Body problems of the 2008 Toyota 4Runner

Lots of rust on frame and body. This is certainly an excessive amount. Many other owners of the 4runner between 2003-2009 are experiencing the same problem.

Entire underbody of car is rusting out, tail gate already had 2 body repairs but keeps rusting out. Many parts at just 150k were already replaced due to severe rust- most suspension parts, transmission cooling lines, exhaust , skid plates all failed. Brake calipers failed 4 times in in 6 years.

Vehicle's frame is very corroded overall and it has more than 15 inch long hole in the frame on the passenger front frame rail. It has been checked by Toyota dealership and determined unsafe to drive. Vehicle has only 90,000 miles and it is overall in excellent condition.

Back hatch unlatches itself when hitting a bump and flies open. This has occurred multiple times, observed by several family members.

I'm experiencing major frame rust mainly at the crossbeams and all over the frame. Metal is literally crumbling away if I touch if. I don't even want to remove the rust to prepare for anti-rust coating since there may not be much metal left. Its only at 150k miles and shouldnt be crumbling away this fast. Just recently had to replace muffler and tailpipe since the muffle connection literally rusted away. Tacomas were able to have their frames replaces. The 4runner has a similar if not identical frame due to them sharing the same underlying platform. This should be pretty obvious that 4runners need to be a part of that recall.

In my own words, I have a 2008 Toyota 4runner 4x4 with only 27,000 original miles and the chassis is completely rusted thru, with huge big holes on the chassis. Toyota used some very cheap metal and didn't spray any chassis pretection from rust. The rear driver side shock mount rusted completely that the shock fell off while I was driving, now there is no mount for the shock now. I almost lost control on a curve that was a little bumpy, as I passed the curve my 4runner felt like the back kept sliding, I felt like it was almost about to flip over. There are recalls for all other Toyota SUV but not for Toyota 4runner what's the difference if they used the same metal to make the chassis. My chassis is even more rusted on the front passenger side where the air conditioner has a small drip rubber tube where the air conditioner drops any ac condensation. I don't feel safe driving my 2008 4runner but it only has less than 27,000 original miles. . . Can you. Relive that. I even have pictures and videos to prove it. Smh and I really like my 4runner.

Heavy corrosion caused the rear torsion bar to disconnect from the rear end while I was driving in oct. 2015. The frame and front end suspension is now very corroded. You can put your fingers through the bottom of the frame just in front of the rear wheels. This vehicle only has 69,400 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the floor of the vehicle was completely rusted. The contact called a local dealer who requested that the vehicle be brought to the shop for pictures. An independent mechanic advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Toyota issued a short term warranty enhancement, expiring March 2018, for a known safety defect. I believe that the potential ramifications are significant and that this should be a recall as opposed to a warranty enhancement. The defect is in the rear window seal and electrical system; use of the defroster can cause the window to blow out. My car has a significant body defect adjacent to the rear window seal, and the seal is damaged, indicating that this is an accident waiting to happen. I spoke with corporate Toyota; their stance is that they will not do the repair until after the window blows out. It is likely that Toyota has known about this for some time, as there is information on the internet about this, but has only recently notified owners. When I spoke to Toyota, they asked what the mileage was. I told them it had just reached the 100,000 mile mark - and they said that the car was almost 10 years old and had lasted well. Further investigation on my part led to the knowledge that recalls do not have to be performed after 100,000 miles, which probably explains the delay in notifying owners, and in calling this, which is a definite and significant safety issue, a "warranty enhancement" instead of a recall. My car is in excellent condition, other than that, and the choices which I have are to avoid using the defroster (not a viable option in the northeast), do nothing and wait for the window to blow out (not a safe option); pay for the repair myself, even though it is a known defect, or sell the car, which I can't do in good conscience, knowing the potential ramifications of that defect. Toyota states that the issue does not occur with all cars - that is likely true. Cars in dry climates with minimal rain and cold weather are probably unlikely to manifest; cars in the wet and snowy northeast, where I live, are presumably more likely to manifest.