2005 Toyota 4Runner complaints

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUSTING AND ROTTING. TOYOTA HAS DONE DECAL ON OTHER VEHICLES SUCH AS THE TACOMA AND OTHERS BUT FREQUENTLY NEGLECTS THE 4RUNNER MODELS. FOR EXAMPLE THE RECALL FOR THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP FOR THE V8'S INCLUDED THE TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA BUT NEGLECTED THE 4RUNNER WHICH ALL THREE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME IDENTICAL MOTOR. I BELIEVE TOYOTA NEGLECT THE 4RUNNER LINE DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF SALES COMPARED TO OTHER MODELS.

FRAME RUSTED LEADING TO FAILURE OF SWAY BAR BRACKETS CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A HIGHWAY. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS TOTAL FRAME REPLACEMENT.

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE INSPECTION. REPAIR SHOP FOUND FRAME CRACKED AND RUSTED ALONG WITH STEERING SHAFT BROKEN. REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON 4RUNNERS YET THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 4RUNNER. REPAIR SHOP STATED IT WOULD COST $6000.00 FOR NEW FRAME FROM TOYOTA DEALER. HARTFORD TOYOTA SUPERSTORE HAS DONE OIL CHANGES ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE YET HAS NEVER BROUGHT THE FRAME PROBLEM TO OUR ATTENTION.

I HAVE TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2005 AND WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE MY OIL I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS FRAME DAMAGE AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION,BUT THIS PROBLEM WAS UNEXPECTED. I NEVER BEEN TOLD BY MY DEALER OR TOYOTA COMPANY THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FEW YEARS AGO FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT ABLE TO AFFORD NEW CAR AND THIS IS PUTTING A HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY AND OUR SAFETY. I CALL TOYOTA BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY. WHO CAN ASSIST IN THIS SITUATION?

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS ON, IN MOTION, PARK. IT WON'T GO OFF.

RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME HAS RUST THAT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE DESPITE A 2ND ATTEMPT TO GRIND RUST OFF REPAINT AND UNDERCOAT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED TOP TO BOTTOM INCLUDING SALT AND GRIME REMOVAL CONSISTENTLY SINCE PURCHASED BRAND NEW . THIS US SOON GOING TO BREAK RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT PASSING INSPECTION. THIS SHOULD BE RECTIFIED LIKE THE TACOMA ONE PICTURE US THE SIDE WITH HOLES AND UNDERCOATING I HAVE BEEN FIXING THE OTHER SIFE HAS NO ISSUE

LAST SEPTEMBER, I SENT A WRITTEN PLEA ASKING TOYOTA TO EVALUATE AND CORRECT THE EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION ON MY 2005 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED OUTSIDE SOUTH CAROLINA OR EVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE DISCLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY WAS UNSATISFACTORY. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CORRECTED THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON SIMILAR MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. YESTERDAY, MY WIFE AND I AND TWO FRIENDS RIDING WITH US NARROWLY ESCAPED A FATAL ACCIDENT WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO THE CORROSION PROBLEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AFTER COMING CLOSE TO HITTING AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO EXPRESSED DISBELIEF AT THE CORRODED CONDITION OF THE FRAME AND IMMEDIATELY DECLARED THE VEHICLE UNREPAIRABLE AND INOPERABLE. HE SAID WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF SEVERE CORROSION ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AND HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE ON SOME MODELS, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND DETERMINE IF THE EXCESS CORROSION IS INHERENT TO 4RUNNERS AND IF AN IMMEDIATE RECALL IS WARRANTED. THE INTERNET HAS MANY REFERENCES TO EXCESS FRAME CORROSION ON 4RUNNERS. IT IS UNCONCIONABLE THAT TOYOTA WOULD PUT THOUSANDS OF THEIR CUSTOMER'S LIVES AT RISK TO AVOID THE COST OF REPAIRING FRAMES THAT WERE SUBJECT TO AN INADEQUATE C

I LOVE MY 2005 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SR5, IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE AND I WOULD PLAN TO KEEP IT FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS OR SO. THE BODY, PAINT AND DRIVE TRAIN ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA, CASE NUMBER 1804060267, TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO TO NO AVAIL.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 IN VIRGINIA. IT HAS SPENT THE LAST 13 YEARS IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE SALT IS RARELY USED ON THE ROADS. I OCCASIONALLY TAKE IT ON THE BEACH BUT ALWAYS FULLY SPRAY THE UNDERBODY WITH FRESH WATER AFTERWARDS. ABOUT 2 YRS AGO I STARTED NOTICING SEVERE RUST NEAR CRITICAL WELDS ON THE FRAME. I CLEANED, PRIMED AND PAINTED THESE AREAS THE BEST I COULD COULD TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN THE RUST. YESTERDAY WHEN GETTING TIRES MOUNTED MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE RUST IS GETTING TO THE POINT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M GETTING READY TO DRIVE CROSS COUNTRY THE END OF THE MONTH SO THIS WAS NOT GOOD NEWS. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE TRUCK METICULOUSLY AND ONLY HAVE 130K MILES ON IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW TRUCK AND SELLING THIS ONE, THOUGH IT LOOKS AND DRIVES MINT, WILL BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE ONCE THE FRAME IS INSPECTED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE RUST OUT LIKE THIS THOUGH I OWNED MANY WHEN I LIVED IN THE HEAVY SALT USING STATE OF NY YEARS AGO. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THESE 4RUNNERS THAT TOYOTA IS FAILING TO ADDRESS, I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T DECIDE TO FAIL WHEN I'M 2000 MILES FROM HOME AND DRIVING 70 MPH.

AFTER MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT FOR A FEW MINUTES, I HAD IT REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE CONNECTIONS FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WERE BURNED. THIS CAUSED GREAT HEAT TO BUILD UP, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SHATTER.

3/4 OF THE UNDERNEATH OF MY 2005 TOYOTA RUSTED OUT AND RELEASED THE BAR THAT HELD MY TIRE IN PLACE. I DROVE 80 HIGHWAY MILES NOT KNOWING THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT SUPPORTED.

MY PROBLEMS IS THE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY BODY STILL IN GOOD CONDITION I SAY 90 % BUT THE FRAME IS MORE AT 60 % RUSTY WHAT I CAN DO , I CARE FOR SAFETY TOYOTA COMPANY , THEY CAN TAKE CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ARE NOT COST ME ANYTHING.

FRAME ON 4RUNNER RUSTED IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS AND THE A ARM RUSTED OFF WHILE MY WIFE AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING IN IT. LUCKILY THEY WERE UNINJURED.

FAULTY DENSO ALTERNATORS (RE-MANUFACTURED): 1/6/17 THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR FAILED IN MY VEHICLE (AFTER 11+ YRS) AND WAS REPLACED (UNBEKNOWNST TO ME) WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED DENSO ALTERNATOR. ON 1/19/18, THAT ALTERNATOR FAILED, AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR AND 2 WEEKS. ON 1/20/18 THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THAT FAILED ALTERNATOR WITH WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR THAT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THE BEARINGS CEASED, WHICH THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED IMMEDIATELY UPON INSTALLATION. AFTER INQUIRING ABOUT THE MANUFACTURER AND LOOKING BACK AT MY 1/6/17 REPAIR RECORD, I LEARNED THAT BOTH ALTERNATORS INSTALLED ON 1/6/17 AND 1/20/18 WERE DENSO RE-MANUFACTURED ALTERNATORS. I HAD ASSUMED NEW ALTERNATORS WOULD BE INSTALLED. I THEN REQUESTED THAT A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR BE INSTALLED INSTEAD, WHICH HAPPENED ON 2/1/18. BOTH TIMES, ON 1/6/17 AND 1/19/18 MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO BE SERVICED. FIRST TIME IT DIED ON A FWY OFF-RAMP, SECOND TIME IT DIED IN A PARKING LOT. DENSO'S WEBSITE CLAIMS "REMANUFACTURED DENSO ALTERNATORS GO THROUGH A GRUELING PROCESS . . .NEW OR REMANUFACTURED, A DENSO ALTERNATOR IS A QUALITY COMPONENT." SORRY, BUT NOT TRUE!

MY MECHANIC FOUND SIGNIFICANT ROTTING DAMAGE ON THE CHASSIS OF MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. HE ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL COULD BREAK OFF. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH CHASSIS ROTTING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER VEHICLES.

THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRACTION ON DRY OR WET SURFACES. THEY ARE EXTREMELY SLIPPERY AND DANGEROUS. THEY SPIN WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON BOTH DRY AND WET ROADS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE THEY'VE SPUN MY WHEELS OR CAUSED MY CAR TO FISHTAIL. YESTERDAY, THEY CAUSED A SERIOUS AND SCARY INCIDENT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. WE WERE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A SIGNAL AT LOW SPEED THE TIRES SLIPPED AND CAUSED MY CAR TO GO SIDEWAYS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. AFTER THE LAST SLIDE MY CAR JUMPED A CURB AND WE ENDED UP IN A GRASS AREA ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND NOT OVER CORRECT THE WHEEL. WE WERE AT RISK OF HITTING A SPEED SIGN, HAVING OTHER CARS RUN INTO US OR RUNNING INTO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED! THEY ARE TBC THUNDERER R007S MADE BY TBC CORP.

I PURCHASED THIS BEAUTIFUL USED BLACK 2005 4RUNNER IN OCTOBER OF 2016 AND THE BODY STILL LOOKS BEAUTIFUL - NO VISIBLE RUST ANYWHERE ON DOORS ETC - BUT I TOOK IT IN TO AUTO CRAFTSMEN IN MONTPELIER, VT TO CHECK MY BRAKES AND REPLACE A COUPLE OF BULBS TO GET THE VEHICLE READY FOR VERMONT STATE INSPECTION AS THE CAR IS DUE FOR INSPECTION IN FEB 2018 AND I WANTED TO HEAD UP ANY MAINTENANCE NEEDED. WAS SHOCKED WHEN I WENT BACK AND CRAFTSMEN TOLD ME NOT TO PUT ANY MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE - THAT THE FRAME WAS BROKEN, HAD MAJOR HOLE IN IT AND THAT THE FRAME WAS TOO RUSTY TO PATCH THE HOLE - HOLY UNEXPECTED BATMAN. PARTIAL NOTES FROM CRAFTSMEN AUTO ON 12/28/2017 ARE AS FOLLOWS: "UNDER BODY IS VERY RUSTY & THE FRAME IS BROKEN ...MUFFLER IS BROKEN OFF AND EVERY FLANGE IS RUSTED AND LEAKING ...BRAKES ARE SHAKING WHEN APPLIED...ROTORS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT RUST RIDGE...THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTY...BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN FRAME AND THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY, IT WON'T PASS VT STATE INSPECTION THE END OF FEB." I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN A PRIVATE SALE IN OCTOBER OF 2016 FOR $7,200 BUT HAD TO PAY SALES TAX TO THE VERMONT DMV FOR A VEHICLE PURCHASED FOR $8,000 BECAUSE IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE, LOOKED TERRIFIC AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY WORTH THAT EXTRA MONEY. I AD SPENT THAT MONEY EXPECTING TO GET A THREE OR FOUR YEARS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT WELL WITH SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES AND USING EXPENSIVE GAS WHEN IT'S COLD OUT AND SPENT $850 ON NEW TIRES JUST THIS FALL. I LOVE TOYOTA. MY DISA

I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TO THE COMPLAINT LIST WITH HIGHLY COMPROMISED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY DUE TO EXTREME RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS 118,000 MILES WITH ONLY ONE OWNER AND THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED THE ENTIRE TIME. THERE ARE CRACKS AND HOLES IN MY REAR FRAME THAT HAS LED OUR MECHANIC TO DEEM THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. HE HAS SUGGESTED WE REPLACE THIS VEHICLE AS SOON AS WE CAN. PRIOR TO COMING ON THIS COMPLAINT SITE, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THE WE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE LUCK OF PURCHASING A LEMON; INSTEAD IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED AND SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. I AM APPALLED AT THE INACTION OF TOYOTA AND THE NHTSA REGARDING THIS STRUCTURAL ISSUE.

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STRUCTURAL FRAME RAPID OXIDATION TO STRUCTURE CAUSING LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM TO FRAME (AS WELL AS FRAME ITSELF) TO BREAK WHILE IN MOTION AT SLOW SPEED LEAVING DRIVEWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CASE# 1712112893 TO ASK WHY THERE IS NO BUYBACK PROGRAM ON FRAMES THAT THEY PRODUCED IN 2004 THAT WERE FOUND DEFECTIVE IN TACOMA'S/4RUNNERS THAT WERE ALSO USED FOR THEIR 2005 MODEL PRODUCTION 4RUNNERS. TOYOTA REP TOLD MYSELF THAT NO CAMPAIGNS WOULD EXIST UNLESS OTHERWISE TOLD SO (OR PERHAPS INVESTIGATED FOR THEIR PRIOR ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECTIVE FRAMES USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS). THOUGH I AM LUCKY THAT THIS OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEED I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHER AMERICANS MAY FACE MY SITUATION WHILE AT 60-70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES WHOM TRUST TOYOTA FOR THEIR SAFETY AND PRODUCT RELIABILITY THAT END IN ULTIMATE TRAGEDY. I'VE INCLUDED PHOTOS AS WELL AS A CLEAN CARFAX REPORT TO SHOW NO PRIOR INCIDENTS. THANK YOU.

HEAD GASKETS LEAKING ANTI -FREEZE INTO PISTON CYLINDER. DASHBOARD LIT UP , ALL LIGHTS ON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FRAME WAS COATED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. BOTH DEALERS (SANSONE TOYOTA, 90-100 US-1, AVENEL, NJ 07001, (732) 815-0500 AND BAY RIDGE TOYOTA, 6401 6TH AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11220, (888) 995-2299) PROVIDED NO SOLUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAS A HOLE IN THE VEHICLE FRAME OF THE SAME NATURE AS THE SAME YEAR TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.

MY SUV ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT AND RECENTLY (PAST MONTH) THE STEERING IS VERY LABORIOUS. TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN. THE STEERING IS HARD TO START A TURN (NO MATTER WHAT SPEED) AND AS I CONTINUE TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WILL EASE UP A BIT AND THEN BE HARD TO TURN IT BACK AGAIN TO STRAIGHT. MEANING THAT IT WILL NOT RETURN WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. I WAS ON CARS.COM WEBSITE AS THEY HAD RECALLS LISTED. I LOOKED UP 4 RUNNER STEERING PROBLEMS AND THEY GAVE ME A RECALL NUMBER. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY VIN #. I THINK TOYOTA IS RIPPING ME OFF BECAUSE THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS JUST WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY. THE COMPONENT LISTED IS STEERING; LINKAGES; ROD; RELAY; CONNECTING. THE CONSEQUENCE LISTED IS IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V389000 AND THE RECALL DATE IS 09-06-2005. PLUS MY WIFE AND I DO NOT TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WE ARE OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT IS WAS LIKE BEFORE CARS HAD POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! THANKS FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN DO FOR US.

SECONDARY AIR PUMP FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A DEFECTIVE INSTALLATION ON THE SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA MODELS WITH AN IDENTICAL ENGINE INSTALLATION AS THE 4RUNNER; BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR/RETROFIT THE 4RUNNER DEVICE. RESULT IS LOSS OF POWER WHICH COULD RESULT ON VEHICLE ACCIDENT

MY 2005 IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS PROBABLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS ONLY 106K MILES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO FRAME REPAIR/SWAP SHOPS. BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST HAS EATEN HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME AND THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IS LIKELY VERY COMPROMISED. THEY'D SAID THE EXTENT OF THE RUST WAS THE WORST THEY'D EVER SEEN,AND THAT A COLLISION COULD CRUMPLE THE WEAKENED FRAME, PUTTING THE PASSENGERS AND GREATER RISK OF INJURY/DEATH. I EVEN HAD ONE OF THOSE SHOPS START A FRAME SWAP, BUT THEY SAID THAT EVERY BOLT AND PART WOULD SNAP AND BREAK WHEN THEY TRIED TO REMOVE IT AND TOLD ME THAT THE LABOR COULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, IF THEY WERE EVEN ABLE TO FINISH THE JOB. EVEN WITHOUT COLLISION I'M WORRIED AN AXLE OR TIE ROD OR SOMETHING WILL BREAK AT HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I'VE SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY WOULD DO (FIX, OR BUY BACK THE VEHICLE). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAMES, BUT THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR FRAME RUST ON THE TACOMA, WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE SAME FRAME. AFTER LOOKING AROUND ONLINE AT 4RUNNER FORUMS, I'VE SEEN THE RUST COMPLAINT AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND IN THE WAKE OF THE KOBE METALS SCANDAL, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO RAISE MY CONCERN WITH THE NHTSA. I'M ATTACHING PICTURES OF THE RUST AND A CARFAX REPORT SHOWING THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT ON THE VEHICLE.

THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT DOESN'T PASS INSPECTION

FRAME HAS RUSTED SIMILAR TO TACOMA AND SEQOUIYA RECALLS AND DO NOT SEE WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED.

FRAME RUST

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8. "CHECK ENGINE" AND VSC TRAC. CODES 1441, 1444 AND 2440.TOYOTA KNOWS THEY PUT A FAULTY SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM IN THE V8 ENGINES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND NOW THEY WANT $2200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THE FAULTY VALVE STICKS OPEN, THE VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO "LIMP MODE" WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED WELL BELOW SAFE TRAVEL SPEEDS ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE, BUT NOTHING FOR THE 4RUNNER. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH THE V8 ENGINE, AND THEY ARE COVERING THE REPAIR FOR SEQUOIAS AND TUNDRAS WITH THE SAME ENGINE.

THE FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE HOLES IN MANY PLACES ALSO THE TOW HOOK RUSTED OFF, I AM CONCERNED THE STEERING WILL BE AFFECTED SOON.

MY WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET A STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED IT WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRAME. WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY, TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. WE WERE TOLD TOYOTA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FRAME AND THEY COULD NOT RECOMMEND A REPAIR. ESSENTIALLY, TOO BAD. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL BODY SHOPS AND WERE TOLD TOYOTA REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS ADVISE AGAINST WELDING ON THE FRAME AND THEIR INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. SO THERE IS NO FIX. THE RUST HAS NOT BEEN APPARENT UNTIL THIS YEARS INSPECTION AND I GUESS WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT IS WAS FOUND. BUT THE CAR RUNS GREAT AND NOBODY THAT DIDN'T LOOK UNDER THE CAR WOULD KNOW ABOUT AN IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. TOYOTA DID REPLACE FRAMES ON SIMILAR YEAR TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S BUT THAT WAS DUE TO A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. APPARENTLY THEY WILL NOT MAKE THESE VEHICLES SAFE WITHOUT OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. AT A MINIMUM A NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM THEIR FRAMES SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INSPECTED BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8. "CHECK ENGINE" AND VSC TRAC. CODES 1441, 1444 AND 2440 VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOUT 20 MPH ON A 70 MPH HIGHWAY. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA V8 BUT TOYOTA IS NOT COVERING THE 4RUNNER BUT IS COVERING THE SAME ENGINE PART IN THE TUNDRA. THE MECHANIC KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SEES IT ALL THE TIME. REPAIR IS $2,000 WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM TOYOTA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE FRONT AXLE TO FRACTURE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FAILURE WAS DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

FRAME RUST ISSUE IDENTICAL TO THE FRAME RUST RECALL ISSUES OF TACOMA, TUNDRA AN SEQUOIA. LEARNED OF IT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR TRADE-IN, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE VALUE OF WHAT THE TRADE-IN SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE SAME TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR 12 YEARS -- THEY NEVER MENTIONED IT. TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS SAID THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ISSUE AND SUGGESTING BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR TRADE-IN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD VALUE THE VEHICLE HIGHER IF THEY DIDN'T NOTICE. A PRIVATE SALE WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE KNOWING THE RUST ISSUE NOW EXISTS.

FRAME IS RUSTED ON THE FRONT OF MY TOYOTA THAT IS FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION. IF REQUIRED I CAN SEND MY FAILED INSPECTION REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE RUSTED FRAME.

RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING TACOMA AND TUNDRA WAS ISSUED A RECALL. I WONDER WHY 4RUNNER WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL? UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF BODY FRAME AND COMPARING TO OTHER 4RUNNER, IT DOES HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST ON BODY FRAME. WE TRIED TO BRING IT UP WITH THE DEALER, BUT NO AVAIL. TRADE IN WAS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE. OUR TRUST AND RESPECT TO THE AGENCY AND HOPEFULLY, ITS NOT TOO LATE BEFORE THEY ISSUE A RECALL. MORE POWER TO THE AGENCY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.

THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST. THE METAL FRAME AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE TOW HOOKS ARE HANGING BY THE REMAINING METAL AND CAN BE TWISTED OFF BY HAND STRENGTH ALONE. THE CROSS MEMBERS HAVE HOLES RUSTED THRU AS WELL. THE MAIN FRAME BEAMS ARE CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE QUALITY OF RUST PREVENTION OF THE FRAME IS VERY POOR. AS A COMPARISON, THE BODY PANELS ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE WITH MINIMAL RUST.

THIS TOYOTA DEALER AT PLAZA TOYOTA 2699 NOSTRAND AVEUE BROOKLYN NEW YORK 11210 TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL ON MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4.0L V6 . I SAID TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHAT RECALL I NEVER GET A LETTER FROM NHTSA STATING THAT. CAN YOU VERIFY IF THIS TOYOTA HAS A RECALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

FRAME IS ROTTING

SEVERE FRAME RUST HAS MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT

I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2016 FROM TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT. I HAD A MUFFLER REPLACED ON 3/29/2017 DUE TO A HOLE. THE TECHNICIAN CALLED ME BACK TO ASK IF I WAS AWARE OF STRUCTURE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES. HE POINTED OUT WHERE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOW I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DRIVE MY CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE. I LOOKED TO SEE IF TOYOTA HAD RECALLED THE FRAME AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING BUT THE SAME MODEL TRUCKS AND SEQUOIAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WOULD THINK THAT ALL THE 2005 VEHICLES WERE MADE FROM THE SAME METAL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,856.

MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS ONLY 61,500 MILES REGISTERED ON THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE CHASSIS/FRAME EXHIBITS SEVERE CORROSION. IT IS MY BELIEF THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, ITS PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORS ARE AT RISK AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DETERIORATED CHASSIS CONDITION.

THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK SINCE NEW AND IT ONLY HAS 108000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA RECALLED THE TACOMA MODEL (WHICH SHARES THE SAME FRAME), BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE 4RUNNER. IF I DIDN'T CATCH THIS NOW IT COULD HAVE COLLAPSED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SUSPENSION SERVICE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTING THE SHOCK SYSTEM, IDENTIFIED TWO AREAS OF RUST ON THE FRAME THAT A SCREWDRIVER EASILY WENT THROUGH. ONE ON THE CROSSOVER BAR AND THE OTHER ON THE REAR FRAME ARCH.

DEFROST CABLES CONNECTED TO THE REAR WINDOW MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE REAR WINDOW TO EXPLODE. INITIAL SIGN IS THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC A SHORT WHILE BEFORE THE WINDOW EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED WITH THE DEFROST BEING OFF IN 74 DEGREE WEATHER. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 2 MINUTES BEFORE IT SHATTERED. BASED ONLINE SEARCHES, MANY OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR REAR WINDOWS EXPLODE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED. WHILE REPLACING THE WINDOW, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED MELTED AND CHARRED HEATER WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE REAR WINDOW. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.

THE STEERING SYSTEM OF THE CAR IS NOT BEHAVING PROPERLY. IT IS MUCH HARDER TO TURN THAN NORMAL. FURTHERMORE, WHEN DRIVEN THROUGH CURVE, THE STEERING DOES NOT ALIGN BACK TO A STRAIGHT LINE AS IT HAS DONE IN THE PAST. SO, IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH A CURVE AND LET THE STEERING WHEEL GO FREE, THE CAR WILL NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT BUT CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE CURVE. THE STEERING HAS TO BE PULLED HARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE OUT AND DRIVE A STRAIGHT LINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE COMING UP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO ADVISE OF ANY MALFUNCTION. *TR

WE WERE ADVISED THAT OUR 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER'S FRAME HAD DETERIORATED FROM RUST TO A POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, DONE ALL THE ADVISED SERVICE, AND TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION TO ASSURE LONGEVITY. IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND DISTURBING THAT TOYOTA HAS 'FRAME RECALLS' ON 2005 TUNDRA AND TACOMA TRUCKS BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER. OUR VEHICLE, OTHER THAN THE FRAME, IS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. THIS SEEMS TO ME A CLEAR CASE OF CORRUPTED OR OTHERWISE FAULTY MATERIALS USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOYOTA FRAMES FOR THESE 2005 DATED VEHICLES. TOYOTA, AS A VIRTUE OF THEIR OWN QUALITY STANDARDS, SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. IF THEY'RE UNWILLING, THIS WILL SHOULD BE FORCED UPON THEM BY THE REGULATORS.

2005 4RUNNER SPORT 4.7. I'VE GOT 82K MILES ON IT. CLEAN TITLE AND RECORD, NO FLOOD DAMAGE, ACCIDENTS, ECT... THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER STRUT MOUNT BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE QUALITY OF THE METAL IN THE AREA ON THE FRAME WAS SO BAD IT WOULD BE UNREPAIRABLE AND A TOTAL LOSS WITHOUT A NEW FRAME. I WAS GOING 20 MILES PER HOUR DRIVING STRAIGHT AND I LOST CONTROL AND IT PULLED ME TO THE RIGHT,OFF THE ROAD. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WOULD'VE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE WHEEL WAS UP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL AND THE CV DRIVE SHAFT WAS TORN OUT. TOYOTA COSTUMER SERVICE SAID THAT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL AN OFFERED NO COURSE OF SOLUTION OR ACTION. I'D ASSUME A COMPANY THAT BOASTS UPON THEIR VEHICLE LONGEVITY WOULD EXPECT A CAR TO BE DRIVABLE FOR MORE THAN 82,000 MILES BEFORE THE MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE FAILS. THIS VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY IN THE SALT DURING THE WINTER EITHER AND NO AFTERMARKET UNDERCOATING WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. I NOW OWN A TOTALED VEHICLE WITH NO ONE OWNING UP TO A CLEAR FACTORY DEFECT. * TOYOTA REPLACED A FRAME IN MY FRIEND'S 2006 4RUNNER SPORT, WITH 162K IN 2014. I DIDN'T FIND A WARRANTY OR RECALL ON THAT MODEL EITHER. *TR