2000 Toyota 4Runner complaints

FRAME ROTTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, TRACK BAR FOR REAR MOUNT RUSTED OFF FRAME.

FUEL GAUGE SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING OR INACCURATE. MY CONCERNS FOR IT BEING INACCURATE ARE THAT WHEN REFUELING THE TANK AFTER 8-10 MILES THE YELLOW LIGHT HAS COME ON, THE TANK ONLY "FILLS UP" WITH 13.2 GALLONS WHERE THE MANUAL STATES THAT IT HAS A FUEL CAPACITY OF 18.5 GALLONS (PAGE 261 OF MANUAL). AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK, THE NEEDLE SEEMS TO BE AT THE "FULL" LINE. HOWEVER, AFTER ONLY DRIVING 5 MILES ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD OF AT A MAXIMUM 40 MPH, THE NEEDLE OF THE GAUGE "COMES OFF" FULL QUICKLY. ONLY DRIVING 26 MILES, THE NEEDLE IS AT THE 1/4 LINE OF GAUGE. ESTIMATING THE CAR TO GETTING 104 MILES PER TANK.

THE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT MAY BREAK APART WHILE DRIVING. TACOMAS OF SIMILAR YEARS WITH THE SAME FRAME HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER I NOTICED IT WAS NOT HANDLING NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER AND WOULD NOT GO IN THE DIRECTION I WAS TURNING. AFTER GETTING BACK HOME, I INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE CHECKING THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. WHILE UNDER THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR STABILIZER MOUNT HAD RUSTED OFF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS NOW UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION.

TOOK MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TO A MECHANIC AFTER NOTICING THE FRAME LOOKED LIKE IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH IN ONE AREA. MECHANIC SAID THE FRAME WAS SERIOUSLY ROTTED THROUGH IN MANY AREAS AND COULD NOT BE FIXED. HE SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TOLD ME I'D BE CRAZY TO DRIVE IT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 1 MONTH AGO WITH 146,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UNBELIEVABLE THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE 4RUNNER FOR THIS PROBLEM YET TOYOTA TRUCKS WITH THE SAME FRAME PROBLEM HAVE HAD RECALLS AND BUY BACK OFFERS. IS TOYOTA WAITING FOR DEATHS TO OCCUR? I HAVE PURCHASED 2 TOYOTA VEHICLES PRIOR TO THIS 4RUNNER. I TRUSTED THE NAME TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST & MOST RELIABLE. I AM MORTIFIED TO KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH ROTTED FRAMES, QUITE POSSIBLY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THEM, THAT COULD RESULT IN A DEATH IF THE FRAME GIVES OUT WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY NHTSA AND HELP TO GET THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER RECALLED FOR THIS ROTTED FRAME PROBLEM. IT IS TRULY A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH!! SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR MAKING LIGHT OF THE PROBLEM. MY TRUST IN THE TOYOTA NAME IS FOREVER TARNISHED. I, LIKE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE POSTED ON HERE, WILL BE WAITING FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO OCCUR. I CERTAINLY WOULD NEVER SELL THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE KNOWING THEY COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE DUE TO THE FRAME FAILING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS HAVING SWAY BAR LINK REPLACED AND MECHANIC NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST IN REAR SECTION OF FRAMEON BOTH SIDES,PARTICULARLY AROUND SUSPENSION,INSIDE OF REAR FRAME RAILS,MASSIVE SECTIONS OF FRAME RAIL AFFECTED,AND HOLES/CRACKS IN FRAME. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM,MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP,LOVE LEXUS OF ST ALBANS,WEST VIRGINIA,THEY SCHEDULED ME AN APPTMNT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE.WHEN I ARRIVED,THEY DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO RACK THE VEHICLE,I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX IT FOR $7000.00,AND GIGGLED AT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A DEALERSHIP AGAIN.HE TOLD ME IF IT WAS A TACOMA THEY WOULD REPAIR IT OR BUY IT BACK,BUT SINCE IT WAS A 4RUNNER, IWAS OUT OF LUCK.WITH A DECENT AMOUNT OF MONEY TIED UP IN THIS VEHICLE,AND NO OPTIONS TO REPLACE IT, I NOW HAVE TAKEN IT FROM MY SON AND I AM DRIVING THIS DEATH TRAP MYSELF,ANDCANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE MOST TRUSTED BRAND I EVER KNEW,ONE I HAVE BEEN SHAMELESSLY PROMOTING AND DRIVING FOR OVER 20 YEARS IS TURNING THEIR BACK ON LOYAL CUSTOMERS.I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE 1999 TACOMA,OLDER THAN MY 4RUNNER,WAS BOUGHT BACK BY THEM THE YEAR BEFORE LAST(THEY GAVE HIM $14,000 FOR HIS TRUCK,WHICH WASRUSTED IN HALF). IF YOU(NHTSA) ARE GOING TO DO NOTHING, I HOPE THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS FILED SOON SO I CAN JOIN. THERE IS NO REASON FOR SUCH BRAZEN DISREGARD FOR SAFETY.I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CASES OF THIS PROBLEM IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.AFTER THE RECIEPT OF MY TAXES I WILL PARK THE VEHICLE,AND REPLACE IT FOR SAFETY CONC

THERE IS A RUST ISSUE ON THE FRAME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW FRAME WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

WITH ONLY 129,000 MILES AND WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS MY FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH LEAVING MY VEHICLE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION IN EVERY OTHER ASPECT, AND WAS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR MISUSED IN ANY WAY. I NOTICED THE REAR END SWAYING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. HE SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR PARTS AT BEST SINCE THE FRAME IS UNREPAIRABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE OBVIOUS PLACE IT IS CRACKED IT IS RUSTING AWAY IN MULTIPLE OTHER LOCATIONS. I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT RUNS GREAT, BUT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. HAD I NOT NOTICED THE SWAYING I MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHER MOTORISTS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

FRAME RUSTING THROUGH IN FRONT OF VEHICLE....TOYOTA RECALLED THEIR TACOMA TRUCK, WHICH USES THE SAME FRAME AND RUNNING GEAR, BUT NO RECALL ON THE 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FRAME RUST AS THE TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND SOMETHING "SNAPPED" UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE 4 RUNNER. AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS SAID THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 55 MILES PER HOUR ON HIGHWAY 138. I HIT BLACK ICE AND DROVE STRAIGHT INTO A TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY FACE AND HEAD, FROM SMASHING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.

FRAME IS RUST OUT

DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL THE OTHER DAY AND I HEAR A LOUD THUD AND NEXT THING I KNOW MY EXHAUST STARTS GETTING LOUDER AND MY REAR END STARTS TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH LIKE MY CAR WAS FISHTAILING BUT WITHOUT SPINNING THE TIRES. IT GOT HARD TO STEAR AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I FIGURED I WOULD STOP BY TO SEE WHAT A MECHANIC WOULD SAY. HE PUT MY 4RUNNER UP ON A LIFT AND SHOWED ME THE MULTIPLE RUST HOLES THAT ATE APART MY FRAME. ALSO THE PART THAT CONNECTS THE REAR AXLE TO THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME LEAVING MY AXLE TO SHAKE AROUND AND FALL OUT IF I KEEP DRIVING IT. BEING 17 YEARS OLD I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON THIS TOYOTA BECAUSE I FIGURED THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST CARS AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH FROM PLACE TO PLACE. ONLY HAVING 129,000 MILES THIS 4RUNNER SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART AND UNDRIVABLE. I DON'T HAVE THE INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THE FRAME SO NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR. THANKS TOYOTA. I THINK I'M GOING TO GIVE MY BUSINESS TO HONDA NEXT TIME.

FRAME TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY AND SUSPENSION DETACHED WITH 4 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE! THANK GOD I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED. YOU ALMOST KILLED 6 PEOPLE TOYOTA!!!!

THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT ALL ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO RUST. ITS STARTING TO RUST AROUND KEY FRAME BRACKETS. AFTER A MECHANIC LOOKED AT HE SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES 4RUNNER.

READINGS FLUCTUATES, OR INDICATE MORE GAS THAN ACTUALLY IN TANK. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN MOTION AND THE TRUCK STOPPED WORKING. I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT TURNS OUT THE QUARTER TANK READING WAS FALSE. THE TANK WAS EMPTY.

SEVERE CORROSION IN THE STRUCTURAL FRAMING (THE BOX BEAM ON THE RIGHT SIDE) OF THE CAR RESULTED IN THE SUDDEN LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE BOTTOM FLANGE OF THE BOX BEAM. THE PORTION OF THE BOTTOM FLANGE THAT FELL OFF IS ABOUT 3 IN. WIDE BY 14 IN. LONG. THAT PORTION OF THE FAILED FLANGE ALSO INCLUDED THE CONNECTION OF THE STRUCT ROD SUPPORTING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. THE LOST OF THE STRUCT ROD SUPPORT TO THE STRUCTURAL FRAMING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY WIDELY SIDE TO SIDE AND TO ROLL LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE SIDE WHEN I APPLIED BRAKING TO THE CAR. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATELY THAT WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD IN LESS THAN 40 MPH, AND THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS IN MY IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING. OTHERWISE, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER SENDING THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CORROSION HAS SEVERELY UNDERMINED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURAL FRAMING OF THE CAR, IN THIS CASE IT WAS THE LONGITUDINAL BOX BEAMS SUPPORTING THE CAR. I DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA OF AMERICA AND THEY INFORMED ME THE WARRANTY FOR CORROSION IS ONLY FOR 60 MONTHS. HOWEVER, I TOLD THEM THE STRUCTURAL FRAMING OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A MUCH, MUCH LONGER SERVICE LIFE THAN 60 MONTHS. A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE IN MOTION COULD HAVE DEADLY CONSEQUENCE. THE ODOMETER READING OF MY CAR IS LESS THAN 63,000 MILES.

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY TORTION BAR SNAPPED OFF MY CHASSIS, COME TO REALIZE A HUGE SECTION OF MY CHASSIS ROTTED AWAY.

RUST HAS CONSUMED MY FRAME, SUSPENSION AND LOWER BODY PANELS.

CAR WAS TOWED TO BODY SHOP AND ONCE PUT ON LIFT MECHANIC OBSERVED SOCKS WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE ENITIRE FRAME ADVISING US THIS CAR IS NOT SALVAGEABLE TO DO A ROTTED FRAME AND FUTHERMORE IS A DEATH TRAP FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE ITALSO REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING.. CAR HAS UNDER 130,000 MILES AND WAS MAINTAINED WITH ALL RECORDS IN TACT.. APPARENTLY TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS SAFTEY ISSUE AND HAS NOT RECALLED ON THIS MAKE ,YEAR AND MODEL

THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES. I BROUGHT MY 4RUNNER IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, NOT TO THE RUDY LUTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MN, WHERE I NORMALLY BRING FOR REGULAR SERVICE, BUT TO MINNETONKA AUTO. THEY NOTICED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES, VERY VISIBLY... I COULD STICK MY HAND IN THE RUSTED HOLES. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY AND RECOMMENDED I CONTACT TOYOTA DIRECTLY. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF MY TRUCK, JUST THE FRAME. THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME TO TOYOTA CORPORATE. TOYOTA CORPORATE SAID THEY HAD NO PROGRAMS FOR THE 4RUNNER, AND COULDNT OFFER ME ANY OTHER OPTIONS OR SOLUTIONS, OTHER THAN CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP. I CALLED RUDY LUTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MN AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY HAVE OTHER CASES, BUT CORPORATE WASNT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I GUESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR A FEW PEOPLE TO DIE FIRST, BEFORE SPENDING ANY $$ TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE FRAMES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST-THROUGH AND FAILURE. LEFT AND RIGHT REAR HALVES OF FRAME CRACKED. REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS CRACKED AT WELDS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC FOR A UNRELATED ISSUE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THERE WAS RUST COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE FRAME. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE, THE CADILLAC CONVERTER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 4RUNNER AND NOTICE THE BACK BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE. I ALSO NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BROKE. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO THE SHOP I FELT LIKE THE BACKEND WAS SWAYING. I DROP MY CAR OFF EXPECTING TO HAVE SOME BRAKE WORK DONE, POSSIBLY EVEN A SWAY BAR OR SOMETHING REPLACED. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE IF THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK, IT WILL BREAK IN HALF. MY FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED IN HALF. NOW THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME FOR A WHILE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTS I CALL TOYOTA TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. I CALL TOYOTA AND THERE IS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2000 4RUNNER. I DID HOWEVER FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME FOR THE ISSUE OF RUST AND FRAMES CRACKING. THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND TOYOTA TACOMA BOTH HAVE THE EXACT SAME FRAME. IF THERE IS A RECALL ON ONE, WHY WOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL ON THE OTHER? I BELIEVE THE REASON IS BECAUSE TOYOTA SOLD MORE 4RUNNERS IN 2000 THAN THEY DID TACOMAS. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO RECALL THE 4RUNNER FOR FEAR OF LOSING SO MUCH MONEY. THEY ARE PUTTING LIVES AT RISK BY NOT OWING UP TO THIS ERROR.

TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE. SHOP MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE INSIDE AND BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS IN OTHERWISE FANTASTIC CONDITION AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HE INFORMED ME THAT FRAME ISSUES IN THE EARLY 2000S PLAGUES MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 4RUNNER. HE SAID THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL IN ITS CURRENT STATE. I WANT TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO AFFECT MOST 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS AND IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE ONLY WARNING SIGN IS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE WORK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE. I LOOKED INTO THIS AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD MANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. THE 4-RUNNER THAT I OWN DOES NOT HAVE THE RECALL. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SO I WANTED TO FILE ONE AS WELL. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN THESE VEHICLES. MANY 4-RUNNER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE.

VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE WELD JOINT WHICH JOINS THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT TO THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED ALLOWING TO CONTROL ARM TO MOVE FORWARD AN BACK. THIS IN TURN ALLOWED THE REAR AXLE TO TURN FROM SIDE TO SIDE. ON INSPECTION THE FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED IN THIS AREA AND THE WELD HAS GIVEN WAY AND IS TEARING APART FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALSO RUSTED, BUT THE JOINT HAS NOT YET SEPARATED.

BOTH FRAME RAILS ARE RUSTING AWAY, MOST SERIOUS IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THESE FRAME RAILS ARE THE KEY STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ELEMENTS TYING THE UPPER BODY AND DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION TOGETHER. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW TO TOYOTA MOTORS AND THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SAME YEAR MODELS OF TACOMA PICKUPS, HOWEVER, THEY FAIL TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 4RUNNER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I CANNOT IN GOOD FAITH RESELL THIS VEHICLE OR TRADE IT IN AS-IS. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE FAIR COMPENSATION TO OWNERS OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM OR GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD TO PREVENT POTENTIAL BODILY INJURY OR FATALITY.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ON MY WAY HOME, I HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN SO I DID, WHEN I GAVE IT SOME GAS AS I COMPLETED MY TURN I NOTICED THAT IF FELT LIKE MY 4 RUNNER WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. EVERY TIME I GAVE IT SOME GAS YOU COULD FEEL AND EVEN SEE IT JERK TO THE RIGHT. THE MORE I DROVE THE I NOTICED THAT IT WASN'T STOPPING, IF ANYTHING IT HAD GOTTEN EVEN WORSE. SO, WHEN I WOKE UP TODAY I WENT TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS CRAZY. THE FRAME LITERATELY RUSTED IN HALF. IT WAS IN TWO PEACES. MY MECHANIC DIDN'T KNOW WHY OR HOW I EVEN MADE IT THERE. IT WAS VERY SCARY TO SEE, KNOWING I WAS DRIVING IN IT.

MULTIPLE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE OF FRAME ON THE INSIDE NEXT TO THE EXHAUST. HOLE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF FRAME ON OUTSIDE BY TOW HITCH MOUNT.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY INFORMED US THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTY WITH A POSSIBLE HOLE IN THE FRAME AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE LEAK WAS FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE COMPONENT THAT HOUSES THE FLUID WAS ALSO RUSTING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NO CODES AT THIS TIME. WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN OUR TOWN AND LOOKED AT IT UP ON THE LIFT. THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS SO RUSTED IT IS CRACKED AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE FRAME CLEAR AS DAY (DEALERSHIP STATED POSSIBLE). THEY ALSO REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. WE NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE ON OUR HANDS THAT WE CAN NOT DRIVE, SELL OR EVEN TRADE IN!

THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO NYSDMV MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ABSURD AS I HAVE OLDER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME MILEAGE IN THE SAME APPARENT EXTERIOR CONDITION. THAT ARE SOLID AND INSPECTABLE. SO NOW I MUST PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OR SELL IT AS PARTS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS FRAME LIKE THEY HAVE WITH THEIR OTHER VEHICLES.

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST BEYOND NORMAL AGING.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY.HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL. GOT THE VEHICLE HOME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING THE SWAY BAR TO DROP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 09/15/15*LJ *CN

IT HAS BEEN A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR ALL TOYOTA TRUCK AN SUV FRAMES THEY ARE JUNK AN ALL RUST OUT IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE IF NOT SEEN IN TIME THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY FATAL ERROR AN MANY LAWSUITS IF THEY CAN CALL BACK ALL TACOMAS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHY NOT THE 4 RUNNERS MOST THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD HAVE MANY PATCHES ON THE FRAME TO KEEP IT DRIVABLE AN SUM WHAT SAFE

IN A GRADUAL LEFT HAND TURN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE REAR IDLER ASSEMBLY ARM AT THE FRAME CONNECTION SEPARATED (BROKE DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST PER CERTIFIED MECHANIC), CAUSING DRAMATIC BODY ROLL AND A NEAR DEADLY HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. ROLL OVER POTENTIAL WAS ALSO GREATLY INCREASED, AS NEEDED CORRECTION WAS EMPLOYED TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION - WHICH CREATED OVER STEER TO BE APPLIED TO COUNTER BALANCE SUDDEN ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE SPONTANEOUS BODY ROLL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

BOUGHT A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3 MONTHS AGO. INSPECTION WAS UP AND TOOK IT TO GET INSPECTED. THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS TRASHED FROM RUST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE FRAME ON MY 2000 MODEL TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS RUSTED SO BAD THAT IT HAS BROKEN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ASKING ABOUT A RECALL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS AND THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME SUBJECT AFFECTING ALL 3RD GENERATION TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. THE RECEPTIONIST PROVIDED ME WITH THIS WEBSITE AND TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY THING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A RECALL. IT'S REALLY UPSETTING TO KNOW THAT I'VE ONLY GOT 138,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S NOT DRIVABLE ANYMORE. A REPLACMENT FRAME COST WELL OVER $4,000 NOT INCLUDING THE LABOR FEES.

THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE IN THE FRONT LEFT AND MIDDLE OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY.

FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND TOYOTA WONT DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

4RUNNER WAS IN SHOP FOR MUFFLER REPAIR WHEN RUSTED RIGHT SIDE OF FRAME NEAR REAR TORSION BAR WAS POINTED OUT TO ME. MY CONCERN IS TORSION BAR WILL BRAKE AWAY AND CAUSE ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON BOTH SIDES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,600. UPDATED 6/24/15*CN

ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO, THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER WITHOUT WARNING HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE ON A HIGHWAY AND MY REAR CONTROL ARMS DISCONNECTED/PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN. THE LACK OF ANY WARNING SIGNS WAS THE SCARY PART IN ALL OF THIS. AFTER A BIT OF BASIC SEARCHING ON THE WEB, INCLUDING NHTSA, IT APPEARS MY CASE IS NOT A UNIQUE ONE. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THIS THESE VEHICLES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PREMATURE FRAME RUST ISSUES. I FIND IT EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE THAT TOYOTA HAS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO SOMETHING SO SERIOUS. HYPOTHETICALLY, I CAN SEE A CAR FRAME FAILING BUT NOT A ROBUST TRUCK FRAME OF THIS ERA. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, MY VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WASHED REGULARLY, GARAGED AND THE REST OF THE BODY IS RUST FREE AND MECHANICALLY EVERYTHING ELSE IS WORKING FLAWLESSLY. *TR

UPON REMOVING AND REPLACING MY EXHAUST AND MUFFLER ON OUR 2000 4RUNNER LIMITED I SPOTTED A HOLE IN MY FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE JUST BEFORE MY RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL AND SUSPENSION. I FINISHED INSTALLING THE NEW EXHAUST AN BEGAN INSPECTING THE FRAME ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE TRUCK IS NOT NEW ...IT ONLY HAD WHAT APPEARS TO BE LIMITED SURFACE RUST TO MOST OF THE FRAMEWORK. HOWEVER , THE PORTION THAT WAS DETECTED WAS CLEARLY RUSTED THROUGH AND NOW THREATENS THE FRAME INTEGRITY. I EXPECTED TO KEEP THIS CAR FOR A LONG TIME AND AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS MIGHT SHORTEN MY EXPECTED OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR