Frame rusted on inside surface and at both rear lower control arm mounts. Drivers side rear lower control arm mount separated from the frame and allowed axle to move and tire to contact inner fender. The passenger side rear lower control arm mount was also severely rusted. The entire center section of both inner frame rails had new plate steel welded in place to repair the original rusted steel. Reinforcements were welded on the inner and outer frame for both rear lower control arm mounts. The vehicle is now safe to drive, but these repairs should not have been necessary on a 14 year old (at the time of incident) vehicle.

- Peru, IN, USA

Frame has rusted through.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

I purchased a 1999 Toyota 4 runner. The back of the frame is completely rusted out near drivers side rear shackle none of this was visible when I purchased from dealership, I looked underneath car prior to buying and did not see this till I read a forum discussing the issue and went out to my car to see if mine had it too. The frame is also completely rusted out on the side facing gas tank. I don't have any other choice but to continue to drive it with it being my means to get to work and money is tight with my wife being pregnant. Please step up to the plate Toyota and replace these frames.

- Akron, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Toyota four runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered that the sub frame of the vehicle had rusted in two separate locations near the passenger side rear wheel area. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 128,000..... updated 08/05/14 updated 08/19/2014

- Brick, NJ, USA

Upon getting under my vehicle to examine what was making a noise I found that the right rear inside frame rail has a hole approximately 8 inches long. The frame rail still has paint on it which give the appearance of being ok, however it looks as if the frame has rusted from the inside out! I also noticed that a bracket mounted on top of the rear axle is rusted completely through. This vehicle has always been garage kept and has no body rust on it either.

- West Union, WV, USA

Frame rust is more severe than it should be for a car of this age.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The frame on the passenger side rear rite under the rear door frame is rusted all the way through very bad don't feel safe driving it !!! I just bought it less than a month ago from an individual that is a car sales man for Toyota West in columbus oh !! wanting to know what I can do I haven't even put a 1000 miles on it !!

- Frazeysburg , OH, USA

The passenger side rear frame section is rusted through. The inside portion of the frame is completely rotted away. I have contacted Toyota in reference to this matter, and they stated that they intend to take no action in this matter.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Recently had new tires put on car. I then had a muffle repaired, was not happy and took to Toyota dealer to have done properly. I was told that my car was unsafe to drive and it could not be repaired. The frame is completely rusted and could cause a major accident. The car looks great and there is little issues with the body and engine. I was planning on getting another 100,000 miles on the car. I took it to a garage for a second opinion and was told that you could push your finger through the frame. I now have a pretty good looking car parked in a driveway which is unsafe to drive. I cannot believe that there is no recall or warning on this safety issue! I volunteer for a dog rescue and drive on the highway to pick up and drop off these beautiful dogs never knowing that I could have ended their life as well as mine and others! unbelievable! Toyota did have a frame recall on the Tacoma, why are they risking innocent lives with no warning!!

- Lorain, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected, he notice that the frame was covered with rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the defect. The failure mileage was 139,561. Updated 0820/13

- Medina, OH, USA

Upon inspection of vehicle, the inside of the frame on both sides had rusted completely away. After investigation this seems to be a common problem on this vehicle. I have always kept the vehicle clean and the body has zero rust on it.

- Kittanning, PA, USA

Driving down road and car started swaying badly even when shifting gears heard a noise when got home I had vehicle looked at and the bracket that holds the rear was broke it is rusted right from frame on passenger side and further inspection shows severe frame rust just like the trucks that were recalled stated the same issue is taking place and these should have been recalled. I notified Toyota and they don't want to be bothered. I have contacted a lawyer and the attorney general office. Please open an investigation for a recall before someone gets killed.

- Nescopeck, PA, USA

While operating 1999 Toyota 4runner @ 30 mph, vehicle felt like a tire was going down. After a quick check, all seemed fine. Shortly after, a loud crack/pop emanated from beneath the vehicle. Immediately pulled over to inspect... the left undercarriage frame had cracked/separated (approximately 18") in front of the leaf spring. Under further examination, the frame had rusted from the inside out. Although in good cosmetic/mechanical condition, the 4runner was no longer operational. Information as stated was verified by Toyota dealership in hagerstown, md. Dealer noted that although frame "issues" had been the subject of manufacturer safety recalls in similar (Tacoma/Tundra) vehicles, no recall had been issued for the 4runner series.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

I have bought Toyota's for 25 + years and always keep them well-maintained. The visible exterior and interior of the vehicle is in very good shape. A few years ago, I took my 4runner in for a muffler repair and was told that I had a real problem with a rusting frame and that there were spots that were actually total perforation/holes. Two years later, my vehicle was in for a fuel gauge issue and the shop called to say they could not repair the vehicle because they could not safely raise the car. The rust on the frame was so bad the pads on the hoist slipped thru holes in the frame. I had the vehicle towed again, this time to the dunning Toyota dealer in ann arbor, mi. The service representative agreed to have the Toyota technical rep. Look at the vehicle. It took several months before the rep. Could actually look at the vehicle. Photos were taken of the frame corrosion. I asked if the vehicle was safe for me to drive and was told "probably not". months later, my vehicle is still at the Toyota dealer....unsafe to drive. Updated 5/22/13 the consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted and advised that there was no remedy for the failure yet. Updated 06/12/2013 status update 07/31/14

- Brighton, MI, USA

This complaint is to request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration open an investigation into frame rust and corrosion problems in the Toyota 4runner. This is similar to the issues with severely rusted frames in the Tundra and the 1995-2000 and 2001-04 Toyota Tacoma. I own a 1999 Toyota 4runner with 99,000 miles that has extensive rust on the frame and rear axle. I believe this issue is a safety-related defect due to one or multiple factors. It could be due to poor paint or poor preparation prior to painting, due to poor steel or due to contamination at welds (for the frame) that caused the paint to fail rust proceeds very rapidly from the welds on the frame while the rear axle it seems the paint is worthless to protect the metal.

- Apo, AE, USA

This complaint is to request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration open an investigation into frame rust and corrosion problems in the Toyota 4runner. This is similar to the issues with severely rusted frames in the Tundra and the 1995-2000 and 2001-04 Toyota Tacoma. I own a 1999 Toyota 4runner with 71,000 mile that is severely rusted. So much so that my mechanic has told me it is unsafe to drive. While some may blame the climate for the rust, I believe this issue to safety-related defect based a design flaw. I also own a 1994 Honda civic that has been through the same climate as the 4runner yet does not have this dangerous rust issue. Unfortunately I am not alone in experiencing this issue. A search of your database shows over 30 rust complaints (as of 7/9/2012) and this is only based on review of the 1999 4runner model.

- West Roxbury, MA, USA

Frame is rusted through and fails safety inspection. Manufacturer offers no reasonable recourse.

- Dover Foxcroft, ME, USA

Frame rusted to the point where it broke. When it happened it almost caused a major accident. Left the vehicle in a condition that is very dangerous to drive. This vehicle has high miles but is in excellent condition otherwise. No rust anywhere on the vehicle except for the frame. Toyota is aware of the problem. I've seen the same problem with other 4runners.

- Turners Falls, MA, USA

Issue is with the vehicle frame. Vehicle failed to pass inspection due to unsafe rusting (defective) of the vehicle frame. 4 runner frame showing rust patterns comparable to Tacoma and Tundra, but 4 runner was never recalled like other Toyota trucks.

- Millville, MA, USA

Frame corrosion! only had the vehicle for a year and it's already 'pandora's box", help us out like you helped all the customers with rusted out Toyota pickups please! I'm getting killed, going to be homeless by the end of this repair!

- Orleans, MA, USA