I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON POOLER PARKWAY IN POOLER, GA ON A CITY STREET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A BUZZER GOES OFF AND MY DASHBOARD IMMEDIATELY GIVES OFF MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS. VASC TRAC, TRAC OFF, ABS (I) BRAKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRY TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES FAIL. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. CHATHAM TOYOTA IN SAVANNAH GA INFORMED ME THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I NOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS WERE HURT OR KILLED. THEY ALSO STATED TO REPAIR THIS WOULD BE $4,000.00 UNBELIEVABLE! TOYOTA SHOULD WARN AND INFORM ALL BUYERS OF THIS!!!!
2004 Toyota 4Runner complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
THE FRAME OF THE 2004 4RUNNER IS RUSTING OUT AND THERE ARE VISIBLE HOLES IN THE FRAME THAT SUPPORT THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH SEVERAL OF THE 4RUNNER AND TACOMA MODELS BEING AFFECTED.
SEVERE RUST ON FRAME AND SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS. RUST IS NOT SUPERFICIAL BUT RUSTING FROM INSIDE OF FRAME TUBES.
2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 110K MILES WITH RUSTED FRAME. THE CAR IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT SHAPE AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE FRAME RUST MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ALL OTHER TOYOTA MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES FROM THE SAME FACTORY WERE RECALLED. THE 4 RUNNER WAS NOT ADDRESSED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
PICTURES SHOW SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT BACK FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WOULD COST $14,000 TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 125,000 MILES. VIN UNKNOWN *LN*JB
CHASSIS, BRAKES AND ALL UNDER CARRIAGE OF 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTED. SOON THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I DO NOT LIVE IN A SALT WATER ZONE. MY CAR HAS NEVER DRIVEN THROUGH SALT WATER. I HAVE 71,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE SO RUSTED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. THE CAR WILL BE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SOON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OVER A SMALL BUMP, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H MILLER TOYOTA MURRAY (5650 S STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 590-0640) AND NUMEROUS FAILURE CODES WERE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 10909230699. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN AT LEAST THREE AREAS. IN ADDITION, PARTS OF THE FRAME I CAN PULL OFF BY HAND. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS 80% WHAT IT USED TO BE DUE TO PARTS FALLING OFF CAUSED BY RUST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TEMECULA VALLEY TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 26631 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591, 951-319-7911) FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO THE REAR SUBFRAME SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR MUCH LONGER. BROWN'S TOYOTA OF GLEN BURNIE (7167 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 761-9000) WAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,800. *LN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERA TOYOTA OF MT. KISCO (LOCATED AT 325 N BEDFORD RD, MT KISCO, NY 10549, (914) 666-5181), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR VARIOUS PARTS OVER THE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,720.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE ALIGNMENT BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FRAME FAILURE BECAME WORSE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE SUBFRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. ALSO, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE LINE WERE RUSTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND ATLANTIC TOYOTA (193 SUNRISE HWY, WEST ISLIP, NY) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER (STEPHEN WADE TOYOTA, 150 HILTON DR, ST. GEORGE, UT 84770, (435) 634-6500) NOTICED CORROSION AROUND THE FRAME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME HAD TOO MUCH CORROSION TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP18002 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRES, ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE BALANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE AND WHEEL COMPANY WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED, ROTATED, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING STATE INSPECTION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,711.
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP MAY 2018, FRAME COMPONENTS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH I WILL INCLUDE PHOTOS VECHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED WHEN I LOOKED CLOSELY I SAW FRAME ROTTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE BRAKE LINES STARTED TO RUST AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD ACCUMULATED RUST, WHICH LED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH KOONS WESTMINSTER TOYOTA (375 BALTIMORE BLVD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, 410-876-6400), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE RUST STILL REMAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
FRAME RUST. THE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA 4R 4D 4X4 SR5/SPT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED UNDER THE RADIATOR CROSS MEMBER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE OUTSIDE IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THIS WILL QUICKLY BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE EVERYTHING IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100K MILES WHEN THE RUST WAS DISCOVERED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND THERE WERE HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME. PRESTIGE TOYOTA OF RAMSEY (LOCATED AT 1096 NJ-17, RAMSEY, NJ 07446, (844) 838-7075) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,095. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TOYOTA OF MERRILLVILLE (4450 E. LINCOLN HWY, MERRILLVILLE, IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE FRAME THAT HELD UP THE FUEL TANK WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. SUBURBAN TOYOTA OF FARMINGTON HILLS (35200 GRAND RIVER AVE, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335, (248) 699-7100) WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT NEEDED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH, LEAVING SEVERAL HOLES, SOME VERY LARGE, PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.
THERE IS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON 4TH GENERATION 4 RUNNER. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE.
FRAME RAIL ROTTING AND I'VE ALWAYS PARKED IN A GARAGE!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BELLINGHAM (360-676-0600, LOCATED AT 1100 IOWA ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98229) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
FRAME FOUND TO BE RUSTING AWAY AND CAN NOT BE SAFELY INSPECTED. WAS TOLD BY SAFETY MECHANIC AREAS ARE VERY BAD AND PARTS MAY START FALLING OFF.
TAKATA RECALL, THE RADIATOR MOUNT AND FRAME SUPPORTS ARE RUSTED OUT, ALSO THE REAR SHOCK AND AIR SUSPENSION MOUNTS ARE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SHOCK MOUNT BROKE.
LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INSPECTED FRAME FOUND MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE FRAME , ESTIMATE GIVEN OF $17,793.54 FOR NEW FRAME ALL PARTS NEEDED WITH THE FRAME PARTS AND LABOR. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAULTY FRAME ISSUE
FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. FRAME SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN THIS. AFRAID TO PUT FRAME UP ON LIFT TO ROTATE TIRES BECAUSE THOUGHT IT WOULD BREAK IN HALF. FRAME IS ROTTING BEFORE OUR EYES. VEHICLE STILL RUNS GOOD. IT IS A SHAME THE FRAME IS WEARING OUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE DOES. VEHICLE IS DROVE EVERYDAY. HOPEFULLY FRAME WILL NOT GIVE WAY WHILE DRIVE ON THE ROAD.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 08-01-20.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING A STATE INSPECTION, THE INSPECTOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, JUST BEFORE THE REAR WHEEL, WAS RUSTED AND HAD HOLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE NEEDED TO BE REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 333,000. *TT THE IMMEDIATE RUSTED FRAME AREA WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL NYS INSPECTION WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 18,2019. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RE-INSPECTED YET TO SEE IF THE REPAIR WILL MEET NYS INPECTION REQUIREMENTS. OTHER AREAS OF FRAME ARE ALSO STARTING TO RUST THROUGH.*JB
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME THAT HAS NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH IN SOME AREAS. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I DETERMINED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES CLOSE TO THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. APPARENTLY THE FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED AND RUST HAS GROWN ON MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN IS TYPICALLY EXPECTED. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AS A RESULT.
THE VSC AND TRAC OFF WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON AL THE TIME THE ENGINE IS ON. THE VSC BUTTON DOES NOTHING.
FRAME RUST IN 2 AREAS; MECHANIC DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE
'FRAME RUST' FRAME RUSTED IN 2 AREAS AND MECHANIC DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
THE BODY/FRAME OF THE CAR IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE CORROSION/RUST. THE RUST HAS STARTED EATING THROUGH THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS FROM 2003-2007 MODEL YEAR. IN MY CASE MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK AND HAZARD.
MY FRAME HAS 10 PLUS HOLES IN IT ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, IT'S SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AS IT WILL SPLIT IN TWO ANY SECOND BY THE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER, TOYOTA IT'S TIME TO START RECALLING THESE FRAMES AS THERE ARE MILLIONS OF COMPLAINTS
TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN MOTION, DRIVING THE HIGHWAY AND LOCAL WHEN NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MOVING UNSTABLE LIKE WIGGLING AND SLOWED DOWN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR. HE FOUND OUT THE CHASSIS WAS BROKEN.
THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS ROTTING. IT HAS A FEW HOLES IN IT AND THE RUST IS EVERYWHERE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE SO ROTTEN SO QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY WHERE I LIVE. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER 4RUNNERS CLOSE IN AGE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THE FRAMES ON THE 4RUNNERS LIKE THEY DID ON THE TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S. I DRIVE MY 4RUNNER EVERYDAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND AM STARTING TO FEEL UNSAFE USING IT ANYMORE.
FRAME HAS ROTTED AND HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
EXCESSIVE RUST HAS APPEARED IN A NUMBER OF STRUCTURAL AREAS IN THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER. COMPLETE RUST THROUGH HAS OCCURRED IN MANY AREAS OF THE FRAME AND IN KEY STRESS POINTS. THE RUST APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT SO IT IS TOUGH TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL AREAS THAT RUST IS AFFECTING AND FURTHER DEGRADING THE SAFETY AND STRENGTH OF THE FRAME. THE RUST WAS IDENTIFIED DURING A NORMAL VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES.
PREMATURE RUSTING IF THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVING COULD BE OR TURN INTO A SAFETY HAZARD.
COMPLETE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT
UPON BRINGING MY CAR TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE, THEY HAVE BEEN NOTICING MORE AND MORE RUST PERFORATION ON MY CHASSIS, LAST YEAR TRYING TO FIX A FLAT THE JACK WENT RIGHT THRU THE CHASSIE RAIL DUE TO BEING ALL RUSTED OUT AND FLAKY. TODAY I WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTI POINT INSPECTION FOUND REAR SHOCK BROKEN ON PASS SIDE AND MORE RUST AT ALL SEAMS OF WELDING AS WELL AS HOLES AND WEAK THIN SPOTS OF METAL. MECHANICS ADVISED ME OF NUMEROUS OTHER MODELS FROM TOYOTA WITH SAME ISSUE, UPON CALLING THEIR HEADQUARTERS THEY DENY ANY ISSUE WITH 4 RUNNERS WHEN I TOLD THEM THE ARE ALL SAME PERIOD AND OBVIOUSLY SAME MANUFACTURER MAKING YOUR CHASSIE PARTS WHICH ARE DEFECTIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG ISLAND TOYOTA KAILUA-KONA (808-329-8517, LOCATED AT 74-5504 KAIWI ST, KAILUA, HI 96740) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS ABOVE NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *BF*JB
THE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA IS VERY RUSTY. IT IS COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION. MY MECHANIC HAS WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. SEE PICS
EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. REPLACED COMPLETE REAR END IN 2013. TOLD BY HYANNIS TOYOTA THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RUST. THE REAR END IS NOW RUSTED OUT AGAIN IN 2019 AND NEEDS REPLACING. IN APRIL 2019 COULD NOT HAVE SUSPENSION REPLACED UNTIL FRAME WELDING WAS COMPLETED. ADDITIONAL WORK OF CUTTING OUT REAR UPPER TRAILING ARM BRACKETS AND WELD IN PLACE AND FABRICATE FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNT AND WELD IN PLACE. COMPLETE FRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE HAD THIS WORK DOWN BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS FALLING OUT AND WE COULD NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner → · Every 4Runner year → · How the figures are calculated →