The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the front bumper and the frame were severely corroded with holes and the corrosion penetrated the radiator support, the rear passenger side trailing arm, and the interior frame of the front passenger door. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 165,232.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the frame was rusted on the passenger side. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 171,000.

- Amery, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the independent mechanic noticed corrosion on the rear frame. The vehicle was not repaired. Toyota of la crosse (800 3rd St S, la crosse, wi 54601, (608) 793-7000) was contacted and informed the contact that they were aware of the failure and to bring the vehicle in for a second diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 269,000.

- Holmen, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the contact was performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, he found that the vehicle's frame was corroded with holes. The corrosion extended to the exhaust system that connected to the muffler. The fuel tank cover was also corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing a wheel alignment, it was noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to white river Toyota (802-299-2800, located at 303 sykes mountain ave, white river junction, vt 05001) where it was confirmed that the frame was rusted and the vehicle would not pass the state inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Wite Riiver Junction, VT, USA

Frame is getting large rust holes throughout entire frame.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

Our 4runner's frame is rusting away and Toyota refuses to fix their mistake. The frame is similar to the Tacoma that was recalled and repaired, so I contacted them and was informed that they weren't going to fix our 4runner that has the same issues. I was less than pleased with their response. This could've quite easily caused a severe accident. Luckily my mechanic caught it in time before that happened

- Linden, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to sunrise Toyota (3984 sunrise hwy, oakdale, NY 11769, (631) 589-9000) where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted and the frame hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Coram, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change by an independent mechanic, the technician noticed that the front and rear sections of the frame were corroded through. The technician declared the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was later taken to Toyota of kingsport (2525 E stone dr, kingsport, tn 37660, (423) 246-6611) where the technician performed a visual inspection and stated that there was excessive rust and holes in the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer notified the manufacturer and was provided case number: Tas-906032087. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

- Pound, VA, USA

Went to inspect my 4 runner, was told I have major rot and rust on the frame they are unable to inspect, vehical is unsafe to have on the road. My SUV is mint with low miles how can this be. I always take care of my vehicals.

- Barrington, RI, USA

I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

We were hearing a noise in the rear suspension (LH) when braking or accelerating. The car was not stable to drive. We lift the vehicle and found that the frame is rusted due to the manufactuer did not protect it at the factory. The rear left suspension bracket was almost dissapeared. The vehicle was dangerous to be driven. We had to reinforce the affected part to keep the vehicle in service, but the frame is rotten. The engine, body and interior are in perfect condition but the frame.

- Dumont, NJ, USA

My frame is seriously rusted and needs replacement making my vehicle unsafe. There is rust in numerous locations. I just visited a repair shop and they told me that I would need to reinforce or replace the frame. The cost for reinforcing the frame is over 5000 dollars. The vehicle is in great shape other than the frame and I was hoping to drive it for at least a few more years. Your department has found similar issues with other Toyota that have exactly the same issue and are built upon similar frames made exactly the same way. These models include the Tacoma, sequoia, and Tundra. It is my opinion that Toyota failed to treat their frames properly and the dealer failed to take the necessary steps to inform me of the issue when the vehicle was brought in for regular maintenance.

- Waterford, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact took the vehicle to Toyota wallingford (859 N colony rd, wallingford, ct 06492) where it was diagnosed that the frame was severely corroded and the vehicle was not safe to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,363.

- Meriden, CT, USA

Rear axle badly rotted. Car has 66,000 miles on it. Requires replacement which is apparently an extremely expensive and sensitive process. The corrosion seems to be extraordinarily premature and due to substandard frame materials and treatment of same. Acton Toyota had already welded in a frame bar 2-3 years ago. Called (800)331-4331 (Toyota motor manufacturing)spoke with a customer service rep (angie) and her supervisor (maria) who stated that the warranty on the frame expired in 2006, they were clear about Toyota's position that they will do nothing w/O a factory recall. This is, apparently, not an isolated issue. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/inv/2018/inbc-DP18002-73038.pdf https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/Toyota-4runner-frame-rust.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/Toyota-rusted-frame-settlement.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/Toyota-Tacoma-rusted-frames-lawsuit.shtml

- Stow, MA, USA

Rear axle badly rotted. Car has 66,000 miles on it. Requires replacement which is apparently an extremely expensive and sensitive process. The corrosion seems to be extraordinarily premature and due to substandard frame materials and treatment of same. Acton Toyota had already welded in a frame bar 2-3 years ago. Called (800)331-4331 (Toyota motor manufacturing)spoke with a customer service rep (angie) and her supervisor (maria) who stated that the warranty on the frame expired in 2006, they were clear about Toyota's position that they will do nothing w/O a factory recall. This is, apparently, not an isolated issue. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/inv/2018/inbc-DP18002-73038.pdf https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/Toyota-4runner-frame-rust.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/Toyota-rusted-frame-settlement.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/Toyota-Tacoma-rusted-frames-lawsuit.shtml

- Stow, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the front passenger side frame, front driver side lower support, and radiator bar contained rust. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of naperville (located at 1488 ogden ave, naperville, il 60540, (630) 528-1459), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 184,000.

- Naperville, IL, USA

Excessive and premature corrosion has developed at various locations on the vehicle frame such that I am concerned about the structural integrity of the vehicle frame and it's impact on the operational safety when I'm driving this vehicle. It appears that the corrosion has originated on both the external frame surface welded seams and also from internal frame surfaces. I took proactive measures to have my frame treated for corrosion resistance by an after market vendor in an attempt to abate early signs of corrosion but the corrosion from internal surfaces has now worked it's way thru showing clear holes/gaps/separation in the frame structural components. Rusting from the inside out adds to my concern about the vehicle operational safety. My vehicle has had all regular, scheduled maintenance performed by a Toyota dealer whom has also pointed out the structural issues resulting from corrosion. I learned about and was shown the corrosion problems directly from the dealer service department while my vehicle was elevated on a lift in a service bay. Attached are pictures taken recently (5/17/19) while at the dealer of the more obvious problems at various locations on the frame.

- Lexington, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to repair the rear bearing. The technician diagnosed that the rear frame was rotted and had holes. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Poulney, VT, USA

Our 2003 Toyota 4runner has an unsafe frame from completely rusting through. The rear end of the vehicle, after being involved in a minor accident completely collapsed in on itself, bending the 1/4 inch steel support bracket. The frame shows the same type of rust throughout.

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA