general problems of the 2006 Toyota 4Runner - part 2

Toyota 4runner frame rust. I just got back from the state inspection and they said the 4runner would not pass state inspection in one year. The frame is rusted through in some areas. The frame needs to be fixed or replaced. I am having Toyota inspect the frame on 5/15/2019 at autonation Toyota in leesburg va under the vehicles VIN of jtebt17r860062292.

The mechanic replaced the rusted exhaust system today and advised me to get rid of this vehicle as soon as possible as it would not be safe to operate in less than a year due heavy and unusual flaking rust on the frame and other undercarriage parts.

The frame is rusted bad in front of left rear wheel while the rest of vehicle looks new.

I noticed that the frame of my 06 4runner has begun to corrode severely. There are holes in the frame that pose a severe safety threat and I'm concerned that the whole frame could give out at any time. Toyota recalled tacoma's from the same timespan due to frame issues yet the 4runners were left off. . . The truck is in pristine condition besides the undercarriage of the vehicle. Toyota should be held liable and recall them before lives are lost. The suspension definitely doesn't feel right and when bumps or potholes in the road are hit the vehicle feels as if it's being jerked from side to side. Please continue your investigation on the frames of the 4runners and get Toyota to recall them.

Purchased my 4runner certified used by modern Toyota of boone in Feb 2012. Took the vehicle to Toyota the next year locally and they mentioned that I have severe frame rust but by this time the warranty has already expired. Filed a complaint with Toyota regarding frame rust and the fact that I was sold the vehicle and it should not have been certified by Toyota because of the frame rust. Had an accident in Jun 2018, high front end hit, shouldn't have had any issues with the frame and it wasn't checked for integrity, but after some vibrations and wobbling and decreased stability on the highway, took to my local dealer and the tech did a visual inspection and said the frame was bent. Awaiting an appt from bodyshop to verify findings even though insurance already closed the claim from accident but independent mechanic states that the frame may really be bent due to the rusting and the ability to flex because of the corrosion, weakened. Vehicle feels unsafe to drive and is leaning on the drivers side front and back even with new factory Toyota suspension (struts and shocks). There is no reason for this vehicle to be leaning or the frame to be rusting as it is.

I turned on the rear defrost in the highway. After about 10 minutes, I started to smell a slight burning smell. Backglass was exploded with my 3 years kid. I called Toyota dealership they said the warranty is expired.

Took my 4runner in to get a new muffler since it started to rust off and was told that the frame is rusting out and has a few small rust holes that car will not be good for much longer.

Frame totally rusted through, dealer would not pass inspection and advised to scrap vehicle! less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.

My 4-runner is in great shape without any body rust, nice interior , motor doesn't use oil etc. I took to mechanic for PA annual inspection and was told it wasn't safe to drive home. The frame is completely rotted out , the rear stabilizers are unattached, the from left wheel is ready to fall off. The hitch on the back for pulling trailers is ready to fall off. I noticed in the past week the steering wheel pulled to the right( never done that before ) and steering wheel would shimmy starting at 50 m. P. H. And braking.

Excessive rust damage to frame, got fixed for last year inspection and more problems occured this year. Vehicle other wise in good shape, disappointing to get rid of it. Could case hazard due to weld of cross member developing hole.

The frame and suspension components are extremely rusty to the point of being unsafe. The car is extremely clean and well taken care of, yet the frame continues to rust like crazy. I've experienced broken bolts, lose suspension components, etc. The car handles extremely poor now, and I've been told it isn't worth it to replace any suspension components since the mounting points are so rusty.

Frame is very rotted.

Frame rusted and gone. Terminal. Cause us to run off the road. In motion on highway.

Turning out of a parking lot and had rear defroster on. Within a few minutes smelled a "burning smell" and seconds later my back glass shattered.

Turning out of parking lot. Rear defrost was on. Started smelling a "burning smell" and seconds later my rear glass shattered.

We have just been informed that the frame of our 2006 Toyota 4runner is completely rusted out. This happened while I was driving down the road. This caused the control joint to come loose, and giving me very little control over the vehicle. The rust is an issues. . . And a huge safety hazard. I was able to get the car to the side of the road, and call a tow truck, but had this happened driving down the express way I cannot imagine the end result. Toyota is aware of the rust issues. They have great vehicles that will run forever if you take care of them, but this issue is not a care issue - is a manufacture issue.

I am asking for you to cancel the sale of the 2006 Toyota 4 runner that I purchased on 3/22/2017 and return my cash deposit of $2,000 and reimburse me for the gas it took me to drive it home and the extra key I purchased. I am actually afraid to take it back to your dealership, but if I have to I will. The facts are below purchased car in boulder 3/22/2017 2006 Toyota 4 runner rust damage / dealer stated rust was because car was from NY, but would not get worse and was just superficial rust. Purchased car and set an appt. With pueblo Toyota 3/24/2017 to mount spare tire and do and inspection Toyota could not mount spare tire and stated vehicle was in good condition except for severe rust damage and may cost double to do repairs in the future because of rust damage. Took car to pro-masters on 3/24/2017 and they informed my son that the rust was severe and they would not attempt to repair, but estimated costs to repair the rear end to be $6,000 to $7,000 reviewed on internet and there were several complaints about rust damage on 4-runners, tundras, and tacoma?s from n. E. States. Comments were also made that the vehicle with severe rust damage could be unsafe to drive. Took car to individual who restores cars and he said the rust was so severe and car was not worth repairing and unsafe and he would not let his wife or family drive it. Took car to custom care repair shop to review rust and install spare tire and they concurred that the rust was severe and unsafe and could not install spare tire. I called pro-masters to confirm what they had inspected and if I could give his name and phone number if asked. He informed me that rust was so severe that if he attempted to secure spare tire, that the frame holding it was so thin he could not guarantee it would not fall off & he informed me that as the vehicle gets wet the frame becomes worse.

Driving to work on 3-6-17. It was 34 f at 8:15 am. Turned on the rear window defroster about one mile from home. Drove another 0. 5 miles and stopped at red light. About 15 seconds into the red light my rear window imploded and fell into the rear cargo area. Vehicle was stationary and no other vehicle struck me. Drove back home and cleaned up the glass and saw no evidence of a rock or pellet or bullet with the glass or in the vehicle. Online discussions indicate the rear defroster may have overheated and shattered glass. I have 3 photos on file in computer, but not in correct format. Tried to upload, but was not able to do so.

Frame rot excessive rust on frame, compromising the integrity and putting the passengers lives at risk if the frame should fail. Contacted Toyota, they informed me that no recalls or service campaigns are available for frame rot on 4runners, however tacomas, sequoias, and tundras have had frame rot recalls. Very unhappy as to how this matter is being treated especially after all the other frame issues from Toyota vehicles.

Brake calipers seize often. I have been through 12 different calipers in 160k miles. The frame has an alarming amount of rust for a vehicle which I have taken very good care of.

Purchased a tcuv in 2012 and live in eastern nc. Took vehicle in for diagnostic and was told that frame was severely rusted. Was not made aware when purchased. Called Toyota and awaiting a call but rep says that its out of warranty and will not assist. Vehicle can't go from fine to severe in 3 years and was certified by Toyota to be fine or "like new". Something has to be done and a recall has to be issued. This is an ongoing issues that many individuals are experiencing and a severe safety hazard should something go wrong on the freeway. No one should have to die before something gets done and it would be in poor taste for this to happen before this complaint moves from its current status to investigation by our government to protect us from companies like this.

I am the original owner of this vehicle and have kept this vehicle in excellent condition. I have spent lots of money on routine maintenance of this vehicle as well as more involved tune-ups. I have also washed this vehicle regularly including the underside of this vehicle, especially during the winter months to clean off road salt. There are no existing mechanical or other problems with this vehicle and can potentially drive this vehicle for many more years to come. However, during a routine visit to my local Toyota service center, I was told that there exists a large perforation on the frame of this vehicle due to rust. I was further told that this frame perforation makes this vehicle unsafe to drive and was instructed not to use this vehicle since it could result in a deadly situation for the occupants of this vehicle if the frame broke (which I was told will happen) while driving. I am now unable to use this vehicle due to safety concerns. I called Toyota hq to complain, but they told me that they cannot help me and that my vehicle is out of warranty.

While driving last evening, my rear window exploded.

The frame rust on my 2006 4runner is becoming extensive and the amount for the year that can become potentially dangerous in the near future is inexcusable quality at best. There are areas on the frame that I am able to push in with my fingers because of the rust. There are also other parts where other parts that have been bolted on to the frame or welded on have completely rusted off. I am able to in spots peel the frame apart piece by piece like an onion only exposing the ridiculously thin amount that is left. I have a 2003 chevy pickup that drives in same conditions as the 4runner and looks years newer underneath than the 4runner that is actually the newer of the two. I would like to make it known that frame rust from other research regarding these vehicles as well as my own is something worthy of a Toyota recal or buy back program such as what was done with other generation tacomas.

Severe frame rust.

Driving approx 40 mph towards home and rear window exploded, shattered glass all over. It sounded like an m80 in the back of my truck. Had window repair guys come and they showed me defroster connectors were burnt out. I did have defroster setting on at the time of incident. I called Toyota but they wouldn't do anything to assist. My concern was if my dogs were in the back, as we usually take them to the park, they could have been seriously injured. I did have a major anxiety attack. If this happened on the highway it could have easily caused an accident.

In 2011, I noticed my 2006 4runner was rusting so I took it to the dealer who looked at in and said normal wear. Now in 2014, parts of my 4runner are falling off, one heat shield fell off and the other one is rattling like crazy, the screws have rusted through. There is severe rusting, the entire under carriage, the latch to close the rear door, the brakes,the gas tank, the body has brown spots, the tire rims, the only parts not rusted are the plastic parts. I am afraid to drive my 4runner. I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs so far on a vehicle bought brand new.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was an extensive leak of an unknown fluid under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the hydraulic system needed to be replaced. Also, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion who diagnosed that the suspension system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

In September 2012 I noticed paint blistering on the tailgate of my 4runner. I now (8/13) have rust through originating from the inside middle of the tail gate. I took the truck to my local body shop and was told that this was a common problem with the 06 4runner. It was caused by a sound deafening material on the inside of the gate. "the material gets wet and holds the moisture causing body rot". This shop has repaired other 4runners with this problem. I also own a 1994 isuzu trooper with no body rust that sits next to it in my driveway. I was told by the Toyota rep (oakdale Toyota in NY) that it was out of warranty and they could not help me. I also have extensive rust on the undercarriage. The truck has never been off road before.

My 2006 4 runner frame is rusting from the inside out. I first noticed this in 2009. I saw many rust spots in my driveway coming from the frame on a fairly new truck. At my next service I brought it up to the dealer boch Toyota in MA. They brushed it off as just normal rust from water dripping through frame. A few months lata in 2010 I looked deeper into the frame holes and could see a good amount of rust inside the frame rails. It was excessive rust for a fairly new truck. I brought it to the dealer ( boch Toyota) few more times complaining of the issues I saw but Toyota didn’t want to hear it. It has been 11 years since then. The rust has made its way to the outside of the frame and had compromised the integrity of the frame for some time now.