Toyota 4Runner Frame Recall Campaign

Hi, My name is Dave, I am new to this forum....just joined today. I am a 4Runner owner and fan myself. I've owned 3 so far. Just wanted to make everyone aware, that I too have been plagued by the notorious rust issues that has been found on the 3RD Gen 4Runners. I created a community page on Facebook, hopefully to try and aid us 3RD Gen 4Runner owners who still love their vehicles, but the frame is rotting before our eyes. Like I said, I've owned a few and can't count how many patched welds I have performed. It's tiring to keep up with. Ultimately, it's unsafe and Toyota Motor Sales needs to address the issue.
I am pleased to try and help the 3RD Generation Toyota 4Runner owners, including myself to obtain resolution to this problem. Would you be so kind as to share this with your community and network? Toyota Motor Sales has been made ware of this unsafe ongoing issue and are hoping that it ultimately just goes away.
I have very recently notified up to 16 key executives at Toyota personally as well as 12 key employees at the NHTSA, DOT, and EPA. I will let you all know what the outcome is when I receive a response.
In the mean time, please visit the links I have provided below. I have short-linked our Facebook Community Page as well as the link to the NHTSA "File a Complaint" form. Please like and share the Facebook page and take the 3-5 minutes to fill out a NHTSA form. http://bit.ly/Facebook_4Runner_Frame_Recall
http://bit.ly/NHTSA_Safety_Complaint_Form
Let's proactively pursue resolution to this issue.
Thank you very much.

 

This is interesting because my frames look pretty darn good for 16 year old truck.....

Blue

 

Whatsamatter, Dave, not get enough schooling on T4R.org and everywhere else you've spammed with this bullshit?

 

Has anyone had any issues with fractured and broken Toyota axles on 3rd Generation Toyota 4Runners?

 

It is known for the rear axles to encounter similar rust issues. I have only heard/seen photos of it once, So I am not sure how common it is.

As for the frames... funny, my truck, which has been in Ohio it's entire life (and ODOT liberally applies road salt, Calcium Chloride and their De-icer solution, which contains beet juice to help it stick to the road, and consequently, my truck), has one of the cleanest 4Runner frames I've seen in the area. 2 Undercoating trips; one in 2000 and another in 2007 (at 229.99 ea.) from Ziebart, as noted per the receipts I found, have kept it in great shape. Along with my religious washing in the winter.

Happy 4Runnin'

 

I am curious too that if the bearings fail, like everyone talk about, this is a major issue with 4Runners.....could this cause the axle to fracture/break?

 

I think that is a separate issue. There is an issue with the rear axles encountering rust issues, and then there is a known issue with the Rear Axle Seals will fail, which will leak a good amount of gear oil and could cause problems for your rear axle.

 

I had a 91 Toyota pickup that I sold last yr and its frame was just starting to rust on the inside of the driver side frame rail. About 3-4 inch long line less than a 1/8-1/4 inch wide. Thats on a 23yr old truck that was never garaged and until I bought it in 2009 never once was its under carriage ever washed once in its life. It was never undercoated & Its whole life was spent in the central part of the states where annual snow average is around 24-30 inches. Its frame had nothing like what Nissan pickups/station wagons get, now they rust bad.
Some snows are a ft or more each yr but 3-4in snows are most common so road salt/beat juice stays on the streets several months of the yr.
Body wise It had the normal rocker panel rust under the extended cab area like the Toyota /GM pickups get and its bumper rusted so was replaced with of all things a perfect Nissan bumper from the yard, thats it.
Overall it was solid as any 23yr old truck I ever seen and Ive had well over 100 vehicles and was a car salesman on the side for over 10yrs. As a factory worker I had to have a side job to fall back on during layoffs early on in my beginnings. Believe me Ive seen rusty frames in my life too as I truck through junk yards all the time as I buy/sell - repair cars too even today. Ive been addicted to old cars since I was a 5yr old kid with match box cars IDKW? I go to junk yards all the time to just look, again IDKW, its my addiction? Ive had and seen rusty frames believe me.

Sorry here goes my ranting, lol--- Its the made in USA Toyota frames that rust too soon not the Japan built trucks. I just keep hoping Toyota never builds the 4Runner here. As a retired USA factory worker I can attest that our greed at the top & drug problem at bottom has absolutely ruined our production abilities as a nation. At one time we were the best but no more. We arent at China's skill level..lol
but until we really care about what we build again we're heading there fast and I only see more of the same each yr. Thats why when our OEM trim/glass parts producing plant (#1 in USA) started making Toyota parts in 1997-98 they basicly forced us to automate everything so we spent 80 million on automation just to land Toy. We had made trim parts for "all" other makes of cars made here since 1964 without automation because it slows everything down.
USA built 4.7 rod failure is another issue some might believe why my above statements are true. I was a foreman & also ran samples on new parts too so I know how bad it is in our plants here, trust me its always money savings at top or the line worker going to break/being tired that cause this stuff everytime. Production rates too high also cause people to skip steps to meet them, again American greed. Sorry so long.

 

Spoke to Toyota today about my 04 frame rusting. This has been a problem for me since 2011!! I owned the 4Runner since 2005 (cert pre-owned). There is a recall and replacement on the Tundra and Tacoma for this problem but not enough complaints for the 4Runner. Let's go people. Thanks to Dave I did my NHTSA complaint. I included a complaint about the smell as well. I have rust issues documented since 2011. Toyota told me it would cost them about $10K to replace my frame. I told them If they give me that plus the $11K I should normally get for a trade I will include $10K and they can get me a good Cert preowned. I asked them how to prevent rust on the new SUV. They told me to coat it with corrosion resistant compound one time and that's it. Well why the heck didn't they do that in the first place? They would not take my truck or give the $10K. All they offered was $1K toward another 4Runner. They told me I will not get regular trade in price because of the rusted frame. So, I get $5K (maybe) for my 04 (It's perfect except for frame!), $1K from Toyota and $10K from me. What can you get for $16K these days? Sorry, Toyota has to make up for my loss on my truck because of their inferior product. Guess I won't be buying Toyota again! I can probably get more than $5K if I sell the 4Runner as separate parts! The seats are perfect tan leather (no kids!)!

 

4Runners are having serious frame rust issues. Tacoma's and Tundra's have recalls for rusting frames. Dave is correct! I have been having issues on my '04 since 2011. spoke to Toyota today. They know!!! Not enough complaints yet.

 

I spoke to Toyota. Depends on where you live. Road salt seems to be really bad on the frames. They cheaped out, didn't coat the frames and didn't tell the customers to do it.

 

There not going to tell you. Under "normal" driving conditions the frame is going to be fine.Toyota can't help what your local DOT puts on the road. If every car manufacture engineered of the what if non of us could afford to drive anything. When you buy a car and you live in a salt area take some time and initiative and coat it your self....

Blue

 

Im in the West. Non of my toyota have any kind of rust on them.

 

Spot welding now but not much more.

 

I live in Central PA (I know, I know)... and just found the first hole in the frame of my 97 4Runner. Very sad. There's no shame in it, she's been an awesome 4Runner. Someone can definitely patch it and have an awesome runner for some time to come. But I think I'm going to part with it and buy a newer one. I'd like a 2010+. I think I deserve it after driving my 97 for 13 years. haha. But yeah... my 97 was made in Japan and isn't part of the recalls. Just where I live, I guess. Husband has a 93 pickup with a hole in the same spot (behind the gas tank).

 

My 2000 4runner only has 150000 miles on it, runs great. I have a rusted frame on the passenger side mostly, seems to run back from where the AC condensation drips down. Have filed a complaint with Toyota and NTSA. I think this is a safety issue, so I no longer let my family drive the 4runner. I guess that after I dispose of it Toyota will recall it.

 

Hi everyone, my issue is similar: frame rust on my 03 4runner sport, and the mechanic just told me that it's no longer safe to drive. The sway bar rusted through and part of it fell off The vehicle has 140k miles and I've had it for 7 years. I had planned on driving it for at least ten more years. Aside from the NHTSA complaint I will be filing, is there anything else I can be doing to get Toyota's attention on this issue?? It sounds like there are many of us with this problem, so any advice you have would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

I recently bought an '02 4Runner for my son. I knew there was some frame rust to watch. I just had service done and was told to watch the frame rust in the rear near mounts as holes are appearing. The Mechanic said it is very common on this generation. He has scrapped 2 of his own due to this issue. His Toyota Rep said they have no plans on recalling like they did on the Tacoma - and yes it is a widespread known issue in these 4Runners. He told me to have my son do nothing off-road and he should be good for a while. I appreciate older posts saying how to file complaints. At least I will feel like I have tried to get Toyota to do something.

 

Anyone ever look into replacing the frame? How much would a replacement frame cost? Is it even possible to get one?

 

I've got a 96 and I'm trying to see what year frames are compatible with my 4Runner so I can do a complete swap out. Only 88k on the truck, don't want to junk it or sell it.

 

I have a 97 245K+ that wont pass inspection again due to large rust holes in the frame. Looking for "good" news on a possible recall...I too do not want to junk it.

 

Why do these recall hopes keep popping up? Toyota is not going to start a recall on a 15-21 year old vehicle, on top of that the tundra's and tacoma's never had a recall, some are still under a service campaign, but for many that campaign has expired. It was not mandated by NHTSA, it was voluntary, the problem is not the trucks its the climate. To clarify the difference between a recall and a voluntary campaign, a NHTSA recall does not expire, nor are there any mileage restrictions. I had the rear spring recall done on my 97 2 years ago because it was a mandated recall, I'm a long way past any voluntary campaigns.

 

Hi to all. This is the first time using this site and see many opinions posted. I bought 2003 4Runner Limited new from a dealer in Ohio where I still live. The 4Runner was made in Japan as I had to wait for it to get delivered in the U.S. The 4Runner has 244,100 miles on it and the engine is just as strong as day 1. The real problem I have is rust. Over the years the rust stains on my garage floor under where I park my 4Runner has grown and basically I have a red floor. I just took my 4Runner to a Goodyear dealer to have the oil changed and the shop owner showed me the rusted frame while it was on the lift. He said he would not put my 4Runner up on a lift again as it would probably break the frame. I have a friend who had a 2005 Tundra and when it was on a lift for an oil change the rear axle broke loose. My friend spent $1,800 to get this issue resolved and then contacted Toyota who in turn reimbursed him for the charges. Fortunately for him the Tundra was on a recall.

I do agree with the one respondent that it is very unlikely that Toyota will do a recall on a 14+ yr old car but I do disagree with the statement made that only 4Runners made in the U.S. rust. It is sad that for over 14yrs this 4Runner has been a champ and I had only had to replaced brake shoes, calipers, 2 wheel bearings and tires. If the rust was not in such bad shape I would probably hang onto this 4Runner but the integrity of the frame is now a major concern of mine. I bet I could reach 300,000+ miles easily.

I really would love Toyota to show some loyalty to owners of their popular 4x4 because I do not believe it would be a huge recall, I know wishful thinking. Good luck to those that have a frame rusting issue, maybe a miracle will happen......

 

If anyone is interested, I am parting out a 2002 4runner whose frame is in very solid condition.

Thanks,
Charlie

 

Hi I'm new to this site. I own a 1997 4Runner SR5, which it used to belong to my sister. She was the second owner of this vehicle, she took good care of it. It currently has 225K miles on it. Everything works fine, runs very good, and it looks amazing from the outside and inside. But recently the rear shock broke so I decided to change it. I went ahead and bought 2 shocks for the front and two for the back. I wanted the truck to be leveled since I was gonna replace the rear shocks. When I got under the car I encounter a huge rust problem. The rear shocks couldn't be replaced because the metal where the shock goes was completely eaten by the rust. I really like this truck and I would love to keep it, but I don't know what to do with it to solve this problem. I already filed a complaint with the NHTSA. Hopefully Toyota will take care of all the 3rd generation 4Runners rust issues.

 

This thread sounds fishy... So many new users suddenly coming up and finding this thread.

 

where are you located?

 

Dave is telling the truth and there is a serious rusting problem with these frames depending on where you live and drive. My 2000 4runner has close to 300K and the rear half of the frame is pretty much gone. I've had both rear shock frame mounts replaced and the recent Toyota frame recall does not include 4runners. Other than the frame rust it's been a great vehicle. This truck could go many more miles, but not without a frame replacement which wouldn't make any sense at this point. The interior looks like is has 80K on it.

 

I am new to this site. I own a 2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD. The frame is a rust bucket. This is unbelievable. I will not buy another Toyota because of this. I bought it brand new and it only has 109,000 miles on it. Toyota definitely needs to do something about this issue!

 

As mentioned earlier in the thread (by Toyotayoda) there is no chance that Toyota will do anything at this point. Factory rust proofing their frames was not a priority for them, but some savvy cold climate owners did have the foresight to do it themselves. Consider it a lesson learned.