!!.

Frame and suspension attached to the frame corroded early. The attachments for the rear shocks are almost corroded through.

My 2003 Toyota 4 runner has massive frame rot. I fixed what I could, but still fighting with the problem. I know Toyota recalled their pick up trucks because of frame issues, they should do the same for their 4 runners.

Noticed the right front wheel making awful sound. I had my mechanic to take a look. It is the wheel bearings going out, but then proceeded to tell me that the rust is so bad underneath that all the hose lines will have to be replaced. Brake lines leaking, transmission line leaking. All will have to be replaced. The rust is eating away underneath the car like cancer. No stopping it. The sway bars are rusting into as well. Our mechanic will let us know how much it will cost to repair the lines. . . But is it worth spending the money on??? this is our 7th Toyota that we have owned, always taken excellent care of vehicle, and I have never experience such a rusty mess. Love my 4runner but really don't know what to do with it!.

Extensive frame rust through and rear differential/axle rust the frame rust is in an area that connects the rear axle to the vehicle.

Frame is rusted through making the vehicle unsafe and will not pass safety inspection.