Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 01/20/2013 | 200000 | ||
| Was driving through a neighborhood at 15 mph and a bracket that holds the rear axle in place snapped off the frame. upon inspection the frame appears to have rusted straight through. i understand the the car is old and has a lot of miles but i do not think that the frame should be the first thing to go on a vehicle. the rest of the car is in great condition considering the age of the vehicle, its a shame that due to a frame malfunction the car is no longer usable. we are just lucky they catastrophic failure didn't happen at speed. | |||
| 11/30/2012 | 1 | ||
| The frame has rotted out of this vehicle due to excessive rust. most notably on the passenger's side towards the rear axle. apparently this is a major problem with toyota vehicles and the manufacturer is refusing to do anything about it. *tr | |||
| 11/30/2012 | |||
| The frame has rotted out of this vehicle due to excessive rust. most notably on the passenger's side towards the rear axle. apparently this is a major problem with toyota vehicles and the manufacturer is refusing to do anything about it. | |||
| 09/13/2005 | 40000 | ||
| Having major frame rot on 99 4runner. toyota has recalled tundra and tacoma for same issues and nothing for the 4runner. the tacoma and runner have same frames, how is this possible. reading the recall their is a safety concern about the rear suspended spare which the 4runners have, severe rot which is common on all, break line failure which happened to mine. does my family or someone elses need to be in a major accident for this to be addressed?.. toyota has given me the run around, i hope you can help. my next recourse is either the media or an attorney. any help would be appreciated. this is a major safety issue! toyota is addressing only the surface here. thank you | |||
| 03/10/2012 | 164000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine oil change when he was informed that the frame was rusted. the rust began near the front passenger side tire and ended near the middle of the passenger side doors. the dealer was notified and informed the contact that it needed to be taken care of immediately. the manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and offered no further assistance. the failure mileage was 164,000. | |||
| 03/10/2012 | 164000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine oil change when he was informed that the frame was rusted. the rust began near the front passenger side tire and ended near the middle of the passenger side doors. the dealer was notified and informed the contact that it needed to be taken care of immediately. the manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and offered no further assistance. the failure mileage was 164,000. kmj | |||
| 03/10/2012 | 164000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that he went into get an oil change and was informed that the frame is rusted. he stated that the rust begins near the front passenger side tire and stops midway of the passenger side doors. the dealer was notified and informed that it needed to be taken care of immediately. the manufacturer was informed and stated that there were no recalls on that type of failure and the vehicle was out of warranty. the failure mileage was 164000. ap | |||
| 09/01/2011 | 150000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was parked the contact noticed there was rust and holes throughout the frame. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. rvk | |||
| 09/01/2011 | 150000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while parked the contact noticed there was rust and holes throught the frame. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. ds | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 142000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear driver side frame rail was completely rusted as a result of corrosion. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they informed the contact that the frame would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 142,000. | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 142000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear driver side frame rail was completely rusted as a result of corrosion. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they informed the contact that the frame would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 142,000. kmj | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 142000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed the rear driver's side frame rail was completely rusted as a result of corrosion. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they informed the frame would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 142,000. js | |||
| 10/11/2011 | 100000 | ||
| Toyota has recalled the tundra and tacoma for frame rust. the 4runners are experiencing the identical problems and toyota has not recalled. their are numerous stories documented with the 4runner frames. my truck has holes through the frame and the safety of my family is at stake. this is unacceptable. you and toyota have been put on notice. thank you for your time. | |||
| 10/08/2011 | |||
| Frame is rusted through (comletly perforated). rust hole is over 6 inches long and 2 inches high. vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not pass a state safety inspection. | |||
| 10/11/2011 | 100000 | ||
| Toyota has recalled the tundra and tacoma for frame rust. the 4runners are experiencing the identical problems and toyota has not recalled. their are numerous stories documented with the 4runner frames. my truck has holes through the frame and the safety of my family is at stake. this is unacceptable. you and toyota have been put on notice. thank you for your time. | |||
| 10/08/2011 | |||
| Frame is rusted through (comletly perforated). rust hole is over 6 inches long and 2 inches high. vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not pass a state safety inspection. | |||
| 05/13/2011 | 166823 | ||
| During the routine maintenance and inspection, the mechanics at dealer found a rust through hole in the passenger side frame rail. the hole may and/or will compromise the integrity of the body according the mechanics. there are also considerable rusting across the frame of the body, including rear bumper (replaced 4 years ago), front bumper, sway bar and exhaust system (stainless steal exhaust pipe and muffler are replaced). all the rust related repair cost over the years is about $5,000. what concerned me the most is that how long i can safely drive the car with rusting problem getting worse? | |||
| 05/27/2008 | 1 | ||
| Body is rusting severely. rear hatch will not open. bumpers have disintegrated. frame rusted away from body and had to be repaired. *tr | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | |||
| 07/09/2012 | 225000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. the contact stated the vehicle taken to a mechanic for the brakes and it was discovered that the right rear and left rear frame was covered with rust. the right frame was worse than the left and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. the contact spoke with the manufacturer who stated there was no recall for the frame and they could not offer any assistance. the failure and current mileage was 225,000. | |||
| 02/28/2011 | 267000 | ||
| March 6, 2011: 99 toyota 4runner: i noticed my 4runner pictching on highway even at low speeds for several weeks. after i brought into toyota they informed that the vehicle was extremely unsafe - rear end differential housing had become detached from frame on rear passanger side - right rear axle close to complete failure - toyota stated it was too dangersous to drive. severe rust on the structural and suspension components is excessive. also large holes in differential housing causing fluid leakage. toyota stated they could find used parts, including suspension bracket & entire replacement of differential housing & sway bar components - would cost up to $3000 to repair at my cost. another option is to find a mechanic to weld & repair suspension brackets. the rear transfer case is so thin that oil is leaking through rust holes. frame rails & entire undercarriage also severely rusted & deteriorated, including entire disintegration of the rear bumper with the front bumper having massive rust holes. | |||
| 02/10/2011 | 200000 | ||
| Frame on 1999 toyota 4runner has rusted through in front of rear axle attachment on driver's and passenger's sides. rear differential cover has also rusted to point where differential fluid is leaking out. the vehicle is well maintained and washed regularly with no rust anywhere but frame and rear differential. the vehicle is unsafe to drive and must be repaired according to mechanic. toyota states that they have a voluntary buy-back program on tacoma's of same vintage, but not for the 4runner? | |||
| 09/14/2010 | 194000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. while examining the vehicle the contact noticed a rust hole near the driver side front area of the frame. the vehicle has not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. the current and failure mileages were 194000. bml | |||
| 04/18/2010 | 117000 | ||
| Our 1999 4runner recently went to the dealer for an inspection, where we learned that the frame on the truck would not pass inspection because there are softball size holes in it. the truck is not safe to drive as a result. there has been a similar issue on the tundra frames, which were part of a buy back program from toyota. we were told we could have a new frame put on, but it would cost more than the truck is worth and the truck wouldn't be the same again. our toyota dealer has given us a phone number (and we have a claim number) for toyota and we have made our case with them, but no action has been taken and the dealer has basically said there is nothing further he can do. | |||
| 04/06/2010 | 335000 | ||
| Upon a normal maintenance on the front brakes my mechanic found that the front frame was rusted to a dangerous level. i will have to have plates welded onto the frame to make it safe to drive. this should not happen on a vehicle that is only 11 years old and carefully maintained. the vehicle is a 1999 toyota 4 runner. | |||
| 08/01/2008 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Rust on the structural and suspension components is excessive. i have had welding done to repair suspension brackets. the rear transfer case is so thin that oil is leaking through rust holes. *tr | |||
| 11/25/2009 | 1 | ||
| 1999 toyota 4runner, frame rust along the entire frame. body shop would not try to repair due to liability. i live in nj where the salt is not as bad as in the northern states. the safety issue is the rear end separating from the frame as their is rust through were the rear suspension connects to the frame. *tr | |||
| 05/15/2009 | 190000 | 1 | |
| 1999 toyota 4-runner- i noticed the rear end swaying wildly at even low speeds. i notices that the rear end had become detached from frame. i went to a professional welder who had previously done some work for me. he said that the frame components were so badly deteriorated that nothing could be done. i went to steet toyota in utica n.y., and they told me that my vehicle would cost over $15,000 to repair. the frame and components were indeed defective, but i had no recourse. *tr | |||
| 08/15/2008 | 143000 | 1 | 05/01/1999 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that there is a hole in the box frame of the vehicle due to the construction of the frame. water seeps in through the frame, causing it to rust from the inside out. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance and they informed her of the failure. the vehicle was diagnosed by two repair shops and they both confirmed that the failure was due to the design of the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 143,000. updated 09/29/08. *lj updated 09/29/08. *jb | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS - UNDERBODY SHIELDS | |||
| 10/03/2012 | 98000 | 1 | |
| 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 tundras 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. *tr | |||
| 05/01/2012 | 71000 | 1 | |
| 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 tundras 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. tr | |||