1997 Toyota 4Runner complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V021000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO A RUSTED CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

MY SON JARRED 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 TUNDRAS 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. *TR

THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THREW IN MULTIPLE PARTS OF THE FRAME. SOMEONE HAS ALREADY TRIED WELDING SOME PLATING TO KEEP REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF THE LOWER FOUR LINK ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

CARS REAL END STARTED TO SWAY WHEN DRIVING, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH, THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL ISSUED,NOTHING THEY COULD DO!!!!. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 121,000 MILES ON IT!! IT SHOULD BE GOING FOR ANOTHER 100,000, THAT'S WHY PEOPLE BUY TOYOTAS!! MY SON BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 YEARS AGO, TOOK ALL HIS MONEY NOW HE HAS NO CAR TO DRIVE OR MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE. TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. SINCE THIS HAPPENED I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA 4RUNNER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THEY RECALLED THE TACOMA FOR THE SAME REASON.. SAME YEARS. NEED A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

VEHICLE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION. TRAILING ARM MOUNT FROM AXLE TO FRAME IS SEPARATED FROM FRAME AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER TOOK OFF. HAVING INSURANCE COVERAGE ON MY 1997, I TOOK IT TO 2 GARAGES FOR REPAIR. THE FRAME WAS BENT AT THE BACK WHEEL, BOTH GARAGES SAID THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RUSTED AND ALMOST NON EXISTENT FRAME. IF THE BODY SHOP WERE TO CUT OFF THE BENT PART OF THE FRAME, THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD, THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE NEW PART TO. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MINE SINCE 1998, GARAGE KEPT, NO BODY RUST, EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT I CAN NO LONGER GET IT INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE TOTALLY RUSTED OUT FRAME. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE FRAME PATCHED AND WELDED JUST TO PASS INSPECTION, I LOST MY GAS TANK ONE DAY, RUSTED BRACKET BROKE, NOW DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION OF THE FRAME, WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND, IT JUST CRUMBLED. INSPECTION IS DUE IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND NO ONE WILL INSPECT IT AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO FRAME LEFT. HOW CAN THIS BE UNLESS THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

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. *TR

THE FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM. MY SHOP TELLS ME THE FRAME IS TOO RUSTED TO REPAIR IT. *TR

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. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER THAT IS CATASTROPHICALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME AND HAS BEEN A DANGER SINCE PURCHASING. THE AMOUNT OF RUST HAS COMPLETELY EVAPORATED MY INVESTMENT. *TR

1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FRAME ROT AND RUST: I NOTICED RUST DEBRIS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF DRIVER-SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED WITH EXTENSIVE RUST ALONG ENTIRE LENGTH OF ADJACENT FUEL TANK. HOLES LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT FOUR FINGERS IN AND CRUMBLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ROT HAS ALMOST GONE ENTIRELY THROUGH THE FRAME AS THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL HOLES ON OUTSIDE OF FRAME AS WELL. THE RUST HAS ALSO SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED THE WELD SEAM ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. RUST AND ROT OF THIS SEVERITY ON THIS VEHICLE IS ISOLATED ONLY TO THIS AREA OF THE FRAME. THE REST OF VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS TYPICAL SURFACE RUST AS EXPECTED WITH AGE OF VEHICLE. *TR

SWAY BAR BROKE OFF FROM CHASIS. UPON EXAMINATION FROM OUR MECHANIC, IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE WHOLE CHASIS IS RUSTED. IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND I HAD TO SELL TO THE JUNK YARD. COULDN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA WOULD USE SUCH A CHASIS ON A 30K SUV. *TR

I HEARD A NOISE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO AND THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT HOME AND PARK IT BEFORE A BAD ACCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

FOUND CLUNKING SOUND FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND FOUND CHASSIS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CONTACTED AND SAID VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE REPLACED THE FRONT TIE ROD HE NOTICED THE REAR SUBFRAME AREA AND THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 144,216. RK

ORIGINAL OWNER, BOUGHT NEW. KEPT VEHICLE VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR INSPECTIONS ON A LIFT AND NO EVIDENCE OF FRAME RUST OR OTHER PROBLEMS. THEN ON ABOVE DATE AN INSPECTION SHOWED MANY SPOTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME - IT HAD BEEN ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MULTIPLE BODY EXPERTS SAID IT WAS TOO FAR GONE TO REPAIR AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT FAIL WHEN MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, POTENTIALLY KILLING US AND ANYONE AROUND US. TOYOTA CUSTOMER "EXPERIENCE" REPS REFUSED EVEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM - AND I ESCALATED THIS AS FAR AS I COULD. THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR WHY THEY BOUGHT BACK TACOMAS, TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS (WHICH HAVE THE SAME FRAME) BUT DID NOT EVEN ISSUE A MAINTENANCE ADVISORY FOR THE 4RUNNERS. IF THEY WON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE A RECALL. THE REST OF THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WELL AND THE FRAME MAY WELL FAIL FIRST, WHICH NO ONE EXPECTS. *TR

REAR FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. *TR

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. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD A BAD MUFFLER IN IT SO I TOOK INTO TO THE MUFFLER SHOP AND AS THEY FIXED THE MUFFLER THEY FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR EVERYDAY ( 4 YEARS OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD) CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I AM CURRENTLY OUT A VEHICLE AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS DAMAGED. *TR

VEHICLE DEVELOPED SERIOUS REAR END SWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD. LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE VICINITY OF THE REAR AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL AREAS. ADDITIONALLY THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE LOWER TRACK ARM MOUNTING PLATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RESULTING IN FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOVEMENT IN THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE VIRTUALLY RUST FREE. *TR

RUST. THE FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, AS HAS THE REAR FENDER. 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH MAJOR RUST ISSUES. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CLOSE TO HOME WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SWAYING. PULLED OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY ON SIDE OF ROAD, NO TRAFFIC, TIL I GOT HOME. SHOP OWNER SAID FRAME BROKE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE, NOBODY EVER GAVE ME AN INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CRASHED IF GOING FASTER AND MORE TRAFFIC, I WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SWAY BAR OF SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500. ...UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE HEARD A CRACK. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY IS FINE BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. THERE ARE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS INCLUDING SUSPENSION MOUNTS. *TR

FRAME IS RUSTING OUT ALONG FULL LENGTH. THE OUTSIDE LOOKS FINE IN MOST PLACES BUT THE INSIDE IS FLAKING OFF. IF YOU HIT IT WITH A HAMMER IT WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH AND MAKE A HOLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAMES ON INTERNET SITES. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 4RUNNER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY TRUCK AND AS OF LAST YEAR THE FRAME HAS BEEN SO RUSTED THEY WON'T PUT IT ON A LIFT NEVER MIND INSPECT IT..I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE TACOMA TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOT MY RUNNER ..I'VE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

VEHICLE HAS BEEN SWAYING AND THEN RECENTLY THE STEERING GOT BAD SO I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, STOPPING POWER DECREASED AND THE ABS ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR UNDER BODY FRAME HAD FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 159,000..... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY BRAKES WOULDN'T PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS RANDOM, BECAUSE OF THE REAR -END SWAYING FROM BEING DETACHED. UPDATED 03/11/13

I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH) AND IT STARTED GETTING HARD TO HANDLE. IF YOU ACCELERATED IT WOULD TURN HARD TO THE RIGHT, IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT WOULD VEER BACK HARD TO THE LEFT. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED IT OUT AND THE FRAME MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED OFF. *TR

I OWN A 1997 4RUNNER. DURING MY DRIVING THE VEHICLE FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CHASSIS LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT APART AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY. THIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS PURELY AN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FAILURES.HENCE, THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERSHIPS, THEY SAID TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL COST ME $8,100.00. HENCE, I FEEL THAT, IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM DIFFERENT BRAND OF CARS COMPANIES, THEREWITH, WHEREBY, THEY ARE STILL ON SOME PART OF THE WORLD, ARE STILL DRIVABLE AND USEFUL. HOWEVER, FOR THE KIND OF MONEY SPENT ON THE PURCHASE, THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE IS THAT OLD THEY ARE LIABLE FOR A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

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. *TR

FRAME ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY CRACKED. THERE IS NUMEROUS HOLES AND RUST PERFORATION ON THE FRAME. LOCAL DEALER DEEMED VEHICLE UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER FRAMES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF 4RUNNER OWNERS LIKE THEY DID WITH TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER EVERY DAY THAT I DROVE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS TOTALLY USELESS. *TR

I TOOK MY 1997 4RUNNER IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT MY FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THAT MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I GOT THE OPINION OF TWO OTHER AUTO BODY SHOPS AND THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND IS BEYOND BEING REPAIRED. TOYOTA OFFERED A BUY BACK PROGRAM FOR THEIR TACOMA'S FOR THE SAME REASON HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT BUY BACK THE 4 RUNNERS. I'VE FOUND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME RUST ISSUE WITH THE FRAMES ON THEIR 4RUNNERS. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON STATE ROUTE, HEARD LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED SHIMMYING SIDE TO SIDE. SHE SLOWED DOWN AND LIMPED VEHICLE HOME. TODAY RAISED VEHICLE ON MY LIFT AT WORK AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH WHERE REAR SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO FRAME. GLAD NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED, AS MY WIFE, CHILDREN AND NEW SISTER-IN-LAW WERE ALL PASSENGERS! OTHERWISE LOVE THE VEHICLE, WAS INTENDING ON REPLACEMENT WITH A SEQUOIA, BUT NOW I AM UNSURE IF THAT IS A GOOD MOVE. I HAVE SEEN MANY TACOMAS COME IN THAT HAD FRAME RUST IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. WISH TOYOTA WOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM IN THE 4RUNNERS, AS WE ARE JUST AS LOYAL AS THE TACOMA OWNERS. SEEMS LIKE A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT FRAME RUST ON THE INTERNET FORUMS ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS TOO. I SURE HOPE TOYOTA CAN KEEP ME AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THEM TO MY CUSTOMERS AS I VERY OFTEN DO. I WAS REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SPENDING THE $3900+ TAX + MY INSTALLATION TIME, BUT IT SEEMS TOYOTA HAS DISCONTINUED MY FRAME. I EVEN DOUBLE-CHECKED WITH CORPORATE TOYOTA. WHAT TO DO NOW?.......NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO THIS...JUST SOME HELP EVEN... *TR

THIS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS PREMATURE STRUCTURAL FRAME FAILURE. 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. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC AMONG OLDER TOYOTA TRUCKS AND SUV'S. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE TACOMA'S OF THIS MODEL YEAR DUE TO THE FRAMES ROTTING. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS. IT IS TIME TO PUSH TOYOTA TO HELP ALL OF THE OWNERS OF THESE TOYOTA'S OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PART OF THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 258,625.

RUSTED FRAME..... UNSAFE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH ON SEVERAL PLACES, BUT ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION IS THE WORST. THIS LOCATION IS THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN A SOLID STEEL BRACKET OF THE SAME SIZE, THICKNESS AND MATERIAL AS THE MAIN FRAME. THIS BRACKET HOLDS THE SWAY-TYPE BAR, WHICH ATTACHES BACK TO THE REAR AXLE. THE WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE MAIN FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME. THE JOINT IS ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG. OVER ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE WELD JOINT, THE AREA IS RUSTED AWAY AND THERE IS A 3/8-INCH GAP BETWEEN PARTS. THE REMAINING 2 INCHES ARE HOLDING TEMPORARILY, BUT IT IS UNSAFE. THIS RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED FRAME HAS CAUSED THE 1997 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER TO BE UNSAFE, UNDRIVEABLE AND UN-FIXABLE. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF THE FRAME JOINT RUSTS MORE AND COMPLETELY BREAKS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE HEARD A SOUND AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED, AND THEN CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE REMAINDER OF THE RIDE HOME. WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TAKE HER DESCRIPTION AND BEGIN TROUBLESHOOTING WHAT COULD BE WRONG, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WAS TRYING TO COME AROUND, A VERY WEIRD FEELING IN THE SUMMER. TRYING TO FIGURE WHY, AND SEVERAL MINUTES OF LAYING UNDER THIS VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHING POINT IS ROTTED AND BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I HAVE OWNED ONE OF THE RECALLED TOYOTA TACOMAS, IT WAS BOUGHT BACK FROM ME BY TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND IT IS BEING RECALLED FOR ROTTING FRAMES, AND ROTTING SPARE TIRE BRACKETS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4-RUNNERS. THIS 4 RUNNER IS THE SAME YEAR AS THE TOYOTA TACOMA, AND TWO YEARS OLDER THAT MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE ON THE ROAD, AND THANK GOD THIS DID NOT HAVE A DISASTROUS OUTCOME. AND BY THE WAY, BOTH OF MY SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SERIOUS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I CANT SELL THIS AS A USED VEHICLE AND I CAN'T TRADE IT IN TO A DEALER. HELP! *TR

AT 317,800 MILES THE FRONT END WAS REBUILT. WITHIN A WEEK THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I SUSPECT COUNTERFEIT BOLTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY SAVED NO PARTS. THIS WAS A FALCON K90262 RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT. AT 322,055 MILES A SECOND LOW SPEED ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE FALCON K90263 LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY PULLING THE BALL FROM THE SOCKET. UPON INSPECTION THE SEALED JOINT APPEARS NOT TO HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED AT THE FACTORY AND SHOWS VERY VISIBLE SIGNS OF WEAR. REPAIRS WERE MADE USING ANOTHER BRAND OF PARTS. I HAVE THE PART IN A BAG, WHERE IT WAS PLACED UNCLEANED, AFTER REPAIRS, SHOULD YOU WISH TO INSPECT IT. HAD EITHER OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED, AXLE DISLODGED AND WHEEL PUSHED INTO WHEEL WELL. A SEPARATE, BUT EXACT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SAME VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS PRIOR AT 131,000 MILES (HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1997/TOYOTA/4RUNNER/10173792.ASPX). WE WERE ASSURED BY TOYOTA DEALER REPAIR FACILITY AT THAT TIME THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE INCIDENT AND UPON INSPECT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHECKED IN THE INTERIM AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF FUTURE FAILURE. AGAIN, BOTH SIDES HAVE NOW FAILED ON THE SAME VEHICLE UNDER LIGHT DUTY CONDITIONS.

FRAME ON A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ROTTING OUT. VEHICLE NO LONGER ROAD WORTHY AND WILL NOT TAKE A STICKER. HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA MAN MY WHOLE LIFE BUT THIS MAKES ME THINK TWICE ABOUT EVER PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE. IS TOYOTA GOING TO GO GOOD ON THIS? FUNNY HOW THE TACOMA WAS RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER! SAME FRAME? I WOULD HAVE TO GUESS YES... *TR