Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Toyota 4Runner - part 2

Frame and rear axle housing rust - caused the upper control arms, which prevent rotation of the rear axel, to disconnect from the housing/frame. Also, steering has become stiff and bumpy as you turn the wheel. This may be due to front crossmember rust or rust on the steering universal joint. I live on long island and have the car bottom washed whenever it has been exposed to snow melting salts/compounds. My mechanic says the car is not safe to drive.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle shook violently without warning. It was diagnosed that the chassis and control arm were rotted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

See all problems of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2000 Toyota 4runner. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the frame was corroded with holes. The contact also found that the rear control arm was corroded. The contact was unsure if the vehicle could be repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not conctacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 194,000.

See all problems of the 2000 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

Frame rust on left rear frame at attachment point of lower control arm which locates axle to frame. Rust holes in frame around this same area.

See all problems of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

Frame rust to the point the passenger rear control arm is about to fall off bc of the amount of frame rust.

I have a 1999 Toyota 4runner. I am the original owner, and this vehicle has been garage keep and well maintained since I have owned it. While driving on the highway at about 55mph on 10/18/16, without warning - the 4runner began to shake violently from side to side. . . I almost lost control of the 4runner and could have been involved in a serious accident. The reason I lost control of the 4runner is because of a serious rusting issue in the frame (this issue has been well documented on the NHTSA, and also many other websites). The reason this rusting issue is so dangerous is where the rusting has occurred. The frame is rusting right at the section that the lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame. The lower control arm bracket is attached to the link/bar that holds the rear axle in place. The rust on my 4runner frame caused the lower control arm bracket on the drivers side to completely separate from the frame, causing a loss of control of the vehicle (see attached photos). I check the control arm bracket on the passenger side, and it also shows the same severe rusting at the frame where the control arm bracket is attached. There are still many 3rd generation 4runners on the road, and I feel this rusting situation is putting many lives in danger. There is no warning, you just lose control. I understand that my 4runner is 17 years old. . . But as I mentioned earlier, the rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape. A frame should not rust this badly, especially in a critical section. Please hold Toyota accountable for a vehicle defect that is putting live in danger. Thank you.

See all problems of the 1999 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

Fatal lower control arm bracket corrosion-.

Passenger frame rusted out bad where control arm attaches.

Known documented issues with Toyota 4runner frame rot. This particular vehicle the control arm support brackets are showing signs of rust through with holes appearing in the brackets. This is documented with photos! the vehicle was purchased new by my father in 96, always garage kept ,in 2006 I bought the vehicle from him and also is kept in a dry garage not sitting out over moist soil. The 4runner has never been in a accident. I am a certified mechanic who performs safety inspections as I work for engineering university. It came to my attention when I was hearing and reading stories of these 3rd generation 4runners have stability problems directly related to the rusted out frame support brackets that hold the control arms in place for the rear axle. This is a main frame component , if the support bracket break free it allows the axle to wander around as it's not being held in place, causing loss of steering stability, it is a road hazard that is eventually going to kill people . I have a 95 blazer that was purchased six months before the 4runner and I still have it! the body on the blazer is literally rusted everywhere however,the integrity of the frame is still solid but the frame is rusted badly ! conversely, the body on the 4runner is excellent especially for the year, having a rusted out body is a appearance issue not a safety related issue as in the 3rd generation Toyota 4runner that reside in the upper midwest. Toyota has a a buy back program with tundra pickups that have frames that are safety hazards. I feel these 4runners are no different than the tundras, Toyota should have the frames either replaced or buy the vehicle back! I took great care of this 4runner it looks great ,however I can not sell it due to the possibility of the control arm breaking free from the frame caused by inside frame rot.

See all problems of the 1996 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

Simply driving down the road and the vehicle started to sway all of a sudden. Had shop look at it next day and the rear left control arm detached from frame due to rust. I have been told it is impossible to repair. The rest of vehicle in great condition except the rust on the control arm/frame/underside.

I was driving down the road at approximately 50 mph and my 4runner started to sway and rock violently. I felt it veer in the opposite direction of the way I was driving and braked fearing that I was going to flip my vehicle. I was driving down a smooth straight road in great weather. I braked to slow down tapping them about five times. This is the second time that this incident occurred. It happened one time a couple days before I parked the car thinking that the tire was falling off and called my mechanic who happily fixed a front driver side tie rod end and ball joint. They stated that the control arm was rusting out. . . That it should be safe to drive and then this. I was terrified. It is not safe the driver side control arm is completely rusted out and hanging and the passenger side is rusting and beginning to fall. I am at a loss I love this vehicle hate the repairs that I have had to do in the six months I have had it and now I owe for repairs and a small loan. I cant drive it or sell it and sending it back will ruin my already failed credit. It is incredibly a huge safety problem and research that I have done has showed that this year and make is known for this problem and it is frustrating and sad that nothing can be done except let it sit.

See all problems of the 1997 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

2003 Toyota 4 runner was brought into dealership on Saturday August 29, 2015 to inspect the frame rust. The rust was verified by the dealer, and was sent on my way, with no warning that it was unsafe. Monday August 31, 2015, the vehicle experienced a frame failure that could have been catastrophic. The driver side rear control arm mount broke free from the frame at approximately 30 mph. The rearend started to shake, wobble and vibrate and was immediately pulled off the road. Talked to dealer, no recalls on said vehicle. Talked to Toyota corporate, they said there is nothing they can do. Tacoma's and tundra's have a recall, but not the 4runner. A complaint was filed here on July 5, 2015.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

2003 Toyota 4runner with excessive frame rot on rear of frame. Rear control arm mount is compromised with extreme rust perforation. Bump stop over axle is missing because of 2"-4" hole in outer frame rail. Car is deemed unsafe to drive.

I was going 5 mph and hit my brakes. The control arm was ripped from the frame due to rot/rust. Toyota is aware of this problem for 4runners, but has only offered assistance on the tacoma and tundras. The body of my vehicle has no rust anywhere, and the mileage is extremely low. I cannot even find a mechanic to fix it, because the frame is so bad. I was told, if it gets fixed, another part of the frame may fail when I'm cruising on the highway and people could get hurt or killed. No mechanic wants this liability in doing a repair.

As I was making a right hand turn from a stop, the vehicle became severely poor handling. Upon inspection, it was realized that the mounting flange for the right rear control arm and frame had rusted through and the control arm was no longer connected to the frame.

My son jared was driving our 1997 Toyota 4-runner on the highway when suddenly the vehicle started to shake violently, he was also losing control of his steering, he was able to make it home safely. When I did an actual inspection of the vehicle frame I noticed that the driver side rear control arm had rusted off the frame body, thus the reason that my son almost lost control of the vehicle. This has been an ongoing problem with Toyota and frame rotting out. Toyota has recalled the tundra¿s and sequoias not the 4-runners. I'm hoping that Toyota does the right thing and recalls the 4-runners. I have pic's if somebody would like to see the damage.

I was travelling on the highway, when all of a sudden my car started to move violantly to the right. I almost went under a commercial truck as I could not control the movement of my truck. . I managed to exit the highway and stopped and checked underneath my truck for damage , but could see nothing. I drove slowly to my local mechanic and my car still kept moving to the right at 20mph. My mechanic looked at it and said the rear trailing arm had brok due to rust, and I was very luck to be alive. (it happenen on a Saturday morning with little commuter traffic otherwise I might have been killed) he said it was a common problem with 4 runners 1998 and later years. I called Toyota but they said they were not obliged to issue a recall from nthss?? or whatever it is called. My mechanic did a welding job to repair the issue which cost me $750. Oo to fix. I had no recourse due to toytotas reluctance to fix this dangerous issue. I encourage you to please force Toyota to issue a recall on this issue before innocent lives are lost. Please do not wait for a a tality before doing something about this. I feel I should be remursed for repairs I incurred but Toyota do not want to know!! I beg you to investigate immediately. My car is in perfect mechanical order except for rust and rotting underneath, because Toyota did not adress this issue when manufacturing this model. I am still scared driving this car but am forced to do so and pray nothing happens going forward. (problem : rear control arm both sides broke due to rust in chassis).

Travelling straight down the highway at 65 mph. I hear a loud pop and my SUV veers hard to the right crossing the low speed lane and breakdown lane. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles next to me. SUV missed the guard rail, but climbed an embankment and came to rest on the drivers side of the vehicle. Resulting in me forcefully twisting the steering wheel, hitting my head on the windshield and braking the side glass with my head. Afterwards, looking at the vehicle, it was apparent what had caused the accident. Severe rust on the frame, caused the shock mount, and rear control arm to totally separate from the vehicle.

While driving home from work on 01/24/2015 I felt and heard a noise coming from the rear of my vehicle and the vehicle started to swerve and I almost lost control of the vehicle. I came to a stop and checked the vehicle but didn't notice anything wrong. I got back into the vehicle and drove at a slower speed, when I got home I pulled into my garage and checked the under side and noticed that the frame was cracked where the control arm mounts. I looked on line for recalls and although there are a lot of complaints and there are recalls for the 2000 Toyota tacoma which shares the same platform there are no recalls for frame rust on the Toyota 4runner. In addition to the crack on the frame there is considerable rust on the entire frame and I think I'm lucky to be un hurt and alive. Please help me and all the other Toyota 4runner owners. Thanks.

Left rear control arm mount rotted/separated from frame. Control arm mount is welded to frame from factory. Mount is serviced with frame. Vehicle frame has other rotted areas. Vehicle is not safe to drive. Contacted Toyota dealer and they stated this vehicle is not covered under the frame recall.

On 08/13/2014 my 16year old son was driving his 2000 Toyota 4runner on the interstate at highway speeds when right side lower control arm bracket build into the frame fell off the frame and cracked. Upon further inspection the frame had rusted from inside out causing the welded bracket to break at the factory weld. It is our understanding that this was a common problem and Toyota was doing a voluntary buy back that expired in 2011. We purchased the vehicle in 2013 and was never made aware of any such issues. It appears to us since there has been no service centers willing to re weld the bracket back in place that we are going to have to junk a great running great body condition car due to this problem that appears to be common. According to multiple service garages that have inspected for repair none of them will due to liability and that there is no good metal left to weld to as the frame is simply rusting into holes. Any advice on fix's or recall's etc would be much help. Toyota dealers advised nothing we could do.

Extreme rust and damage due the aforementioned rust. The rear control arms completely rusted off the frame. I know the vehicle is 15 years old but this much rust is not normal and will cause injury to many people if they do not now it is failing.

I was driving on the highway and the car started rocking violently back and forth. I applied on the brakes gently and the car started to slow down but would not stop shaking, almost causing the vehicle to flip over on its side. As this was happening my head was smashed against the side window multiple times, causing a concussion and cuts to my head and body. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the incident. When I came to a stop after nearly being hit by on coming cars I managed to pull the car over to the shoulder, while hitting the guard rail as I came to a stop. After I gathered my thoughts and when it was safe, I got out of the car to see what had happened and the rear control arm became completely severed from from the frame due to excessive amounts of rust on the frame. I looked on the internet for similar issues and found that the Toyota tundra, Toyota sequoia, and various other Toyota vehicles manufactured in the same year that share the same frame as my car had been recalled by Toyota due to excessive rust on the frame that could potentially fail and cause serious injury or death. I called Toyota explain the problem and they stated they could do nothing about it because my particular vehicle was not recalled. Since my car shares the same frame as the other Toyota vehicles that were recalled wit the same frame as mine and it's failure has caused myself physical harm and the potential for others to occur. Furthermore,since the car is now undrivable and unsafe without the frame replacement that it needs from Toyota, I feel that the Toyota 4runner should be included in the same recall because the same threats human life are currently present to others and the defective design is known by Toyota and they refuse to acknowledge it.

The vehicles frame, in the location where the rear lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame is completely rotted out. This point on the frame secures the lower link of the rear suspension. If this bracket separates, an accident would likely occur. The rest of the vehicle is rust free and the frame is not expected to rot within the vehicles lifespan. Toyota was contacted and refused to assist WI repairs.

The drivers side rear lower control arm bracket rusted and broke free from the frame of the vehicle at full freeway speed during am rush hour traffic. Nearly lost control of the vehicle. Managed to make it to the nearest exit ramp aprox. 1/4 mile. Took the vehicle to my repair shop and was told to take it to a frame repair shop. The frame was rusted so bad they could not even give me a estimate for repair. I contacted Toyota to check on recalls and register a complaint to no avail. The vehicle is currently in my garage soon to be junked.

Extensive rust on frame around weld of the control arm of the rear driver's side wheel. This caused the control arm to detach making the vehicle unsafe to drive. It appears there are quite a few complaints about frame rusting for Toyota 4runners.

2000 Toyota 4runner frame rusted threw at area that holds rear axel in place rear drivers frame rail had rusted through where it mounts the lower control arm. When frame failed vehicle was hard to control and swaying to the point of immediate danger to passengers and other vehicles on highway this vehicle is well maintained and is in excellent condition. Frame failure on this age vehicle should be unacceptable and should be addressed.

Having complained about a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite some time to the Toyota dealer, I was sold a number of repairs over the last 15,000 miles, including rear stabilizer links and rear shocks. However, the noise persisted. After spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on repairs, I have now discovered the rear drivers side portion of the frame in the area under the rear seat has totally rotted away and the lower rear control arm weldment is no longer attached to the frame, leaving the vehicle unstable (swaying side to side) and unsafe. The dealership never advised me of any problem, leading me to spend the money on these other repairs. This frame design has been recognized as a problem by Toyota a few years back. Toyota provided relief for the same issue on the tacoma. Obviously the 4runner suffers the same problem and should be evaluated as this is a very serious safety issue.

The body on the 4runner is clean with very little rust. The frame however is rusting badly and the mounts for the rear control arms are almost rusted off.

Extensive frame rust-through and failure. Left and right rear halves of frame cracked. Rear control arm brackets cracked at welds.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

I was driving and suddenly it felt like the rear driver side tire fell off. Further inspection showed that the driver side rear control arm bracket was rotted out of the frame. There is no way I can drive my truck anymore. I had someone look at the frame and was told its completely rotted and the truck is a total loss. I do not understand why there is not a recall for the 4runners when the frame is similar to the tacomas. The tacomas did have a recall for rotting of the frame. There should be a recall for the frame on the 4runners since this is a serious safety hazard. The axle of the 4runner could fall out and could cause a fatal accident.

Frame rusted on inside surface and at both rear lower control arm mounts. Drivers side rear lower control arm mount separated from the frame and allowed axle to move and tire to contact inner fender. The passenger side rear lower control arm mount was also severely rusted. The entire center section of both inner frame rails had new plate steel welded in place to repair the original rusted steel. Reinforcements were welded on the inner and outer frame for both rear lower control arm mounts. The vehicle is now safe to drive, but these repairs should not have been necessary on a 14 year old (at the time of incident) vehicle.

Vehicle started shaking and clunking. I was near home and able to get it back to my driveway. Upon towing to the mechanic, it was discovered that the rear control arm had rusted out and detached from the frame. Frame rot was discovered on the side rails. Car is considered undriveable and should be totaled.

Rear lower control arm mounts are severely rusted and broke away from frame while driving interstate causing near loss of control of vehicle due to bounce/sway of rear end.