general problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner - part 1

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.

Stabilizer bar connected to the frame rusted off,back passenger side! causing the vehicle to sway uncontrollably, due to the low rate of speed, I was able to regain control of my vehicle and not drive off the bridge I was driving over at the time or crash into another vehicle. The engine runs great, everything works, the vehicle still looks good but the frame is rusting out from underneath it! Toyota needs to make it right!.

Stabilizer bar connecting the axle to the frame rusted off. I was driving only 25-30mph at the time, luckily. The vehicle swayed violently almost causing an accident and nearly forcing me off the bridge I happened to driving over. Very fortunate no one was hurt and nothing was damaged from the incident. You can imagine the tragedy if that had happened on the highway driving 75mph! major accident, innocent lives damaged or lost. This is a very dangerous vehicle not only to the driver and passengers but also to anybody that happened to be innocently in the path of an out of control Toyota 4runner. Toyota please fix this, for your safety and everyone else on the highway. People should be warned!!.

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.

At the end of June 2021, while driving I experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4runner. I took the 4runner to a goodyear automotive service center on woodward avenue in royal oak, michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought I should take it to the closest Toyota dealership in troy, michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.

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.

Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by Toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. There’s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.

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.

I have been in contact with Toyota several times over the past 4 years about rust issues with this frame, but the refuse to fix it. They recalled the tacoma, tundra and sequoia of the same year for this reason. The frame rusts and falls apart. While driving up my road I felt the rear of the car shift to the side, I turned around and went straight home to find the frame at the rear passenger tire broken. I have attached a picture of the broken area, but can send more pictures of the entire frame if needed.

I own a 2003 Toyota 4runner with very low mileage for its age. It has been garage kept for most of its life. I was experiencing difficulty steering, and when I took the car to a mechanic, it was determined that the frame was prematurely rusted and rotted to a dangerous level putting my life at risk while driving it.

The frame is rusted beyond repair and the vehicle has spent the majority of its life in a n underground garage protected from the elements, as well as in florida. It has very low mileage, and no other serious problems.

Extreme rust and corrosion in frame, suspension components. This will lead to catastrophic failure at some point if holes and frame deterioration is not addressed quickly.

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

The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions. . A loud clunk noise. . . . Then . Brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board. . . Car is not drivable. . . Massive rust at failure points.

Frame is almost completely rusted out even thought the rest of the car is in good shape. I am afraid to let my son even drive the car. I read about the girl that died from the axle coming loose and part of the frame that holds the axle is in horrible shape. Toyota should be required to add these vehicles to the frame recall. . .

Vehicle frame is severely rusted and rotted to the point where there are holes in the frame itself making it extremely unsafe to drive. Other Toyota trucks around the same year have been recalled with similar frame issues, does not make any sense why Toyota has not recalled the 2003 4runner frames yet. Vehicle is over 205,000 miles and would probably run another 200k if not for the frame which makes this car almost undrive-able. Frame to be replaced ASAP.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would wobble and shake and was very unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe and suspension system. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000.

I took my 2003 Toyota 4runner into my local mechanic to do my annual state safety inspection and the mechanic informed me the frame was too rusted to pass inspection. Furthermore, he said that the rust was so severe it had separated the suspension from the frame. He told me it was the worst frame rust he had ever seen and that the cars frame looked like it was 20 years older then it was. It was totally rusted through in several spots. I called Toyota to see if they would work with me to fix this issue and they offered no help. All the other cars built on this frame have been recalled, I'm not sure why this one hasn't been.

I have a 2003 4runner with severe frame rust through making the vehicle a hazard to drive and to others on the road. This is clearly consistent with Toyota's other recalls.

Extreme corrosion of frame and brackets.

Vehicle would not pass new york state inspection. The vehicle was inspected twice. Once by a national auto chain, and by a Toyota dealer. The reason for failure in both cases was, rusted cracked frame rails. The dealer gave a verbal estimate for repair of $21,500. ($12,250 parts $12,250 labor).

Excessive frame and undercarriage rust. I have owned several other cars over 30-40+ years and this 03 4runner has the worst rust. Instead of simple surface rust, this rust has affected frame welds, suspension mounting points, tow and lift points. Rusting pace is extremely fast moving. There appears to be only a simple layer of thin paint, with no undercoating anywhere. This 4runner was serviced regularly, motor is running great, body and interior are in great condition. This was a gift from grandpa to grandson, but I am concerned of safety and at this point recommending only local, under 35mph travel only. Probably scrap the car soon as not much to do but replace frame. Very disappointed with misled condition, outside/inside/motor perfect, but frame rotting away. My family and friends have purchased Toyotas with little incident, but I won't buy or recommended knowing they have a life of ~10yrs.

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 away but the body is perfect. Purchased as is. Was not informed in writing about the bad frame.

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.

Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames.

Excessive frame rust. Multiple reports of this.

The rear axle assy mount bracket rusted straight through and it does a loud clunky noise while driving. Brought it to a body shop and they said I have to change the whole assy, it cant be fixed. The car was purchased from down south, theres literally no body rust, but the frame is almost all chewed away. I also cant pass NY inspection until I get it fixed, which will cost more than I paid for the car.

Excessive frame rot. 4runner should of been part of the tacoma recall and is absurd it was not in the first place. My whole passenger side frame rail is gone. I have had to constantly fix weld new metal to it.

Frame rot and unable to pass inspection new even though I have kept this truck in pristine condition. It is a real shame the don't use better steel.

Structural rust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.

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.

The back of the truck frame has rusted through. Stationary. Front axle pics included as well. Rust, wear and tear. Not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this. Rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. Plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem. I've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.

Excessive frame rust has resulted in the frame almost completely disappearing, making the vehicle unsafe to drive and forced to be taken off the road. There is less than an inch of frame holding the rear right axle in place.