Ten problems related to front suspension control arm have been reported for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2003 4Runner.
Rear driver side control arm broke off at the frame after striking pothole at highway speed. After the failure the vehicle was very hard to control and almost led to a rollover. The vehicle was unable to be driven and had to be towed. Toyota recalled tundra's, tacoma's, and sequoia's for frame replacement so it is a known problem. Will Toyota be held liable for accidents resulting from premature frame failure? by recalling the other models they obviously acknowledged it was a problem and 4runners share the same platform as the tacoma so why were they not included?.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle frame was corroded trough and both rear control arm detached while driving. The contact mention that when he check under the vehicle he noticed lots of spot was cover with a black tape and was painted over to hide the rust and with holes. The contact stated that the rear tire move forward and backward causing the tires to eat up the bumper and rip in pieces the plastic trim panel. The vehicle was towed to the contact residence. The contact called aaa and informed them of the failure and was informed to contact NHTSA. The dealer nor manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Aw.
The vehicle frame has multiple perforations greater than 10mm. One such perforation has created a crack on the frame just in front of the right rear lower control arm mount. If this vehicle were to hit a bad enough bump or pot hole, there exists a possibility the frame could snap and allow the control arm to become free and the vehicle would lose control.
The rust on the frame of this vehicle is unlike anything I've seen in comparison to it's age. I work on vehicles frequently and have not seen anything like this in a modern age vehicle, and vehicles that are over 40 years old that I own or work on don't have rust that is remotely this bad. Upon further investigation, I found the entire weld line of the frame rails to be corroded through in an approximately 28" section. With further investigation, the entire bottom section of that rail was rusted out to be extremely thin and separated at the seam, entirely compromising the integrity of the frame rail. 2 of the body mounts are also rusted out as well as some of the suspension mount components. The vehicle is at risk for having the spring and strut assembly or the control arm assembly detaching from the frame under normal operation conditions. This is an incredible safety risk as it could result in the vehicle losing all steering control. Luckily it was found before an accident occurred.
Tl the contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. The contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. Also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. The vehicle was taken to big o tires (2245 state st, new albany, in 47150, 812-949-0736) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side control arm was fractured and the driver's side control arm could fracture at any moment. The vehicle was towed to mccormick motor sports (1041 s 6th st, louisville, ky 40203, (502) 584-1981) where the contact was informed that the head gasket was causing cylinder three to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,500.
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!.
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.
2003 Toyota 4 runner was brought into dealership on Saturday August 29, 2015 to inspect the frame rust. The rust was verified by the dealer, and was sent on my way, with no warning that it was unsafe. Monday August 31, 2015, the vehicle experienced a frame failure that could have been catastrophic. The driver side rear control arm mount broke free from the frame at approximately 30 mph. The rearend started to shake, wobble and vibrate and was immediately pulled off the road. Talked to dealer, no recalls on said vehicle. Talked to Toyota corporate, they said there is nothing they can do. Tacoma's and tundra's have a recall, but not the 4runner. A complaint was filed here on July 5, 2015.
2003 Toyota 4runner with excessive frame rot on rear of frame. Rear control arm mount is compromised with extreme rust perforation. Bump stop over axle is missing because of 2"-4" hole in outer frame rail. Car is deemed unsafe to drive.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.