general problems of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner - part 1

Premature/unsafe frame rot.

Entire body frame has excessive rust, holes, and cracks. It is available for inspection. Toyota dealership says it is safe to drive for now but it is failing. I feel any cracks, rust, holes, separation of frame components places all occupants and anyone near the vehicle at risk for when anything fails - this could be when the vehicle is on the expressway in motion (such as when the gm ignition switch failures happened), causing catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and damage to all. It's not a matter of "if" it happens, it's "when" it will happen. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. The exterior, interior, braking, engine of the vehicle are in remarkable shape so it's very misleading. There are also 4runners on dealership lots that have significant rust, holes, and cracks in the frames that the dealership does not warn about, rather, they still have high for-sale values because the vehicle looks good otherwise.

Frame rot. The frame on the 4runner is a known problem for excessive rot. My frame is shot. There is no reason a frame on a 2005 should be rotted. I was advised by my mechanic that my frame is dangerously close to snapping in half. This needs fixed by Toyota!.

When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off the internet while they hid the rusty underbody by applying some coating. A short time later, the dealership reposted the vehicle on their website. The vehicle was not properly advertised as having this major rust issue. I asked the salesman if his family was driving the vehicle, would he feel safe. He replied, "absolutely". With this said, I decided to purchase the vehicle. Also, my signature is not on the "we owe". Also, the vehicle has an exhaust leak from the manifold area. It makes a loud ticking noise. This is going to cost approximately $1,500 to fix. The air conditioner is not blowing cold and either has a leak or in need of freon. This is another repair out of my pocket. This is what kind of pre-owned vehicle they sold me. This vehicle should have never been listed for sale.

Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4runners weren’t. Noticed a lot of other 4th generation 4runners are having the same issues.

Frame has rusted through and the boot of the frame that holds the front driver side suspension is 3/4 of the way cracked. Independent body shop rendered car unsafe to drive.

The frame and complete undercarriage is completely prematurely rusted.

I was driving my 4runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in t-sb-0189-17 and warranty enhancement zg7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.

The entire frame is rusted to the point the vehicle is unsafe to operate on the road. Parts of the vehicle could potentially break off because they have rusted through causing the vehicle to be involved in an accident. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and a authorized dealer who confirmed the vehicle is unsafe to drive on the road because of the rust on the frame, differential, and crossmember. There was not any warning lights a mechanic mentioned it to me a in February/March when they were changing the oil that the frame would not last much longer.

The frame broke loose from the rear sway bar due to excessive rust while I was driving it. My 4runner is an 05 and has the same frame as the tacomas of the same year, except with no recall. I believe it is wrong to recall the tacoma frame and not the same 4runner frame. It is available for inspection. The car wanted to loose control anytime the accelerator was pressed or released. The problem has been an issue for many 4runner owners of similar years. There was no warning to this occurrence.

Extreme rusting on frame and all parts under the carriage. Vehicle suspension and all moving parts underneath could fail or fall apart causing major accident or death to me or other vehicle.

Extreme frame rusting completely thru at the point of being unsafe and unable to put the truck on a lift for any repairs. A number of sae mechanics warned me about driving this truck due to the extreme frame rusting. Sections almost completely separating apart. I have rust proofed and undercoated the under carriage at least three times. Toyota should make good on their negligence to properly rust coat their frames at times of manufacturing.

Frame is suffering from excessive rust inside of frame. The body and other components of vehicle have minimal/average surface rust. Interior of frame near front control arms, rear bumper crossmember, and rear-mid crossmember are rusting from the inside out.

I just bought this 4 runner used and I've all of a sudden had super bad rusting around the frame and also around the radiator and where the skid plate is attached where my mechanic says he's worried about my safety and other drivers on the road, I personally feel like the integrity of the framing system and suspension is being flawed and I believe that I and the millions more that are being effected by this should be taken care of.

My 2005 4 runner chassis is rusting away and multiple dealerships and mechanics told me the car is not safe to drive. I went to get new tires and no locations will even raise the car in the air. I called Toyota corporate and even though the same chassis on the same vehicles of tacoma, tundra, and sequoia are recalled, they said nothing is covered under the 4 runner. I cannot even drive my car anymore.

Excessive rust/corrosion on frame. Have seen stories where frame separates from the truck body. Upon getting my oil change at my reputable ase shop, owner pointed out to me that vehicle is rusting quickly, hole in frame, and will need to be replaced sooner than later . . . When I had it undercoated, washed it following every snowstorm and roads salted, and had planned since point of sale to have it go over 300,000 miles as sales person stated was possible.

When I took my vehicle in for its 103,000 mile maintenance I was told that the frame was so rusted that if I should have an accident it could break into. Was told I should just get rid of it and not say anything. I have taken this vehicle in every six thousand miles to the dealership where I bought it for service and was not happy to think that they informed me about this problem now and not sooner.

Nothing happened yet but found upon checking that the rear differential upper control arm that is attached to the frame is rusted through. I am afraid it will detach while driving and can cause an accident. I have removed the flaky metal myself in the summer of 2020 and painted it to avoid further rusting. The crossbar in the front that is supporting the radiator is rusted through as well. The metal that is holding the tank is gone too.

1 recall problem not fixed.

California owned vehicle with rust on the frame.

I have meticulously maintained my 2005 Toyota 4runner only to have my mechanic show me that my frame is completely rusted. My mechanic and my auto body guy says my car is unsafe to drive anywhere, anytime and at any speed. This seems like a design defect and I think Toyota should do the right think and administer a frame recall for this vechicle.

I love my 4runner and would like to drive it for many more miles as it runs and drives great. But the frame is rusting out, just like the tacoma and tundra frames that were recalled by Toyota. 4runner frames should also be recalled for prematurely rusting out and causing safety concerns.

Rusted frame of vehicle including cross bar under radiator and on struts attached to wheels. Found during routine maintenance by auto mechanic.

The frame of the car is completely rusted with holes in it per my mechanic. Other Toyota trucks have been recalled for this issue but not the 4runner.

Overwhelming amount of rust on frame.

During a state inspection the shop told me that our 2005 Toyota 4runner had some frame rust issues. Since the frame of the 4runner is the same basic unit as the tundra and tacoma that have open recalls for frame rust, the 4runner should be included in the same recall. As you can see in the picture of the aft frame, the corrosion has formed large holes in the frame.

2005 Toyota 4runner sr5 was taken into a certified Toyota mechanic for inspection and the mechanic showed me the undercarriage of the vehicle, namely the frame and other associated parts. He warned that it would be difficult to perform maintenance on the vehicle if the frame is rotted through. The vehicle was put on a lift for inspection.

Hi, I own a 2005 4runner and I am concerned about the heavy amount of rusting on the frame. The frame is rusty which is causing heavy flaking of the affected material. The body of the vehicle is pristine but I fear that the premature rusting of the frame will affect the ability to safely drive my 4runner in the future. I am a special education teacher with two young daughters and don't have the income to go out and replace the frame or buy a new vehicle. This 4runner is the only vehicle I own and is my daily driver. My students and their guardians depend on me to arrive safely to school everyday so there is consistency in my students' lives. I have seen many 4runners in this age range suffer from this same corrosion. I am concerned that my family will be injured in a minor accident or the vehicle's safety mechanisms failing because of frame damage. I am also concerned that I will lose my only means of transporting myself to work. I am a huge fan of Toyota, especially 4runners, and want to keep mine around for a long time. Keeping Toyota vehicles around for a long time is what the company was built upon.

Frame rusting through on front crossmember, under radiator. Tow hook completely gone.

Frame rust is getting to be an issue. I have one small hole where the metal has given away but the front bumper mount. The vehicle is a 2005 and the frame does not match the rest of the vehicle. I know I am not the first one to talk about this nor the last. Other models of Toyota vehicles around this same year have already gotten a frame recall. I would like my vehicle that I have paid a lot of money for to last and not have to be condemned due to a bad frame. Its obvious that from the start the frame was destined to end up like this.

Rear passenger side traction arm broke away from the frame while driving. After further investigation, the entire passenger side frame from the front cross member to the top of the rear wheel is completely rusted away. If this occurred at highway speed instead of 15 mph death would be a high possibility for my 17-year-old son.

2005 Toyota 4runner 156k miles with substantial rust and corrosion to frame to the point where mechanic can no longer service the vehicle.

I love my 2005 Toyota 4-runner sr5, it has been an excellent vehicle and I would plan to keep it for another 5 years or so. The body, paint and drive train are in great shape and the car has never been in an accident. The problem is that the frame is rotting out from underneath making it unsafe to drive. I have contacted Toyota, case number 1804060267, to see what they could do to no avail.

Air bag warning light is on, always on, in motion, park. It won't go off.

My problems is the frame is very rusty body still in good condition I say 90 % but the frame is more at 60 % rusty what I can do , I care for safety Toyota company , they can take care about this problem are not cost me anything.