Gen 4 4runner is susceptible to major frame rust.

The front radiator support bottom rusted out, and tow hook fell off.

The frame rails, especially front right near the front wheel is rusting out from the inside.

The where the rear suspension mount attaches to the frame is also rusted through at the welds.

The car has no visible body rust and was taken regularly through car washes with underbody washes to remove exterior salt. However the rust is from the INSIDE out. There's no way for a normal person to clean the inside of the frame. Somehow moisture and salt is accumulating on the inside of the frame and there was no protection or coating to block the corrosion from eating it away. This car will be junked due to the frame! Everything else works great engine, transmission, heat/AC, 4WD are perfect. It's been a great SUV, but the bones are dissolving around it.

Toyota 4-Runner Frame Rust Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-03294-RMG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division exists. Unclear but it may have been wrongly dismissed in Jan 2023 due to not enough complaints by 4Runner owners. Similar frame issues with 1.5 million 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma's, 2005-2008 Sequoias, and 2007-2008 Tundra's were settled and those owners get new frames if certified by dealer of excessive/unsafe frame rust and i have a friend who had his truck reassembled to a whole new frame. 4Runners of that era were left off and we need to speak up to get a new lawsuit approved.

Yesterday my 2004 4Runner was being towed up onto a flatbed when the tie down loops welded to the frame ripped off, flying past both myself and the tow truck driver, barely avoiding significant injury and the 4Runner started rolling back away from the two truck but we were able to prop the rear wheel quickly. He was very worried about tying it down on the bed once we got it on the flatbed and found a different hook point on the front and used the rear hitch for tie down. Nuts.

From what I have researched, this frame was used on several other models and was recalled, but they failed to include the Toyota 4runner in the recall. I bought this vehicle thinking it would last me well into the 200K mile period. I now find myself stuck with a vehicle that I'm waiting for the radiator to fall out of some day while I'm driving down the road. If I live, believe me, Toyota will be paying my medical bills. Another vehicle is not an option for me due to lack of money and credit. This was the only thing I kept in my bankruptcy thinking I could rely on a Toyota... so much for that idea. This was not the only issue I've had with this vehicle but luckily I bought an extended warranty when I bought it used in 2011 with 50K miles.

2004 Toyota 4 Runner is in very good shape other than frame suddenly completely corroded out and deemed totally unsafe to drive by Virginia safety inspection. I now understand that this is a common issue for these vehicles, the preceding and following years. There should be a safety recall on these. Other Toyota trucks with the same problem from other years have been recalled. Toyota is negligent in this regard. I had high praise for Toyota and this 4Runner until this discovery. So glad to have this identified before it led to a serious accident. Shame on Toyota and recall these vehicles to rebuild your reputation.

Same rust problem that everyone else is experiencing with complete rust through of the frame. Estimated repair cost is upwards of $10,000 which includes trucking a clean frame out from SW Colorado to Chicago. It's unfathomable that Toyota would replace the same frame on the Tacoma under warranty. Lexus GX has the same rot in the same age range.

I've seen other 4runners where one frame rail rusted completely through. Mine is still a year or two away from that but my frame rails are too far gone to weld patches one. The Gen III 4runners are a lost cause, of course. Sad that this could happen to an otherwise great truck.

Brought my 2004 4Runner (109k miles) to have the brakes fixed and the mechanic said the frame and subframe are too rusty and the car is not worth repairing. It's not safe. "I wouldn't hang an empty wheel house on that frame," he said. It's so maddening because the vehicle body/paint/etc. looks great and it runs well (except for the brakes which can't be fixed). I had brought the car in last year to have the muffler/exhaust done and that mechanic had suggested I look for a new vehicle because the frame and subframe were so rusty. It's not right that the 4Runner was not recalled due to this rust issue - while 3 other models using the same frame material WERE recalled. It's a financial hardship for me to have to buy another vehicle because mine can't be fixed at 109k miles? I'm also reporting to the NHTSA - as suggested by others here.

I STARTED HEARING A NOISE LIKE FRICTION COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND FEELING IT THROUGH THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD COME AND GO AND WITHIN A WEEK THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. JUST AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SIDE ROAD, MY BRAKES WENT OUT AND THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD METAL ON METAL GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAD THE CAR TAKEN ON A ROLLBACK TO MY MECHANIC. WHEN HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT HE SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT WAS UNDRIVEABLE. MOST EVERYTHING THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS COMING LOOSE, LIKE THE BRAKE CALIPERS, COVER OVER THE GAS TANK, AXLES, ETC. THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT HE COULD LITERALLY PUT HIS HAND THROUGH IT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD OUTCOME IF I HAD STILL BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT ALL BROKE LOOSE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA, HOPE MORE PEOPLE WILL. TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION UNTIL THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OR LAWSUITS FILED.

I first noticed the entire frame rusted back in 2017, and I was living in GA at the time. Of course, the shop where I took it blamed it on "so many years up north" (Yes, I lived in NH for 14 years, however I did not think think this was the sole cause). During my time in NH and throughout owning this vehicle, I have taken it through the car wash multiple times per year, knowing the only way to wash away excessive salt was to have it done in a car wash. I've been limping this vehicle along ever since, knowing it's a Toyota and should last for a long while. Due to the rust, however, I just don't know how much longer it is going to hold up. So disappointed as I've been a loyal Toyota owner for many, many years. I recently bought a new Rav4 and previously had another newer 4Runner.

My lower control arm broke and I couldn't steer my vehicle and almost got in an accident. The garage says it can't be repaired and the frame is rusting from the inside out, and badly rusted all over. He said he is calling in the state inspection guy to have it impounded, and removing the inspection sticker.....which it will only be good for scrap metal and used parts. The Kelly Blue Book Value is $6,000!!! Now worth $0 because Toyota did not recall these along with the Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia's, which they should of, because they came out of the same warehouse at Dana Corp. in Ohio. The Feds opened up an investigation on 8-17-2018, so hopefully they will do something about this. File your complaints about this issue with NHTSA so they will take action.

Great running vehicle that we've had for 15 months. On our trip home all of a sudden the Tranny Fluid Lights came on and then nothing. Our tranny (which will be listed separately) just went out. Got it towed to shop, purchased a new tranny to replace the bad one and was called on Dec 4th. Shop told us that there was NO WAY they could replace it as the frame was completely shot. Said that the lines on tranny actually fell apart in their hands, thus the reason for the tranny going. They then sent me the pictures of the underside of the vehicle (which are located on here). As you can see the entire frame where the weld is, is completely gone. And if you look closely, where the suspension and steering is, there is but a small piece of the frame still intact. Had the tranny NOT gone out when it did, we would have been towing a trailer down to our new home in TN and who KNOW what would have happened. Shop said he we driven it much farther, it could have buckled in two!!!

I was told by the shop that there had been a frame recall on Toyota's and to check to see if ours was one of them; it wasn't! Contacted Toyota and they advised me that there was NOT a recall for our vehicle but that they would extend us a courtesy of $300.00 for towing. The vehicle is in PA and we are NOW in TN!!! This is/was a great running vehicle until all this happened and I am up in the air about what to do. We have a 2004 4Runner that won't run and has a bad frame...that we owe over $10,000 on. UGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

This 04 4Runner was bought new and driven by my wife and daughter for many years. I spent lots of money to keep it running safely all these years. When my wife complained about the front end feeling loose, I took it to the shop to replace the original suspension. It was then that I was informed that the frame is not safe because of the amount of rust on the frame. After researching I came aware of this known issue on 4 Runners. Actually, I was informed of rust issues from a recall letter I received on my 07' Tacoma. When I asked about the frame on the 4 Runner I was told there was recall on it therefore no issue. After doing some research on the internet it is obviously not the case. I spent thousands of dollars to keep the 4 runner functioning safely and now it is all to waste because the frame that the truck sits on it rusting out and is no longer safe to drive. Toyota MUST take accountability and include the '04 4Runner on the frame recall.

We purchased this vehicle 5/8/2017 from a dealership approximately 200 miles away from here. It had 123544 miles on it at the time of purchase. We checked under the vehicle and noted some rust on the frame but not through the frame which it to be expected in Michigan. The dealership assured me that they had inspected the vehicle and it was in good condition and would last for several years.

I started to have problems in August of 2018 with the 4-wheel drive, so I took it to the closest Toyota dealership to have the problem diagnosed. Lo and behold they called us and ask that we return to the shop as they had something to show us. Well I guess they did. when the 4-runner was put on the lift and the frame dropped down from the body, they discovered the frame under the passenger side doors is almost entirely rusted through.

I contacted J. Brinks Motors in Kentwood, MI and was basically told they wouldn't stand behind the vehicle. I filed a complaint with the State of Michigan and was informed that after contacting the dealership the State of Michigan said I didn't have a valid complaint as dealerships in Michigan do not have to inspect vehicles prior to selling them. (Won't forget that anytime soon!!) Basically the dealership lied either to me or the State about the inspection. Told me they had, told the State they hadn't. Mechanic who inspected it said that frame damage didn't occur in just 1 year of ownership.

We had to sign a waiver to bring it home from the Toyota dealership not holding them responsible if it broke on the way home. When I contacted Toyota, I was told they are not replacing the frames on 4 Runners even though they are doing other vehicles from that year. Told me 4 Runners are nice vehicles which I agree if they are safe to drive. I now have a very expensive lawn ornament that I will be paying for over the next 5 years. Can't sell it and can't trade it in.

Toyota should be held responsible seeing as how they are aware of frame issues with their vehicles.

The frame on my 04 4Runner V8 Sport is so rotted out I am going to have to replace this vehicle that runs great but is going to crumble to the ground due the the rusted out frame. The body has very minimal rust and nothing that is rotted through. I have two other vehicles that are older (1988 and 2004 both Ford Trucks that have no holes in the frame, just surface rust) This is very disappointing that Toyota didn't recall this vehicle with other vehicles that were recalled for the same issue. My 4Runner was rusting back when the original recall started.