This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Very rusted out undercarriage. My other is only 3 years newer and has nothing like this on it. I was advised to sell it by a suspension shop that noted my broken, rusted out undercarriage, bad shock and the condition of the rear of the truck's frame in general. There is nothing wrong with the truck other than this rust.
Hey I have a 1997 4 runner I have a problem of the frame getting rusted out. It is on the 4 link where it hooks to the axle it could have killed me my rear axle about came off and it almost got me into a reck. All I done is hit the brakes then hurt pop and rear end went crazy. I was on a busy city steet when it happened
The frame on my 4runner is rusting along the rear axle control arm mount (the piece welded to the frame that you can see when crouched down looking under the rear doors). This separates and causes the rear axle to float around which may cause a very serious accident. I have seen countless other incidents where people have had this separate completely while on the highway and they were barely able to maintain control of the vehicle.
- Saint Joseph, MO, USA
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The frame was poorly designed and not enough rust protection was applied by Toyota. We rarely get snow and still the vehicle has rusted through. Toyota did not make a drain hole so that the water in the frame would evaporate. There are a lot of these vehicles which otherwise last a long time. A lot of owners have 4runenrs with excellent engine/transmission but with rusted frames. This is a disaster waiting to happen on unsuspecting owners.
My Toyota 4runner frame is rusting to the point that it's a huge safety issue! I've already had the right rear shockmount and bar replaced, and the left is on its way to rusting completely through. On the left side, however, the fuel tank is mounted up, and when the shock mount rusts through and breaks, it will very likely cause something to puncture the fuel tank. That could be extremely hazardous because, since I have no other means of transportation, I must continue to drive the vehicle. So, it is likely that it will be on the road when that happens. Why in the world has this vehicle not been recalled when you recalled the Toyota Tacoma for the same issue of rusty frames? this is a very serious matter because it could cause a huge accident involving many people if these vehicles are not recalled and taken off the streets!
Frame is completely rotted vehicle well kept and it just keeps rotting so I do not know what to do but I was driving on the highway and they trailer arm broke off the truck almost causing me to wreck.
1997 Toyota 4runner "rear frame rust and holes" my Toyota 1997 4runner (current mileage 139,035) has the rust and holes on the rear passenger side & driver side frames. Toyota service center mechanic said " do not drive because it is very dangerous." I bought this car at $34,500 on June 1997. It was very expensive one. It's very ridiculous that this expensive car has this kinds of problem. Let me have recall service. I will appreciate for your comments. Thank you.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 mph, the rear of the vehicle started swaying left and right. The contact was able to drive home. Upon parking the vehicle, the contact inspected underneath and found rust on the rear driver side frame. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found recalls for other Toyota vehicles for frame rust, but not for the 4runner. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Frame rusted out where the rear axle arm attaches. Arm mount broken loose from frame. Vehichle is undriveable and virtually not repairable. (frame replacement) ridiculous Toyota!!! you know about this problem, make it right to your customers!. myself and fmaily own 7 Toyota. Might reconsider ever buying another!
My 1997 4runner only has 116, xxx miles and its frame is starting to rot. Making it dangerous to drive and it's also on other 4runners. I guess it happened over the years but it is near the back by the rear part of the frame.
I am the only owner of this 1997 Toyota which I've planned to keep for ever. However, this weekend while replacing a shock absorber I found that the frame, by the muffler has rusted through, the gash is approximately 18 inches long. There are other areas far beyond what can be considered normal rust due to aging. The damage looks unsafe. I found the damage on the below stated date but this kind of damage must to have taken years.
Going down road at 50mph car let loose very hard to handle pulled me into burm of road swaying back and fourth. Had car taken to be inspected frame broke loose totally rotted from inside out looks like cookie crumbles. Frame has always been taken care of as this is 22nd 4runner owned with same problem this time almost severe accident. Contacting a lawyer as this issue is being neglected research done and this is very common in 4runners and a very good class action law suit.
I came to a stop light and heard a pop like something had broken. Proceeded to get on interstate on ramp and within a mile the vehicle was very hard to control, the rear of the vehicle was swerving back and forth. Luckily I only had to go about a mile to my exit. Once home I had discovered that part of the frame had rusted into at a very critical area of the frame. It was on the drivers side in front of the rear axle and was a part where a rod mounted to it that keeps the rear axle aligned. This should not have happened to a vehicles frame regardless of it being 19 years old. The vehicle is not driveable and Toyota somehow doesn't feel the need to recall what is a huge issue for lots of owners of these vehicles.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded on the rear driver side. The vehicle was taken to a body repair shop, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Re: 1997 Toyota 4runner - I am original owner of this defective vehicle.the frame rail on the passenger side has severe rust perforation in the back where the rear control arm bracket is welded to the frame rail. An independent certified mechanic has stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and should have been recalled as this is a manufacturer design/material defect and a common issue although previously unknown to me. Upon further research I have learned that many other owners of this generation of thetoyota 4runner have reported this issue. Please note there a great many of these vehicles still in service whose owners are unaware of this issue and are in serious danger of harming themselves and other innocent people. Must the NHTSA wait for someone to die before Toyota is held accountable by the NHTSA for this defect?
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle swayed from left to right and became hard to control. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that the rear passenger side bracket that holds the stabilizer bar to the frame was fractured. In addition, the contact noticed that the whole rear frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 263,514.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was taken to have the tires replaced, the technician noticed that the frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Georgetown, IL, USA