1997 Toyota 4Runner

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I moved the steering wheel slighlty and the vehicle went out of control, I managed to avoid oncoming traffic and pulled to the side of the road. I was still near home and drove very slowly to get home. Upon examining the cundercarriage at a local mechanic, we found that the frame was rusted and had broken where the rear trailing arm is attached, leaving the rear axle loose. I ended up giving the car to the mechanic. After driving it for 26 years it was a very sad moment since ran great and was my daily driver. I called Toyota and they told my vehicle was not included in the recall for

PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED THAT REAR STABILIZER ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF DUE TO RUST. WHEN DRIVING TO REPAIR SHOP THE CAR REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE, SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT - I COULD PULL OVER IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE RUST AN EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT ON THE THE REAR FRAME ON BOTH SIDES WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. REPAIRS FOR FRAME WELD WERE 2500 -3000 USD. THE 1997 4-RUNNER, V6 IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE!

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT *AS

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED A FRACTURE NOSE, SPINE, LEFT WRIST, RIGHT LUNG WAS PUNCTURED, AND 3 FRACTURED RIBS ON HER LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN A COMA AND HOSPITALIZED FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *LN

REAR FRAM STABILIZER BRACE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME, SO AXLE TO FRAME STALIZER DOES NOT STABILIZE REAR AXLE

VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTED MY BROKEN, RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE, BAD SHOCK AND THE CONDITION OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN GENERAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THIS RUST.

FRAME RUST MAKES VEHICLE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

HEY I HAVE A 1997 4 RUNNER I HAVE A PROBLEM OF THE FRAME GETTING RUSTED OUT. IT IS ON THE 4 LINK WHERE IT HOOKS TO THE AXLE IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME MY REAR AXLE ABOUT CAME OFF AND IT ALMOST GOT ME INTO A RECK. ALL I DONE IS HIT THE BRAKES THEN HURT POP AND REAR END WENT CRAZY. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STEET WHEN IT HAPPENED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THERE WAS NOTHING SUPPORTING THE STABILIZER ARM. FOX TOYOTA (228 FOX FAMILY LN, CLINTON, TN 37716, (865)-494-0228) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 271,000.

THE FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST AS I WAS DRIVING

THE BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT SEATS TO THE CAR RUST OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY BREAK

THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTING ALONG THE REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM MOUNT (THE PIECE WELDED TO THE FRAME THAT YOU CAN SEE WHEN CROUCHED DOWN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR DOORS). THIS SEPARATES AND CAUSES THE REAR AXLE TO FLOAT AROUND WHICH MAY CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SEPARATE COMPLETELY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY WERE BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

THE FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE FRAME ROT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME.

THE FRAME WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND NOT ENOUGH RUST PROTECTION WAS APPLIED BY TOYOTA. WE RARELY GET SNOW AND STILL THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. TOYOTA DID NOT MAKE A DRAIN HOLE SO THAT THE WATER IN THE FRAME WOULD EVAPORATE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH OTHERWISE LAST A LONG TIME. A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE 4RUNENRS WITH EXCELLENT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BUT WITH RUSTED FRAMES. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN ON UNSUSPECTING OWNERS.

THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE REAR TRAILING ARM TO THE FRAME BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO SWERVE AND LOOSE STABILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I'VE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT REAR SHOCKMOUNT AND BAR REPLACED, AND THE LEFT IS ON ITS WAY TO RUSTING COMPLETELY THROUGH. ON THE LEFT SIDE, HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED UP, AND WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS THROUGH AND BREAKS, IT WILL VERY LIKELY CAUSE SOMETHING TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK. THAT COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE, SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SO, IT IS LIKELY THAT IT WILL BE ON THE ROAD WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED WHEN YOU RECALLED THE TOYOTA TACOMAS FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF RUSTY FRAMES? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MANY PEOPLE IF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE STREETS!

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD BANG AND VEHICLE GOT SQUIRMY AND OUT OF CONTROL WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOUSE LUCKILY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS COMPONENTS TO KEEP AXLE IN PLACE ARE ROTTED OUT. ISSUE WILL GET SOMEONE KILLED ONE DAY.

RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK BROKE THROUGH FRAME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (BRACKET SUB ASSEMBLY REAR - RIGHT REAR). HAD TO REMOVE SHOCK SO IT WOULD NOT BUST THROUGH CAUSING RIDE INSTABILITY.

MY 1997 4RUNNER HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE CHASSIS FRAME. THE REAR SHOCKS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS EATEN BY THE RUST.

FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED VEHICLE WELL KEPT AND IT JUST KEEPS ROTTING SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY TRAILER ARM BROKE OFF THE TRUCK ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK.

WHEN BRAKING ON A CURVE ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY {55 MPH} THE VEHICLE JUMPED AND HOPPED UNCONTROLLABLY AND ALMOST LEFT THE ROAD. AFTER SLOWLY GETTING IT HOME, I INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE MOUNT FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARM BROKE OFF THE FRAME FROM RUST. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 155,000 MILES AND THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN VARY GOOD CONDITION. I BOUGHT THE TOYOTA FOR ITS KNOWN LONGEVITY AND DID NOT EXPECT THIS FROM TOYOTA. IF THIS HAD BEEN A STATE HWY {70 MPH} I'M SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH, INJURY AND POSABLE FATALITY.

1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER "REAR FRAME RUST AND HOLES" MY TOYOTA 1997 4RUNNER (CURRENT MILEAGE 139,035) HAS THE RUST AND HOLES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE & DRIVER SIDE FRAMES. TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER MECHANIC SAID " DO NOT DRIVE BECAUSE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS." I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT $34,500 ON JUNE 1997. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE ONE. IT'S VERY RIDICULOUS THAT THIS EXPENSIVE CAR HAS THIS KINDS OF PROBLEM. LET ME HAVE RECALL SERVICE. I WILL APPRECIATE FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

MY 4RUNNER FRAME IS ROTTED OUT. CRACKED FRAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CONTROL ARMS FELL OFF THE CAR. FRAME BUSTED IN HALF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES FOR FRAME RUST, BUT NOT FOR THE 4RUNNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *TT *TR

I ENTERED MY VIN AND THERE HAPPENED TO BE AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SWAY BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

EXTENSIVE RUST , FRAME WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION.

FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE REAR AXLE ARM ATTACHES. ARM MOUNT BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRAME. VEHICHLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND VIRTUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE. (FRAME REPLACEMENT) RIDICULOUS TOYOTA!!! YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAKE IT RIGHT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!. MYSELF AND FMAILY OWN 7 TOYOTAS. MIGHT RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER!

THE FRAME IS SO RUSTY THAT THREE SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS HAVE RUSTED (BROKEN) OFF. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

MY 1997 4RUNNER ONLY HAS 116,XXX MILES AND ITS FRAME IS STARTING TO ROT. MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IT'S ALSO ON OTHER 4RUNNERS. I GUESS IT HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS BUT IT IS NEAR THE BACK BY THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME.

I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS 1997 TOYOTA WHICH I'VE PLANNED TO KEEP FOR EVER. HOWEVER, THIS WEEKEND WHILE REPLACING A SHOCK ABSORBER I FOUND THAT THE FRAME, BY THE MUFFLER HAS RUSTED THROUGH, THE GASH IS APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES LONG. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS FAR BEYOND WHAT CAN BE CONSIDERED NORMAL RUST DUE TO AGING. THE DAMAGE LOOKS UNSAFE. I FOUND THE DAMAGE ON THE BELOW STATED DATE BUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE MUST TO HAVE TAKEN YEARS.

THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT OF THE TRAILING ARM SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE DISINTEGRATED FRAME CAUSING THE AXLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND BECAME WILDLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

GOING DOWN ROAD AT 50MPH CAR LET LOOSE VERY HARD TO HANDLE PULLED ME INTO BURM OF ROAD SWAYING BACK AND FOURTH. HAD CAR TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FRAME BROKE LOOSE TOTALLY ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT LOOKS LIKE COOKIE CRUMBLES. FRAME HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS IS 22ND 4RUNNER OWNED WITH SAME PROBLEM THIS TIME ALMOST SEVERE ACCIDENT. CONTACTING A LAWYER AS THIS ISSUE IS BEING NEGLECTED RESEARCH DONE AND THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 4RUNNERS AND A VERY GOOD CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.

I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND HEARD A POP LIKE SOMETHING HAD BROKEN. PROCEEDED TO GET ON INTERSTATE ON RAMP AND WITHIN A MILE THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SWERVING BACK AND FORTH. LUCKILY I ONLY HAD TO GO ABOUT A MILE TO MY EXIT. ONCE HOME I HAD DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE FRAME HAD RUSTED INTO AT A VERY CRITICAL AREA OF THE FRAME. IT WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE AND WAS A PART WHERE A ROD MOUNTED TO IT THAT KEEPS THE REAR AXLE ALIGNED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A VEHICLES FRAME REGARDLESS OF IT BEING 19 YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND TOYOTA SOMEHOW DOESN'T FEEL THE NEED TO RECALL WHAT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR LOTS OF OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

FRAME ROTTED APART HAVE TO HAVE SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT ANY LONGER I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THIS TIME NOT IN OUR BUDGET MY WIFE AND I BOTH WORK NOT FINANCIALLY SET..DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TOTALLY ROTTED FRAME NEEDS REPLACING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

RE: 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER - I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.THE FRAME RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SEVERE RUST PERFORATION IN THE BACK WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME RAIL. AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN/MATERIAL DEFECT AND A COMMON ISSUE ALTHOUGH PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO ME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS GENERATION OF THETOYOTA 4RUNNER HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THERE A GREAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES STILL IN SERVICE WHOSE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF HARMING THEMSELVES AND OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE. MUST THE NHTSA WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE TOYOTA IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE NHTSA FOR THIS DEFECT?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STABILIZER BAR TO THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 263,514.

FRAME AND CERTAIN CRITICAL SUSPENSION PARTS HAVE RUSTED OUT, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS CONCERN. I JUST PURCHASED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 173,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS MADE AWARE BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE THAT THERE IS SOME RUST UNDERNEATH AND SO I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT MAJOR AND IS REPAIRABLE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE LARGER THAN I INITIALLY ASSESSED. I REALIZE THAT THIS MAKES ME RESPONSIBLE FOR A BAD DECISION BUT I ALSO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BRING THESE RUST ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NHTSA WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL AFFECT A RESPONSE THAT WILL HOLD THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE. I REALIZE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 15 YEARS OLD AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ROTTING FRAME IS AN ACCEPTABLE DEFECT IN AN 18 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT WAS CLEARLY VERY WELL MAINTAINED BY IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER, AND BY THE NUMBER OF SUBMITTED AND UNSUBMITTED COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WHICH POINTS TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IN ADDITION, THIS ROTTING FRAME PROBLEM MUST HAVE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH YOUNGER BECAUSE THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH IN TWO PLACES AND IT DOESN'T TAKE A SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE TAKES TIME. THE MAIN FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT I JUST BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND I

PURCHASED WITH 165,000 MILES. ALMOST NEW FOR A MODERN VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT, THE REAR END WAS READY TO COLLAPSE, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND NOTIFIED THE SAME THING. TOYOTA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. RUSTING OUT AT 165K IS UNHEARD OF FOR A MODERN VEHICLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO SELL IT TO THE JUNKYARD. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY I DON'T HAVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,909. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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.

THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD

DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PART FROM REAR END THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRED AND FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. FRAME LOOKS GOOD EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SIDE.

I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY FRAME SUDDENLY BROKE. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A DITCH LINE. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILING TO HELP ME WITH A REPLACMENT FRAME. THIS FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS

I WAS DRIVING IN SCHOOL ZONE POSTED 20 MPH SCHOOL ZONE ROAD A LITTLE ROUGH UNEVEN SURFACE WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH WHEN I FELT THE VEHICLE STRAYED TO THE RIGHT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES TO TAKE OFF AGAIN HEARING THUMP AND VEHICLE STRAYED TO RIGHT KEEPING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT WHICH FELT LIKE REAR END OF VEHICLE GONG TO RIGHT AND FRONT END STEERING TO LEFT A LOT OF SWAYING AND THUMPING UPON APPLYING AND RELEASING MY FEET ON AND OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP AND A THUMP SOUND, I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE WHEELS SEEM OK BUT UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL FRAME ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER BAR ROTTED AND DROPPED DOWN EXPOSING MY GAS TANK HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE PLATES WELDED TO FRAME TO USE VEHICLE AGAIN WELDER SAID FRAME ALL ROTTED OUT.

MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE 1997 4RUNNER AND HIS FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST. HE SAID HE COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BUT MANAGED TO SLOWLY CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THIS STORY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR, SO I GO TO CHECK MY FRAME AND SURE ENOUGH, IT IS ALSO QUITE RUSTED. I'M AFRAID THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING ON IT THAT IT WILL SNAP AND COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR