general problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

After checking under my 2004 4runner for a faulty fog light connection I noticed a lot of rust on the front frame. After further investigation I found it to be completely rusted through. There isn't much holding the bumper on there.

My frame is rotted out from the inside out. Front radiator support is completely rusted out. Vehicle only has 105,000 miles. Toyota should be responsible for replacing the frame. According to the petition to investigate, 4runner owners claim the frames experience excessive corrosion and the same type of frames were cited in a previous $3. 4 billion class-action lawsuit. Included in the lawsuit were about 1. 5 million tacoma, tundra and sequoia trucks, but the petitioner says the 4runner should have been included but the attorneys didn't think there were enough customer complaints. Nhtsa says it couldn't identify any crashes or injuries related to rusted frames or suspensions, but owners have complained about almost losing control of the suvs due to rusted axles and frames. Please do something about this as this is my only vehicle.

Vehicle frame has rusted completely through in certain areas - structure and safety is compromised . . . . Normal driving & care environment but appears frame has accelerated deterioration, while all other areas (body panels, all other components) are in excellent condition - seeing this is a known Toyota issue on same models and similar models of same production years.

The frame of the vehicle has rusted so badly the Toyota dealer I have taken to for diagnosis and repairs refuses to put the vehicle on their lift to inspect or work on the underside of the car for fear of the safety of their workers. This is not a new problem for Toyota because they have lost a civil suit for premature rusting of the frames on other truck models. I took my 4runner to a frame repair shop and got an estimate. I don't have the funds to do the repair. If the repairs were not made I could continue to drive it until the frame breaks I was told. When the frame breaks it's indeterminable, how many individuals could be injured? my hope when the frame breaks I don't lose control so I won't be killed or severely injured and any others that could be involved in the accident don't get harmed either. There has been a class-action lawsuit initiated where my 4runner would be included in this suit. Toyota needs to be held accountable for a poorly designed and manufactured frame. I demand Toyota replace/repair the frame on my 4runner so that it can be safely driven to the end of life of the engine and transmission before persons are harmed from a frame failure. Inver grove Toyota first informed me the frame had holes rusted in it on November 19, 2019. Then, on Dec 20, 2019, they informed me it was unsafe to lift. I can supply copies of 3 repair invoices where the dealer made note of the corroded frame.

Chassis, brakes and all under carriage of 2004 Toyota 4 runner is rusted. Soon the car will not pass inspection. I do not live in a salt water zone. My car has never driven through salt water. I have 71,000 miles on the car. The brakes were so rusted that I had to replace them. The car will be too dangerous to drive soon.

Nhsta action # dp18002. I own a 2004 Toyota 4runner and have had problems similar to those noted in the referenced case. Upon reading the case details I investigated my 4runner and found similar serious structural corrosion problems. I consulted with a local virginia motor vehicle state inspector and learned that the corrosion was so severe, the vehicle would not pass inspection and be legally, or safely, driven. I had this damage repaired, at significant cost to myself, to return the vehicle to usable and trustworthy condition. I write in support of the reference case. Please keep me informed of any progress in this case. The "when did this happen date" is the date of discovery.

Frame rail rotting and I've always parked in a garage!.

Frame found to be rusting away and can not be safely inspected. Was told by safety mechanic areas are very bad and parts may start falling off.

I own a 2004 Toyota 4runner with significant rust on the frame that has nearly rusted through in some areas. Through my research I determined that this has been an ongoing issue for many Toyota vehicles close to the 2004 model year. Apparently the frame was not properly coated and rust has grown on my vehicle as well as many others at a much faster rate than is typically expected. I am worried about the safety of my vehicle as a result.

I brought Toyota 4runner 2004 in for a recall and the dealer told me there was major rust on frame . He showed me pictures of the frame rusted through in many areas. He told me it was dangerous to drive . I have a Toyota tundra which had similar rust on frame and Toyota put on a new frame . This car is unsafe to drive .

The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4runner as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know I'm driving home & I loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! everything rotten! why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?.

I just took the car for annual state safety inspection. It failed and the inspector said it is unsafe to drive. The part of the frame that connects the right front and right rear suspension is so rusted that the car is unsafe to drive. We have been driving this vehicle with no knowledge of this hazard.

Took my 2004 Toyota 4runner in for a brake job and the mechanic asked if their was any recalls on our vehicle for rusted frame . He said that we were going to have trouble with it soon do to frame rusting so bad.

Frame rust issue. . . . . Very bad frame rust behind the front bumper, below the radiator support. Rusting so bad that radiator support will need to be reinforced.

Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well. . . Barely holding on. Traveling from TN to PA when all this happened.

The frame of the vehicle is developing a hole on the bottom right side frame rail around where the trans mission cross-member mounts to the frame.

Under carriage , frame rust through very similar to the Toyota tacoma frame rust through.

Kings Toyota dealership informed me that the frame is rusted so severely that it is unsafe to drive the vehicle. Service technician says rust is so bad they cannot put it on a lift. .

Frame rust. Will not pass inspection.

Parts of the vehicles exterior and including frame and subframe components are excessively rusted. Parts are of the suspension and other hard parts are having to be replaced due to corrosion.

While driving my lower control arm snapped off on the rear right side of my vehicle. I almost crashed my vehicle and collided with another vehicle because I couldn't control the steering when this snapped off. My mechanic said it cannot be repaired because the frame is hollow in that area an the frame is rusting from the inside out. Pictures available by request. This issue about the frame came up at freedom Toyota in hamburg, PA when speaking to serviceman nicky. He took pictures then on 9/15/2016 and said he was going to send them into Toyota, but found out he never did this. I still have text message on my showing this and the pictures he took that day. Now two years later my vehicle is so bad, it's not repairable.

Made a left turn at approximately 10 mph, heard loud thunk, stopped vehicle, inspect ed underside left front, wheel "arm" totally detached from frame. Inspected at garage, frame rusted causing separation. Grateful this happened after turning off of 55 mph road. Research indicates this to be a problem with other Toyota makes/models resulting in a recall and subsequent replacement of frames or buy outs. Mechanic indicated that it looks just like tacoma's he repaired due to the recall.

Extensive rust and corrosion on frame and suspension parts. I am the original owner and the vehicle has 134,000 mile. Advised by technician that this is not normal wear.

Excessive rust on frame creating abnormal handling condition when in motion, safety is becoming a concern.

The vehicle frame has rusted through from the inside out. This appears to be a common problem with Toyota frames of this vintage. Toyota has recalled and taken corrective action including frame replacement for us built trucks - tacomas and tundras, but has not taken action with 4runners, which are built in japan. The frame design, however, utilizing a closed box, is the same, and the symptom of rusting through from the inside is also the same. The 4runner identified by the VIN above, at 160,000 miles, is in solid shape, mechanically and cosmetically, but I'm now faced with expensive repairs to the frame to keep an otherwise servicable vehicle in service. Other 4runner owners have reported similar problems. I believe Toyota should extend frame recalls and potential replacements to 4runners of the same vintage as their tundra and tacoma recalls.

Hi, I recently purchased a Toyota 4runner 2004 from a previous owner. I don't know much about cars and how the process works. But when the check engine light came on. I went to go take it to get it fixed as well as preparing the car for the smog test. Which it failed, Toyota the company was unable to fix due to having concerns of being liable and sued incase of a car accident. They also told me that I would have to be careful driving the veichle because a tire can break off. I am a college student and this was the only car that was in my budget. I really hope a recall goes out. I am afraid of my safety as well as others. Thank you. I hope to hear a recall soon.

Toyota truck frame corrosion upon installation of failed suspension components on my 2004 Toyota 4runner, my independent mechanic informed me of substantial frame corrosion. I contacted lynch Toyota with my concerns, lynch Toyota inspected my 4runner and found substantial frame corrosion, vehicle deemed unsafe, and should not be driven in any capacity, frame replacement recommended by lynch Toyota in manchester connecticut. The steering shaft is frozen and binding due to corrosion. The suspension components are in jeopardy of breaking away from corroding frame. Toyota refuses to include vehicle in frame replacement program offered to all other body on frame constructed trucks. 4runner frames are failing in the same way as tacoma, sequoia and tundra, yet Toyota claims that no program is in place to assist you, sorry for your troubles was Toyota's response when contacted by phone on two occasions post inspection of my 4runner by lynch Toyota.

Excessive frame rust, including holes, and general rust all around the frame. Specifically in the front and rear.

2004 Toyota 4runner frame rust recall.

My name is mufftau, I am here because of rosted frames I was just told today by aaa mechanic center in skoki illinois that I can not drive my 4runner home because isn't safe for drive, and they show me the frames both sides are rosted and I took the car to 6042 n western Ave chicago IL 60659 (773-728-5000) chicago nothside Toyota at western Ave and peterson in chicago illinois immediately and I was told isn't on recall. I contacted consumer affairs already and I will go to secetary of state on Monday with the pictures to alert other owners. I will draft a letter to send with the pictures to the state representative as soon as possible because this need immediately attention. This SUV is beautiful in and out but when they lifted the car up I was screaming because both frames was rusted.

After washing the car one day, and spraying off the underside of the vehicle. I noticed a quarter sized hole in the passenger side frame. It looks to be rusted. I further examined the car and found further premature rust throughout the vehicle.

While driving on the highway my car went out of alignment due to a rotten torsion bar mount. The entire frame also has lots of rot.

The frame and structure have rusted from the inside out to an alarming degree. Specifically at the frame weld points in midsection and the rear attachments to axle. It is a safety hazard and it has rusted far more quickly and dramatically than any of the other components. None of my other vehicles have deteriorated in this way.

My 2004 Toyota 4 runner has serious safety issues with the frame rusting. I have routinely maintained the vehicle, including routine washing underneath on the frame. I took my vehicle into the Toyota dealer for service and they declared the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to rust on the frame. There is nothing wrong with the body of the vehicle, no rust. The engine works perfectly. The Toyota dealer kept pictures of the frame. They stated that Toyota had recalled tacoma, tundra, sequoia frames for the same reason.

A thin metal support plate welded to rear axle connects upper control arms to rear axle. Both support plates totally disintegrated from rust. These plates are a structural component of vehicle suspension system. When the upper control arms failed from failed support plates, the brake warning light came on. The brake line had been damaged most lightly from brake line being hit by control arm. The motion/loud noise of detached control arms contacting metal axle was followed by brake light coming on. Within 2 years of purchase of automobile chassis rust was noticeable and commented by mechanics. When confronting Toyota, their same comment of not being under wauranty prevailed. The last time I contacted them I asked to speak to their engineers because I felt the support plate design is unsafe and to thicken the plate would be a small expense. The vehicle was in motion when the support plates fractured. They told me I could talk to anyone else other than their support line and that the plate would not be changed. I am a degreed engineer with a bachelors and two masters in engineering and am disappointed in how they value pennies over an obvious safety issue. Best regards my name and phone are (xxxx) phone (xxxx) if you would like to discuss. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).