general problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner

Took 2004 Toyota 4runner sr5 to Toyota dealership to be serviced. Dealership called me to explain unable to do alignment, due to rear back frame excessive rusted through. Dealership advised waste of money to align new tires just purchased, unable to even do alignment and it was dangerous. Now what is to be done? this is my daily driver for work. How did this happen that its unsafe and dangerous to drive.

My 4 runner only has 147,000 miles and is a great running vehicle but my frame is rotted badly. I have large holes throughout, the front crossmember under radiator with tow hooks has completely rusted off, and now I found where my rear lower drag link bolts to frame is about to come off. I have had to repair rusty brake lines multiple times. My rear axle carrier just sheds large flakes of rust. I love this truck but now it is almost too dangerous to drive and with all the inflation lately I cannot afford another vehicle.

Rear section of the frame snapped in half during normal driving. Barely driveable extremely hazardous and will remained parked.

My steering became very loose with a lot of movement in the steering wheel. The universal joint in the steering column shaft was bad. Upon further investigation, both lower control arms on the front wheels were rusted through, (from the inside out), with one of them bent because of the lack of metal support that rusted away, which caused my wheels to be misaligned and hard to control. Upon additional inspection, the frame has rusted out in multiple places which could allow it to break in half. (pictures of one portion of the frame are attached. ) I have had the steering column and lower control arms replaced but multiple body and frame shops state the frame is rusted too much to repair. I know Toyota recalled several models for frame rust issues but have not included the 4runner, which I cannot understand. This rust has been noticed for several years on my vehicle with attempts to keep it clean and rust free. However, the rusting process is occurring from the inside of the frame toward the outside, so you can't tell how bad it really is until you see the holes protruding through the frame. This model should be included in a class action suit requiring Toyota to compensate the owners for this defect and removing these models from service to avoid potential accidents and casualties caused by inferior iron products that were used in their manufacture.

Severe frame rust on 2004 4runner sr5 sport. Suspension rust, steering components rust. Holes in vehicle frame due to rust. I went to two mechanics that told me that this rust was beyond reasonable for normal rust on frame, they both stated it may become dangerous and to contact Toyota directly. The vehicle is becoming dangerous to drive due to possibly of failing components and or frame.

Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

My 2004 Toyota 4 runner is in the dealer for routine maintenance. Most of the car maintenance have been at this local Toyota dealership. I just had the cv boots and sway bar bushings replaced this past spring and summer. I have the records for these particular maintenance and repair. My service mechanic mentioned there is significant amount of rust on the frame/ chassis. On September 7, the mechanic at the same dealership showed me again the excessive rust on the frame. It is so severe, one of the loops for towing the truck in the front of the frame just broke off. I attached the picture of the broken hook/loop in this document. The truck has 102,000 miles on it. It is mostly in the garage if not being used. I understand that other models in the same years like the Toyota tacoma & Toyota seqoiua have the same excessive rust but there is an already recall program for these models. Do the 4 runner from the same years have the same frames. Why is there no recall for the 4 runner for the excessive rust isssue which can be a safety problem for the driver and the passengers? the mechanic does not reccomend me driving this car due to the excessive rust. The mechanic warned me that rust is so excessive that my radiator can just fall off because the part of the frame holding it in place is so corroded from rust. I am hoping Toyota can address this issue sooner than later. It is a safety issue.

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.

Since vehicle was 5yrs old the frame has rusted terribly. The rust is so significant there are holes and pieces of it have just fallen off. Currently, the steering joint is so rusted that it cannot be driven safely because it feels like it may lose control on the road. Entire undercarriage appears so badly rusted that I am not sure this vehicle is safe to drive anymore.

Since buying my forerunner used in 2015 I have only brought it to the dealership for maintenance bed inspections with Toyota professional mechanics. Upon bringing my vehicle in for a routine oil change and inspection I was told that the frame is rusted out and unsafe to drive. I was shocked and upset as I've only used a trusted Toyota professional mechanics and somehow they seem to have overlooked a frame that was completely rusting out and therefore putting my life and my children's lives in harms way. I contacted Toyota headquarters to no avail, they claimed there's nothing they can do as there are no recalls. However I feel they are responsible for their professional mechanics overlooking such a serious issue but yet having no problem with me continuing to put money into this vehicle as I planned on owning it for quite some time. After the frame rust was pointed out my steering then separated from the suspension while driving home being a single mother and having only one vehicle I had no choice but to try to drive it I am extremely upset and this is completely unacceptable.

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 u-joint in my year, and many other years close to the same period, rusts out in the bearings and requires replacement. This makes the steering significantly difficult. Here is just one, of many, websites dedicated to this problem. . Read more...

Frame and rear axle housing rust - caused the upper control arms, which prevent rotation of the rear axel, to disconnect from the housing/frame. Also, steering has become stiff and bumpy as you turn the wheel. This may be due to front crossmember rust or rust on the steering universal joint.

I have taken my car to mountain states Toyota as well as corwin Toyota for a tripped light it has to do with vehicle stability system it trips leaving the vehicle stability option not usable. I have told both dealers not to just reset the code however this is what’s happening and they don’t seem to know why it’s doing this. We have repaired the knock sensors and speed sensors. It feels unsafe driving when this trips when road conditions call for all wheel drive. The technician can’t figure it out why. Their only solution is to keep resetting. This is not the option I want I need it repaired and they don’t seem to want to do it or figure out and give us options on repair.

Bought 4th generation 4runner in 1-15 from dealer after owning 4 prior 3rd generation ones and this one is plagued with excessive rust beyond normal wear in frame (some holes), suspension, steering rack and shaft, brake components, virtually everything steel under the body has rusted excessively while body remains rust free. I know 95-03 tacomas and tundras were under frame and brake line recall due to same issue but from the huge number of postings on internet of problem being just as bad if not worse in 3rd and 4th generation 4runner. Yes the frames were a different style but the frames in these 4runners are even worse as problems with rust due to design are eating their way from inside out making it more of a silent killer as it goes unnoticed until rust breaches all the way thru frame and by that point it is not only unsafe to drive, it has been unsafe to drive for a long time before getting to that point. This is major problem as noted in 1000's if not more noted cases on internet forums and Toyota refuses to take responsibility leaving all these people stuck with them and their families and kids that they put in these potential death traps at risk of frame, brake, steering, suspension failures that could result in loss of vehicle control, accidents, and deaths. I've cleaned, sprayed rust preventative oils and paints on areas of concern and rust makes its way back thru in weeks time. The many of owners with this issue are stuck without resources to buy another daily driver and have no choice but to take chance with the uncertainty of potential failure at anytime. Toyota is aware and obviously knew they had rust issue with other model years but they know they have same issues with newer models not included on original frame rust recall and its time they are forced to step up and take responsibility for the faulty frames and underbody steel components.

Front caliper seize up l/f and r/f 3 incidents 11/2012 02/2015 06/2015.

2004 Toyota 4runner limited, has excessive chassis rust and rotted out at some point on the sub frame, contacted the dealer and there is no recall available also called Toyota and recall is not available. I am afraid that the chassis will break and cause an accident.

SUV is unsafe to drive due to excessive rusting of frame and all other undercarriage metal parts. Frame integrity is seriously compromised. Rust is exponentiating over time. Rust leaching to other majors parts like the exhaust. Transmission, radiator, ac, wheels, brakes, exhaust, steering, etc all are compromised and failing due to rust. This has been going on for years. Radiator replaced. Ac leaking. Oct 2011 heat shield rust noted by Toyota. Feb. 2014 heat shields were removed by Toyota. They claimed that the truck doesn't need the heat shields. They did not mention the frame rusting or the lifetime exhaust rusting. They did not mention that this is a common issue with 4runners. I have always had issues with that service dept. But the only other Toyota is worse. This issue needs serious recall ASAP. I think these trucks will start failing and causing deaths soon. Numerous issues with this truck over the years all may be due to rust. Brakes don't seem to last and the truck is hardly used. I believe rust is interfering with the brakes.

Major rust on frame and other mechanical parts. Not exposed to salt does not occur with my other vehicles.

I have a 2004 4 runner I recently have had a steering vibration that is making me crazy it flutters around 55 to 65 I have gone to different dealers and independent shops plus I have done lots of testing with no luck on a permanent fix I have researched the internet for 6 months since the problem really started the only thing I can find is this TSB st001r-05 050908 steering that relates to my problem I have had 9 new sets of tires and a set of new wheels and all new suspension no matter what I do I can not get rid of the flutter it some times perfectly smooth even over bumps sometimes it is wobbling all over I have already encountered a collision due to this issue it was just a fender bender no major damage but the only thing left for me to do is find out more on this TSB I discovered I really like my 4 runner but I cant have this death trap putting people in jeopardy please help with any info thanks.

Vibration through steering wheel at rpms b/w 1600-2300, increased with speed.

Complaint involves Toyota , 2004 4runner. Noticed slight vibration in steering wheel at 62-64 mph. Had wheels and tires rotated and balanced at 6000 miles. Problem continued. Had tires balanced again but no success. New set of michelin tires ordered but have not been put on. Also, am radio stations experiencing extreme static when driving over blacktop roads. Does not occur while driving on concrete roads. Is not affected on fm stations. Service manager will explore when tires are replaced.