general problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

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.

The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.

I purchased this vehicle a week ago. It appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. If they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. Just today, a Toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. If I had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear. But having owned the vehicle for a week, this has made me very angry. It only has 88k miles on it. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle.

Frame broken.

I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When I let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When I applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. I can bend it back and forth with my hand. I have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. It is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.

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.

Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that I am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road. There are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.

Frame is rotting apart. Several holes and cracks.

I was driving my 2003 Toyota 4 runner about 1 mile from my home when all of a sudden there was a loud pop and the 4 runner raised up in the rear like a cat and there was another loud bang and I was stopped dead in my tracks almost getting thrown into the windshield and dash. The 4 runner would not move, and there was a loud popping noise against the floorboard and also on the ground. I got out and looked under the rear and saw all the damage and what caused it. The cause was complete rust, I have never saw a vehicle rust that fast that badly. It was fine in the spring when I washed it and underneath it as I always do after winter. The rear end was rusted so bad it would crumble in your hands the whole underside was in the same shape. The gas tank guard was half rusted away the frame was covered in rust, every piece of metal under the 4 runner was badly rusted. Now back to the damage that was caused, the big bar that connected the rear end to the frame on the passenger side had rusted completely off and the rear end shifted back and down pulling out the drive shaft and it stuck into the pavement making the 4 runner suddenly stop. The big bar on the drivers side bent down from the force bending it and the shocks pulling the rubber brake lines loose and bending the metal brake lines. The front of the rear end was cracked in a long line on the front. This is a lot of damage due to rust from inferior metal which Toyota fixed on their trucks which the frame is the same. They need to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt. This 4 runner only has 102375 miles and should not be in this shape. I have 84, 91, and 94 fords that do not have this rust. I can't help but think what would have happened if I had been doing 55 or more on a four lane road when this broke off. My grand sons or I could have been killed or someone else. Recall.

The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles. We cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.

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.

Frame rusting out. Was told could not drive of dealers lot after being brought in for break job.

Frame is showing excessive rust. Remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. Engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. Gas tank support is completely gone.

My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.

The frame on my 2003 Toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve I lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the Toyota 4 runners. This happened 9/26/2018.

My 2003 4runner frame is rusted out at the rear trailing arm support and half way down the rail. This 4runner is in perfect shape and only has 200k. Toyotas were supposed to lass for a lot longer that's why we bought it. Something has to be done and corrected just like the other frame problems Toyota has dealt with in the past!!.

The frame of my 2003 Toyota 4runner v8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage. The body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame. The frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm mount. These areas of rust damage cause me to be concerned for the safety of the vehicle in the long term. The vehicle has only 180k miles, which should leave many years of enjoyable Toyota ownership for me, if only the frame was still in half as good of shape as the body. I understand that Toyota has recently done frame replacements for other similar vehicles, and I do not understand why they would not do at least something for the 4runner. Living in michigan I always expect some rust on a 15 year old vehicle, but this is certainly excessive. I have started to use por15 rust coating to hopefully slow the rot so that the vehicle may remain safe to drive for a few more years, but I am highly disappointing none the less. I had expected this on my previous vehicle, a Nissan with open recalls for excessive rusting, but I had faith that this Toyota 4runner would not have these issues since Toyota has historically been good about making things right where rusty frames are concerned. Clearly not in this case. This does genuinely have an impact on my likelihood to purchase a new Toyota in the future, as rust is a nightmare to deal with and I don't intend to risk having to again, unless I see some signs that Toyota will help where there was clearly some kind of mistake.

Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.

2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. Potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. Dealer submitted photos to Toyota.

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.

Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma�s, tundra's and sequoia�s, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle frame corroded through. While driving the rear left side was pulling to the side. The contact a certified mechanic noticed that the trailing arm that hold the rear differential bracket separated from the frame and was detached completed. The contact stated that he welded the bracket back to the frame. The contact called corwin Toyota of fargo dealer (222 40th st s, fargo, nd 58103, (701) 282-8425) and was informed that the there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there was no recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 255,000. Aw.

After an inspection by our mechanic we were informed that our 2003 4runner's frame rusted through in multiple locations and will be drivable for a limited time. We are an original owners, the car has been maintained by a professional mechanic and has been garaged its entire life.

2003 4runner has significant frame rust and is a common and well known problem. Toyota has acknowledged the same problem with other similar models. Toyota has taken action on other models but will not with the 4runners with same frame.

My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. I have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. The car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away.

The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. Spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. It was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.

Excessive rust on the frame and under structure of the vehicle for a 2003 4runner limited. Noticed during inspection 10/19/17 and prior years.

My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and I have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. So its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value. Toyota USA recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not recall the 4runner because there were too many sold and it would have cost too much money. The frame and frame rail rot on the 4runner from that time period is well documented and many complaints have been filed with the nhta yet Toyota has seen fit not to recall the 4runner!! . What a disgrace!! the most important fact is the 4runners, past and present, sit on the exact same frame as the tacoma. The tacoma was recalled for the frame rot but the 4runner were not. Could you please provide the reasoning for not recalling the 4runner for frame rot while the tacoma with the exact same frame from the exact same factory was not/has not been recalled?.

Frame rusting underneath the rear of vehicle. Happened within the last year because when the auto was inspected in 5/2016 the rust was not there.

The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. I called Toyota on 4/12/22 and was told that there is not a recall for this issue and that any repairs would have to be paid by me. I then proceeded to call the number given to me by the representative to call 800-331-4331 for the Toyota corporate office. I spoke to blake who gave me the same answer, there was not a recall on this vehicle for rust/corrosion on the frame of vehicle. At this time, Toyota charges $150 just to check car and unfortunately, I don't have those funds to pay such a fee. I asked blake if there was a way, Toyota can check without charging a fee and his answer was no. Currently, there is not any warning lights on, but with increased time and pressure of exhaust pipe and muffler will create more problems. I cannot have the exhaust system fixed until the frame of truck is replaced. My car was checked by an independent shop.

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.

2003 4runner failed inspection due to rotting frame. Recall was available on the tundra's tacoma's and sequoia's. Why not the 4runners?.

Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the Toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 Toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts. *this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled. This 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle. The pictures are disturbing! all of our cars are older and never have we had an issue like this. The 2003 4runners are affected.

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

My 4runner frame is showing excessive rust. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape and I am diligent in keeping the vehicle in good condition. Please consider my 4runner as a frame replacement candidate.