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.
Frame rotted apart have to have several mechanics look at it and told me not to drive it any longer I need my vehicle fixed cannot afford another vehicle at this time not in our budget my wife and I both work not financially set..driving this vehicle is very dangerous totally rotted frame needs replacing.
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.
To whom it may concern: Thank you for your immediate attention to this concern. I just purchased a 1997 Toyota 4runner with 173,000 miles on it. I was made aware before buying the vehicle that there is some rust underneath and so I examined the problem and determined that it is not major and is repairable. After purchasing the vehicle, I found that the problem is quite larger than I initially assessed. I realize that this makes me responsible for a bad decision but I also think that it is important for the safety of the general public to bring these rust issues to the attention of the NHTSA with the hope that enough complaints will affect a response that will hold the manufacturer responsible. I realize that this vehicle is 15 years old and has high mileage but at the same time, I don't believe that the rotting frame is an acceptable defect in an 18 year old vehicle that was clearly very well maintained by it's original owner, and by the number of submitted and unsubmitted complaints, this is a common problem with this particular vehicle which points to a defect in manufacturing. In addition, this rotting frame problem must have started when the vehicle was much younger because the frame is rotted through in two places and it doesn't take a scientist to know that this kind of damage takes time. The main frame on my 4runner is rotted completely through in front of and behind the left rear wheel. I cannot drive the vehicle that I just bought because of the safety concerns and I'm concerned that there are less mechanically inclined persons out there who are unaware of this issue and unknowingly putting themselves and the general public at risk. Please take immediate action to hold the manufacturer accountable for this defect. Thank you.
I was driving down the road at approximately 50 mph and my 4runner started to sway and rock violently. I felt it veer in the opposite direction of the way I was driving and braked fearing that I was going to flip my vehicle. I was driving down a smooth straight road in great weather. I braked to slow down tapping them about five times. This is the second time that this incident occurred. It happened one time a couple days before I parked the car thinking that the tire was falling off and called my mechanic who happily fixed a front driver side tie rod end and ball joint. They stated that the control arm was rusting out... that it should be safe to drive and then this. I was terrified. It is not safe the driver side control arm is completely rusted out and hanging and the passenger side is rusting and beginning to fall. I am at a loss I love this vehicle hate the repairs that I have had to do in the six months I have had it and now I owe for repairs and a small loan. I cant drive it or sell it and sending it back will ruin my already failed credit. It is incredibly a huge safety problem and research that I have done has showed that this year and make is known for this problem and it is frustrating and sad that nothing can be done except let it sit.
- Ottumwa, IA, USA
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I have a 1997 Toyota 4runner. I was driving down the road and my frame suddenly broke. This caused me to loose control and crash into a ditch line. I've contacted Toyota and they are not wiling to help me with a replacment frame. This frame is rusted to the point of no repair. Something needs done about this
I was driving in school zone posted 20 mph school zone road a little rough uneven surface while driving approx. 20 mph when I felt the vehicle strayed to the right when I stepped on the brakes and after releasing the brakes to take off again hearing thump and vehicle strayed to right keeping the steering wheel straight which felt like rear end of vehicle gong to right and front end steering to left a lot of swaying and thumping upon applying and releasing my feet on and off the brake pedal and taking off from a dead stop and applying the brakes to stop and a thump sound, I pulled over and checked the wheels seem ok but upon looking underneath my vehicle just in front of drivers side rear wheel frame attached to the stabilizer bar rotted and dropped down exposing my gas tank had to have vehicle plates welded to frame to use vehicle again welder said frame all rotted out.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 02V021000 (suspension), however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair due to a rusted chassis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000. Updated 8/21/15 updated 10/11/2017
My son jarred was driving our 1997 Toyota 4-runner on the highway when suddenly the vehicle started to shake violently, he was also losing control of his steering, he was able to make it home safely. When I did an actual inspection of the vehicle frame I noticed that the driver side rear control arm had rusted off the frame body, thus the reason that my son almost lost control of the vehicle. This has been an ongoing problem with Toyota and frame rotting out. Toyota has recalled the Tundra and sequoias not the 4-runners. I'm hoping that Toyota does the right thing and recalls the 4-runners. I have pic's if somebody would like to see the damage.
The frame is completely rusted threw in multiple parts of the frame. Someone has already tried welding some plating to keep rear suspension components of the lower four link attached to the frame. Extremely unsafe.
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota 4runner. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle veered from left to right independently. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
Vehicle frame is completely rusting out around the rear suspension. Trailing arm mount from axle to frame is separated from frame and vehicle is not safe to drive.
Left rear control arm mount rotted/separated from frame. Control arm mount is welded to frame from factory. Mount is serviced with frame. Vehicle frame has other rotted areas. Vehicle is not safe to drive. Contacted Toyota dealer and they stated this vehicle is not covered under the frame recall.
The body on the 4runner is clean with very little rust. The frame however is rusting badly and the mounts for the rear control arms are almost rusted off.
I have a 1997 4runner that is catastrophically rusted through the frame and has been a danger since purchasing. The amount of rust has completely evaporated my investment.
1997 Toyota 4 runner frame rot and rust: I noticed rust debris in my driveway. I inspected under the vehicle and found that the inside of driver-side frame was completely rotted with extensive rust along entire length of adjacent fuel tank. Holes large enough to put four fingers in and crumble. It is clear that the rot has almost gone entirely through the frame as there are several small holes on outside of frame as well. The rust has also seriously compromised the weld seam on the suspension component attached to the frame. Rust and rot of this severity on this vehicle is isolated only to this area of the frame. The rest of vehicle frame shows typical surface rust as expected with age of vehicle.
I heard a noise toward the rear of the vehicle, so I took it to the garage to have it checked. They informed me that the left rear frame was completely rusted into and the frame on the right side was almost as bad. I was told to take it home and park it before a bad accident happened.
Having complained about a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle for quite some time to the Toyota dealer, I was sold a number of repairs over the last 15,000 miles, including rear stabilizer links and rear shocks. However, the noise persisted. After spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on repairs, I have now discovered the rear drivers side portion of the frame in the area under the rear seat has totally rotted away and the lower rear control arm weldment is no longer attached to the frame, leaving the vehicle unstable (swaying side to side) and unsafe. The dealership never advised me of any problem, leading me to spend the money on these other repairs. This frame design has been recognized as a problem by Toyota a few years back. Toyota provided relief for the same issue on the Tacoma. Obviously the 4runner suffers the same problem and should be evaluated as this is a very serious safety issue.
Vehicle developed serious rear end sway when going over bumps in road. Loud popping noise was heard in the vicinity of the rear axle on the passenger side. Upon investigation it was observed that the frame rail had rusted through in several areas. Additionally the frame had rusted away from the lower track arm mounting plate on the passenger side resulting in forward and backward movement in the mounting plate. The vehicle is otherwise virtually rust free.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Middletown, RI, USA