My 4runner's body and interior are in almost perfect condition and has clearly been taken care of its entire life. The engine runs like a champ and yet the frame is rusted out beyond belief. Its almost time I park this thing because of how unsafe it is becoming. I really hope that Toyota stands behind their product and recalls these frames because they know more than anyone that this has been an issue from the beginning.
This was my retirement truck. The body looks great. The engine runs like a champ. The undercarriage is completely rusted. The frame cracked. Had a plate welded on but I still cannot get it inspected. Hard to believe that Toyota will not help with this issue as its the same frame as the ones that were recalled on the Tacoma's. I hope that the government will not let them get away with this.
After the engine blew for no reason at all at 152,000 miles, I had a new motor put into the vehicle. There was some rust from normal use, however, I was not aware of the issues with these vehicles. I figured the car would last another 10 years. I don't drive much and there was very little exposure to salted roads.
During this winter, it was an unusually cold spell. I started the car to find the power steering fluid drained completely out. It looked as if something froze and caused the loss of steering fluid.
My mechanic notified me that the steering rack is completely rusted and it is not worth fixing due to rust and a severely weakened frame. he said the rocker panels are also completely rusted underneath where I had already had them professionally repaired recently.
This vehicle was well taken care of and driven only lightly. I feel that Toyota should include the 02 4 Runner in its frame replacement or buyback program. Toyota knew about the problem and failed to compensate customers. I have thousands of dollars invested in this vehicle and its now worthless.
I bought this vehicle and didn't realize this problem existed. The under body is so rusted out that there are holes in the frame. The quote I was given for the frame was $5000.00. That is more than I paid for this vehicle.
My 02 Sport Edition 4Runner is my pride and joy. I still get complements on how nice it looks. Last week I was at a stop light and noticed a knocking noise and my check engine light was on so I took it to the shop. Later that day I got hit with 2 words BAD NEWS. Excessive rust and corrosion. I couldn't believe how bad it was. You could stick your fingers through some of the gaps in the frame. I sent some pictures to this website.
I contacted Toyota and I was told they couldn't fix the problem because there is no recall on 4Runners. I also contacted National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is my understanding that Tacoma, Tundra. and Sequoia trucks had the same problem in a previous 3.4 billion class action lawsuit.
I am not driving my pride and joy because I don't want anything bad to happen to me or anybody else on the road. Please people have your 4Runners checked. If there is a problem file a complaint. Pictures speak louder than words. Most important be safe.
TOYOTA DO THE RIGHT THING!
- masterg,
Gainesville, US
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The underside rusted out to the point the car was leaking fuel. Fortunately a co-worker noticed. I risked it taking it to the dealer because the dealer was close by. The underside is completely rusted out. The entire life (except the last 2 years) was serviced at a Toyota dealer to the tune of about $15000. Finally, with mounting repair costs, I went to another mechanic who immediately told me to get the car assessed by a dealer, because of rust.
Never did the dealer warn me that there was a pending rust problem. Toyota is replacing the frames on other Toyota models of the same year, but not the 4Runner. I contacted Toyota, filed a case, talked to a rep but nothing was done.
The rust was on the underneath part of the car when I purchased it. It was not mentioned until recently. In looking up recalls on this car, rust is not mentioned. But rust is mentioned in the 2005 Tacoma Truck so clearly Toyota was having issues in this area. A suit was filed for the trucks but not for my year Toyota 4Runner. I think the same frame was used.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 4runner's body and interior are in almost perfect condition and has clearly been taken care of its entire life. The engine runs like a champ and yet the frame is rusted out beyond belief. Its almost time I park this thing because of how unsafe it is becoming. I really hope that Toyota stands behind their product and recalls these frames because they know more than anyone that this has been an issue from the beginning.
- Paul G., Wakefield, US