general problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

Toyota 4 runner has developed severe corrosion of the frame and has been deemed unsafe to operate. Vehicle has been regularly washed and maintained by single owner. Vehicle has not been used for off-road driving. Vehicle has not been in a collision. State safety inspector advised owner that there have been a large number of complaints about frame corrosion of 2004 Toyotas and that this vehicle may be subject to a recall notice. Safety inspector stated that frame corrosion of this nature is highly unusual and should be reported to the NHTSA. Vehicle is not used along coast nor been subjected to immersion in salt water.

Vehicle frame is severely corroded and is unsafe to drive.

Vehicle failed inspection due to hole in frame-- 08/14/20-- had to cover repairs--under body has severe frame damage from rust--Toyota recalled and replaced truck frames from bad steel on 2004 tacomas but not to the 2004 4runners.

Truck has been well cared for and has 330k miles on it. Always clean and maintained properly by myself and previous owners. Frame is showing signs of excessive rust in the front between the wheels and at almost all of the welded areas. Some areas of frame are coming off in chunks as it appears to be rotting from the inside out. This is also affecting fuel/brake likes as well as suspension components. Pictures can be sent upon request. Family has the car at the moment.

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.

Severe rust on frame and suspension attachment points. Rust is not superficial but rusting from inside of frame tubes.

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.

Takata recall, the radiator mount and frame supports are rusted out, also the rear shock and air suspension mounts are rusted out. Vehicle was in motion when shock mount broke.

'frame rust' frame rusted in 2 areas and mechanic deemed unsafe to drive.

Frame rust in 2 areas; mechanic deemed unsafe to drive.

The frame on my 2004 Toyota is very rusty. It is completely cracked through near the front passenger suspension. My mechanic has warned me not to drive the vehicle anymore. See pics.

Excessive frame rust. Replaced complete rear end in 2013. Told by hyannis Toyota that it was unsafe to drive because of excessive rust. The rear end is now rusted out again in 2019 and needs replacing. In April 2019 could not have suspension replaced until frame welding was completed. Additional work of cutting out rear upper trailing arm brackets and weld in place and fabricate fuel tank strap mount and weld in place. Complete frame and underside of this vehicle is completely rusted out. We had this work down because the gas tank was falling out and we could not drive this vehicle.

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?.

Excessive frame rot/rust.

Was driving to work going 50 mph braked to come to a stop and the back end started to turn almost had an accident. Frame is completely rusted out. Too dangerous to drive.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that he noticed that the tow hitch had separated from the frame and was laying on the ground. The contact stated upon inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe to which the radiator mount was attached was severely corroded. The contact stated that upon changing the oil in the vehicle he noticed that the front passenger’s side subframe had a significant size hole. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case numbers to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 224,000.

Rust crack in frame right front at core support. Cracks in dashboard.

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.

Rear frame rusted through. I was driving and a piece holding the suspension together rusted off the frame. The vehicle was in motion and it felt like it was going to tip over. It also felt like the front and back wheels were going in different directions. Apparently a very common issue.

Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

I took vehicle in for brake repair, the mechanic noted excessive frame rust and cautioned that it may be unsafe to continue to operate the vehicle with out remedy. Recommended thousands of dollars worth of repair work. I am the second owner of the 4runner, but the SUV spent most of its life in arizona, away from harsh winters and salted roads. Loyal Toyota customer, but very disappointing because I planned to keep this SUV until it was vintage, but now I am afraid to drive it or sell it to someone else.

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.

Frame is extremely rusted, it just flakes off and after inspecting the joints am afraid that it will soon become a safety hazard also the brake calipers become in-op (frozen) have replaced the 2 front calipers 3 times and the 2 rear calipers twice.

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.

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.

We have a 2004 Toyota 4runner with 121,510 and we're informed that the whole frame is rusted. We learned that Toyota had a similar issue with frames in other vehicles for the same reason and it was recalled for those vehicles but there is no recall on the 4runner. My vehicle runs well and has no issues other than the frame which we were told makes the vehicle unsafe. We've had Toyota's in the past with well over 300,000 miles so this was a shock that we cannot use it anymore. We were informed the frames were outsourced and the company used did not put the proper amount of zinc on frames which caused them to rust.

Takata recall frame is completely rusted. Causing all the undercarriage to rust out and make the vehicle very dangerous to drive. Even the body is starting to rust away. Only has 116,000 miles on it which is crazy.

Frame has rotted and has been declared unsafe to drive.

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.

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.

Premature rusting if the frame and other components of the vehicle. Driving could be or turn into a safety hazard.

I've had this 2004 Toyota 4runner since 2004 I bought it new and have taken good care of it. The body still looks great, no rust on body just has 94000 miles on it. But the under side is awful the frame has holes rusted through at high pressure points like suspension points, cross members for transmission and engine rusted through, its to point that its dangerous to drive. I was told by Toyota service rep that the frame has a fifteen year warranty on them but together are saying they can't fix or place it and it looks like I'm not alone on this issue. Toyota should step up and back their product especially in safety issues. They were forced to replace frames on the tacoma�s. What's funny I've been told by Toyota reps also that the 4runner has the very same frame as the tacoma�s. So if that's so why can't they replace these also? I think this is really bad, you pay a lot for a vehicle and it still looks like new but have to consider parking it because you fear for your families lives. It's getting to point you can't trust it on the road. I think Toyota should be held accountable.