Is this an issue?

haha y'all will probably be surprised to hear this from me...

I don't think it really matters. Bolt probably will never need to be removed. I don't think rust or corrosion is an issue there. If anything, the rubberized coating (my guess) is only there to keep the body from being dented from rocks, and paint coating chipped. At that point, the elements could penetrate. But that bolt is strong as heck and no rock is going to chip it. Even if so, the bolt is made of a material that is more resilient to the elements than the body of the vehicle.

I'll probably spray something on them, too, but honestly I think we are being anal here.

 

I looked at mine again. It does line up with the rear seat belt anchor bolts. Must be they are installed after the undercoating is applied. Maybe some countries where the 4Runner is sold don’t require rear seat belts.

 

I emailed Toyota directly through their website. See link below. You have to select new vehicle info. I hope others on here will write an email. I told them I follow this forum so hopefully there is some power in our numbers on this site.

You have to select "new vehicle info on left" and then put in 2021 4Runner at bottom. If you do not it will not submit your email and try to get you access FAQ's




Toyota FAQs | Send Questions to Toyota Customer Service

https://www.toyota.com/support/#!/app/ask


I took a screen shot of that exposed bolt and attached that as well. Hopefully some others on this forum will send Toyota an email here. Its just sad to see when we are all spending $40k plus for new 2021 4Runners

 

An update on my post above, I decided to call them as well 1-800-331-4331 (selected option for new vehicle issues).

For those of us that call they will make a case number by VIN and get back with a resolution, and hopefully notify the factory for those units yet to be built this year.

The more people that call and file a case will was told will help escalate the issue to be resolved more quickly. The customer service rep I spoke seemed very helpful.

 

The person I spoke with encouraged any of us on this forum to contact them. I told him several people on this 4Runners.com forum commented about this issue and they advised to have everyone contact Toyota directly so they can see the scope of the issue and work directly with customer to resolve.

 

Just took a pic of this bolt on the driver's rear of my '17. Similar little flap of where the bolt poked through...but appears to have been coated over after the fact. I've owned the vehicle since new (bought it with 3 miles on it) and I didn't do it. Perhaps it was re-coated at the factory or perhaps it is supposed to be part of the PDI and some dealers aren't doing it. Certainly odd...

 

I know what I'm looking for when I get home...

 

Went to the dealer today, they offered to put a coating over it and heat shrink it to bond. I declined, however they were kind enough to give me the materials needed for this. I’ll be doing it this weekend.

 

What is that stuff? Sticky on the back?

 

it’s a rubber liner? Not sure. However I’m going to cut a square patch large enough to cover the bolt. Apply adhesive then use a heat gun to shrink and bond.

 

Just checked my 21' and i have the same thing going on. Like others have said looks like they apply the undercoating before the seatbelt bolts are installed.

 

Well, I'll be damned! Same shit as everyone else I guess.

 

Wondering if it might just be better to use an RTV silicone gasket maker type of product and just glob it on there and call it a day?

 

Are you under warranty?

I might stop at a dealership and mention it. I'm beyond the bumper to bumper mileage, but well within the 3 years. Seems like this rust could just keep eating away until there's nothing left holding the rear seatbelts. Seems like a safety issue to me.

 

Good point, but I put going to the service dept at a dealer right up there with the dentist....not something I am eager to do.

 

it’s a simple DIY. I can do it in my driveway in 30 mins. Or spend 4 hours at a dealer and possibly damage my vehicle lol

 

Did anybody else email Toyota or call them or am I am the Lone Ranger here?

 

I’ll work on calling later this week.

 

Agreed. This looks like something beyond a TSB, assuming that is a seatbelt anchor.

 

Agreed, but..

I am sure I can fix this well enough as well, but;

If this is the anchor point for the rear seat belts, it's a potential safety issue. This should be brought to Toyota's attention.

Between this, the fuel pump recall with no solution, and the needle bearing BS, this bothers me the most

I'm looking forward to hearing what you both find out.

I looked this evening, and it is 100% the seatbelt anchor. I'm not too thrilled right now.

 

My driver side is covered ok, passenger side has a few threads exposed.

I agree that Toyota is responsible BUT, I'm inclined to fix it myself.

I have already received stripped skid plate bolt holes and scratched paint from the dealership, service advisor used his fingernail to clean off some bird poop from the hood after the "complementary car wash".

I'm now of the opinion that the less they touch my runner the better.

 

That is both upsetting and disgusting.

 

I found this product. It’s a rubber liner spray. May just use this.

https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-...VFD6tBh17rwtSEAQYAyABEgIcSfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Got curious, so I looked also. DS covered. PS has one thread showing. I've got to say, this has turned anal. If anyone is that concerned about a few bolt threads showing, and expects Toyota to 'fix' this 'problem', it's ridiculous. Not 12" away, you've got upper rear shock mount threads that are exposed in the same wheel wells, getting the same road crap thrown all over them. Why hasn't Toyota sealed those threads from the elements? There's dozens of undercarriage bolts all over the vehicle that have exposed threads.

For anyone whose had their 4R for more than a few weeks, the likelihood of a pebble caught in the tire tread flying out and eventually hitting that spot on the seat belt bolt and knocking off a chunk of the rubberized coating seems fairly high. Sort of like inevitable rock chips in the front of the grille and bumper. I don't know why they decided to use bolts that seem to be a bit too long, but I don't see it as a problem to be 'fixed' by Toyota.

The 'fix' for those who see this as a factory quality control problem, and the beginning of the end of their 4R, is to throw on some rubberized coating, inspect in a year, repeat; not bombard Toyota with emails demanding a TSB or recall for seat belt bolt thread sealant repair.

 

I concur,

I'm very anal and OCD, but I've learned to choose my battles carefully. Life is short.

 

See, this is why I like a two party system. It kinda keeps me centered when it’s working correctly.

I think I’m now back in the ideological center regarding this seat belt bolt and wheel well liner.

 

There is a difference between chassis bolts which are intended to be exposed and a bolt penetrating the body of the vehicle which Toyota obviously attempted to seal up. I'm not concerned about the fact that the threads are exposed, but that the bolt that anchors my rear seat belt is now rusting.

Yes. Absolutely. But, they should probably figure out a way to seal this spot better. The rubberized coating is there for a reason.

Who said anything about this? If I were Toyota, I would want to know about this so I could figure out a better way to protect that bolt. Or, use a bolt that wouldn't rust.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with that bolt end being exposed. The body is undercoated prior to the bolt being installed so it pushes the coating away. I'm curious if there'd be a stink about this if the flap wasn't there to begin with

 

My 2014 has the same exposed bolt thing. 100k miles. No rust and I don't see it as an issue.

 

I noticed these exposed threads on my 21 on my initial inspection, so that’s got to put me pretty high on the OCD scale. I was thinking to spray it down with fluid film every one in a while.

In fact, all these exposed bolts as already mentioned , and the frame they are attached to, have me worried enough that Im planning on paying 400 bucks to have my whole underside coated (including cavities) with Woolwax. Im totally excited I found a shop that applies this a few hours away me, as I wasnt looking forward to doing it myself.

This particular bolt will need extra attention since it is in splash and rock impact area. A rubberized coating can chip and retain water, anf fluid film/woolwas will probably get washed off with constant spray.