2000 Toyota 4Runner complaints

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SCHEDULED 95K MILE SERVICE. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER AND TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS "NOT WORTH WORKING ON BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROTTED AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN". THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS EXCELLENT CONDITION IN ALL OTHER ASPECTS. I SEE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPEN IN OTHER ON-LINE SITES. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME MODEL YEAR (2000 TUNDRA) FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM YET THIS ONE HAS BEEN IGNORED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,130 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 144,133. UPDATED 11/27/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONATACTED A CLAIM WAS FILED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLED WAS SOLD AS SALVAGE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START LAEVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED. IT WOULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. A NEW CLUTCH AND SAFETY CLUTCH WERE INSTALLED, NEW STARTER ALSO. THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH AN ALARM BUT THE LOCKS WOULD FAIL AS WELL, LOCKING THE CONSUMER EITHER IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. UPDATED 12/10/2012 *JS

I HIT A POT HOLE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND BROKE THE FRAME OF MY 2000 4RUNNER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING. THE TRUCK IS IN OTHERWISE GOOD CONDITION MECHANICALLY AND THE BODY HAS NO RUST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE SOUNDED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO SKID ACROSS THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET. IN ADDITION, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

BROUGHT MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY THAT WAS LEAKING. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS PUT ON THE LIFT IT WAS QUICKLY DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC I HAD MUCH GREATER PROBLEMS THAN A LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL, HE INFORMED ME THAT MY FRAME WAS "JUNK". HE TOLD ME THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL ROT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL STARTING FROM WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION TIES IN ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE SAW NO POINT IN REMOVING GAS TANK ON THE OTHER SIDE TO INVESTIGATE HOW BAD IT MAY BE THERE, THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ENOUGH TO RENDER THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I QUICKLY ASKED IF THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE FRAME TO WHICH HE SAID NO, TOYOTA ISN'T DOING ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE AT THIS TIME. HE TOLD ME A FRAME FOR THIS VEHICLE WOULD COST ME BETWEEN $10-12 THOUSAND DOLLARS! I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT HIGHLY QUALIFIED BODY SHOPS AND BOTH HAVE GIVEN ME OUTRAGEOUS QUOTES TO GET THIS FRAME PATCHED, YET BOTH ALSO SAID IT WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX, THAT THE FRAME WOULD IN FACT NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND BOTH ENCOURAGED ME TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM NOW LEFT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION AS I NO LONGER HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL KEPT AND DEALER SERVICED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IT ONLY HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA.... STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS AND REPLACE THESE FRAMES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IM SURE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MOTORISTS DRIVING THIS SAME YEAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER INSPECTING HIS VEHICLE THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES; HOWEVER, THEY AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR $1200. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I TOOK MY CAR FOR STATE INSPECTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AN IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. THE 2000 $RUNNER HAS THE SAME FRAME AS THE 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA IN WHICH TOYOTA BOUGHT BACK THE TACOMAS FROM THE OWNERS FOR 150% OF THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. IF TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE MODEL (TACOMA) AND FIXES THEN THEY SHOULD ALSO FIX THE 4RUNNER. *TR

MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS RUST PERFORATION IN THE FRAME AND IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

FRAME RAILS BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR WHEELS RUSTED THROUGH. NOT LITTLE HOLES BUT SECTIONS 1 TO 2 FEET LONG AND BIG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR HAND INTO. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL, INSIDE, OUTSIDE, AND BOTTOM, HAD RUSTED. FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BACK TO THE REAR TIRE. UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RUST AND THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED TO THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES OF THE RUST FAILURE AND SENT THE PICTURES FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO REVIEW. THE DEALER DEEMED THE VEHICLE NON-REPAIRABLE AND UN-DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2000 SUV TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN ESTIMATE ON A REPAIR. MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD THAT FRAME PERFORATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY A FTS AND DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED BY THE DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD TO CALL TOYOTA HQ AND THEY REFERRED US BACK TO THE DEALER.WE ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO THE DIVISION SALES MANAGER AND WE TOLD THAT THERE NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TOYOTA NO LONGER MAKES THE FRAME USED IN OUR VEHICLE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND WE FIND IT DISTURBING THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE LIKE THE TACOMA & TUNDRAS OF THE SAME YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 167,200.

PASS SIDE REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH! *KB

FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE, GIVES MISLEADING INFORMATION, MAY BE TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE FUEL REMAINING. THIS LEADS TO FREQUENT, UNNECESSARY, GAS STATIONS STOPS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE INSIDE OF THE RAIL. *TR

FRAME IS RUSTING. PERFORATION. I WAS HAVING REAR SHOCKS REPLACED AND WHEN MECHANIC PULLED HIMSELF UNDER THE VEHICLE ON HIS ROLLER CART HIS FINGERS WENT THRU THE FRAME. *TR

I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT IN THE FRAME OF MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE FRAME EXHIBITS EXTENSIVE RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS HOLES AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE BOTTOM WELD. TOYOTA HAS DECLARED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO OPERATE, YET WILL DO NOTHING TO COMPENSATE FOR OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE FRAME IS RUSTED/CORRODED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE PLACES WHERE IMPORTANT PARTS ARE ATTACHED. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER IT IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR

MY 2000 4RUNNER WENT IN FOR PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED OUT. AS THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE SPOT WHERE THE HOLE WAS TO BE CUT OUT AND WELDED WITH NEW METAL. THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTY AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT ARE TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF BEING IN A CRASH AND HAVING A BRITTLE FRAME THAT COULD BREAK IN HALF EASILY. I REALIZE THAT IN COLD WEATHER STATES THERE IS THE THREAT OF SALT AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE CAUSING OXIDATION BUT MY WIFE HAS A 2000 NISSAN THAT HAS SEEN THE SAME EXACT WINTERS AND ROADS AND IS IN 10 TIMES BETTER SHAPE UNDERNEATH THAN MY 4RUNNER. I HAVE TRIED CALLING TOYOTA CORPORATE TO NO AVAIL. I FEEL LIKE LOGGING A COMPLAINT IS ALL I CAN DO. TOYOTA SAYS THEY DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNER FRAMES BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE IN JAPAN BUT WHEN I SEE DOMESTIC VEHICLES AND OTHER IMPORT VEHICLES LIKE MY WIFE'S NOT LOOKING LIKE OR HAVING THE RUST ISSUES MINE DOES I'M INCLINED TO SAY THAT TOYOTA IS EITHER LYING OR DOESN'T KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION ON THEIR PART BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. *KB

I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I HAVE NOTICED MY FRAME NEAR THE REAR SUSPENSION IS SO SEVERELY ROTTED THAT THE FRAME WILL NEED TO BE CUT AND RE-WELDED OR REPLACED ALL TOGETHER.THERE ARE MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE BOX FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRAME. WATER SEEPS IN THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING IT TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE RECENTLY AND THEY INFORMED ME AS WELL OF THE EXTENSIVE RUSTING. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AND WILL BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO TWO REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF FRAME. THE REST OF THE 4RUNNER IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO SURFACE RUST, ROT OR OTHER BLEMISHES. HOWEVER, BELOW THE VEHICLE THE FRAME IS RUSTED EXTENSIVELY. *TR

WHEN I FILL MY CAR UP IT ONLY TAKES 12 GALLONS OF GAS. TANK SIZE IS 18.5. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE THEY BOTH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE REPAIR. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE FRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAS RUSTED THROUGH, WHILE THE VEHICLES BODY HAS NO RUST. TOYOTA FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A DEFECT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLES YEAR AND MILEAGE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE NUMBER 1109161548. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SUPPORTS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WILL OCCUR ON THE 4 RUNNER WITH MUCH LESS MILEAGE. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ALL OF THE REAR AXLE FLUID COULD LEAK OUT, ALLOWING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO FREEZE, CREATING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS A RUST PROBLEM WITH THE TACOMA PICKUP, WHERE THEY REPURCHASED VEHICLES AS A RESULT OF FRAME RUST OUT. WE ARE OF THE OPINION TOYOTA HAS USED INFERIOR METALS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THEIR VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WHEN I CALLED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE IN TORRANCE CA. THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE IN MANAGEMENT SINCE I DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE DECISION OF THE PERSON I DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER EQUIPPED WITH SPECTOR ADVANTA SUV LT265/70/R16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BLISTERS ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, EXPOSING THE WHITE MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE TREAD. IN ADDITION, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS RAISED AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED IT WAS DUE TO A BROKEN PIECE OF THE TREAD BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT 140,000 MILES AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE RUST AND CORROSION THAT CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF

MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (163K MILES) FAILED NH STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. I WAS SHOWN A RUST HOLE THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL FRAME. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE FIXED VIA WELDING, DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE RUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE BOXED FRAME. INSTEAD, THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED TO ADDRESS ISSUE PROPERLY, SAFELY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY. I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. ACKNOWLEDGES AND REMEDIATES SIMILAR RUST ISSUES WITH ITS TUNDRA AND TACOMA MODELS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, BUT DOES NOT SUPPORT RUST ISSUES WITH ITS 4RUNNER MODEL. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED THROUGH, LEAKS FLUID, AND IS IRREPARABLE. *TR

TODAY, OBSERVED SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER. THE FRAME RAIL WAS PERFORATED FOR ~24 INCHES ON THE BOTTOM, INSIDE OF THE RAIL, NEXT TO THE MUFFLER AND UP TO AND INCLUDING THE MOUNTING POINT FOR THE REAR WHEEL LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE RAIL WAS PERFORATED TO A WIDTH OF UP TO ~1 INCH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AND AM REPORTING IT AS IT COULD BE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE REVIEWED DESCRIPTIONS AND PICTURES OF THIS ISSUE ON WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG FORUM AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF FRAME PERFORATION IN THIS EXACT LOCATION ON 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS (SEARCH "FRAME RUST" OR I CAN PROVIDE LINKS). I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE (CASE#110-621-0707) AND THEY INDICATED THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE AN ONGOING PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH SUCH THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID IS LEACHING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE METAL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEIZING UP AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, OR OTHER VEHICLES TO LOSE TRACTION ON ROAD DUE TO GEAR OIL LEAKING ONTO ROADWAY. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND INSISTS ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS. RUST PROBLEM FIRST OBSERVED IN 2005 AND STEADILY BECOMING WORSE EACH MONTH. NO REPAIRS YET MADE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE COST. OWNER IS EXPECTING AND WAITING FOR A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FAILED NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT/RUST, MOST EVIDENT AT RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FRAME ROT IS THE SAME ISSUE TOYOTA FACED WITH THE TACOMA MODEL THAT UTILIZES THE SAME FRAME AS THE 4RUNNER. PER THE TOYOTA NEWS RELEASE OF 3/7/08 TOYOTA PROVIDED TACOMA OWNERS AN " EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"UP TO 15 YEARS TO PROVIDE "GOODWILL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED, OR MAY ENCOUNTER, FRAME PROBLEMS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF RUST PERFORATION". I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE 4RUNNER FRAME IS ONLY COVERED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY OF 3YEARS/36,000 MILES. TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING TO 4RUNNER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FRAME. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE FRAMES, ESTABLISHED A PRECIDENT REGARDING REPLACEMENT, YET WILL NOT INCLUDE THE 4RUNNER IN THEIR OFFER OF AN "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY". THE BODY OF MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION WITH NO RUST, INCLUDING THE UNDERBODY, BUT THE FRAME HAS FAILED UNDER IT! TOYOTA MUST INCLUDE 4RUNNERS IN THEIR "EXTENDED FRAME CORROSION WARRANTY"! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT; THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

REMOVED MUFFLER TO REPLACE, FOUND HOLES IN FRAME ON THE INBOARD SIDE AND BRACKET SECURING REAREND IN PLACE ROTTED 1/2 WAY AROUND WHERE IT SECURES TO THE FRAME AT THE WELD CONNECTION , SO THE BRACKET IS 1/2 DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME NO OUTWARD SIGNS SHOWING ON THE TRUCK .....THERE ARE NO RUST SPOTS OR ROT SHOWING ON THE BODY AT ALL .... SMALL RUST STAINS SHOWING ON THE REAR BUMPER ONLY .... I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF PROBLEM AND HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THEIR RESPONSE WAS "IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY"

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH THE FRAME ROTTED BY THE MUFFLER . THE ROT GOES ABOUT 3 FEET IN LENGTH BY 1 1/2 INCH. RIGHT WHERE THE LOWER REAR AXLE HOOKS UP TO THE FRAME. THE REAR AXLE HAS ROTTED OUT AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE GEARS TO GET CHEWED UP. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65 MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. DISASTER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE PICTURES ON HOW BAD IT LOOKS I HAVE THEM. THIS IS A CLEAN TRUCK WITH NO DENTS ANYWHERE. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER; THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME AREA APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF THE FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER AREA IS RUSTED OUT. I UNDERSTAND THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A FRAME RECALL UP TO YEAR 2000. ISN'T THE TACOMA FRAME AND THE 4RUNNER FRAME THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUT RUSTED FRAME ON THE 2000 4RUNNER RUSTED FRAME. *TR

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN AND BASICALLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS FOR A FAULTY SYSTEM AND EXPECTS THE CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE CONSUMERS PAY 800 TO 900 DOLLARS AS QUOTED FROM MY DEALER FOR A DESIGN FLAW FOR TOYOTA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER WAS CORRODED MORE THAN THREE FEET LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ADVISED HER THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED IT FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME RUST AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR A RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THEY WOULD NOT WELD THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

I AM WRITING TO REPORT A DEFECT IN THE FRAME OF MY 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE FRAME EXHIBITS EXTENSIVE RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS HOLES AND HAS SEPARATED ALONG THE BOTTOM WELD. THE SOURCE OF THE WORST RUSTING APPEARS TO BE CONDENSATION FROM THE AC UNIT DRIPPING ONTO THE FRAME AND RUNNING ALONG IT. TOYOTA HAS DECLARED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO OPERATE, YET WILL DO NOTHING TO COMPENSATE FOR OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 4RUNNER WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED. THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDERNEATH THE CARRIAGE/FRAME TO THE POINT WHERE TIRE TECH WOULD NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE SPARE. THE POWER STEERING WHEEL FLUID IS NOW LEAKING FROM THE LINE DUE TO THE RUST. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED 2000 TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS FOR RUST PROBLEMS IN THEIR FRAMES BUT NOT 4RUNNERS OF SAME YEAR. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES THEY WILL GLADLY INSPECT MY FRAME FOR A CHARGE. MY RUSTED SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ITSELF LET ALONE THE OTHER PROBLEMS DEVELOPING.

WE OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WHOSE FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT A TOYOTA DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT (SECOND OPINION) VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT IT WAS AND HAD BEEN COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY SON, WHO DROVE IT 600 MILES TO COLLEGE, WAS PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER. WE TOOK A TOTAL LOSS ON THE CAR AFTER HAVING HAD IT DEALER SERVICED SINCE BUYING IT NEW IN 2000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. IT IS PRECISELY THE ISSUE TOYOTA FACED WITH THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS, WHICH THEY RECALLED AND STOOD BEHIND THROUGH REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT/DOLLAR CREDITS. WE AND THE DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY SEVERAL TIMES AND THE COMPANY REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THE 4RUNNER WITH THE SAME FRAME CORROSION PROBLEM AS THOSE MODELS. *TR

TOOK 2000 4RUNNER IN TO GET MUFFLER REPLACED. THEY DISCOVERED EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT/CORROSION WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM MOUNT TIES INTO THE FRAME. THE WELDED SEAM OF THE BOX TUBING HAS RUSTED OUT. THEY WANTED TO LET US KNOW, BECAUSE THEY FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AND, THEY SUGGESTED WE CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR IF SUB-PAR METAL WAS USED, BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULDN'T BE IN SUCH A TERRIBLE CONDITION FOR A VEHICLE ITS AGE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2000 4RUNNER, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. WE DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, KNOWING THAT THE STRUCTURE IS COMPROMISED. AND, WE CERTAINLY CAN'T SELL THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, KNOWING THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED RUST AND HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR 5 WITH 143,000 MILES PER TOYOTA DEALER THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UNLIKE TOYOTA TACOMA, NO 4 RUNNER RECALL. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. IT IS BEYOND REPAIR AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE UNIT. *TR

HEARD A NOISE IN BACK OF CAR..GOT MY TIRES ROTATED, WHILE UP ON THE RACK I NOTICED THE BACK PASSENGER BRACKET THAT HOLDS MY AXEL ON WAS ROTTED IN HALF, CALLED TOYOTA, MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL TOYOTA GARAGE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! AXEL COULD FALL OFF, COULD LOSE BREAKS, DRIVE SHAFT COULD FALL OUT PLUS THERE IS A HOLE IN MY FRAME. FRAME ROT AGAIN! WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS YET! THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE...WHAT THE[XXX]?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER IS RUSTED AND FLUID LEACHES RIGHT THROUGH THE METAL SPRAYING FLUID ON TO SPARE WHEEL AND REAR BUMPER AND ANYTHING IN TOW. COVER IS EVIDENTIALLY CHEAP METAL AND IS POORLY DESIGNED AS THE COVER IS WELDED ON AND CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. THERE IS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE AXLE IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $1500-$2000 FOR A REPLACEMENT AXLE WHICH IS 1/4 OF THE VEHICLE'S VALUE. TOYOTA CHOSE A POOR DESIGN AND MATERIAL FOR THIS PART AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE AS IT IS THE ONLY WEAK LINK ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, UNFORTUNATELY THE REAR AXLE IS NOT AN OPTIONAL PART FOR ITS OPERATION. I HAVE REVIEWED SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS IN THE RANGE FROM '99 TO '02 WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND ALL REPORT NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE LOCATION. MY MECHANIC ADVISES THE ONLY REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE IS THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE WHEN ONLY A SMALL PLATE HAS FAILED. *TR