Frame Rust problems of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Rust hole in frame on passenger side rear track arm mount. Created a weak spot in the frame where the rear axel mounts. Due to not enough rust prevention from manufacture.

Tl- the contact owns a 2010 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that when to vehicle was taken for an oil change and other regular maintenance service, at the buckeye Toyota dealer (740-654-3943, located at 1903 riverway dr, lancaster, OH 43130) it was diagnosed that the rear end of the frame was rusted and damaged the suspension. The heat shield was also rusted and fell off the vehicle. The technician stated that in order to replace the heat shield, the exhaust system (which was also rusted) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not call the contact back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure. The failure mileage was 241,000. Fe.

My frame is rusting away. The upper rear control arm bracket on the passenger side has completely rusted off the frame. The frame in front of and around the driver side rear lower control arm is rusting away with a large hole just in front of the bracket. In a matter of time the bracket will separate from the frame. The frame weld seams on both sides of the vehicle above the rear axle are either missing or full of porosity. Also, the rear sway bar rusted through and broke recently.

Bought this vehicle because it rated high, even though it cost more money than competitor models. Reliability is worth it to me. However, the frame started having significant rust after just a few years and was causing some expensive repairs. Fire shield rusted off and was removed. Now the massive skid plate bracket rusted off. Toyota service just removed the entire unrepairable skid plate due to the level of rust. There is nothing left to attach to. The mechanics said they were afraid to scrape or chip any more rust because they were afraid that other stuff would fall off and make the vehicle even more unsafe to drive. They indicated that this is absolutely excessive rust on the frame that should not happen. Their official Toyota repair estimate to fix the rusting, failing frame and make it safe again is $17,783. 71 which is half the value of a brand new vehicle! Toyota corporate said, sorry, we have recalled many other rusting frames on our other models because they should not have rusted the way that they have, but unfortunately for you, we will not stand behind your 4runner that you paid $34,500 for. I am told that it is the same frame as some of the other recalled models. The Toyota corporation tried to comfort me by ensuring me that they logged my case will contact me via first class mail if they ever do decide to stand behind their product and make good on my $17,000 pile of unsafe, useless rust.

This 2000 Toyota 4runner was being driven less than 30mph when a knock was heard coinciding with sloppy handling. Tail pipe was ripped from muffler. 4w drive had been in use for a few days due to snow, this happened when the truck was put back into 2wd. Brought the truck into my mechanic thinking steering/suspension problem, wrong! was informed that the frame was rusted out and couldn't be fixed. My mechanic remembered having the same problem with a few tacoma pickups and suggested looking for recalls or service bulletins relating to this problem. There aren't any. However, if you do an internet search entering "Toyota 4runner frame rot" you'll be amazed at what shows up. Owners who have well maintained their 4runners and tacomas from this era are bringing their trucks in for routine service and are finding out that they're lucky that they weren't killed or injured because of frame failure. Other owners haven't been as lucky. Just go to aboutautomobile. Com and look up "2000 4runner frame complaints" and there are 36 hits. That's just one model year and one web site. This is dangerous. It's not obvious until there's a big problem. The frame rots from the inside. Most interesting was the mechanic who had his fingers go through the frame while trying pull himself under to look at something. It seems, after reading comments on the internet concerning this issue, that Toyota feels this is not their problem. It should concern them that they made 4runners that, while still looking great after many years on the road, are subject to unexpected catastrophic failure. My son and my 2 young granddaughters were in this vehicle when the frame broke.